Climb into the history of Washington State as we talk with Art Thiel about what makes the mountains so special. We'll explore the legacy of legendary climbers like Jim Whittaker and Fred Beckey, and discover how this region became a hub for outdoor innovation, giving rise to iconic brands like REI.

This episode is hosted by Tony Williams and features guest Art Thiel.

Curated HistoryLInk article set for this episode includes:

• The Northwest's Influence on the Growth of Wilderness Recreation by Peter LeSourd
• Becky, Fred (1923-2017) by Peter Blecha
• Whittaker, James W. (b. 1929) by Glenn Drosendahl

Additional HistoryLink resources for this episode:

• REI — Part 1 (1938-1970) by Rita Cipalla
• REI — Part 2 (1971-2025) by Rita Cipalla

For more from Art Thiel, visit:

• SportsPressNW.com

For more Field Notes episodes and other HistoryLink podcasts visit the:

• HistoryLink.org Podcast Page

In HistoryLink's new podcast, "Field Notes", we journey with site users 'in the field' to experience Washington state history brought to life through a curated selection of HistoryLink articles.