Mountain Fest events October 18, 2008

MOUNTAIN FEST-- UNIQUE COLORADO EVENT SLATED FOR October 18

Outdoor Skills & Conservation Clinics, Rock Climbing, Photo Exhibit,
Dinner, and Evening Presentation by Erik Weihenmayer

GOLDEN, CO, September 3, 2008 – Designed for beginning to expert mountain enthusiasts, the Colorado Mountain Club’s 4th annual Mountain Fest is a full day of clinics devoted to mountain recreation skills and conservation, an art exhibit, exceptional food, displays of outdoor gear, and indoor rock climbing opportunities.

Legendary mountaineer and climber Erik Weihenmayer will present the evening’s keynote. 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 3000 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. As a special bonus to the evening, each person in the audience will receive an autographed copy of Touch the Top of the World.

Mountain Fest will also feature the CMC member photo show, the Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum and Base Camp gift shop, exhibitors, a silent auction, and a delicious “Taste of the Mountains” dinner. All activities will take place on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th Street, Golden, CO, 80401.

Many interesting afternoon clinics will be presented by experts in outdoor recreation and conservation. Sample clinics include: 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, How to Avoid Getting Lost, and Human Waste. In addition to rock climbing, special family activities will be offered throughout the day on Saturday.

The annual CMC Photo show includes the categories “CMC Education,” “Teamwork,” “CMC’s Adventure Travel program,” and “Nature/Wilderness.”

A free happy hour is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the Taste of the Mountains benefit dinner for CMC’s Youth Education Program begins at 5:30 p.m. prior to Erik Weihenmayer’s presentation at 7:30 p.m.

Mountain Fest Fact Sheet

When: October 18, 2008, 11 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

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

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 CMC’s Youth Education Program.

Event Components:

Bradford Washburn American Mountaineering Museum: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Exhibitors and Information booths: CMC schools, REI, and more: 11 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

CMC member photo show: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

AAC and CMC Library open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Open Climbing at Indoor Wall 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sample Clinics noon- 3 p.m.

Colorado Wilderness Areas; Mountain Survival-- What do if you get lost!; Rescuing a Lead Climber; Dressing for Winter Recreation; Avalanche Awareness; Colorado Snow Climbs; Volunteer Stewardship--Trails to Restoration; Open Climbing at Indoor Wall; Learning to Find Constellations; Nordic Ski Waxing; Winter First Aid; and Pack It Out!.
Silent auction -- funds help kids get outdoors through CMC’s Youth Education Program
CMC Annual Meeting and President’s Award: 4 p.m.
Free Happy Hour Sponsored by Golden City Brewery 5:00 p.m.
Taste of the Mountains Benefit Dinner: 5:30 p.m.
Erik Weihenmayer presentation: 7:30 p.m.

Costs:

• Saturday package (clinics, exhibitors, dinner, presentation) CMC members: $65/person; Nonmembers: $75/person

• Dinner and presentation by Erik Weihenmayer CMC members: $50/person; Nonmembers: $60

Saturday day-time activities:

• Adult Mountain Skills Clinics and exhibits: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. CMC members: $3/person; Nonmembers: $10/person

• Erik Weihenmayer presentation only $20/person (includes autographed copy of Touch the Top of the World)

Parking is free

For More Information: www.cmc.org/mtfest
303-279-3080 x 2 or 303-996-2748

Proceeds from the event benefit the CMC’s Youth Education Program (YEP). Each year through YEP! more than 5,000 kindergarten-12th grade youth improve academic achievement, develop environmental ethics, and learn outdoor skills that spark leadership and personal growth. Youth have unique opportunities for mountain recreation, arts, and science education through school field trips and individual programming. Please see www.cmc.org/yep for more information about CMC’s great youth programming.

CMC’s Youth Education Program (YEP) was created in 1999. 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 for schools, youth groups and individuals. Please see www.cmc.org/yep for more information about CMC’s great youth programming.