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The 2018 Mt Baker Splitfest will be held on March 16th, 17th and 18th at Chair 9 in Glacier, WAOur goals are to meet other people to tour with, try out new gear and raise money to support the Northwest Avalanche Center.Warning: Splitboarding is an inherently dangerous and hazardous sport and can result in serious injury or death. Attendees take full responsibility for learning proper backcountry travel and avalanche safety. Stay safe out there. Ride with a buddy, take a beacon, shovel and probe AND know how to use them.https://www.facebook.com/MtBakerSplitfest/

Vertical World Climbing Gyms, Mountaineers Books, and the American Alpine Club - Cascade Section are proud to host Jim Herrington as he presents his photography book The Climbers (Mountaineers Books), the culmination of a two-decade project to track down and document the surviving legendary climbers of the early-to-mid 20th Century ‘Golden Age’ of climbing. These are the men and women from around the world who were vertically active between the 1920s and 1970s and who were at the cutting edge of an activity mostly unknown to the general public of the time.Published in October 2017, The Climbers received both the Grand Prize and the Mountaineering History Award at the 2017 Banff Film & Book Festival.Jim’s talk and slide show will begin with a brief encapsulation of his 35-year photography career, including his foray into the worlds of music and showbiz. He will move on to the climbers, detailing the inspiring and captivating stories of the climbers and their era as well as describing his unusual efforts to locate and arrive on the doorstep of these aging legends. The travels and travails he undertook to complete this far-flung project are not without anecdotes of despair, humor and adventure. What is it like to be 98 years old and to look back at an uncompromising life spent in the “useless” quest of first ascents, usually far from home and hearth? The momentum and vigor of youth is not an ideal recipe for introspection, but one’s final years certainly suffice. Herrington learned as much about himself as he did his subjects during the project – the cost and reward of obsession and how to live in the present. Jim began this series shooting with black-and-white analog film, yet during the course of the project, with the advent of digital photography, it looked as if film would disappear completely—like hemp rope or hobnail boots. Indeed, at times it was difficult to know which would vanish first, the climbers he was photographing or the film he was using. Luckily, film got an eleventh hour reprieve and he was pleased to be able to shoot the entirety of this book on silver nitrate, which remains his chosen method of taking pictures to this day. Herrington will recount what it was like to step into these climber’s homes, their lives, and their history. Seemingly time-traveling from the classic mountaineering literature he devoured as a young boy into the living rooms of these aging legends, this is his rogue’s gallery, a sampling of, and an ode to, an era. The Climbers, published in October 2017, received both the Grand Prize and the Mountaineering History Award at the 2017 Banff Film & Book Festival. Tickets are $8 on the link provided and $10 at the door. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-climbers-a-photo-documentary-with-jim-herrington-tickets-42142550503 JimHerrington.com

Vertical World presents DIRTBAG: THE LEGEND OF FRED BECKEY with the American Alpine ClubHailed as one of the most influential climbers of all time, Fred Beckey is the original American “Dirtbag"–one who abandons societal norms and material comforts in pursuit of a nomadic mountaineering lifestyle.This rebel athlete’s lifetime of accomplishments set the bar for the entire sport. He shattered records with an unparalleled string of superhuman first ascents, bushwhacking trails and pioneering direct routes thought previously impassable.Beckey burned bridges, eschewed fame and stayed unencumbered so his only obligation would remain conquering the next summit. He kept meticulous personal journals where he mused on everything from arcane geology to his romantic life, to the myriad sunrises he witnessed from vantages not seen by anyone else on Earth. An environmentalist before there was such a term, Beckey’s legacy includes 13 essential books that act as blueprints for new generations. He defiantly continued climbing until passing away in October 2017 at age 94.Tickets are limited and are $10 online and $12 at the door.Beer from Georgetown Brewing will be provided.

