The other problem is getting back. You would need an external fuel source to leave both Earth and Martian gravity, so dumping the rockets would not be an option.
That’s actually manageable. For getting out of Earth’s gravity well, you use multiple missions and built the ship in orbit. For getting out of Mars’ gravity well, you have to bring along quite a bit of fuel. However, Mars’ gravity is significantly less than Earth’s because it has about one tenth the mass. Also, some of the needed fuel can be made on Mars, esp if you can find water under the soil.
Propellant can be made from materials on Mars.
Easy enough solution. Send the supplies on an unmanned ferry using conventional rockets. Crew makes the transit on a different vessel using a conventional rocket boost. Analagous to the JATO & RATO units that used to assist heavily laden aircraft into the air.
“The other problem is getting back.”
I suggest a crew that includes, Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid. Add others as you wish. A one way trip...
How about this...stop spending our tax dollars on this superfluous stuff! I am sick of being ripped off by the income tax!