Get Dawood Back in the Field & On Wheels

The last month has been a whirlwind of sudden changes: the biggest being losing my car in an accident (no injuries, but the car is a total loss), and once again stepping into full-time guide work.

The decision to accept different work is borne of financial pressure, with an original plan to live out of the car I had at the time while working in the field. This would allow me to save up money, and start acting on a plan instead of reacting to emergency.

Losing my car has eliminated a critical tool, and one of the biggest factors that gave me confidence in the quality of my decision to guide with the American Alpine Institute in Washington. It also means I now have a major limitation to make good on my commitments for the next eight months.

The resulting need I'm faced with is to find a replacement car. One I can live out of whilst I work in southern California (queer climbing events in JTree in April) and the Cascades this spring (starting in May). There are some options that allow me to make a quick transition, but I need help.

My financial situation limits my options considerably. With no potential of getting a vehicle financed, I'm looking at renting a vehicle from a colleague for March and April. This buys time enough to save and fundraise at least $5,000. Most options that both fit my needs and are attainable sit at the 10-15k mark.

Vehicles that fit the parameters are primarily minivans (Mitsubishi Delica, Honda Sienna) or cars with flat folding or stowaway seats (Nissan Xterra, Honda Element), all of which have used listings for 15k or below that I could use to live out of from April-October while I spend time in the field.

I'm looking for any help to raise funds for one of these options. Should the goal not be reached I'll likely buy whatever I could limp out to Joshua Tree and car camp out of for the season, then purchase something more functional later on.

I could wax poetic about the type of impact I believe guiding has, especially when affinity spaces are held. I could try to express how critical this craft is to me and the type of growth I've seen myself and my community members experience as a result of my work. I could go on and on about how so many of us are just one emergency away from absolute poverty. In doing this I could tell you how your contribution would be going towards perpetuating these principles and abating emergency. I won’t say more than the above, because if you've read this far I believe you either understand, or at the very least sympathize with the situation.

Any contribution would help me have some type of option. I know I do better, both for myself and for the people I'm around, when I'm working outdoors.

Thank you for reading, and contributing to my effort to live a life based in community connection and values in action.

Dawood Dhada