Hosted by Northwest Avalanche Center Vertfest is back bigger than ever before. In addition to beloved traditions including the randonee race and clinics we're expanding to include more backcountry users! New this year we'll be running a beacon rally, snowshoe walks, snowmobile rides, ice climbing clinics, and much more! Join us for the largest backcountry festival in the PNW. Tickets for the race are now for sale - clinics will be open in early January! Verfest in organized by the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) in collaboration with Outdoor Research, The Summit at Snoqualmie, and Pro Guiding Service. Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vertfest-2018-tickets-41611655582

SAVE THE DATES: December 5-9, 2018 22nd Annual Bozeman Ice Festival

Registration options WEEKEND PARTICIPANT - $199 You get to choose a morning or afternoon clinic on both Saturday and Sunday. During these on-the-rock workshops, you’ll learn from world class athletes and the nation’s top climbing guides. In addition to your clinics, you also get to choose from a fun list of other activities to fill out your day such as slacklining, mountain biking, trail running, knot tying, first aid and GPS. Also includes • Friday Opening Ceremony • Friday and Saturday Happy Hours with beverages by Lagunitas • Saturday dinner buffet • Sunday pancake breakfast • Event t-shirt and killer swag UCLIMB LEARN TO CLIMB WITH GEAR - $399 View Gear You’ll enjoy a full day of personalized instruction on the basics of rock climbing in a small group setting led by an American Alpine Institute guide on Friday. We will teach you belaying, knots, proper communication between belayer and climber, movement on rock, and climbing etiquette. Thousands of families, kids and adults have joined us and have embraced the joy of climbing and carried away a lifetime of memories and skills. “I brought my family to the Rendezvous because we always wanted to try rock climbing but just didn’t know how to make it all happen. The Rendezvous gave us a turnkey opportunity to join the world of climbing at an affordable price. Those three days in the desert surrounded by ‘dirtbag’ climbers changed our family vacations forever,” JTR, Red Rock Rendezvous 2010 - 2012 We’ll also set you up with a gear package that’s yours to keep. This package has a $300 retail value and includes • Petzl Elios/Elia helmet • Black Diamond Momentum/Primrose harness • Omega Pacific Jake Keylock Quicklock Carabiner • Trango Jaws belay device • Metolius chalk bag • LaSportiva Tarantulace shoe Your adventure continues through the weekend with on-the-rock clinics both Saturday and Sunday. You get to choose a morning or afternoon clinic. During these on-the-rock clinics, you’ll learn from world class athletes and the nation’s top climbing guides. In addition to your clinics, you also get to choose from a fun list of other activities to fill out your day. When the sun goes down the party kicks up. Spend your evening swapping stories with athletes and guides as we all relax with music and drink. Also includes • Friday Opening Ceremony • Friday and Saturday Happy Hours with beverages by Lagunitas • Saturday dinner buffet • Sunday pancake breakfast • Event t-shirt and killer swag UCLIMB WITHOUT GEAR $299 If you already own the gear, you can sign up for UClimb Learn to Climb. This option includes all of the above, minus the gear. GYM TO CRAG $299 Break free from the plastic holds and bro-brah vibe of your local climbing gym. This full-day Friday clinic will introduce you to the sun and fresh air of outdoor climbing. We’ll take what you’ve already learned inside – the voice commands, knots and belay techniques - and help you translate it to a new context. In this accelerated course, you’ll learn how to build top rope anchors, how to read rock, and how to move on rock. Also includes Weekend Participant package. See above for details. INTENSIVE FRIDAY CLINIC $299 Athletes and guides will lead small groups of climbers to the rock for an intensive full day learning experience in Warriors Way Advanced Gear Placement Chicks Trad Clinic (Ladies Only) Chicks Sport Climbing (Ladies Only) Learn to Trad Lead Self-Rock Rescue Wilderness First Aid Big Wall Photo Clinic -advanced Also includes Weekend Participant package. See above for details. MONDAY INTENSIVE CLINIC. $149 To participate in a Monday clinic you must be registered for the weekend as well. Athletes and guides will lead small groups of climbers to the rock for an intensive full day learning experience in one of these great clinics. Sunday night camping is included if you are in a Monday clinic. Warriors Way Advanced Gear Placement Chicks Trad- Advanced (Ladies only) Chicks Sport-Advanced (Ladies only) Learn to Trad Lead Self-Rock Rescue Big Wall FESTIVAL ATTENDEE -$69 Join your family and friends off the rock. You get the opportunity to participate in the festival activities including Mt. Biking, Slacklining, First Aid, GPS, Trail Running and the service project. We welcome you to Red Rock Canyon with the opening ceremony on Friday night. You’ll enjoy food that’s cooked on site at the Saturday night buffet and you can savor craft beer from Lagunitas on both Friday and Saturday night. Dance the night away at Saturday night’s party. Sunday enjoy our world-famous blueberry pancakes. When it’s all over, we’ll send you home with a t-shirt and a pint glass to commemorate your fun-filled weekend. MULTI-PITCH CLINIC FOR SATURDAY OR SUNDAY $199 (in addition to the listed registration fees) • If you're interested in a multi-pitch climb, add this clinic to your schedule for an additional $199 • These multi-pitch climbs are a two-to-one ratio with American Alpine Institute guides • You will experience Red Rock climbing at its best • Some experience required, please call for more details: 509.340.1151 • Participants are limited to one multi-pitch clinic for the weekend http://www.cvent.com/events/red-rock-rendezvous-2018/event-summary-f1be02a6adbb4e4a9fa76d8cf48e51c3.aspx

