Mountain Fest to feature Erik Weihenmayer

Mountain Fest slated for October 18

By Brenda Porter, Education Director

Erik Weihenmayer

speaks through an interpreter to a group of students from the Rocky Mountain Deaf School. They were participating in a YEP! rock climbing class at the American Mountaineering Center.

Designed for beginning to expert mountain enthusiasts, the Colorado Mountain Club’s fourth annual Mountain Fest is a full day of mountain recreation skills and conservation clinics, a photo show, exceptional food, and displays of outdoor gear as well as indoor rock climbing opportunities and admisson to the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum.

Erik Weihenmayer will present the evening’s keynote address. The author of The Adversity Advantage and Touch the Top of the World, Weihenmayer is famous for climbing the tallest peak on every continent, even though he is blind. He has scaled the 3,000 foot rock face of El Capitan, skied down the tallest peak in Europe, and guided Tibetan blind teenagers to 21,500 feet on the north side of Mt. Everest (see accompanying article for more about Erik).

In addition, experts in outdoor recreation and conservation will present 45-minute clinics throughout the afternoon, beginning at noon. Clinics last year included: Rock Climbing Leader Rescue, Ski Touring in Europe, How to Use Your GPS, How to Dress for Winter Outdoor Activities, Snowshoe 101, Colorado Wilderness, Winter First Aid, Avalanche Awareness, Learning to Read Constellations, Ski Waxing, and How to Avoid Getting Lost. Similar clinics will be offered this year, and the schedule will be posted as soon as possible. In addition, special family activities will be offered throughout the day on Saturday with rock climbing and REI’s PEAK program that teaches outdoor ethics to children.

The Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum and Base Camp gift shop will be open from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. BWAMM opened its doors in February, 2008, and is the first and only museum in the United States dedicated to the heroism, technology, culture, and spirit of mountaineering. The museum brings visitors into the world of mountain and rock climbing and honors the achievements of mountaineers from America and around the world. Exhibits on climate, science, cultures, and the humanities as they relate to mountains promise to make the visitor experience rich, exciting, and interactive.

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Photo show, annual meeting, dinner, and more

Travel, Nature, and Other Activities. A fantastic silent auction will include trips, outdoor gear, dinner tickets and much more.

Especially for CMC members, the CMC Annual meeting at 4 p.m. will include the President’s Award and a “State of the Organization” report. A free happy hour is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

The Taste of the Mountains benefit dinner for CMC’s Youth Education Program begins at 5:30 p.m.

Finally, Erik Weihenmayer’s presentation, complete with an autographed Touch the Top of the World book will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Proceeds from the event benefit the CMC’s Youth Education Program (YEP). Each year more than 5,000 youth improve academic achievement, develop environmental ethics, and learn outdoor skills that spark leadership and personal growth through YEP. The program focuses on mountain recreation, arts, and science education. Please visit www. cmc.org/yep for more information about the CMC’s great youth programming. All activities will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2008, at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO, 80401. For information: (303) 279-3080 x 2 or (303) 996-2748. P

Mountain Fest Fact Sheet

Who: Mountain Fest is for all mountain enthusiasts. Activities are designed for beginners to experts, families to adults, Colorado Mountain Club members, and the public. Proceeds from Mountain Fest help disadvantaged youth experience and learn about the mountains through the CMC’s Youth Education Program.

When: October 18, 2008, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. CMC member photo show 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Exhibitors and Information booths: CMC schools, REI, and more: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. AAC and CMC Library: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Silent Auction; funds help children get outdoors through the Colorado Mountain Club’s Youth Education Program: Noon–3:00 p.m. 45-minute clinics. 4 p.m. CMC Annual Meeting 4:30 p.m. Free Happy Hour Sponsored by Golden City Brewery 5:30 p.m. Taste of the Mountains Benefit Dinner 7:30 p.m. Erik Weihenmayer presentation (book included in admission).

Where: American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO 80401