Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat – North Cascades
13-44 Miles, 4 Days
To run is to experience and express freedom, curiosity, and joy in the outdoors. On trails, we liberate our hearts, our minds and become part of a tribe of humans who find connection by moving their bodies in wild spaces. Runners come from all backgrounds and many of us are gay! This fall, Aspire is proud to partner with Out Trails to host the second annual affinity trip exclusively for the LGBTQ+ community.
Get the detailed itinerary, maps, .gpx files, route descriptions & more in the course packet:
2024 TRIP DATES:
September 12-15
Now Accepting Scholarhip Applications
Deadline for Scholarships: Aug 9th 2024
What an incredible group of people and amazing adventure we all had. I've definitely made some lifelong friends and some memories I will never forget.
-CAMILLE
Description
The Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat - North Cascades is an opportunity for LGBTQ+ runners to celebrate their community and delve deep into an incredible landscape. The beloved North Cascades, sometimes referred to as "the American Alps", are an incredible, glaciated mountain range in Washington state. Their dramatic relief and wooly shoulders rush down into lush drainages of evergreens and cascading rivers. Runner's will explore the ridgelines on and around Mt. Baker during this trip.
Staged from the Mt. Baker Mountaineer's Lodge, 40 runners gather for 3 evenings of delicious meals, community, and celebration and 2 full days of trails, dirt, sky, and some of the most remarkable trails on the planet.
Meet the Trip Hosts:
Ryan Montgomery (he/they)
Born and raised in Seattle, Ryan Montgomery ran his first marathon at 15 years old and was immediately inspired by long-distance running. Since his debut ultra-marathon in 2016, he has run over 40 ultra-marathons, many of them 100-mile races, at the current age of 29.
Based in Park City, Utah, Ryan trains for and runs ultra-marathons professionally. He identifies as a gay, genderqueer athlete who is passionate about creating community for LGBTQ+ athletes off and on the trails. He is the founder of Out Trails. He is a regular columnist in various running magazines, and he consults on diversity and inclusion topics in the outdoor industry.
Addie Bracy (she/her)
Addie is a coach, sport psychology consultant, and professional ultra runner living in Denver, Colorado. Previously competing on the roads and track with Olympic Trials qualifiers in the 10,000m and the marathon, she found trail running in 2016 and has competed in ultra races like the Leadville 100, Western States 100, and Run Rabbit Run 100. Professionally, Addie is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and works with athletes to help them prepare for the mental and emotional demands of performance. She recently published the book Mental Training for Ultrarunning. As a queer runner, Addie is passionate about helping to create more actively inclusive environments in the running and outdoor space. She co-founded OUTrun, a community created to provide support and visibility to LGBTQ+ runners.
Michael Tappel (he/him)
Michael is gay trail runner based in Seattle. He loves long days in the Cascades and is training for his first 100-mile race (Go Michael!). Outside of running, he is a product manager during the day and father of two very adorable cats.
Runners and Hikers Welcome
Out Trails LGBTQ+ Running Retreat - North Cascades welcomes runners of all paces. Each day we'll have a selection of run distances and paces. Join the group that feels good to you, or travel at your own speed.
- Leisure Pace: For the hikers and run-curious, this group will walk the ups and most of the downs, enjoying the company of the group as they take in the views.
- Steady Pace: For runners who love to soak in the views at a moderate pace, while generally running downhills and flats.
- Motivated Pace: For runners who want to see as much of the zone as possible, and are comfortable with higher speeds and mileage.
There's no wrong way to enjoy the mountains, and the combined Aspire and Out Trails crew are there to support each pace group.
Here's how Aspire facilitates a meaningful community trail experience:
Aspire coordinates all camping reservations, backcountry permits, shuttles and meals to guarantee you an immersive trail running experience. All you have to bring is your running kit and your fitness.
Accommodations: The Mt. Baker Mountaineer's Lodge provides a warm and charming setting for this weekend of connection. Expect ski lodge style bunks, flushing toilets & hot showers.
Meals: We get it! Nutritious food fuels your adventure. We put care and whole foods into all our meals. Aspire bookends each day with celebratory breakfasts & dinners and provides nutritious options for fuel on trail as well. We are happy to accommodate your dietary needs.
Shuttles: Aspire will operate an optional shuttle from our HQ in Bellingham to the lodge ~1.5 hours away. Once you arrive at the lodge, Aspire provides shuttles to all trailheads. You can save the navigation skills for the trail!
Guide Team: The Aspire team is comprised of welcoming & inclusive expert guides that provide a safety net, energizing camaraderie, area information, logistical support and meals.
SAMPLE RUN DAY ITINERARY
| 6:00 AM | Coffee & Breakfast: French Toast |
| 7:00 AM | Shuttles Depart Yellow Aster Butter TH |
| 8:00 AM | Arrive at Yellow Aster Butte TH. Runners head out for 8, 14, or 20 miles over Yellow Aster Butter. Avg. run time 3-7 hours. |
| 1-4 PM | Runners finish, enjoy the finish aid station and shuttle back to the lodge. |
| 4:00 PM | Appetizers, drinks and conversation commence at the lodge. |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner: Enchiladas with Salsa and Homemade Guacamole |
| 7:30 PM | Presentations by Out Trails leadership |
View all the ways Aspire supports your adventure.
Get the course packet:
Cost
Standard Registration: $1250
*Payment plans are available for every trip. Get the info on how to set one up today.