Badger Sponsorship 2014

It’s here.

If you’re into free gear, resources, mail drops and fame, then this is a big deal. 

For those who are unfamiliar, the Badger Sponsorship is a MASSIVE gear giveaway we do on Appalachian Trials every year.  It’s my attempt to pay back the massive karmic debt I accrued during my own thru-hike.  Also, it’s crazy fun.

Update: You can view the videos here.

Let’s not beat around the bush.  Here’s what YOU (or a fellow 2014 thru-hiker) can win this year:

The Grand Prize Winner Will Receive:

  • One (1) Gossamer Gear Backpack (which I use, and love)gossamer pack
  • Twelve (12) boxes of LARABARs. (you pick the flavors)
  • Four (4) weather-proof Innate Mentor Storage Sacs (I used these during my thru-hike and each backpacking trip since – they’re amazing)
  • Three (3) mail drops while on trail (courtesy of our friends at A Trail Life)
  • One (1) pair of Bedrock Sandals
  • Four (4) cases of Salazon Chocolate Bars (two cases of caramel and two cases of the turbinado cane sugar – 48 bars total) bedrock sandals in action
  • A gear consultation with Ian Mangiardi (AT + PCT thru-hiker / gear junkie / Modern Explorer Inc founder)
  • A Free Signed Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • A Free e-Book Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • Zach’s phone number for 24/7 emotional support and unlimited bad jokes
  • One of the final Appalachian Trials Blogger spots for 2014 (equal parts optional and a great opportunity to share your AT story)

Yeah, awesomesauce indeed.

But wait, gets even awesome-saucier…

This year’s runner up will receive:

  • One (1) Gossamer Gear Backpack (yeah, really)
  • Three (3) weather-proof Innate mentor storage sacs
  • One (1) pair of Bedrock Sandals
  • Four (4) mixed boxes of LARABARs
  • A Free Signed Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • A Free e-Book Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • An Appalachian Trials Blogger spot for 2014

Oh and there’s more.

This year’s third place finisher will receive:

  • Three (3) weather-proof Innate mentor storage sacs
  • One (1) pair of Bedrock Sandals
  • Four (4) mixed boxes of LARABARs
  • A Free Signed Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • A Free e-Book Copy of Appalachian Trials
  • An Appalachian Trials Blogger spot for 2014

Oh yeah, and…

All of the top 10 contestants will receive:

  • One (1) box of mixed LARABARs
  • Two (2) Salazon Chocolate bars
  • A Free e-Book Copy of Appalachian Trials

It’s basically a tidal wave of awesomesauce.  Grab your snorkel.

How can you win???

  1. Record a short video (no more than 90 seconds) explaining a) why you want the Badger Sponsorship, b) why you should be the one selected and c) convince us why you are going to thru-hike all 2,185 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
  2. Post this video to YouTube.  Title it “ Wants Badger Sponsorship Because”.  E-mail me the link to this video at [email protected] no later than February 9th. 
  3. I will post the 10 top videos on the Appalachian Trials site on February 10th.  Each video will get it’s own post.  The video that gets the most Facebook “likes” at the bottom of their respective post wins the Badger Sponsorship.

If you need some clarification on what this will look like, check out last year’s submissions.

Some things to keep in mind:

  1. You must be an aspiring 2014 thru-hiker to enter.
  2. CREATIVITY tends to do way better.  Last year’s winner had a crazy awesome video.  Again, you’re not trying to impress me (I have no say in who wins), you’re trying to impress the masses.  People tend to like funny and/or heart-felt.
  3. Don’t wait until the last minute.  I do select the top 10 entries (and thus those who qualify for the contest); and I give preference to those who submit early.
  4. This is meant to be FUN – so please, have fun with it 🙂
  5. If you’re reading this but aren’t planning on hiking the trail in 2014, you can get involved by forwarding this to someone who is thru-hiking and/or vote (i.e. “Liking”) for the videos that you most enjoy (again, those will roll out on February 10th).  You have the opportunity to make someone’s hike A LOT easier.

Can’t wait to see those videos.

Best of luck and happy hiking!

Zach

A MEGA THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS






Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

What Do You Think?