Peak to Purpose

Join us at the Chautauqua Auditorium on September 15th for an inspiring evening celebrating the accomplishments and activism of famous outdoor athletes and climate champions. Hear from some of the most influential and inspiring athletes in the outdoor world as they share their stories of success, challenge, and advocacy. Learn how they’ve used their platform to make a difference and how you can get involved in important causes that impact our natural world. This event is for lovers of the outdoors and anyone who cares about the environment, and wants to make a difference. We will have swag and product demonstrations, and as well as nonprofit partners to meet and get involved with.

Tommy Caldwell

Tommy. A singular name for one of the singularly best rock climbers to ever live. Outrageously accomplished in sport, traditional, and free climbing, big wall first ascents and speed records. Known for having the creative vision, skill, and 7-year fortitude to complete the first free climb of the Dawn Wall–the steepest, blankest face on Yosemite’s El Capitan. In 2015, Tommy and his partner Kevin Jorgeson captured the world’s attention throughout their 19-day ascent of which President Barack Obama stated, “You remind us that anything is possible.” The Dawn Wall ascent became a global inspiration, garnering over 34 billion media impressions and was covered by The New York Times, National Geographic, TIME, Vanity Fair, Good Morning America, CNN, ESPN, and more.

Beyond his strength on rock, Tommy is revered for being an intellectual, caring father and husband who works diligently and speaks eloquently on climate activism. His father, a bodybuilding mountain guide, introduced Tommy early to twenty-hour days in the mountains, during which he grew deep appreciation for the natural spaces that surrounded his home in Estes Park, Colorado. As a teenager under his father’s guidance, he began establishing the hardest roped climbs in the U.S. and competing (and dominating) on the competition climbing circuit. But bigger objectives began calling out to him.

Today, Tommy climbs as much as possible and works as an advocate and industry representative to preserve natural spaces and lobby for climate initiatives. With him on this journey are his wife, Becca, and two special kiddos, Fitz and Ingrid.

Caroline Gleich

Caroline is a professional ski mountaineer, endurance athlete and climate activist who currently resides in Park City, UT. She’s climbed and skied some of the biggest mountains in the world, including Mt. Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica and Cho Oyu, the sixth highest peak in the world. In 2019, she successfully summited Everest/Chomolungma, the world’s highest peak as a #ClimbForEquality to bring awareness to the disproportionate representation of women at the highest levels of leadership in industries across the world. She was the first woman to ski all 90 lines in “The Chuting Gallery,” a steep skiing guidebook to her home mountain range, the Wasatch. She was elected and served as the first ever Protect Our Winters ski team captain and works with a variety of local and national nonprofit organizations to advocate for clean air, climate action and environmental justice. Caroline has testified to the House and Senate about how climate change is impacting mountain environments. As an athlete, she’s sponsored by a variety of socially and environmentally conscious brands including Patagonia. Caroline continues to merge sport and activism to inspire people to get outside, live a healthy, active lifestyle and advocate for social and environmental justice.

Dr. Len Necefer

Dr. Len Necefer, Ph.D., is the CEO & Founder of NativesOutdoors – a native-owned athletic and creative collective. He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctorate in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University. Previous to this role, Len has worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and, most recently, the University of Arizona. His work melds the intersection of sport, environmental advocacy, and indigenous peoples. His storytelling work melds the intersection of sport, environmental advocacy, and indigenous people and has been featured in the Alpinist, National Geographic, and over 50 film festivals globally.

Clare Gallagher

Clare Gallagher is an ultrarunner and marine ecologist living in Boulder, Colorado. Originally from Englewood, Colorado, she’s won the Western States 100-mile run, Leadville 100-mile run twice, CCC 100km around Mt Blanc, and is supported by Patagonia, La Sportiva and Petzl. Clare is also a PhD student at CU Boulder studying Antarctic toothfish, deep sea ecology and international marine policy.

Hosted by:

Sasha DiGiulian