For six years, we've hosted the BeWild Speaker Series to bring you stories of passion and adventure. We're excited to announce this year's lineup, which includes the first north american woman to summit Everest, a world-class mountain guide, the creative mastermind and author behind Semi-Rad.com, and the first Indian-American to complete the Seven Summits.
EVENT Info & Tickets
- $12 Mountaineers member | $14 non-member | $14 at the door (when available)
- All events are at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center
- Doors open at 6pm, presentation starts at 7pm
Coming to our social hour?
Attendees 21+ are invited to bring their own glass or mug to receive half off draft beer! Help us reduce waste. We ask that guests do not bring containers greater than 16oz.
2020 LINEUP
- Jan 9 | Sharon Wood
- Feb 13 | Charlotte Austin
- June 18 (rescheduled from March 12) | Brendan Leonard
- September 10 (reschedule from May 14) | Vik Sahney
January 9, 2020
Sharon Wood | Rising: Becoming the First North American Woman on Everest
Sharon Wood is an internationally certified alpine guide and was recognized with the “Mountaineer of the Year Award” in 1987 by the American Alpine Club. In May 1986, Sharon became the first North American woman to summit Mt. Everest, and she's one of the few climbers who reached the summit via the difficult West Ridge. She documented this journey in Rising: Becoming The First North American Woman On Everest, recently published by Mountaineers Books.
During her BeWild, Sharon will reflect on the seventy days she spent on the mountain and talk about the pivotal experiences and influences that brought her to that staggeringly beautiful and austere corner of the world. A Q&A and book signing will follow the presentation.
February 13, 2020
UPDATEd: Garrett Madison | Mount Vinson, Mount Tyree and the Wilds of Antartica
We were so thrilled to welcome Charlotte Austin to the Seattle Program Center this week, however Charlotte's mother passed away and she will not be available to speak as originally planned.
Fortunately, world renowned mountaineer Garrett Madison has enthusiastically agreed to speak in her place, and we are very excited to welcome him as our BeWild presenter this Thursday. We are sending love to Charlotte and her family, and hope you'll still consider joining us for this incredible event.
During his BeWild, Garrett will share stories of his recent experiences as both a professional mountain guide and team member in expeditions to the wilds of the Ellsworth mountain range on Antarctica's two highest peaks: Mount Vinson and Mount Tyree. He'll tell us about some of the differences between guiding and climbing with pros like Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, Hilaree Nelson, and Jim Morrison, and how there's always something to be learned from whoever you are out there with.
June 18 (Previously March 12)
Brendan Leonard | Bears Don't Care About Your Problems
Brendan Leonard bought the url semi-rad.com for $29 in 2011, intending to write a weekly post about adventure for a year and see what happened. Almost nine years later, his writings on Semi-Rad.com are read by half a million people each year, and even more in his Semi-Rad column for Outside Magazine.
In his BeWild, Brendan will shares the story of how he started a little blog called Semi-Rad in 2011, and how it launched his writing career and eventually became a dream job. His presentation will include a Q&A and book signing of his most recent book, Bears Don't Care About Your Problems, published by Mountaineers Books.
September 10 (Previously May 14)
Vik Sahney | Finding A Way To The Top: A Journey To The Seven Summits
Vik Sahney is an outdoor adventurer, business leader, and Mountaineers volunteer. In 2011, he became the first Indian-American to complete the Seven Summits, climbing the tallest peak on each continent, including Mt. Everest in May 2009.
During his BeWild, Vik will share stories of humble beginnings and exceptional challenges, and the journey that took him to the summits of the world's tallest peak.