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For the Appalachian Trail I had 10 companies
who sponsored the trip that led to my book, Hike Your Own Hike.
For the CDT, I will have at least 13 sponsors. I always deeply believe in whatever company that sponsors in me. I choose the
best of breed. If I wouldn't spend my own money buying their gear, then I won't
endorse them and don't want their sponsorship. I can't promote products I don't
use and believe are the best in the market.
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Sponsor
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Why they're cool |
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I love everything Gossamer Gear makes.
Their backpacks and shelters are insanely light and well designed. They
have rain gear that is incredibly inexpensive and light. Almost they
cater to the ultralight backpackers, they also have gear that can
keep a comfort hiker happy. In short, there's nothing they do that I
don't endorse.
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GoLite pumps out the best backpacking clothes in the Solar
System. I've been buying their stuff since they started and I just
adore their high quality, light weight gear. |
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Jacks R Better makes the most innovative and intelligent
sleeping systems a backpacker can buy. My favorite product is their
quilt, which converts into an insulating parka. Their down hood can
be worn independently of the quilt. In short, they've created the
lightest, most comfortable, and flexible sleeping system out there. |
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Bob's Red Mill is providing the
fuel for this journey. Their nutritious and healthy food delivers
exactly what I will need to walk nearly 6,000 miles. I'll be eating
a variety of their granola, nuts, and dried fruit. I'll also be
soaking golden couscous, potato flakes, and textured vegetable
protein. All together, that should be about 5,000 calories a day. |
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Inov-8 makes the best trail
running shoes. They will be supplying me with 10 shoes to cover the
5,800 miles. I will use different models depending on the terrain.
Their shoe uppers are extremely functional with mesh in the forepart
and tongues for maximum breathability. When you run through
water and the shoe gets soaked, it creates a pumping action that
expels the water from the shoe allowing it to dry quickly. The well
placed lace webbing allows for a secure foothold without altering
the natural alignment of the metatarsals. The back of our shoes are
cleanly cut which allows your Achilles tendon to experience high
levels of comfort and minimum restriction. |
Backcountry Navigator |
Backcountry Navigator is a
brilliant and inexpensive solution that will help me figure out
where I'm going! When you
load this software onto a Windows Mobile device that has GPS, you
can easily navigate anywhere in the backcountry. The software uses
the industry standard GPX format and uses topographic data from
TerraServer USA, so maps are free! The price for software? Just $30! |
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Mealpack was the only energy bar that we never got tired of on the
PCT. It's not loaded with sugars. The Pemmican Fruit and Nut bar is
packed with what a backpacker needs: calories and nutrition. Each bar
has 420 calories, 17 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and several
key vitamins (like calcium and iron). These bars aren't called MealPack for nothing. And its $1.39 price makes it easy
to digest. |
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Got water? You need the Platypus. Nobody
makes a lighter, more collapsible way to carry water. You need to carry water? Get a Platy.
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Brunton makes lots of outdoor
gear, and they are the undisputed leader in portable power. Their solar
rolls are ultra light and ultra durable. I wanted a way to keep my
electronics constantly powered so I didn't have to spend hours at
each town recharging batteries. At 7 ounces, I found the solution.
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Mountain Laurel Designs has been
innovating like crazy in 2007! They're really pushing the super
ultra light packing envelope. Their gear is groundbreaking and I
support their fresh new designs. I'll be using their eVENT Rain
Mitts and their Grace Solo Mini Spectralite .60 tarp. |
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Arc Flashlight makes flashlights
that have outstanding weight to illumination ratios. When I'm
heading south on the CDT, I will be losing daylight fast, especially
after September. These bright beacons will help me navigate at
night. |
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Pristine makes purifying safe, light, and easy. What more does a
backpacker need? Chlorine Dioxide is safe and easy to use. I've been
using it on all my backpacking trips over the last 5 years. At
2.8 ounces, it's far lighter than a pump! |
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MSR makes a variety of
backpacking gear. I will use their Packtowl Ultralite, which is the
lightest, most compact micro-fiber towel on the market. It absorbs
water quickly and dries in a snap. If I'm running late, I will use
their Lightning Ascent snowshoes. |
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Monarch Mountain Lodge is an
awesome place to stay in Colorado! The Lodge is a place to indulge
yourself. It has: Restaurant & Lounge - Indoor Pool - 2 Outdoor Hot
Tubs - Sauna - Fitness Room - Basketball & Racquetball Courts - Game
Rooms - Direct TV - Guest Laundry - Conference Rooms - 99 Rooms -
Suites - Efficiencies - Pet Rooms - Wi-Fi |
We should stop expecting the taxpayers to foot the bill of finishing
the CDT. They need $27 million and we should be able to raise that
privately. We must take
ownership. That means raising money privately to help improve the
Triple Crown (AT, PCT, and CDT). Practice some real trail magic and
give today to one or more of these trails. By sponsoring me, these companies are
helping me make more people aware of the state of the CDT as we approach
its 30th anniversary.
Moreover, I'm putting my money where my mouth is by donating half my
book royalties to these three trails. As a writer, I don't make much,
so I'm grateful that my sponsors help me keep my costs down. It allows
me to increase awareness of the trails by encouraging others to give. |
