The Mountaineers
Have you been meaning to register for The Mountaineers Virtual Gala, but life keeps getting in the way? We get it, this week’s sun is so tempting!. If you’re reading this now, take a quick detour and head to our registration page. Now is your last chance to register before the online auction goes live on April 22!
And if you had your eye on the shallot-mustard crusted halibut or root vegetable chile verde from our special Kaspars Catering menu, tomorrow is your last day to claim your four-course dinner. Catering sales will close on April 20 and 100% of your meal cost directly supports outdoor education and conservation.
The online auction will go live to public audiences on Thursday, April 22. All registered guests will be emailed instructions for how to access the online bidding site at 6am on 4/22. Get ready to peruse over 50 auction packages with a coffee in-hand, including a luxury waterfront stay on Lake Wenatchee and a guided PNW canyoning trip for four!
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, a truly unique musical guest, and more. We guarantee you’ll laugh, it’s possible you’ll cry, and we promise you’ll have fun. And, you’ll feel good having spent your evening celebrating what matters most - our resilient community of adventurers, and all that you make possible through the outdoors.
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 final preview of the 2021 online 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.
Waterfront on 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! Once it’s safe to gather again, host your family reunion at this beautiful home that sleeps up to 12. Bring the kids and spend your days on the water, dangling your feet off of the private dock or taking advantage of the home’s kayaks or canoe. Feed the whole family with a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, relax by the fireplace, or compete in a family-friendly speedminton tournament with your new four-player fun set!
In addition to these fabulous amenities, you’ll have access to many beautiful hiking trails including day trips into the Enchantments. We’ve included a copy of Mountaineers Books title Alpine Lakes Wilderness to help you pick your perfect hike! Stock up your new YETI Tundra 65 cooler with your lake essentials, or bring a few cold beverages for a day on the water in your travel-sized YETI Hopper backflip 24 soft cooler.
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. Don’t forget your new pairs of Spy+ sunglasses and rocks tumblers from Hydro Flask. Still missing something? Head over to Ascent Outdoors where outdoor experts will hook you up with gear essentials using your $1,000 gift card. Bring your friends or bring your family and enjoy one of Washington’s ultimate outdoor playgrounds!
Plan Your Postponed Party!
Graduation parties, retirement festivities, milestone birthday soirees, and celebrations of life - the last year has seen so many special gatherings put on hold. With hope on the horizon for in-person events, we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you to reunite with family and friends for a fête to remember!
This package includes all the essentials you need for a low-stress and high-caliber event: ample space, full-service catering, and local wine.
Turn up the music for a dance party, turn down the lights for a film on the big screen, or settle in at banquet tables and let the food do the talking. Inviting kids? Take advantage of the indoor climbing wall to keep them entertained and inspire their climbing spirits! Whatever kind of party you’re planning, you and your guests will enjoy plenty of elbow room and fun amenities in the Goodman Auditorium of The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center.
Kaspars Catering will be onsite for your postponed party, serving up creative and delicious cuisine your guests will rave about. Chef Kaspar works directly with local farmers, fishermen, and other local businesses to bring fresh ingredients to every menu. Got a specific idea in mind? You can work directly with the Kaspars team to craft a menu and service plan that’s catered to your party’s needs!
Finally, enjoy the best of local wine with two cases of Tinte Cellars vino for your party goers: 12 bottles of their 2018 Viognier and 12 bottles of their 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. Bottom’s up!
Luxury Sailboat Cruise for Four on Elliot Bay
Picture this: It’s a beautiful summer afternoon and sunshine is twinkling off of wave crests as they ripple toward the city. You and three friends meet at Elliot Bay marina, where the smell of sea salt wafts in the air. You step aboard the impressive 43-ft “Rinpoche” sailboat, charted for your private Puget Sound excursion. Perhaps you sail past Seattle’s downtown waterfront and snap a photo of the ferris wheel before making your way to Alki to wave at beachgoers in the sand. Or, maybe you choose to venture across the Sound to take in the quaint and friendly sights of local favorite, Bainbridge Island. You watch as the sun dips lazily over the Olympic Mountains, feel the cool breeze on your face, and you smile at the scene. Today’s been the perfect day!
