Want to Help?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

When I announced to my Family and Friends that I planned on hiking the PCT this spring I was met with a surprising response. I guess I figured everyone would just think I was crazy, kinda like the response I got to "hey guess what? I'm gonna move to Los Angeles and work in the film Industry".  Come on... deep down you all thought I would fail! haha But my recent announcement of "hey guess what? I'm gonna hike 2,650 miles from Mexico to Canada!" was met with a ton of support! Several people have asked me how they could help. There are many ways that you can help, I will give you all the information I can and how you decide to help is totally up to you.

There are many costs involved in doing a Thru hike, you would think it would be easy to just leave everything behind and go backpack for 6 month, but in reality it is not.

- Equipment.  At this time I have just about everything I need. I may make some last minute changes, gear may fail during the hike, and I will probably need up to 5 pairs of shoes (I have 2 pair so far). To give you an Idea, I have spent $1500-$2000 on my equipment, I bought most of that with major savings, the msrp value of all my stuff is around $3000. hiking is expensive!

- Food.  I will be buying most of my food in towns along the way.  I will also send myself some packages for areas where food is either not easily bought or is overpriced.  Then there is restaurants in town, about every 5 days or so I will be in a town, and I will want to eat real food... mmmm the thoughts of a cheeseburger or pizza or ice cream or fresh veggies and fruit will consume me and hiker appetite will be in full force! Also along the way there are trail angels, people who set up spots along the trail with food! donations are not mandatory, but are appreciated.

- Lodging. For the most part I will be sleeping in my tent for 6 months. But there are places along the way that offer a place to pitch a tent or stay.  Hostels, campgrounds, and Hotels. I don't plan on staying at a hotel often, but if friends are sharing a room I would split the cost and enjoy the luxury on occasion! logging costs vary between $5-$20 night.

- Misc expenses.  Phone bill, Fuel for my stove, Insurance, possible dr.'s bills, Passport, storage, gps locator plan, shipping costs for food resupply boxes, shipping for bounce box. and anything else I may have forgotten.

Are you still thinking about helping me out? Here are some ways you can help.

1. MAKE A DONATION
Any donation made will go to my Paypal account, this money is solely being used for my hike and will not be spent on anything else.  Please let me know if there is a particular way you want me to spend it. ie: buy a burger w/ this $ or put this towards gear or enjoy a night in a hotel. I will give you a shout out on my blog when I use your donation. (unless you want to be anonymous).



2. SEND A CARE PACKAGE
Receiving a care package would be Amazing! Since I have to carry everything on my back I will have to ask you to keep that in mind while making one. I'm defining a care package as 1 or more items, not a meal plan. Examples would be socks, Candy, Snicker (preferably w/ almonds hint hint), a jar of cookie butter, homemade cookies, brownies or rice crispy treats, olive oil packets (from subway) little splurge items, Addresses will be on the care package page, just make sure we are in contact so the package doesn't get missed.

3. SEND A RESUPPLY PACKAGE
This will take a little more planning. For those of you who want to send a resupply package it will be a meal plan. The location will determine how many days I will need then there will be Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snacks and Drinks for each day. All the info you need is on the the "Care Packages" page.  Email me and we can pic a location that works for the both of us. Receiving a resupply box will be a huge help and I hope that you would have fun making it!

3. EMAIL ME!
colleenhikes@gmail.com
This email address if solely for my hike and will be checked every chance I get.  Communication through this email will be your best bet for talking to me! Encouragement will be greatly appreciated!!

Help in any form will be greatly appreciated! I don't think I would be successful without the help I have received from Friends, Family and Strangers

Thank you,
Colleen