Blog

Beyond Crystal Mountain ski area, Highway 410 winds past Mount Rainier’s Sunrise area, then jogs over Cayuse Pass before switch-backing over blasted cliffs to reach Chinook Pass and its flowery gem, Tipsoo Lake. Here in 1949, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court William O. Douglas was riding his horse on the Pacific Crest Trail when the horse shied, lost its footing, and rolled over him. The horse was all right, but the Justice broke 23 ribs and suffered a punctured lung. Read more…

The Olympia Mountaineers has been sponsoring Banff Mountain Film Festival for around 30 years. The tradition is still going strong - in March 2026, the festival will be back for three exciting evenings! Read more…

In the lead up to Erik joining us in Seattle for our Annual Gala in April, we asked him a few questions about his experiences in the outdoors and how he lives a life of adventuring with purpose. Enjoy these excerpts from an extended conversation with Erik. (Responses have been shortened for space.) Read more…

If there’s one thing that Mountaineers had in common in February, it was wishing for a lot more snow and a little more waterproofing. Despite less-than-ideal winter conditions, members still got out to hike, ski, paddle, scramble, and more together throughout the month of February.   Read more…

Since the 1960 release of the keystone title, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, Mountaineers Books has served as a mission-driven home for the voices that define our relationship with the natural world.  Read more…

The Foothills Branch is seeking a new Branch Chair-Elect to begin the next 3-year leadership cycle by October 2026.  This is a meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunity for someone who’s excited about supporting our broader Mountaineers community, strengthening volunteer connections, and helping the branch continue to grow and thrive.  Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

I was sitting in the third row of a large SUV, eyes wide as my sister passed an empty Oreo tray to the back of the car. My family had cracked open a window and gathered falling snow on the plastic lid, passing the snack tray from seat to seat excitedly as if they had captured a piece of magic. The mound of tiny ice crystals glittered under the car’s dome light. My first snowfall. Read more…

Washington’s state recreation areas - places like Tiger Mountain, Exit 38, and Frenchman’s Coulee - support Mountaineers programs and connect outdoor enthusiasts to nature across the state. Our ability to experience the outdoors through these state public lands relies on funding for land managers through the Washington state budget. Unfortunately, budget challenges have led to cuts to the land management agencies that manage and conserve these places.  Read more…

In January of 2025, I hiked about 50 miles of the Olympic Coast. The weather looked fairly dry the first week of January and the tides lined up, so I packed my bag and headed out. Read more…

Watching wildlife on our outdoor adventures can be a great way to connect to and foster a  deep appreciation for the natural world. Washington’s public lands span unique ecosystems and are home to a rich diversity of wildlife species. Spotting animals like owls, eagles, bears, or mountain goats creates special memories and enhances the outdoor experience. But wildlife encounters - and even our broader presence in wildlife habitat - can pose challenges that affect a species’ ability to thrive across landscapes. Read more…

Hiking is a year-round activity in the Pacific Northwest, which makes it the most popular way for new Mountaineers to find their footing in our community. Whether you are new to the region, new to hiking, or an experienced hiker new to The Mountaineers, here are some tips and trends that will help you feel confident in showing up to your first Mountaineers hike.  Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Volunteers are the heart of The Mountaineers operations, and this past year was no exception. A heartfelt thank you to the more than 3,000 members who generously gave their time during Fiscal Year 2025 (October 2024–September 2025), and to the many others who supported us from afar. Your contributions have truly made a difference. Read more…

Mountaineers members play a hands-on role in protecting, restoring, and maintaining the lands and waters of our region. From the Olympic National Forest over to the North Cascades and down to Mount St. Helens, our community continues to team up with land managers and outside stewardship organizations to support the trails and recreation areas that call us outdoors.  Read more…

Renowned thru-hikers and Mountaineers Books authors Derick Lugo and Heather Anderson are headed to BeWild on March 5 to celebrate their newest releases A Fabulous Thru-Hike and Farther. Read more…

As a kid, I never questioned my place in the outdoors. I grew up in the small town of Palmer, Alaska, running cross country, Nordic skiing, and snowshoe racing outside with my brothers. I didn’t yet realize how rare it was to be a young woman of color recreating in those spaces, because for me, it was all I had ever known. Read more…

The Mountaineers values transparency and takes pride in celebrating our successes. Our team is continuously working on updating our website, e-learning, and automated processes to enhance the user experience for members and volunteers. In this Changelog, we capture what improvements we have made over time so you can follow along and take advantage of new features. 

To learn more about our Technology program, check out our Technology Hub! Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to.. Read more…

Last month, we received the incredible news that The Mountaineers has been awarded a $324,000 Commercial & Industrial Decarbonization Grant from Puget Sound Energy for our Seattle Program Center (SPC) building electrification project.  Read more…

On January 11, over 40 members of the Foothills Branch met at the North Bellevue Community Center to celebrate our accomplishments in 2025! We had an incredible evening recognizing our leaders and Service Award recipients. Thank you to everyone who joined us! Read more…

The Foothills Branch Council is pleased to welcome Leah Rush as the new Branch Board of Directors Representative! We would like to thank the outgoing Branch Board Representative, Liz McNett Crowl, for all her service to the branch. Read more…

Lean into sailing this spring by signing up for the 2026 Basic Crewing and Sailing course!  Join the Seattle Mountaineers sailing program for another fantastic year of day sails, raft-ups, and racing.  Read more…

Ask any Mountaineers member and they'll tell you: nothing great in the outdoors is accomplished alone. Our work, from leading youth trips to glaciated peaks to advocating for trail maintenance, is defined through community collaboration. Accomplishing this work takes more than individual will; it requires a vast network of support from our community of volunteers, donors, and corporate partners. Read more…

Mountaineers certainly know how to ring in the new year! Read on, dear friends, for perceptive reporting, perseverance, and plenty of camaraderie. Read more…

Are you curious what secrets lie beyond the shore of Washington? Do you want to paddle around islands, explore hidden nature preserves, marvel at coastal features, and enjoy urban paddling experiences? Then Basic Sea Kayaking is the perfect course for you!

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers both foundational training and opportunities to advance your sea kayaking abilities. You'll learn in a supportive and friendly team environment, where everyone is encouraged to grow together. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to.. Read more…

In mid January, The Mountaineers hosted the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour in Seattle. Benaroya Hall came alive over two nights as more than 3,600 people gathered for this year’s unforgettable screenings. Read more…

The North Cascade Range is shaped by glacial ice which blankets the slopes, sharpens the peaks, and fills the rivers each summer with runoff. In 1984, The North Cascade Glacier Climate Project (NCGCP), a group of artists and scientists who backpack into North Cascade glaciers and monitor their condition, began annual observations of these glaciers to chronicle their rapid response to climate change. We completed our 42nd consecutive year of detailed glacier observations in 2025. Read more…

According to Bob Kandiko, "Every day in Turkey will blow your mind.” This simple suggestion was the seed that led to a month-long exploration of Western Turkey. From the call to prayer echoing between mosques in Istanbul, to Ancient Greek temples, to kayaking and hiking the Lycian Way on the Mediterranean, to trekking and biking under the rock towers of Cappadocia, this trip really  will blow your minds! Read more…