The Mountaineers
Earlier this week we announced to gala attendees that the July 23 event will now be virtual in order to protect the health and safety of guests, speakers, and staff. While we originally hoped to celebrate in-person, we’re excited about this change as it opens the event to our entire membership and hopefully provides a little light and camaraderie for our outdoor community during these challenging times.
Over the next six weeks, we will highlight live and silent auction packages through a series of sneak peek emails that feature gear from our outdoor brand partners, unique trips and stays donated by Mountaineers members and volunteers, food & drink from local businesses, as well as priceless artwork, exclusive experiences with mountaineering celebrities, and so much more.
Bidding in our live and silent auction will be open from July 17-23! The first step toward participation is pre-registering for our online auction. Pre-register now and be first in line for that special package calling your name!
In honor of Mountaineers Books 60th anniversary this June, we are highlighting numerous packages that feature our storied authors. To kick off our sneak peek series, here’s one package that stands out in true Mountaineers fashion:
Climb Rainier with Mike Gauthier and Tom Vogl
This is your chance to attempt Mount Rainier with a local legend!
Mike Gauthier was an esteemed climbing ranger for Mount Rainier National Park for 19 years, summiting Washington’s famed mountain more than 180 times. During that time, Mike also managed the mountain’s Search and Rescue program and was directly involved in more than 150 major searches or rescues. He wrote the definitive climbing guide to Mount Rainier, now in its third edition with Mountaineers Books and a best seller. In short, Mike is who you want to have on your Rainier climbing team!
This package is a buy-in opportunity to join Mike Gauthier and Mountaineers CEO, Tom Vogl, in July 2021 as they lead you and other adventurous package winners to the top of Washington’s highest peak via the Emmons Glacier Route. Mike and Tom will co-lead this trip with an all-star group of Mountaineers climb leaders and Board members.
To outfit your trip, you will also receive an Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket and Mike’s Mount Rainier: A Climbing Guide, published by Mountaineers Books. Plus, CAMP USA will supply each winner with a Corsa Nanotech Ice Axe, laser etched with your name to commemorate the climb. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
Learn about last year's gala auction climbing team and their successful trip to the summit of Rainier. More information about this year's opportunity will be available in July - please reach out to Tyler Dunning (tylerd@mountaineers.org) with questions.
In addition to the Rainier climb, here are three other packages to get you excited about bidding:
Deluxe Cabin Weekend at Lake Wenatchee
Enjoy two nights and three days in a deluxe waterfront cabin on the north shore of Lake Wenatchee in the heart of the Cascades! This incredible home sleeps up to twelve people and comes fully equipped with a gourmet kitchen, fireplace, ping-pong table, private dock, kayaks, and a canoe.
In addition to these fabulous amenities you’ll have access to many beautiful hiking trails, offering day trips into the Enchantments. We’ve included a copy of Mountaineers Books Day Hiking Central Cascades to help you pick your perfect hike. In the winter, you can explore the beautiful landscape on snowshoes or visit Stevens Pass for a day of skiing. And if you’re looking for some tasty eats, Leavenworth is just a short drive away for some Bavarian-style fun!
Small car? Tons of gear? No problem! Attach your included 5-day Rack N Road rental of either a rooftop cargo box or mounted bike rack and choose your own adventure. And don’t forget your two new pairs of Rheos sunglasses (the men’s Coopers and the women’s Wyecreeks) and your YETI Camino Carryall to keep your beverages chilled on the dock!
Special thanks to Rich & Martha Draves.
Arctic Solitaire: Paul Souders Signed Print
Award-winning photographer Paul Souders spent four summers exploring the unpredictable Arctic wilderness while trying to take his dream picture of the area’s most iconic animal - the polar bear. Arctic Solitaire, a title from Mountaineers Books, is a hilarious and evocative recounting of Souders’ remarkable journey.
Now is your chance to take home a beautiful signed 12”x18” archival print by Paul, of a polar bear perched atop a melting iceberg with the setting midnight sun. This was photographed near the Arctic Circle on Repulse Bay, Nunavut Territory, Canada. This package also includes a copy of Souders’ book.
A Semi-Rad Package!
If you’ve ever considered the absurdity of sleeping on the ground in a place where bears live, pooping in a bag on a glacier, or trying to teach someone you love a sport that scares them to death, this might be the perfect package for you!
All die-hard (and future) Brendan Leonard fans are invited to explore our funniest package: one large black heather unisex T-shirt that reads “Mountaineering: it feels so good when you stop,” one 12”x12” framed “The Cycle of Mountaineering” poster, and one “Morning: a timeline” mug.
To complete the package, we’re including two of Leonard’s books (published by Mountaineers Books): Sixty Meters to Anywhere and Bears Don’t Care About Your Problems. As one review puts it, “Brendan’s storytelling style is everything a semi-sarcastic outdoor/adventure writer needs.”
Brendan Leonard will also be joining us virtually for a BeWild speaker presentation on June 18. Find out more and join us as Leonard shares his hilarious observations from his outdoor adventures.
While we wish we could see you all in person, we’re very excited to still be hosting our annual gala virtually, including the online auction! For more information about the event, you can check out our regularly updated Gala 2020 website. Stay tuned over the next six weeks for more updates and auction sneak peeks!
Don’t forget to pre-register for the auction - with our online platform it’s simple, easy, and fun! All auction packages will be uploaded for viewing by July 8 and bidding will commence the week of July 17-23. Please reach out to Tyler Dunning (tylerd@mountaineers.org) with any questions.
