Hi, it's ya girl Lolo (aka Sparkle), and I'm currently attempting to break the record for most miles hiked in a single calendar year. Since January 1st, 2026 I have logged about 4,000 and counting but still have a long ways to go- Over 10,200+ if I want the overall record, and 10,070 for the women’s. Through this, I aim to become the 5th person / 2nd woman / 1st person from Mexico to complete the border-to-border calendar year triple crown (the PCT, CDT, and ECT from Key West to Canadian border) which means they won’t be easy miles either. Over a marathon a day, rain, snow, or shine, for 365 days while raising funds for nonprofits to help immigrants, mental health, and more. I know this sounds impossible, and I can't wait to prove ya wrong! As long as I am able to, I will persevere but my biggest hurdle is one I can’t climb over: FUNDING.

The truth is I struggle to ask for help, but thru-hiking taught me that you can’t do these big things alone and to lean into the kindness of strangers.  Before I started in Key West, I sold almost everything I own, threw the rest in storage, said goodbye to loved ones until 2027, and drained my life savings to chase this once in a lifetime opportunity. This is the biggest risk I've ever taken and it’s safe to say I’m gambling it all on a shoestring budget and a dream, which will cost roughly $20K and a loss of income while I hike. So if you want to know how you can help? By helping me fuel the journey. I am fully prepared to suffer, but a warm dry bed, a hot meal (as a stove-less girly) or the chance to wash my clothing and shower is everything. Operating costs run about $2 a mile, and I need over 5,000 calories a day just to keep up. This year, any and all support is welcome whether it’s monetary, emotional, or you’re cool with letting me sleep on your floor a night (if you’re close to trail reach out on insta!). Here’s the breakdown:

> HIKER HUNGER: $25 pays for my dinner and fuels a whole day's food supply 

> RESUPPLY: $50 pays for food I'll carry for several days until the next town 

> RAINY DAY FUND: $100 pays for a hotel night so I can shower, do laundry, charge, and most importantly, stay out of bad weather.

Beyond the record, I'm walking with purpose. As a Mexican immigrant, I want to champion diversity in the outdoors and show these spaces are for everyone. As someone with endometriosis, I struggle with chronic pain but have gained an incredible talent for suffering. And as a woman with over 16,000 miles hiked since 2020 including becoming the first woman to ever complete the 5,600+ mile Eastern Continental Trail, it's about time more women attempted the “impossible.”  I appreciate you so much. Thank you for supporting me, believing in me, and following along. The mission is to PERSEVERE. I'll see you at the summit. 

 XOXO, 

Lolo / Sparkle 

@sparklesummits