Rose Burke
Each year, our community gathers at this annual fundraising Gala to make a difference and support our mission. The funds raised this night represent more than one third of our charitable revenue for the year, elevating our initiatives across branches and activities, including nonprofit publishing, adult programming, youth outreach, scholarships, volunteer leadership development, conservation advocacy, and more.
On April 26, 2025, just over 400 guests – including members, volunteers, and donors from across the organization, as well as partners and sponsors – gathered for an unforgettable evening to celebrate the work our community does to adventure with purpose. From lively reception events to awe-inspiring auction packages to thoughtful speeches from our guest speakers, the room was full of enthusiasm and generosity.
RECEPTION
The room was buzzing with excitement as folks arrived at Fremont Studios, sporting elegant attire and energized by the day’s spring sunshine.
Our online auction had opened 10 days before the event, and as folks entered the reception room – after being greeted by enthusiastic staff and volunteers – they were able to see firsthand the gear and adventure packages that were just a bid away. The tables were brimming with auction items, including international vacation getaways, mushroom hunting experiences, guided climbing packages, high-end gear, books, art, and more.
VIP guests had the special opportunity to meet professional climber, author, and United Nations Mountain Partnerships Ambassador Sasha DiGiulian, as well as wildlife and culture photographer, conservationist, and our Adventure with Purpose Award recipient Art Wolfe.
In between casting their bids, members were able to get books signed by Sasha and Art, try their luck at our wine toss, take photos in our fan-favorite goofy photo booth, and – new this year – cozy up for a conversation in our Campside Corner.
MAIN PROGRAM
We were thrilled to welcome back returning hosts Fred Northup Jr. and Tiernan Madorno, who welcomed guests as they settled into the ballroom for the main program.
Current Board of Directors, Robert White, warmed up the room with opening remarks and touched the hearts of listeners as he spoke about the importance of increasing access outdoors so that folks of all backgrounds – including his daughter, Ellie, a woman of color – can build connection to the natural world.
As Robert expressed, we were grateful to have esteemed guests U.S. Congressman Gabe Vasquez (representing the 2nd district in New Mexico) and Joe Impecoven (Special Assistant to Governor Ferguson on Outdoor Recreation Policy) join us, as well as former Gala honorees Steve Swenson (2023 honoree), and joining us remotely, Dianne Roberts (2022 honoree) and Jim Whittaker (2013 honoree who helped us launch the Gala). Robert also paid tribute to former Washington governor Daniel J. Evans, lifetime Mountaineers member and Mountaineers Lifetime Award Recipient who was a fierce advocate for our public lands.
Before sending us off into the evening’s festivities, Robert reminded us of the importance of our gathering: not just to raise funds, but to fuel the future. We are prioritizing “a future where adventure goes hand-in-hand with purpose,” Robert shared, “and each one of you in this room is contributing to that future.”
TYROLEAN TRAVERSE
One of the defining features of our Mountaineers Gala is the Tyrolean Traverse led by students in our Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) youth program. This year’s race was one to remember as we had our first-ever all-women team! Raffle tickets flew up as guests excitedly bid on their lucky racer and strategic priority.
Named for the Tyrol region in Europe and developed for approaching the spires of the Dolomites, the Tyrolean traverse is an advanced technique used by mountaineers around the world to navigate unique situations. In our case, we also use it to raise additional funding for Mountaineers strategic vision areas: LEAD, ENGAGE, and ADVOCATE.
Racing in blue to support leading innovation in outdoor education was Merle Kuhtz. Merle is a senior at Seattle’s Lincoln High School and part of the Running Start program at Central Seattle College, and has been part of MAC since 2022. She raced to support volunteers as they share their love of the outdoors.
Racing in red to support engaging a future of outdoor enthusiasts was Isobel Chi. Isobel is a junior at Seattle’s Lakeside High School and member of the Vertical World Climbing Team. She raced to create a community of belonging and connect more people to the outdoors.
Racing in green to support advocating on behalf of the natural world was Ireland Jean. Ireland is a sophomore at Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma and has been climbing since the age of three. She raced to empower us all to use our voices to protect the natural world.
On the edge of their seats, guests watched in awe as Merle, Isobel, and Ireland zipped across the ceiling. The crowd clapped as the racers traversed overhead, and didn’t stop cheering until the last racer crossed the finish line.
Congrats to Ireland for being this year’s Tyrolean Race winner, and thanks to all racers who helped us raise more than $21,000 in unrestricted support for impact programs at The Mountaineers!
