As the son of Jim Whittaker, the first American to attain Mount Everest’s summit and former CEO of REI, Bobby Whittaker is an avid outdoorsman. A song fan who grew up in Seattle, it’s no wonder that Whittaker immersed himself in the town’s blossoming grunge scene, finally traveling with Mudhoney and, later, the likes of R.E.M., Neko Case, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and Rufus Wainwright.
Combining his passions has long been on Whittaker’s mind. Approximately eight years later, he started to toss around the idea of an occasion that brought music and the outside together; Whittaker and Emily Burt, co-proprietor and founding father of Republic Brewing, have launched Get Out Fest.
“The idea is there’s all this stunning wealth of public land here, and it’s yours as much as it’s miles mine,” Whittaker, who changed into Spokane in advance to display screen the movie “Return to Mount Kennedy,” stated.
Get Out Fest, which takes place Sunday at the Ferry County Fairgrounds, offers something for everyone.
Those seeking to hit the paths (the Ferry County Rail Trail and Golden Tiger Pathway, particularly) can register for the formally timed 1/2 marathon or 5K. Both runs begin and finish at the fairgrounds, and routes encompass resource stations with water and snacks.
Participants will stroll away with a T-shirt and finisher’s medal.
For individuals who favor journeying on two wheels, recall the 14-mile Kettle Crest Mountain Bike Ride, hosted through the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – East Chapter, or the 25-mile street experience Curlew Lake hosted by People On Wheels.
The Pacific Northwest Trail Association will lead a guided hike alongside the Sherman Peak Loop. Attendees can also fish, skateboard, climb, kayak, paddleboard, and hunt for fossils (sure, in reality) at the Stonerose Museum and Fossil Site.
The laugh doesn’t prevent there, even though.
Eureka Gulch Community Clubhouse will display “The Bikes of Wrath ” on Friday, and Seattle’s Cave Singers will perform on Saturday.
There will also be games courtesy of REI, food vendors, a beer lawn, and non-alcoholic liquids.
Attendees are welcome to camp during the festival. Tent camping is $20 according to the tent, which covers attendees for the complete festival, whilst RV tenting fees are $30 in step with the night.
Activities and assistance are courtesy of corporations such as Evergreen Mountain Bike, the Pacific Northwest Trail Association, Ferry County Rail Trail Partners, Northeast Washington Trailblazers, the Colville National Forest undertaking team, Grindline Skateparks, Back Country Horsemen of Washington State-Ferry County Chapter, and Republic Tree Benders Snowmobile/ATV Club.
The style of sports, Whittaker hopes, will result in mingling between contributors.
Time and again, he’s seen a group of people head out, spend the day doing their activity, like jogging or mountain cycling, then head back to the campsite and, most importantly, speak to each other.
“I concept ‘Let’s take it up a notch. Let’s encompass a few cultural elements just like the tune, and let’s make it a good mixer, a place to collect and a coming collectively,'” Whittaker said. “You’ve got to step out of doors, your bubble occasionally.”
Whittaker called the Ferry County Fairgrounds, at the foot of the Kettle Mountain Range, an underutilized facility but hopes Get Out Fest will modify it.
“It’s were given awesome mountain cycling and hiking and areas for the motorized undertaking,” he said. “It’s just like the captain’s platter of national forests. It’s fantastic.”He also hopes that Get Out Fest serves as a reminder to folks who may have forgotten that they are rooted in nature after spending a lot of time in the city or stuck in site visitors.
“There’s a saying, ‘Every trail connects,'” he stated. “That’s quite an easy concept, but it connects you to the whole lot if you consider it. These trails connect people’s lower back to extra natural surroundings, give them an appreciation for animals, desert, flora, and fauna, and are interesting, gripping outside sports, too, if you want.”
