The Mountaineers
Family vacations, unique experiences, adventures near and far - good things are coming in 2021!
The sun is shining again in the Pacific Northwest and our community is itching to travel beyond their backyards. There is hope on the horizon for new experiences and adventure travel! And there is no better way to kickstart your plans than through The Mountaineers Annual Gala: Adventure with Purpose. With over 50 auction packages, including adventurous getaways, beautiful artwork, and awesome outdoor gear, you can feel great knowing that your next vacation or new swag benefits a cause you care about!
The Gala will be hosted virtually on Thursday, April 29 from 7-8pm. In addition to the online auction, this one-hour event will include a creative celebration of our 2020 Volunteer Award winners, Mountaineers musical guests, and more! Be sure to register today to be on the list to receive the special auction link and event livestream link, as well as future auction sneak peeks. The virtual Gala is free to attend, with 100% of proceeds from optional ticket donations, meal sales, winning auction bids, and raise the paddle gifts supporting mission-driven priorities at The Mountaineers.
Check out our second preview of the 2021 auction:
Final auction packages are still under development and may be subject to change. A detailed list of items, values, and donors will be available once the auction is published on April 22.
Climb the Grand Sentinel with Steve Swenson in the Canadian Rockies
Photo by John Price in Men’s Journal.
In the summer of 2019, Steve Swenson made history by standing atop the 23,100-foot peak Link Sar. Together with his team of three others, they were the first to summit what was one of the highest remaining unclimbed peaks in the world. Achieving this historic feat earned Steve his second Piolet d’Or Award - an honor achieved by very few. Steve is also a Mountaineers Board Director, Mountaineers Books author, and the visionary behind the Alpine Ambassadors program. Now, you have the opportunity to hone your rock skills and learn from the best when you join him for an unforgettable two days of rock climbing in Canmore, Alberta!
You and a friend are invited to stay in the cozy climber’s apartment at Steve’s home, located just 50 miles west of Calgary near the southeast boundary of Banff National Park. Steve will take you up one of his favorite climbs, the Grand Sentinel, one of the most iconic objectives in the Canadian Rockies. Petzl will provide you with world-class climbing gear to outfit your experience, perfect for your second day of relaxed climbing with Steve (and any other objectives on your bucket list!).
After two days of climbing toward the sky, dive into the earth with an all-day adventure with Canmore Cave Tours. Rappel six stories down inside the Rat’s Nest Cave and push your limits with a squeeze through the Laundry Chute. Visit the impressive Grand Gallery - the largest known room in the cave - then surround yourself with ancient cave formations in the Grotto.
While you await your big adventure, you can peer into the lesser-known world of big mountains through your new copy of Steve’s memoir, Karakoram: Climbing Through the Kashmir Conflict. Get excited for an epic trip to Canmore!
Methow Valley Family Adventure
The Methow Valley in Washington State offers a cornucopia of outdoor adventure, a thriving art scene, and rustic flair - and we want you to experience it all!
Relax during your six-night stay in the heart of the Methow Valley in Mountaineers CEO Tom Vogl’s deluxe cabin. With two spacious bedrooms and a cozy loft, this outdoor getaway comfortably sleeps up to eight people. Being in the valley, you’ll have access to premier mountain biking, hiking, and rock climbing. Head to Goat’s Beard Mountain Supplies in Mazama to pick up a one-day equipment rental for two, and gear up with a $150 gift certificate to their store to enhance your epic day outdoors.
Before you go, stock up with $350 of hand-picked gear from Petzl and a $400 gift card from REI to outfit your upcoming adventure. We’re including a copy of Day Hiking North Cascades, published by Mountaineers Books, to ensure you’ve got the beta on great hikes in the area. And North Cascades Mountain Guides is ready to take you and a guest on a day of multi-pitch rock climbing! Offering a little something for everyone, this Methow Valley family adventure is sure to be a home-run.
Adventure Van Road Trip
Dreaming of cruising in a tricked-out camper van dedicated to outdoor adventure? Cascade Adventure Vans has you covered! Explore the great Pacific Northwest and beyond in one of their deluxe camper van rentals. Enjoy your home away from home for four nights, perfectly equipped with all the necessities to get you and your crew to your next adventure in style. Once you arrive at your destination, no set up is required. Just kick back, relax, and enjoy your Vancation!
When hunger strikes, cook a gourmet meal with a recipe from Mountaineers Books title Dirty Gourmet with your new Adventure Full Kitchen Base Camp cookset from Stanley PMI. Then, settle in for the night with a couple of beverages in a pair of Hydro Flask rocks tumblers. Patagonia will help you relax in style with a Better Sweater for you and your adventure buddy, a trucker hat, and a 40L backpack to haul your road trip essentials. Grayl, Cotopaxi, and Ombraz are also offering incredible goods and gear to keep you looking and feeling great on the road.
Whether you’re looking for an escape from cell service or a road trip to somewhere new, this adventure van road trip package is for you!
Better Bird Photography with Gerrit Vyn
Interested in exploring the art of bird photography? Or perhaps you're looking to take your skills to the next level? Learn from the best in this 30-minute virtual session with award-winning bird photographer, videographer, and sound recordist, Gerrit Vyn. Complete with a copy of his recently published title by Mountaineers Books, Photography: Birds, Gerrit will review and discuss a selection of your images or discuss any topics of your choice to help elevate your photography skills.
To help you pinpoint your plumed subjects, local photography supplier Glazer’s Camera is providing you with a new pair of powerful Nikon Monarch 7 10x30 binoculars - perfect for spotting the smallest and farthest birds!
Throw your reference book and binoculars into your new Nano 16L Gregory backpack and take your new-found knowledge on the road to test your upgraded bird photography skills. Whether in your neighborhood or at a birding destination, this package supports photographers of all levels to provide the tools and guidance to help you capture the beauty and splendor of our feathered friends.
On Belay with Vertical World & Petzl
Don’t miss your chance to score an annual membership to America’s first climbing gym, Vertical World! It’s the Puget Sound’s premier rock climbing, fitness, and yoga destination - perfect for the whole family. With three world-class Washington locations (Seattle, Redmond, and Lynnwood), there’s no better place to start climbing or level-up your climbing skills. While you’re there, take advantage of their lead climbing walls, auto-belays, gym equipment, and bouldering areas for all of your training needs.
For those ready for a little fun on the sharp end, Petzl will hook you up with some of the best gear in the game, including a Contact 9.8 rope (60m), Kab rope bag, Power Crunch box chalk, and Gri Gri +.
The weather is always perfect for a great day of indoor climbing!
The Mountaineers online auction will go live on April 22 and culminate on April 29 during the on-air event. Our online auction will include gear, trips, stays, and more - over 50 biddable items and packages in total! Register today to make sure you’re on the list to bid on these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
Interested in receiving benefits as a Gala sponsor or have questions about the event? Visit our event page or contact Sarah MacGillivray at sarahm@mountaineers.org.
