When he was 19, Gabe Vasquez joined the Marines. A primary era Mexican-American from Austin, Texas, Gabe is grateful to have began his profession within the navy, the place he fashioned sturdy bonds together with his fellow service members. Nonetheless, he additionally left with PTSD and residual accidents from his time abroad, and has shut pals from his navy time who’ve suffered from life-altering accidents.
With little information of the path beforehand, Gabe got down to hike the Pacific Crest Path (PCT) after coming back from his deployments, as a part of an effort to lift cash for causes supporting veterans’ bodily and psychological well being. He noticed it as a method to honor his fellow veteran pals, identified and unknown, dealing with accidents and psychological well being challenges from their service time.
We caught up with Gabe to listen to extra about his fundraising efforts, the unimaginable out of doors feats he has achieved alongside the way in which, and the way we are able to all assist assist veterans’ psychological well being.
Gossamer Gear: Are you able to inform us somewhat in regards to the Semper Fi Fund and why it’s an vital nonprofit to you?
Gabe: Semper Fi & America’s Fund (SFF) cares for our nation’s critically wounded, in poor health, and injured service members, veterans, and navy households. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, it gives one-on-one case administration, connection, and lifelong assist.
Since 2014, I’ve hiked, kayaked, and cycled over 24,000 miles to assist increase funds for SFF. It’s so vital to me as a result of it has been helping veterans in so many various methods since 2003, together with a number of of my private pals. We’d like organizations like SFF round to proceed to assist veterans and save as many lives as attainable. SFF creates areas the place veterans can really feel secure and heal. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day, and SFF and the individuals who work for the group are going to assist decrease that quantity.
How have you ever been elevating cash for this effort and what has that have been like up to now?
In 2014, I made a decision to affix my good friend and kayak the Mississippi River from supply to sea. We managed to lift over $18,000. Afterwards, I continued to lift funds as a result of I simply need to assist my pals. This complete expertise has been life altering. Now, I am the primary identified Mexican-American to finish the Triple Crown. Not solely was I elevating funds, however I additionally discovered the peace I’ve been in search of since getting out of the Marines. It saved my life, and I started to inform everybody what the outside have executed for me.
For somebody who has no background within the outside or no information on elevating funds for a charity, I am doing OK. I’ve an account with a donation hyperlink that goes on to SFF. They get 100% of the donations. I’ve used social media to assist unfold my message and assist increase funds. Since I’ve traveled so many miles, I’ve met so many individuals and gotten loads of assist alongside the way in which with this. I’ve a lot deliberate and will use all the assistance I can get.
What are your targets for the approaching yr?
My aim for this coming yr is to proceed my “7 Summits” challenge. I accomplished my first summit this summer time: Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa. I hope to knock out two extra summits now: Mount Aconcagua in South America, and Mount Denali for North America.
I may even be mountaineering a number of sections of the PCT and, almost definitely, the Pacific Northwest Path.
Glen informed us you hiked the PCT however had by no means heard of the path beforehand. What was that like and what motivated you to complete it?
The PCT was the primary time I’ve ever hiked in my life. The closest I may get to it was patrolling in Afghanistan with 100 kilos of substances on. I didn’t know what the PCT was a few months earlier than mountaineering it. Truthfully, once I discovered about it, I assumed it was a dumb thought, however I made a decision to do it anyway. That is how a lot I knew in regards to the mountaineering world. I went to REI and informed the man working, “Have you ever heard of the PCT? As a result of I’ve determined to hike it and I’ve no clue what I’m doing.” He type of laughed once I requested if he is heard of the PCT.
The motivation behind it was that I used to be elevating funds for SFF. I needed to proceed to assist my pals. Then, whereas mountaineering the PCT, two Marines from my unit dedicated suicide, inside two weeks, so I knew I couldn’t cease. The truth that 22 veterans commit suicide every day saved me shifting. I used the path to assist me heal kind my experiences within the Marines, and I used these experiences to assist me end the PCT
How has Gossamer Gear been part of your journey over the previous yr?
Gossamer Gear has helped me greater than they know. This yr, Gossamer Gear donated a number of gear gadgets I wanted to achieve my targets. The gear gadgets have been The Two for my tent, LT5 trekking poles, and the Gold Dome Umbrella. The light-weight gear made my stroll from England to Rome, the Tour Du Mont Blanc, and Walker’s Haute Route in Europe lots simpler. Thanks a lot, Gossamer Gear.
What are some methods folks can assist your initiative and likewise Veterans’ psychological well being and well-being basically?
You may make a donation on my fundraising web page. 100% will go to the Semper Fi Fund. They acquired an A+ from CharityWatch, one in every of solely three veteran nonprofits to obtain their highest ranking. They’re doing wonderful issues. They’ve helped lots of my pals through the years.
I imagine that we additionally need to be open to speak about suicide and normalize it. We have to create an setting the place veterans really feel snug speaking about. It takes time, however it’s one thing we are able to overcome to dwell a standard, comfortable life.
Assist Veterans’ Psychological Well being By way of Outside Journey and the Semper Fi Fund
We hope you’re as impressed as we’re by Gabe’s dedication to serving to his fellow veterans dwell one of the best lives they will after their service and stopping veteran suicide by way of larger consciousness, assist, and connection to the outside.
In case you’d wish to comply with together with Gabe’s efforts, you will discover him on Instagram at @forinjuredveterans and on Fb. Most significantly, you may donate to his trigger on his donation web site or instantly on the Semper Fi Fund web site.
On the lookout for extra out of doors inspiration? Try a few of our different articles on the Mild Toes weblog: