PREPARE FOR THE TREK
The hike, which takes place on marked trails that are rocky, and at times muddy, are achievable by anyone that has prepared well from a cardiovascular and anaerobic perspective. However, it can be very long and tiring. Cardio circuits, running and stair climbing are the best training methods for this challenge.
It’s highly recommended to begin training at least 2 months before the trek start date. In order to improve endurance levels, increase run/jog/walk distance by one mile each week until reaching 10 miles total.
For strength training, stair repeats are suggested starting at 20 minutes and increasing by 10 minutes each week. Find a stair master at your gym, or train in the stair well of any multi-floor building.
On the first day of the trek, hikers will steadily climb in elevation for 9 hours. The journey is manageable but switchbacks can be draining, especially for those who have not trained. Taking training seriously is important to prevent injury and exhaustion on the trek.
By participating in the Pico Duarte Trek, you are fundraising to connect more families with safe drinking water and sanitation than ever before. Every participant is taking on the challenge to raise $250 to provide 10 people with access to water in the Dominican Republic.
Haven't signed the fundraising agreement? Click here to download it, sign it, and email it back to us at info@bluemissions.org!
They say what we do is just a drop in the bucket, but when we add up all of our drops, we can make a huge impact. Thanks to our BE BOLD MODEL, every single drop counts because 100% of public donations go directly towards project costs.
Keep in mind that all money raised through your fundraising page goes directly to the field. It does not cover your trip cost. If you are interested in fundraising the cost of your trip, you must create your own fundraising page through GoFund Me.
Getting Started
Creating your fundraising page on our platform is easy! Click the button below to get started.
Start Spreading the News
Share your personal page with friends and families to start raising money. Facebook it, post it on Instagram, start an email campaign. Write letters to local businesses. Ask your neighbors or coworkers. Just a $25 donation will give one individual access to safe drinking water and sanitation.
Running out of ideas or captions? Check out our Fundraising Kit!
climb pico duarte!
You will conquer the water crisis, while conquering the 27.6 mile hike up Pico Duarte! After the three day trek, you will visit a community that BLUE has worked with to overcome the crisis.
Prior to departing to the Dominican Republic, you will be invited to attend our Preparation Meetings. These meetings are designed to get you mentally ready for the trek, as well as get to know your fellow hikers. We will go through everything you need to know, how to stay safe while on the hike, what to pack, as well as fundraising tips. For all of our out of town (South Florida) participants, we will send you the virtual prep meeting kit.
Traveling to the Dominican Republic and exposing yourself to high exertion and altitude can take its toll, so it is vital to look after your health for weeks leading up to the trip. The likelihood of any injuries are minimized when you are well prepared.
Our biggest tip for staying healthy is to train at least two months before your trek. We recommend beginning weekly training sessions on Saturday mornings at the Key Biscayne bridge in early September.
Some of the biggest issues we will run into are:
- Heat Exhaustion - Beware of dehydration and heat-related conditions, especially when exerting yourself. Drink three to four liters of water per day. Use electrolyte solutions if dehydrated.
- Sprained ankles - make sure to wear proper high ankle hiking boots.
- Always drink bottled water provided by your leaders or porters.
Pack your belongings in a duffel bag or backpack that can easily be loaded on a mule (no cots, no roller bags). Inside your bag, place your clothes and other belongings in individual plastic bags or Zip locks in the event that it rains and your bag gets wet. Be prepared to carry your trekking poles, water, rain gear, snacks, pain medication and moleskin or Band-Aids each day, preferably in a small backpack. The guides will carry the rest of your gear.
PACKING LIST:
Clothing
Warm shell jacket for cold nights
Fleece jacket
Waterproof rain jacket
Thermal long johns
Underwear
Casual clothes for around camp & community visit
Hiking pants or shorts
Long sleeve or short sleeve dry-fit shirts
Swimsuit for a possible beach visit
Warm clothes for sleeping
toiletries
Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, chapstick
Travel towel
Deodorant
Toilet paper roll/baby wipes
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Footwear
Walking boots with ankle protection
Thick hiking socks at least 5 pairs, of which one/two is thermal
Sneakers/comfy shoes for evenings
Equipment
Water bottles/bladder min 2 liters
High energy snacks (protein bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)
Dry bags for keeping clothes dry
Walking/trekking poles
Sleeping mat/thermarest
Headlight flashlight
Small pillow
Moleskin or bandaids for blisters
Small duffle bag or rucksack
First Aid Kit - pain killers, your personal medication, knee or ankle brace if needed
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE
PRE-TREK MEETINGS:
The meeting dates for our pre-trek meetings have not been scheduled yet. You will receive an email once have set a date. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at info@bluemissions.org!
PAYMENTS:
On your application, you had the option to select from several payment plans. Please login to your application to see the payment plan you selected. If you have any questions, contact us!