Cartography Comes Alive
Join us at Xplorer Maps' world headquarters in Missoula, MT, for Cartography Comes Alive (CCA)—our monthly event series running from September through May. Each event showcases extraordinary explorers, engaging storytellers, and expert educators who bring the world to life through their incredible journeys and insights.
Whether you're an adventure seeker, travel enthusiast, national park lover, or history buff, you'll find inspiration in every presentation.
📍 Location: Xplorer Maps Brick-and-Mortar Store, 1245 S 3rd St W, Missoula
🎟 Admission: Most Cartography Comes Alive events are free, though some special programs require a ticket purchase. Due to high demand, all tickets—free or paid—must be reserved in advance via RSVP or purchase. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees on a first-come, first-served basis at the start of the event.
Traverse of the Bitterroot Range: Stories from a 130-Mile Expedition
Featuring: Mark Kreider, Ecologist & Adventure Photographer
Mark Kreider is an ecologist and adventure photographer. He completed his PhD from the University of Montana and is a postdoctoral researcher with the US Forest Service, studying forest fires.
In July 2025, Mark completed a full traverse of the Bitterroot Range. The 130-mile journey—from Nez Perce Pass to Lolo Peak—largely follows the Idaho–Montana state boundary, a rugged and remote stretch of the Northern Rockies first surveyed in 1904–1905.
Sharing stories, photos, and reflections from the trip, Mark will explore the realities of off-trail travel, planning a self-supported expedition, and the fascinating history of the original survey party.
📅 March 25, 2026 | ⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM | 📍 1245 S 3rd St W, Missoula
Meadow Creek Gorge: A Late-Season Float on a Flathead Wild & Scenic River Corridor
Featuring: Geoffrey Gill, Flathead Rivers Alliance Volunteer Coordinator
Geoffrey Gill is a lifelong river rat whose story began on Virginia’s James River and has followed a different set of currents from the Pacific coast to the Crown of the Continent. He has built a career working as a fisheries scientist, river ranger, and outdoor educator, but he has most recently found a niche managing community members and river management on Montana's Wild and Scenic Three Forks of the Flathead River.
Geoffrey is passionate about river advocacy and about helping bridge perspectives between administrators, outfitters, and everyday river users—believing that sometimes we just need better translation between our different love languages with the river. Framed by photographs and stories from a recent trip through one of the Flathead's most unique and least-traveled sections of river, he showcases one of Montana's most outstanding natural resources and shares perspectives on defining our Wild and Scenic waterways as more than the sum of their parts.
📅 June 10, 2026 | ⏰ 6:30–8:00 PM | 📍 1245 S 3rd St W, Missoula
Events Archive
Cartography Comes Alive
Past talks, films, and storytelling at the intersection of maps, land, and culture.
Past Events
2026
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2025
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2024
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FAQ
Are tickets free?
Yes! Most Cartography Comes Alive events are free to attend, though some special programs may require a ticket purchase. For free events, seating is limited, so we encourage guests to reserve their spot early with an online RSVP. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees at the start of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
How do I get tickets or reserve my seat?
To reserve your tickets, visit our event page: xplorermaps.com/pages/cartography-comes-alive. Any unclaimed reserved seats will be released to walk-in attendees at the start of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Can I Call to reserve tickets?
Short answer: no. Due to high demand, all tickets for ticketed events must be reserved in advance through RSVP or purchase.
When should I arrive?
Doors open 30 minutes before show time. Seats are first come, first serve. We encourage you to pick up tickets early.
Please arrive by 10 minutes before the storytelling starts. If you are unable to make it, give your tickets away or let us know, so we can give them away for you.
What if I didn't get tickets?
Admission for non-ticket holders is not guaranteed and will depend on availability. We recommend arriving promptly at show time to increase your chances of getting a seat.
To accommodate all guests, any unclaimed reserved seats will be opened up to walk-in attendees at time of event on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is Cartography Comes Alive located?
Join us at Xplorer Maps' headquarters in Missoula, MT.
Address: 1245 S 3rd St West, Missoula
Phone: 406-546-4972