We are excited to announce the first 2024 PNW Explorer's Club Event with interesting speakers and some time for socializing. The Mountaineers - Seattle Branch has graciously offered to host our event. All chapter members, prospective members, friends, and family are invited.
Event: Icy Summits and Frozen Caverns
Date: Tuesday, March 26th @ 7 PM - 9 PM Pacific
Location: The Mountaineers, Seattle Branch is kindly hosting at their Seattle Program Center: Seattle Program Center 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
https://www.mountaineers.org/locations-lodges/seattle-program-center
Food and After Mixer: Light refreshments will be served at the event. After the event, an optional gathering will be held at the Mountaineering Club restaurant and bar near the University Village around 9:15 pm (a different location unaffiliated with the Mountaineers).
https://graduatehotels.com/seattle/restaurant/mountaineering-club/
Speakers and Bios
Haute Route (or the High Route or Mountaineers’ Route).
Matt Bachman will discuss Under the Ice, Above the Clouds, exploring the mysteries of Mount Rainier's Ice Caves.
Matt Bachmann retired from the U.S. Geological Survey after a career in seismology, volcanology, hydrology, and glaciology. He has climbed most of the world's tallest mountains, created Washington's first scientific diving team at USGS, and conducted fieldwork on all seven continents, including two field seasons in Antarctica. He holds a BS in Geology from Caltech and a PhD in Geosciences from Penn State. In retirement he has run a cub scout pack and two nonprofits, restored a sailboat, plays the ukulele, and continued to climb locally throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Rainier ice caves.
Tom Vogl will discuss On the Snow, Above the Clouds- The Haute Route Ski Tour.
Since 2016, Tom Vogl has been the CEO of The Mountaineers, one of the US's leading outdoor education and conservation organizations. He currently serves on the board of directors of Outdoor Alliance, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, and Comoto. Before joining The Mountaineers, Tom had over 25 years of e-commerce and marketing leadership roles with organizations such as REI, Dell, Redfin, and The Clymb. He is an avid backcountry skier, climber, and cyclist, plays the guitar, and has nine siblings.