We hope to see you in Ouray January, 18th- 21st for the 23rd Annual Ouray Ice Festival. For three days and three nights Ouray is an absolute ice climbing mecca; ice climbers, both novice and pro travel from around the world to celebrate the growing sport of ice climbing. During daily vendor exhibitions Festival attendees have the opportunity to demo the latest ice tools, apparel, and gear from the Outdoor industries leading retailers. Hundreds of spectators line the top of the Gorge on Saturday and Sunday to watch the world’s best ice and mixed climbing talent battle for the prize! And, with over 100 interactive and educational climbing clinics to accommodate every skill level, Festival participants are sure to have an experience to remember. Nightly events include multimedia presentations by leading climbers, music, food, dance parties and a live and silent auction overflowing with screaming deals of the latest outdoor gear! (***see blurb below) For news articles and short videos about the Ouray Ice Festival and the Ouray Ice Park, visit our Press Room http://ourayicepark.com/ouray-ice-festival/

Last spring, Trevor Kostanich and Forest McBrian skied a high route from Snoqualmie Pass to Canada in 34 days. They would have preferred staying out longer. Both passionate ski tourers and pioneers of various traverses in the range, Trevor & Forest spent years working towards this trip. Come hear what it took to pull off, why this route, and see some section highlights including first descents. While surprised, and sincerely a little disappointed, that they did not see more people along the route, they were pleased to tour alongside some animal tracks and gain a greater appreciation for high mountain living. Ticket proceeds go to the Cascades Wolverine Project with special guest David Moskowitz (wildlife tracker, photographer, and outdoor educator) sharing a short informational video at the event.

The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of the human-powered experience and a gathering place for the backcountry snowsports community. Winter Wildlands Alliance is a national nonprofit organization that partners with groups like The Mountaineers at the local level to inspire and educate the backcountry community to protect and care for their winter landscapes. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Don't delay - get your tickets now and save a spot! Tickets $10 for Mountaineers members, $12 for the General Public, $15 at the door. Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture - you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup. Films in this year’s program include: The Space Within - The space within whispers of another world, holding magic unlike anything he has seen before. Follow DPS Cinematic to this world. Ruth Gorge - Follow this expedition skiing piece in Alaska’s Ruth Gorge with Noah Howell and Ben Peters. Adventure Not War - Stacy Bare returns home from war by way of his ongoing project, Adventure Not War: To promote world peace and understanding through adventure. Below 0 - Nature has two meanings, on one hand it is the natural environment where all life develops; on the other hand, nature is understood as the essence of being. The events in Below 0 are narrated metaphorically from Vladimir Kozlov, a Russian-born meteorologist who lived 20 years in the Arctic. Follow Through - In this age of hyper connectivity, which voices do we choose to hear and which do we ignore? A story of loss, of community respect and of belonging, Caroline Gleich sets out to complete her vision. --------- Intermission --------- End of Snow - Join Snow Scientist Dr. Jane Zelikova to embark on a journey into the mountains to find the tales of the past, present and future of snow. Idaho 12vers Project - Project also known as “It’s that peak, that one, just right over there” Genesis - A trio of powder professors ascend Alaska’s Chugach. The mountains become the laboratory in which they embark to form theories of mankind’s oldest questions: how did life begin, and what makes this life worth living? The Space Within - The space within whispers of another world, holding magic unlike anything he has seen before. Follow DPS Cinematic to this world. Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-backcountry-film-festival-celebrating-the-winter-human-powered-experience-seattle-showing-tickets-41088399509

