
On September 6, 1978, Jim Wickwire and Lou Reichart became the first Americans to stand on the summit of K2. Soon after, John Roskelley and Rick Ridgeway summited as well. They all did so as part of a team-effort to climb the savage mountain, and we believe this is call for celebration. In partnership with REI Co-op, Vibram, and Magnuson Cafe & Brewery, we're throwing an unbelievable party and we want you there to celebrate with us.
We invite you to join us and the members of the 1978 expedition team to celebrate the historic 40th Anniversary of the first American summit of K2. Don't miss your chance to meet members of The 1978 K2 Expedition Team: Craig Anderson, Terry Bech, Diana Crist, Skip Edmonds, Dianne Roberts, John Roskelley, Bill Sumner, Jim Whittaker, and Jim Wickwire. They will join The Mountaineers at our Seattle Program Center on Thursday, September 6 to celebrate this historic moment in mountaineering history.
The event will kick off with an outdoor retailer festival! You can visit outdoor retail vendor tables, check out and test new gear, and enter to win great prizes. Your ticket gives you access to all of our retail partners AND a free dinner!
Our new neighbors at Magnuson Cafe & Brewery are all about community, and we're honored they'll be onsite as the event's official food and beverage sponsor. A Magnuson Cafe dinner is included with your admission, and they'll be serving complimentary brews for our 21+ attendees.
The Vibram Sole Factor Van will also be on site to hook you up with a new Vibram sole for your adventure 'kicks'. Bring your climbing, hiking, or mountaineering shoes to get re-soled for only $25! Vibram will donate 100% of the proceeds to The Mountaineers for every new pair of soles.
As the evening progresses, we'll gather in Goodman Auditorium for our official K2 team presentation. Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts will kick off a program with stories, photographs, laughter, and probably a few tears.
Here are just a few remarkable images you'll see and hear stories about in September. We hope you'll be there to share our love of adventure and wild places.
We'll be celebrating all week. Click here for more opportunities to engage with the fearless K2 climbers.
Photos by Dianne Roberts.