Does anyone have advice/tips on how to get sponsors or funding for mountaineering endevors?

There are a number of grants that award cash for attempting new routes or exploring new areas such as the Mugs Stump award http://www.mugsstumpaward.com/ the Nick Escourt award http://www.planetfear.com/news/Nick_Est ... _2543.html, and the Lyman Spitzer award http://www.americanalpineclub.org/grant ... gedgeaward. These are competitive grants and are usually given to climbers who have impressive resumes attempting hard routes. There are also climbing clubs that sponsor member’s expeditions such as the Mazamas http://www.mazamas.org/your/adventure/starts-here/C100/.

Getting free clothing and gear can be as easy as simply asking for it. Try less obvious companies like L.L.Bean which actually makes nice basics. (Patagonia, North Face, etc already have a stable of sponsored athletes). Be clear on what you can offer in return: photographs, testimonials, etc. They will be looking at the expenditure as part of their advertising budget.

Another option is to get a part time job at an outdoor retailer like REI or EMS. While many REI stores don't carry climbing equipment anymore, they are still huge in the outdoor retail market and employees can get pro deals from nearly any clothing and gear manufacturer. Additionally, REI offers ‘Challenge Grants’ to their employees as well http://www.rei.com/jobs/pay.html. You can work very part time at REI, a few hours a month and still get all the perks while earning money.

1000Pks wrote:Selling a product, good looking models, assured success, good cause supported, contacts.

That's all true but I would put "contacts" in first place. There are thousands of great expedition projects (not only climbing) and you really need to be recognized and know lots of people to find a sponsor. Usually if you're not a pro athlete being a member of some team you can't count on anyone doing the PR/marketing job for you. You need to prepare a good marketing strategy, because your expedition is literally a product that you want to sell. That takes some time.
It's relatively easy to get some gear, clothes etc. but it's really hard to get any money.
From my modest experience - unless you want to be famous it's easier to spend some time simply earning the money that you need. You should remember sponsorship is not only a profit but also a responsibility that will consume a lot of your time to fulfill all the promises that you gave to the sponsor (writing articles, visiting festivals and showing presentations etc.). It's like a part-time job - you work for the money that you get - it's not for free.
And then - you can be quite sure that once you do sth interesting that that draws the media attention and gets noticed it will be much easier to find serious sponsors for your next project. Maybe even they will call you first - because you have already become a product that has a certain value for them. Maybe it's cynical but hey - it's business.