Join us for an inspiring evening of conversation, connection, and community at the Breaking Barriers & Raising Glasses: Women in Ice Climbing event. The gathering will take place at Garden Bay Winery celebrating women in ice climbing. This relaxed and engaging event will bring together climbers of all backgrounds to share stories, experiences, challenges, and triumphs from the world of ice climbing. Whether you are a seasoned climber, new to the sport, or simply curious about the evolving role of women in climbing culture, come enjoy great company, thoughtful discussion, and a toast to the strong women helping shape the future of ice climbing.
Saturday 5 PM TBA
DISCUSSION PANEL PARTICIPANTS
Erin Warren
Emily is the National Specialty Sales Manager for Mountain Hardwear, based in Missoula, MT, and absolutely fired up to be part of Ice Fest this year. She’s spent her entire adult life in the outdoor industry—running a ski school and events program at her local Montana hill, guiding through the wild backcountry of Montana and Idaho, and buying and owning a specialty shop in Missoula for 12 years. The outdoors isn’t just her career; it’s her community, her compass, and her favorite place to watch people come alive.
One of Erin’s deepest joys in this industry is the shared spirit that forms when people gather in wild places—the camaraderie, the grit, the laughter, and the quiet internal peace that only comes from time outside. In her current role at Mountain Hardwear, she advocates for small business owners across the specialty retail landscape. As a former retailer herself, she knows firsthand how challenging and rewarding it is to run a small outdoor business, and she finds real fulfillment in supporting owners—sometimes by simply listening, other times by rolling up her sleeves and problem‑solving alongside them.
Ice Fest is exactly the kind of event that lights Erin up. She’s thrilled to soak in the energy, meet the community, and add this gathering to her growing quiver of unforgettable outdoor‑industry experiences. For her, events like Ice Fest are a reminder of why this industry matters: passionate people, wild landscapes, and the kind of shared stoke that keeps the outdoor world moving forward.
Audrey Warren
Audrey is the founder of Après Sparkles, a woman-owned company producing biodegradable glitter for the outdoor and adventure industry. A lifelong athlete, Audrey has competed in ski racing since the age of six and has spent decades building expertise across a wide range of outdoor disciplines, including rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and ultra marathon trail racing.
Audrey holds a background in psychology, which informs her perspective on the outdoors as a vital tool for mental health and overall well-being. She currently works as a ski instructor for children, combining her athletic background with a deep commitment to mentorship and community building.
Through Après Sparkles, Audrey brings her passion for sustainability and outdoor recreation together, offering a product that reflects both environmental responsibility and the joy of outdoor culture.
Frida Waara
When it comes to legend’s in the Upper Peninsula Frida Waara’s name is on the top of the list! Her life has been about storytelling. First, as a commercial broadcast news reporter & anchor, and then as a Public Broadcasting documentarian and ultimately owning and operating my own video production company, My search to chronicle adventure with a camera has taken me to the ends of the earth–both the Geographic North & South Poles—but my favorite subjects still come from the shores of Lake Superior where Bill Thompson introduced me to sea kayaking, dogsled camping, and paddle boarding. He changed my life. I continue to hone my storytelling craft as the co-host of Lake Superior Podcast for the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation. My day job is selling Real Estate and I am so rewarded to help folks find their piece of paradise in this peninsula.