Outside Fest Was Awesome. Only 350-Something More Days ’til Next Year!

The last weekend of May, I had the chance to go to the Outside Festival and Summit. My primary mission was to moderate two Q&As for film screenings related to climbing. Outside Fest screened select films that premiered at Telluride’s Mountainfilm Fest the weekend prior.

The first film I moderated was the astounding Trango, featuring Christina “Lusti” Lustenberger’s and Jim Morrison’s quest to get the first ski descent on the Great Trango Tower in Pakistan. I won’t spoil the ending, but Lusti and Morrison overcome incredible challenges, from massive avalanches and sketchy gear placements to enduring sickness. They both also grapple with the recent loss of Hilaree Nelson, Morrison’s partner in life and mountaineering. I may have held my breath during the entire film—and I’ve now watched it at least three times.

It was an honor to take the stage afterward with Lusti, Morrison, and the film’s executive producer Kaki Orr and talk about risk-taking, mindset, and basecamp time-passing strategies. Lusti teased a cooking show shot during her many weeks at camp that may or may not be coming to a YouTube channel near you.

A few hours later, Emily Harrington’s Girl Climber took the stage. Whether you love or hate the title, this story of Harrington’s pursuit to become the first woman to climb Golden Gate (5.13b) in a day may just be the climbing film of the year. Afterward, I got to interview Harrington on stage, alongside director Jon Glassberg. The two weighed in on how the film evolved over its many years in the making. Harrington shared more about why she wore Alex Honnold’s climbing shoes over her own for one pitch of Golden Gate. And yes, both Glassberg and Harrington talked about the title and won me over.

While my time on stage interviewing these legends was the best part of my Outside Fest experience, there were so many more highlights, including:

• Watching a neverending stream of determined kiddos tackle The North Face climbing wall, in spite of the heat!
• Listening to a raw, hilarious, and very memorable conversation between distance swimmer Diana Nyad and endurance magician David Blaine
• Seeing Alex Honnold go off the cuff about his favorite hype music (Tool) and the one person dead or alive who he wishes he could climb with (Genghis Khan)
• Meeting one of my heroes, Albert Lin, in person
• Getting to know adventurers of color from around the country at an event hosted by HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Outside
• Listening to Lord Huron while relaxing in a hammock
• Riding in an elevator with Conrad Anker, but being too star-struck to say hi
• Witnessing just how increasingly sustainable events have become, with everyone bringing in their reusable water bottles and recycling
• Eating a truly incredible taco with a crispy cheese exterior from one of the many awesome food trucks onsite

 

It was an awesome weekend and I’m excited to return to Outside Fest next year. This was the festival’s second year, and it nearly doubled in size, with 35,000 people flocking to Civic Center Park to come together over a love of the outdoors.

“This year’s Outside Festival and Summit proves that we’re building something much bigger than an event … we’re fostering deeper connections and bringing the outdoor community together,” said Robin Thurston, CEO of Outside Interactive.

Prior to Outside Fest, the Outside Summit brought together leaders in the outdoor industry for discussion and talks. The Summit also included Outside Ignite, a national startup pitch competition where a panel of five judges awarded a grand prize valued at $100,000 to Carbondale, Colorado-based Raide Research, and the runner-up prize to Campfire Ranch.

See you in Denver, next year!

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