AN AUCTION TO REMEMBER
Filled with enthusiasm and a delightful dinner catered by Kaspars Catering, guests were ready to claim their favorite auction packages. The giving spirit started strong as bidders threw up their hands to claim our first auction item: a signed and framed panoramic print of Art Wolfe’s “Triumph.”
The generous competition continued as guests bid on a guided climb donated by our partners at Climbers of Color. This year’s auction really hit the “and beyond” part of our mission, as many packages took winners to Croatia with Adventure Tripr, Patagonia with Patagonia Frontiers, and Baja with UnCruise Adventures - all to explore the natural world. Back by popular demand was a crowd favorite: packages to Chamonix, France, Maui, Hawaii, and two United Airlines Polaris tickets to anywhere in the world that United flies.
A huge thank you to all of the individuals – both online and in the room – that bid on our 57 silent auction packages and our eight live auctions packages. Thanks to you, we were able to raise a remarkable $120,000! Our sincere gratitude goes out to the 110 auction donors, local businesses, outdoor brands, and partners who made this year’s auction so special.
PADDLES RAISED TO FURTHER OUR MISSION
After a successful auction, Miguel Angel Aldrete took the stage to share his evolving relationship with the outdoors and the impact The Mountaineers has had on deepening his connection to the people and places of the Pacific Northwest.
Angel was introduced to The Mountaineers through his friend (and Mountaineers member) Crystal, who told him about our Black, Ingenious, People of Color Canyoning course. Angel shared that for many in our community who identify as a minority, access to the outdoors can be a challenge, so finding a space where he saw himself represented gave him the confidence to step into the canyoning world and fall in love with the sport.
“Meeting with my instructors and peers for the first time, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. Everyone was contributing to creating a space that allowed us all to feel like we were meant to be there.”
Within our canyoning community, Angel was able to access a community of mentors who taught him how to safely enjoy our natural world in ways he never thought possible. He gave a special shoutout to his mentors, and expressed his determination to one day become a patient and warm mentor like them, who contributes to a caring community and empowers others to grow into the world of canyoning.
“As a Mexican, I aspire to be a possible bridge to connect people like myself to these outdoor spaces I've grown to love. As a human, to pass my knowledge to help guide others on their journey to reach their potential, too.”
As a scholarship recipient, Angel shared that if it wasn’t for the kindness of our community, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to find such a strong sense of belonging and such a deep love for recreation. He gave thanks to our community’s generosity, saying “You may not have been on the rope with me, but if you’ve ever supported The Mountaineers, you were with me every step of the way.”
Our community is what make dreams possible, Angel shared, as he invited the room to join him as an advocate for accessible communities where folks of all backgrounds feel empowered to find belonging in our natural world.
“Tonight, you have the chance... to help another dreamer feel like they belong out there — on a trail, in a canyon, in this community. Your gift doesn’t just fund a course. It opens doors. It puts a harness in someone’s hands. It ties the knot that gives them the confidence to say: ‘I belong here.’”
Our community responded and raised our paddles high. With contributions ranging from $100 to $25,000, 205 donors raised more than $313,000 to Adventure with Purpose in the span of 20 minutes.
ADVENTURE WITH PURPOSE AWARD: Art Wolfe
This was our second year awarding our Adventure with Purpose Award: our highest recognition of those whose life work embodies our organizational priorities to LEAD innovation in outdoor education, ENGAGE a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts, and ADVOCATE on behalf of the natural world.
We were thrilled to honor Art Wolfe this year, world-renowned wildlife and culture photographer and conservationist whose work inspires connection to and protection of the natural world, all while advancing the idea that nature is intended to be experienced, not conquered, through the celebration and respect for Indigenous cultures worldwide.
Art was introduced by Mountaineers Books Editor in Chief, Kate Rogers, and received a special video shoutout from Washington State Governor, Bob Ferguson, who shared the impact Art’s photography has had on his family’s life. (Governor Ferguson wasn’t able to be with us in person as he was in Olympia closing up the legislative session.)
Blending inspirational storytelling, compelling videography, and incredible photography, Art’s speech had guests absolutely mesmerized. In-person and virtual viewers were treated to images of stunning peaks, cherished cultural celebrations, and captivating animal behavior.
