All attendees of this event will be entered in a free prize drawing featuring a $25 gift card to Storia Cucina, a month of unlimited yoga from Bellingham Yoga Collective, and two $300 adventure travel vouchers from Climbing The Seven Summits—plus bonus gear and goodies!
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 21, from 5:00-7:00 pm.
Where: Fairhaven Stone’s Throw Brewery
Who: This is a talk for all folks--any students, community members of all ages and genders welcome.