The Mountaineers are bringing back the Backcountry Film Festival with a new set of thrilling films for 2018, produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of the human-powered experience and a gathering place for the backcountry snowsports community. This screening is co-presented by the Mountaineers Foothills Branch and the City of Bellevue Parks and Community Services department. 50% of the proceeds will go to support the Bellevue TRACKS program that promotes youth outdoor adventure, stewardship and leadership. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! GET YOUR ADVANCE TICKET NOW AND SAVE YOUR SEAT! Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture- you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup. Films in this year’s program include: The Space Within, DPS Skis Cinematic | 5 min 28 sec Ruth Gorge, Noah Howell | 8 min 1 sec Below 0, Itai Hagage | 4 min 54 sec The End of Snow, Jane Zelikova and Morgan Heim | 20 min 35 sec Follow Through, Anya Miller and Becca Cahall | 21 min 48 sec Genesis, Ben Sturgulewski and Dan Pizza | 5 min 50 sec Idaho 12ver Project, Mark Ortiz | 12 min 10 sec Adventure Not War, Max Lowe | 7 min 35 sec Get tickets here ($10-$12): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2018-backcountry-film-festival-celebrating-the-winter-human-powered-experience-bellevue-showing-tickets-41088241035?aff=erelpanelorg

Presentation Description: In this edition of the Bellingham Mountaineers Winter Speaker Series, climber Steph Abegg and geologist Doug McKeever will join forces to discuss the variety of rock types that are most commonly encountered in climbs in Washington. Steph will provide photos illustrating the various rock types and the quality of climbing they afford, while Doug will detail about the various compositions, origins, and locations of the different rock types.

LIVING NORTHWEST HISTORY: REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST AND FUTURE OF NORTHWEST MOUNTAINEERING The Pacific Northwest has a rich heritage of mountain exploration, activism, literature, and art. Lowell Skoog was introduced to this heritage as a Seattle youngster more than 50 years ago. In this multimedia presentation, Lowell will discuss how the threads of history continue to weave through the Northwest outdoor community to create a present that is just as rich and inspiring as our storied past. As a skier, climber, flyer, writer and photographer, Lowell has been a participant and keen observer of Northwest mountaineering since the 1960s. He is the creator of the Alpenglow Gallery and founder of the Northwest Mountaineering Journal, websites that celebrate local mountain culture. He was a key member of the team that launched the Washington State Ski and Snowboard Museum in 2015. For over a decade he has been a member and is now chairman of the Mountaineers History and Library committee, a group of volunteers that works to preserve and share our living history. EVENT TICKETS & INFO $10 Mountaineers member | $12 non-member | $12 at the door (when available) All events are at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center Doors open at 6pm, presentation starts at 7pm

Famed Mountaineer Fred Beckey first travelled to the Himalaya in 1955 as a member of the International Himalayan Expedition.Their objective: To make the first ascent of Lhotse, a part of the Everest massif. At 27,940 feet, this is the fourth highest mountain in the world.Over the next nearly-sixty years Fred made multiple trips back to the Himalaya.His interests were in finding unclimbed peaks, establishing new routes on previously climbed peaks, trekking untrodden, remote mountain valleys, and the study and exploration of sub-ranges of various Asian Mountains and the Himals.This short evening lecture will focus on the goals of the Lhotse Expedition, and analyse controversies that arose with this climb, and resultant outcomes. Time permitting, the detail and objectives of subsequent trips will also be discussed, and include the ambitious plans of what had been Fred Beckey's most recent Himalayan objective, which would have been to travel next year (2018), to a remote valley in the Garhwal of Northern India. Fred Beckey recently died at age ninety-four. He lived a life that centered on mountains, climbing, scholarship, research and creating a legacy that will endure for generations to come. The speaker, Megan E. Bond, is also Fred Beckey's biographer and will read excerpts from her writings, which will be published by Mountaineers Books. Over the course of a decade, she and Fred made multiple exploratory trips together to Nepal, India, China and Tibet. *There is no charge for this event, but please Register for a 'Ticket' as capacity is limited to forty people. Please message the Speaker/Host (Megan) to add your name. Thank you. .................................... Location: Magnolia Branch of the Seattle Public Library. 2801 34th Ave West Seattle WA 98199

