Registration is encouraged for this event. Register Here. All attendees will be entered in a free prize drawing featuring amazing local giveaways, including gift cards, show tickets, outdoor gear, a massage, climbing and avalanche courses, and even a $300 adventure travel voucher!
Join the Shifting Gears for an inspiring evening of storytelling and global connection with Kat Schaumberg, a professional mountain guide and WWU alum whose career has taken her from the glaciers of Mt. Baker/Koma Kulshan to the base of Mount Everest. Kat will share the powerful, full-circle story of a chance encounter with Monika, a young Indian woman she met during a Girls on Ice expedition in 2019, and their unexpected reunion in Nepal six years later. That reconnection led Kat to volunteer with Atoot, a Nepal-based nonprofit that empowers girls in rural communities through sports, education, and life skill workshops.
The evening will explore how outdoor experiences can transcend borders and evolve into meaningful, purpose-driven work. Following Kat’s talk, two of Atoot’s co-founders will share more about their mission and how to get involved.
Come for the story, stay for the action—there will be space for Q&A on topics like ecofeminism, global citizenship, and making a difference through service.
About the Speaker:
Kat Schaumberg is a mountain guide, instructor, sailor and all around adventurer. She’s a WWU graduate from the school of the Environment and was raised as a young girl in the county along the Nooksack River and off the Mt Baker Hwy. Kat has guided more than 35 expeditions on Mt. Baker, and traveled internationally for personal and professional expeditions, including in Ecuador, Patagonia, and the Himalayas.
Kat’s work combines technical mountain skills with a deep focus on mentorship, cross-cultural exchange, and personal leadership. She believes outdoor experiences are not just about reaching summits—they’re about the people, stories, and lessons we gather along the way.
When: Monday October 20, from 5:30-7:30 pm.
Where: Western Washington University, Academic Instructional Center West - Room 204.
Parking: Parking is free and available in the "C" lot.
Who: This is a talk for all folks--any students, community members of all ages and genders welcome!
Prizes: Prizes total over $900 in value and include contributions from Bar Ciccotti, Community Food Co-op, Upfront Theater, Backcountry Essentials, Cascade Mountain Ascents, and more.