The Mountaineer and Adirondack Rock and River are set to host the 23rd Annual Adirondack International Mountaineering Festival (Mountainfest) on January 18th through January 21th, 2019.

Mountainfest is an annual celebration of ice climbing and mountaineering featuring guest athletes with tales of climbing adventures, instructional clinics taught by visiting climbers and local guides, demo gear, raffles, happy hour, and yoga.

Kicking off the 23rd year of Mountainfest on Friday evening, will be a slideshow from Patagonia Ambassador Anne Gilbert Chase. Gilbert Chase’s accomplishments include  The Slovak Direct, on the South Face of Denali. She and her partner were the first women to ascend the alpine route, the 9th time the route has ever been climbed. She has also completed first ascents in the Himalayas, Alaska, Montana and many other places. The cost will be $10 at the door and will begin at 8 pm, held at The Keene Arts Center, 10881 NY-9N, Keene.

The weekend continues with Yoga Saturday morning at 7 am at Keene Arts Center and then on to ice climbing, mountaineering, snowshoeing and avalanche clinics, evening slideshows from guest climbers and a chance to win raffle gear and free giveaways. On Saturday, demo gear will be available for public testing at The Mountaineer’s Garage Sale. Located on Rt. 73, Keene Valley, just down the street from The Mountaineer, from 8 to 11:30 am.

Saturday evening will be a free Happy Hour sponsored by Rab Mountain Equipment and will be held at the Mountaineer’s Garage Sale location from 4:30 to 6 pm. Before Saturday’s 8 pm presentation, Keene Valley Fire Department and the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery will be hosting an All-You-Can-Eat spaghetti dinner at the nearby fire hall starting at 5 pm. Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $15, with all proceeds benefiting the Keene Valley Fire Department.

Patagonia Ambassador Colin Haley will take the stage at Keene Central School at 8 pm. Colin is among the most accomplished climbers in Patagonia. There will be a raffle of gear from event sponsors before the program. Tickets for Colin’s presentation are $10 at the door.

On Sunday night the Keene Arts Center will host the last evening of slideshows and comradery with Canadian local, Bernard Mailot. Bernard will be giving a presentation on ice climbing within 600KM of Montreal, as well as last raffle of the weekend. Tickets are $10 at the door.

All Mountainfest evening presentations are open to the public. Attendees to bring a non-perishable donation to the Food Pantry. Mountainfest is a charity event that supports local and regional non-profits every year.

There are limited spaces available on only 2 clinics: Snowshoe Adventure and Climb a Slide. Those interested should contact The Mountaineer ASAP.

For more information, call the Mountaineer at (518) 576-2281, contact Dustin Ulrich, Dustin@Mountaineer.com, or Charlie Wise, Charlie@Mountaineer.com or visit their website. The Mountaineer is located at 1866 NYS Rt. 73, Keene Valley.