He shared that one of the goals of his photographic work is to capture the unique beauty of human culture and natural landscapes before they are heavily influenced by change. To photographically document our human and natural world in such compelling and sensitive ways is inspiring work that requires a lifetime of dedication. To close out his speech, Art reminded us: “When you’re an artist, you never retire.”
With hearts full, guests rose from their seats to applaud Art.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Sasha DiGiulian
Guests settled back into their seats to welcome to the stage professional climber, author, and Keynote Speaker, Sasha DiGiulian. Sasha knew our audience well. Before beginning her talk, she asked guests to stand back up and join her in a series of fun stretches to get the body moving and energy flowing. Guests were delighted, and after satisfactorily stretched, eased back into their chairs for Sasha’s speech.
Sasha discussed the evolution of her climbing journey from childhood to present day, which involved overcoming hurdles of all kinds – from personal attacks to physical injuries. She began climbing at an early age, and quickly discovered both her exceeding talent and love for the sport. At a young age, she accomplished an impressive amount of difficult objectives, including 5.14d routes and some near-death (but – she argued – still fun) summits, that invigorated her to keep pushing through the struggles and testing her limits.
“Many of you know that thrill of surviving and the joy kicks in… And the suffering seems to drain away into a fond part of the memory. I’ve learned that that is what some call Alpinist Amnesia, to forget about the suffering that was entailed, and to leave this trip with a new addiction and appreciation for broader adventure.”
As Sasha took on bigger – and more international – adventures, climbing started taking on a deeper meaning. Trips were no longer just about climbing in a place, but understanding the history of that place and the present politics of those who were stewarding it. Speaking of her trip to Indonesia, which boasts world-class climbing routes but was experiencing the detrimental effects of marble mining, Sasha said:
“As invited guests, we wondered ‘What if climbing could be a different kind of industry—one that gives back instead of taking away?’... That trip changed the way I viewed climbing. It became not solely transfixed on going for the hardest send, but also seeing ways to connect with communities, share stories, and understand small ways to try to help plant roots for a better future.”
Over the years, Sasha’s impressive accolades quickly amounted. But despite her achievements, Sasha shared that she experienced a disappointing amount of doubt and criticism from climbers within and outside of the community who were skeptical of her skill, attributing her success to her male climbing partners.
“I noticed that every climb that I would do together with a male climbing partner, there would be this weird asterisk around my success — if my climbing partner had led me up the wall, questioning how much I had done…
Through my own experiences, I realized how often women’s achievements are subconsciously diminished or attributed to the presence of a male guide, a mentor, a boyfriend. I had trained for these climbs and I had done the work. I had led pitches, taken falls, and then sent. But — having my role that I played in sending a climb called into question, felt like something that was more based on my gender than my climbing.”
Committed to proving her grit, Sasha began seeking out more women-identifying climbing partners and found a community of talented women who excelled in skill, experience, and badassery. “I wanted to tell stories that were ours to begin with,” she shared. Although she experienced some personal setbacks from injury, she eventually pushed through, going on to complete first all-women ascents and other challenging objectives.
To close out the night, Sasha summarized the most important things she’s learned from climbing:
“That failure is feedback. That strength is more than muscle. That leadership means listening. That adventure matters most when it’s tied to purpose.”
Before sending guests home, Sasha reminded us all:
“Adventure isn’t just about going far. It’s about going deep. With care. With curiosity. And with commitment to a cause bigger than yourself.”
A TOAST TO YOU
By evening’s end, our community raised $585,000, a true testament to our shared commitment to creating accessible spaces where people of all backgrounds feel confident to enjoy and are inspired to protect the natural world for generations to come.
Throughout our history, volunteerism has been at the core of The Mountaineers. Volunteers make it possible for us to carry on our legacy of outdoor education, integrity, and action. We couldn’t have nearly the depth of impact without the generosity of donors like you.
We are so grateful for our community’s generosity. It’s because of people like you – who give your time, knowledge, passion, and donations – that we're able to further our mission to help people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Thank you for supporting our work and making The Mountaineers mission a reality. And thank you, once again, for making this Gala one to remember!
SPECIAL THANKS
We would like to thank Roger Mellem and Manisha Powar, our 2025 Gala Co-Chairs for their work supporting this event and filling the room with generosity. We also want to extend a huge thanks to our Supporting Sponsor, Greg and Mary Moga, as well as our Contributing Sponsors, Brown & Brown of Washington, Petzl, and Waypoint Outdoors, and last but not least our Event Sponsors, UnCruise Adventures and United Airlines, without whom the Gala would not have been possible.
