How Would I Go About Getting Possible Sponsors To Help Me To Do My Dream Hike?
For over 20 years I have dreamed of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, which travels over 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada. After surviving over ten years of some pretty serious depression, I am finally ready to start a new life and would love to finally do the trail before I get too old! Do any boot, backpack, tent manufacturers etc. ever sponsor hikers in desperate need…and if so does anyone know how to go about asking or applying?
I am planning on writing a book and maintaining a web site about my struggles, both with the hike and the depression as well as (hopefully) my triumph in conquering both. I would be happy to put their logos all over my site, test their gear and give them reports, etc. I just don’t know how to get something like that going.
Thanks!
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i would put up a website asking people to email or call you so that they can pledge. This girl I know did this with her MS Walk. They raised a couple thousand dollars.
For corporate sponsors, just write them or call their PR dept.
It’s tough, but I know it has been done in the past. Perhaps it has been done so much that sponsership is not much of a viable method to go about this anymore. I suggest you save up (on average, $1-2 per mile) and do this on your own funds. You will have enough pressures of your own trying to complete the entire Mexico to Canada trip without some sponser hounding you for information and data. What if you don’t make the entire trip? Will they seek out being paid back?
Just one forewarning, hiking the PCT from end to end may not be the end of depression for you. At times, while you are on the trail, you could be severely depressed when you can’t find water, you hike for days upon days on your own, or if you get hurt and can’t complete it. On the flip side though, it can be the most incredible, enjoyable, satisfying thing you ever do in your life. The main objective should be…..enjoy it!!
“Mooman” 1996