Punk Rock! Climbing!All proceeds go to Access Fund to help fund their legal battle against President Trump's proclamation to reduce Bears Ears National Monument. Music by Teapot$10/$5 for membersClimbing is welcome! We can't give any belay lessons that night (you won't be able to hear us) so come prepared. BYOB -no climbing or belaying after drinking, please!

Aerial photographer John Scurlock captivates, motivates, and educates with his stunning pictures of the Cascades. Ascent Outdoors will host the photographic pioneer on the evening of January 10th as part of the Hike Back in History series by Washington's National Park Fund. Hear from Scurlock on how photos not only capture snowy landscapes, but help preserve, research, and explore them. Not to mention looking at lots of his incredible photos as we start celebrating the 50th anniversary of North Cascades National Park! We’ll also have related artifacts from the WNPF collection, including maps of the North Cascades and an original copy of the photo book that helped convince Congress to create North Cascades National Park. Please join us for an evening of history, beer, and beautiful photos by Washington’s John Scurlock. January 10, 2018 Doors: 730 Show: 745 Event is FREE at Ascent Outdoors 5209 Ballard Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98107 206.545.8810

Presenter: Robin Kodner Snow Algae: Small Organisms, Big Impact How is Climate Change affecting life within the snow? Dr. Robin Kodner of Western Washington University will be presenting research on snow algae communities across the cascades and how citizen scientists can get involved. About Robin: Assistant Professor, Biology Department, WWU Robin Kodner has been an assistant professor of Biology at Western Washington University since 2012. She earned her PhD at Harvard University in the Department of Organismal and Evolutionary Biology, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs and School of Oceanography. Robin started her research career studying algal evolution over geologic time and moved to studying modern marine algal communities so that we could learn how they are responding to climate change. Her passion for being in the mountains has led Robin to expand her marine-based research into the mountains, applying the environmental genomic techniques to study snow algae communities. She is using the snow microbiome as a model to understand how communities evolve in response to climate change. In addition to her work, Robin has been an outdoor educator for over 15 years in the mountains and on sailboats. She uses both the ocean and mountain environments as platforms for teaching basic sciences. Kid Friendly

Get tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/reel-rock-film-tour-tickets-39933789038?aff=efbeventtix 12.27 Wednesday (Film)Nectar & SolidSound present:REEL ROCK Film Tour: REEL ROCK 12Featuring Gear giveaways, Raffle Prizes and moreProceeds benefit The Washington Climbers Coalition$12adv8pm doors8:30pm movie21+This December, in the season of giving, watch the incredible climbing doc REEL ROCK 12 at Nectar Lounge, with proceeds of your ticket going to fund the Washington Climbers Coalition's projects maintaining and improving our favorite regional Crags! Plus a Gear, raffle prizes, Featuring full bar and kitchen service, Gear raffle and more! About Reel Rock 12: Get ready for climbing’s greatest stories, stars, and sends. REEL ROCK 12 premieres four new short films that will deliver heart-thumping action, big laughs, and pure inspiration. Featuring Margo Hayes, the first woman to climb 5.15; Brad Gobright, an up-and-coming free soloist with a donut addiction; the return of Chris Sharma to the deep water soloing stage, and more. About Washington Climber's Coalition: Our mission is to make Washington a better place to climb through advocacy, stewardship, and education. We are climbers who believe that climbers must work together and work cooperatively with land managers and other groups who have an interest in the places where we climb or we risk losing access to these places we cherish. We are an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We take care of the places where we climb and strive to keep climbing areas open. Current projects include building a new toilet at the Vantage Climbing area, route maintenance at Exit 38, Gold Bar, Tieton and more. Your funds will benefit these causes!