Celebrate outdoor culture during The Adventure Summit Feb 12
The Adventure Summit features inspirational presentations from national, regional and local adventurers
Celebrate outdoor culture during The Adventure Summit Feb 12
The community is invited to The Adventure Summit, a biennial celebration of outdoor culture, skill and experience. The event will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Wright State University Student Union.
Produced by Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University, The Adventure Summit features more than 40 inspirational speakers, an outdoor adventure expo, clinics and competitions. Admission and parking are free. Face coverings must be worn at all times indoors, in accordance with Wright State University’s COVID-19 protocols.
“The Adventure Summit gives the public a chance to plan outdoor adventures, connect with local resources, participate in competitions, and be inspired by their neighbors and some of the world’s most exciting adventurers,” said Angela York, Five Rivers MetroParks special events coordinator.
This year will highlight three featured presentations:
- Journey of Healing: A 3,000-Mile Paddle from Columbus, Ohio, to Key West by Andy “The River Weasel” Gallatin. An Ohio native, Gallatin paddled 3,000 miles down the Scioto, Ohio and Mississippi rivers then across the Gulf of Mexico in 2017. Hear about his run-in with raining snakes, oncoming hurricanes and circling sharks during his long-distance journey of self-discovery outdoors. Presentation at noon.
- Fear, Bliss and Breaking Trail: One Woman’s Journey by JeanMarie Gossard. Gossard will share tales of the 12,000 miles of long-distance trails she’s hiked, including nine completed thru-hikes, the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide. Learn how she completes nearly all her hikes as a solo woman on a minimal budget. Presentation at 3:45 p.m.
- The Ultimate Trip: A Grandmother and Grandson’s Journey to Visit Every National Park by Grandma Joy and Brad Ryan. This intergenerational duo from Ohio has visited 62 of 63 national parks. The grandson and grandma plan to complete their quest in 2022 on the heels of their epic Alaskan adventure. The journey began seven years ago when “Grandma Joy,” 92, mentioned to Ryan that she had never seen mountains. Their story of adventure, spontaneity and following their dreams has made Grandma Joy an international outdoor celebrity. Presentation at 6:15 p.m.
Additionally, regional and local presenters will share stories, planning and preparation tips, and regional destination ideas from their adventures both near and far.
- Thru Hiking Catalina Island by Kelsey Fulton
- Traveling the Carretera Austral through Chilean Patagonia by Steve Bauerle
- Walking and Biking the Camino Portuguese by Michelle and Brian Coleman
- All the Places You Own: Explore Your National Parks by the Maitlands
- The Grand Canyon: Learn, Plan, Go! by Charley Schuerholtz
- Panel Discussion on Diversity in the Outdoors featuring Justin Yoder, founder of LGBT+ Outdoors
- Bailey’s: Ohio’s Newest Outdoor Adventure Destination by Joe Crowley and Peter Kotses
- Backpacking Loops of Ohio by Jim Rahtz
- 50K a Day: A Record-Setting Journey on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail by Everett Brandt
- The Healing Powers of Nature + Pursuing Our Dreams by Sofia Lopez-Mimendi
- A Tribute to Adventurer Allen Johnson by Karla and Carl Brun
In addition to speakers, The Adventure Summit offers an expo featuring more than 25 outdoor recreation vendors, local clubs, recreation organizations and more. Music at the expo will be provided by Joshua Tree Skin Care’s rock-climbing DJs.
The public is invited to drop off their used gear ahead of the event for consignment during the Summit’s used gear sale, run by Dayton Hikers with proceeds benefiting the Beaver Creek Wetland Association’s Spotted Turtle Trail Fund. Visit www.theadventuresummit.com for more details.
