My name is Gabriel Vasquez. I'm a first generation Mexican-American from Austin, Texas, and a Marine combat veteran. I suffer from PTSD and residual injuries from my time overseas. I joined the Marines when I was nineteen, and can confidently say that beginning my career in the military was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life.
I instantly fell in love with serving in the Marines. It was there that I met my best friends, who would later become esteemed brothers. Many of us were lucky, and were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan together. The bonds between us became shatterproof. We did everything together. We knew everything about each other. When you fight, laugh, and cry with someone for so long, you build an unbreakable connection. It’s a brotherhood like no other.
To honor the brothers that I know, and those that I don’t know, who are suffering life altering injuries such as lost limbs, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD, I have worked on my own for the past 10 years to raise over $43,000 for the Semper Fi Fund and the Warrior Bonfire Program and other veteran groups These non-profits are dedicated to helping injured veterans in any way they can. I raised this money by traveling over 24,000 miles on foot, by kayak or by bicycle. I’ve also spent time advocating for mental health and suicide awareness in the veteran community through several speaking engagements.
I'm the first known Mexican-American to Triple Crown. To earn this, I completed hikes on the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. I've also hiked the Arizona Trail, the New England Trail, the Wonderland Trail, the Sandiego Trans County Trail, the TA in New Zealand, and three of the Camino de Santiago trails in Spain. Last year I hiked from England to Rome, along the Via Francigena. Hiked the Tour de Mount Blanc and Walkers Haute Route. I kayaked the entire Mississippi River, and more than half the Missouri River. I’ve also cycled half the perimeter of America. Ive also stated my new project, The Seven Summits. Last year i summited Kilimanjaro. This is just the beginning!
This year, I plan on completing the Mini Triple Crown all in one season. The mini consists of the John Muir Trail, Colorado Trail, and the Long. I will start with the JMT, the twist is that i have to walk 730 miles to the beginning of the JMT along the PCT. The JMT is 211 miles along the Sierra Mountains in California. Then I'll fly to the east coast to tackle the Long Trail. The LT is 272 miles in Vermont. The Colorado Trail will be the last of the mini, it's a 486 miles, from Denver to Durango. That's just the first phase of my year. In September I'm hoping to go back to Spain and hike the Camino del Norte, just under 500 miles, along the northern coast of Spain. Once im done with that I'll go back home and save more money to attempt to summit Mt Aconcagua in South America. Mt Aconcagua is 22,387 ft. The success rate is 40%, that's enough for me to try and summit. This will be number 2 of the 7 Summits.
Seven Summits Project, which involves climbing the highest peaks on each continent. The most renowned will be Everest (Asia), but I also plan to summit Aconcagua (South America), Vinson Massif (Antarctica), Puncak Jaya (Indonesia), Mt Elbrus (Europe), and Denali (North America). I summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa last August.
Mount Kilimanjaro measures just under 6 kilometers, at 19,326 feet. It’s a singular experience to climb because it’s the highest free-standing mountain in the world. This lofty peak, unlike other mountains on the planet, stands alone and is not part of a mountain range. I took the Lemosho Route, which takes up to nine days to summit and back.
I will be raising funds again this year. Of course, I will be raising money for the Semper Fi Fund. The Semper Fi & America’s Fund cares for our nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, they provide one-on-one case management, connection, and lifetime support
With all of your help we previously raised just over $40,000 for veterans, and roughly $30,000 went to the SFF. This year, my goal is to raise $50,000 for veterans.
Don't forget to watch my mini doc, made my Tommy Corey. I was lucky to have Tommy choose to produce a short film about me, my passion for adventure, and my mission to raise funds and advocate for veteran’s mental and physical health. In the film, I speak of veterans, suicide and about how the outdoors saved my life. It’s important to note here that between 2008-2015, there were 6,000 or more veteran suicides per year and it is estimated that veteran suicides comprise nearly a quarter of suicide deaths in the US. Among. These cold statistics are beloved brothers who served shoulder to shoulder with me.
Tommy gave me a clear platform to speak frankly about this crucial but difficult topic, and to normalize the language around veteran suicide. It is only through speaking the truth that we can end the stigma around mental health, and provide the support needed to end this tragic trend.
Thank you in advance for your generosity,
Semper Fi
Gabriel Vasquez
