How To Get In to It - So You Can Get After It! | a panel discussion presented by Outdoor Women's Alliance

Ascent Outdoors and Outdoor Women's Alliance are excited to present an evening of engaging discussion about breaking down barriers, breaking into new sports/activities, and growing your passions. We've put together a panel of local women - adventurers, guides, athletes, artists, and industry professionals - in an attempt to inspire and empower. We'll discuss what it means to be a beginner, embrace newness, and how to charge onward into the outdoors!

December 6, 2017
Doors: 7:30
Show: 7:45
at Ascent Outdoors

Meet the Panelists

Charlotte Austin
Mountain Guide / Adventure Writer

Charlotte is an award-winning adventure writer and international mountain guide. Her work has been published in Alpinist, Misadventures Magazine, Stay Wild, Seattle Magazine, Women's Adventure Magazine, Mountain Magazine, Seattle Met, and more. When she's not writing, Charlotte works for International Mountain Guides, where she leads climbing, mountaineering, and hiking expeditions around the world. She is a Wilderness-EMT, a Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer, an extra-class ham radio operator, and holds a Level 2 Certification with the American Institute for Avalanche Training and Education (AIARE). Her recent adventures include leading an expedition into the Hinku Valley in Nepal, crafting a cover story for Alpinist, climbing the tallest mountain in South America, and being interviewed by Women of Heart and Adventure (WHOA) Magazine. In 2015, she won first place in the Travel Reporting category in the Society of Professional Journalist's Northwest Excellence in Journalism. 
Learn more about Charlotte on her website & follow her on Instagram. 

 

Kristina Ciari
Writer, Skier, Tutu Enthusiast, and Communications & Membership Director at The Mountaineers

Inspired by a demoralizing hike to Camp Muir in 2009, Kristina set about transforming her life. She joined a run group, started climbing, and began writing about her adventures for the 10s of friends and family actually interested. Fast-forward 9-years and she gets to connect people to each other and the outdoors on a daily basis. Kristina’s passion for writing and adventure landed her a dream job as the director of membership and communications at The Mountaineers, and she spends her weekends chasing snow in the pursuit of Turns All Year. A ridiculous endeavor to ski at least one day every month, Kristina celebrated 72 months – 6 years! – of TAY in October and has big plans for this winter. She credits the outdoor community with continually inspiring her to get outside of her comfort zone, and she’s still writing about all things outdoors – from why you need a down skirt to how to be a beginner – on her blog.
Follow Kristina's blog and learn more about The Mountaineers .

Trisha Steidl
Professional coach/distance runner/adventure organizer

I've coached at a variety of levels over the past 13 years - high school, college, post-collegiate, recreational, Olympic Trials qualifiers. I was a rower in college and qualified for the Olympic Trials in 2000. I've been a "real" runner for going on 17 years. I missed the 2004 Olympic Trials qualifying standard in the marathon by 17 seconds. In 2004 I was the fastest female marathoner in the state of Washington. I have run everything from 3000m on the track to 50 mile trail races. I've been on the board of the Seattle Running Club for several years. Currently I am focused on running (one more shot at trying to hit the Olympic Trials standard in the marathon, which is 2:45), volunteering, and creating more community.
Learn more about Trisha on her website & follow her on Facebook 

 

Brigit Anderson

Brigit lives up at Snoqualmie Pass where she tries to ski as much as possible! Brigit grew up cross-country skiing, but has fully embraced all forms of "sliding on snow," including lift-riding, backcountry, telemark, and ski mountaineering. She is currently working with the Northwest Avalanche Center, Vertical World Climbing Gym, Kaf Adventures, and the Summit at Snoqualmie.

 

Brittany Goris
Athlete or Rock Climber

Brittany is a Seattle based rock climber who gets her kicks by training hard, trying hard, and contemplating the deeper meaning behind doing either. With over 15 years experience, she has traveled the world to climb, established 5.12 and 5.13 first ascents, redpointed 5.14, and claimed numerous competition victories (and failures). She is perhaps best known for her relentless sarcasm, and inability to hike more than 30 minutes uphill. Her day job involves empowering young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields, and in her free time outside of climbing she likes to write, draw, make videos, eat vegetarian food, play board games, and attend community events.

Follow Brittany's blog or on Instagram & Youtube.