I have been following along but not commenting much.
Just a thought, and definitely not a fact but they may have more $$ than we think. First off, perhaps parents offered some for this trip, is one possibility--apparently a vehicle and camper were provided.
But more so, I am thinking possibly CD and LF had cash. Her mother said she had been working double shifts serving to save for this trip. While most of us in our daily lives use debit cards or credit cards, on a trip I would never travel without cash, particularly out of the country.
If, as well, their planned trip was going to include remote areas where internet or cell coverage may be spotty, campgrounds, a business in a remote area, etc., may well deal in cash, etc. or it would just seem a good idea to have some cash along.
One can always call home for some help but not if one does not have cell phone coverage and/or are stranded where there is none. If LF and CD were aware this could be an issue, which he may well have been having lived there, I could see planning to take an amount of cash along.
I think it quite possible the teens may have taken cash from them, even a stash of it, as well as their personal documents and credit cards, etc. Of course, if the cash was hidden as well as CD's passport apparently was, perhaps they netted no cash.
I do not know what the botanist would possibly carry that way but they may well have netted some cash there too.
We know of little thus far they have spent money on other than probably on a fair amount of gas for the trip.
They could easily still have a fair amount of cash with them but the problem is they can't be seen most places to spend any of it. I guess if they encountered the right person, for the right amount of money they may help them or someone may have before alerts went out.
Then again, they may be low on cash or have none.
Jmo.