This year, we are featuring evening presentations from Christian Beckwith on January 2nd, blind Everest climber Erik Weihenmayer on January 3rd, and alpinist and writer Mark Twight on January 4th. You’ll also see films and slideshows from some of our special guests and Aaron Mulkey himself.
Check out their bios and presentations below.
Christian Beckwith
Presentation: “Ninety-Pound Rucksack”
Christian Beckwith is the writer, producer and host of the podcast Ninety-Pound Rucksack: The Story of the 10th Mountain Division and the Dawn of Outdoor Recreation in America. The former editor of The American Alpine Journal and the founder and director of The Teton Climbers’ Coalition, Alpinist Magazine, The Alpinist Film Festival and AlpinFilm, Beckwith has spent more than thirty years immersed in the world of alpinism. He has made expeditions to Kyrgyzstan, Alaska, Peru and Tibet, skied the Grand Teton half a dozen times, and established numerous first ascents and descents around the world. He lives in Jackson, Wyoming, with his wife and daughter.
Erik Weihenmayer
Presentation: “No Barriers”
On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. In 2008, he climbed Carstensz Pyramid on the island of Papua New Guinea, completing the Seven Summits, the highest point on every continent. This accomplishment closed the circuit on a 13-year journey that had begun with his 1995 ascent of Denali. He is joined by a select company of only 150 mountaineers to have accomplished the feat.
Mark Twight
Presentation: “EXTREME — with a dash of poser”
MFT pays homage to his most extreme climbing partner, a visionary who always brought the stoke. The presentation will last about 30 minutes, following a short career slideshow and then an open Q&A session.
Mark Twight was exposed to the outdoors as his father worked as a federal ranger for Yosemite and Mount Rainier National Park. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he developed a deep love for the mountains from a young age. Twight’s climbing career began in the 1980s, and he quickly gained recognition for numerous first ascents in the Alps, Himalayas, Andes, and Alaska, establishing himself as one of the world’s leading alpinists. In addition to his accomplishments in climbing, Twight is also a respected author, sharing his experiences and insights through several books.
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