As the son of Jim Whittaker, the first American to attain Mount Everest’s summit and former CEO of REI, it’s no marvel that Bobby Whittaker is an avid outdoorsman.
A song fan who grew up in Seattle, it’s additionally no wonder that Whittaker immersed himself into 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 thoughts. Approximately 8 years after, 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 in Spokane in advance this year to display screen the movie “Return to Mount Kennedy,” stated.
Get Out Fest, via Sunday on the Ferry County Fairgrounds, capabilities a bit something for all of us.
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. The attendees also can 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.
On Friday, Eureka Gulch Community Clubhouse will display “The Bikes of Wrath,” and Seattle’s the 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 $30 in step with the night.
Activities and assist courtesy of corporations together with 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 time again, he’s seen a set of people head out, spend the day on their personal activity, like jogging or mountain cycling, then head again to the campsite and simplest 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 once in a while.”
Whittaker called the Ferry County Fairgrounds, at the Kettle Mountain Range’s foot, an underutilized facility but hopes Get Out Fest modifications that.
“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 to Get Out Fest serves as a reminder to folks that may have forgotten after a lot of time within the city or stuck in site visitors that they are rooted in nature.
“There’s a saying, ‘Every trail connects,’ ” he stated. “That’s a quite easy concept, but in case you consider it, it connects you to the whole lot. These trails are connecting people lower back to extra natural surroundings, an appreciation for animals, desert, flora and fauna and interesting, gripping outside sports too if you want.”