Certified U.S. Coast Guard Skipper (and Mountaineers member) Walter Friesen & First Mate Megan Bond want you to have your ultimate day on the water. In addition to an afternoon sail, you and your guests will enjoy an assortment of hand-picked hors d'oeuvres and nonalcoholic beverages. For the vinos onboard, Tinte Cellars is offering two bottles of their award-winning 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon and 2018 Viognier, perfectly paired with your new temperature-stabilizing Hydro Flask rocks glasses.
Curious to learn more about the waters and wonders experienced during your sailing excursion? Dive into your new copy of We Are Puget Sound, published by Mountaineers Books.
Baker Pow Pass
For bluebird skies, epic snow conditions, and incredible mountain views, head to the North Cascades, where Mt. Baker Ski Area consistently averages over 600 inches of snowfall every year! The mountain’s 1,000 skiable acres are serviced by 8 lifts with 31 runs that are frequently pounded by Pacific Northwest pow. Spread out your riding days or bring your friends with four any day lift tickets.
Not only will you get days to ride, Jones Snowboards will be hooking you up with their 2021 Men’s Flagship Splitboard. One of the coolest brands in the snowboarding game, Jones Snowboards has truly become a leader in manufacturing sustainability, environment outreach, and backcountry education. When the pow hits, be ready with this Baker Pow Pass!
Waterfall Canyoning in the PNW
Ever wish there was a more interactive way to enjoy a waterfall? Well, why not jump right in it? Hiking, rappelling, swimming - waterfall canyoning combines all your favorite outdoor activities into one! Join Mountaineers Director of Programs and Operations Becca Polglase for a full day exploring a PNW canyon and rappelling through waterfalls. You and three friends will be joined by Mountaineers Volunteer Canyoning Leaders, who together have more than 150 canyon descents on their resumes. You’ll partner with trip leaders to identify which of the region’s hidden gems you want to explore, and join them for a pre-trip ground school to learn the ropes before you go. World-class canyons with deep blue pools, memorable waterfalls, sculpted granite, and towering basalt walls await the winner of this incredible package.
The lesser-known canyoning community is welcoming and supportive, and they are passionate about exploring each of the 230 established canyons in the PNW. For the explorer looking for something new, bid on this exhilarating waterfall canyoning adventure!
Author-Hosted Book Club with Johanna Garton
Edge of the Map traces the sharp twists and turns in Christine Boskoff’s life, from her early years as a Lockheed engineer, through her first successes in the climbing world, to her purchase of Seattle-based Mountain Madness after owner and climber Scott Fischer was killed in the 1996 Everest disaster. While Edge of the Map is a fabulous title to read on your own, it’s even more fun to read with friends! Now is your chance for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have Mountaineers Books author Johanna Garton join your book club with seven of your closest book-loving friends for a virtual 60-minute book club session!
Together, you can dive into Chirstine Boskoff’s adventures and discuss Johanna’s ten-year deep immersion into her life. An inspiring and empowering story, Christine was a talented and driven young woman who dared to challenge herself to excel in a male-dominated sport. Eight copies of Edge of the Map will be included in this package for you and your book club pod to enjoy! Prep some delicious hors d'oeuvres and settle into this unique experience with one of Mountaineers Books acclaimed authors.
Edge of the Map Awards, Nominations, and High Praise:
- "The next must-read." - REI's Uncommon Path magazine
- Finalist, Colorado Book Awards
- Nominee, Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature
- Nominee, Banff Mountain Book Award for Mountain Literature
- Nominee, Reading the West Book Awards
- Nominee, High Plains Book Award
Check out the Edge of the Map book trailer to learn more about this riveting story!
This is your last chance to order catering, with sales supporting The Mountaineers. 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.
PS: No longer interested in receiving emails about the Gala? No problem! You can opt-out of Gala-related messages by emailing development@mountaineers.org
