Blog

Spring is in the air. Soon we’ll be paddling fresh mountain runoff, spending sun-warmed afternoons at the crag, and venturing into our favorite wildflower-clad alpine basins. As you pack away your skis and snowshoes and dust off your summer gear, you may be wondering what the season ahead will look like. Which trails remain closed after last summer's fires and did winter storms damage the road to your favorite trailhead? 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…

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of legendary mountaineer, author, and lifelong Mountaineers member Jim Whittaker. Jim passed away peacefully at his home in Port Townsend on April 7, 2026, with his wife Dianne and other family members at his side. ‘Big Jim’ was 97.  Read more…

The administration is working to roll back one of the most important protections for our national forests: the Roadless Rule. The Roadless Rule protects some of your favorite backcountry and old growth forests as Roadless Areas - places like Baker Lake, Washington Pass, the Mountain Loop Highway area, the Teanaway, and Olympic National Forest. Last fall, 1,300 Mountaineers joined more than 600,000 advocates across the country to oppose the Rule’s rescission, which would open up 58 million acres of national forests to increased logging and development. The next opportunity to advocate to defend our backcountry forests is likely coming in the next few weeks.  Read more…

The Foothills Branch is pleased to welcome several new leaders stepping into key roles this year. Deep appreciation goes to the outgoing Branch Council members and committee leaders whose service and dedication have strengthened programs across our branch. Special thanks to Christina Buckman, outgoing Backpacking Committee Chair, for her committed leadership and the many contributions she brought to the backpacking community. Read more…

Mountaineering and ecology are interconnected fields, and sustainable practices in outdoor activities are crucial as we work to protect our environment and natural spaces so future generations can enjoy them. As Mountaineers, you’re likely well versed in how to adventure responsibly, but in honor of Earth Month, here are some simple tips to help you reduce your impact on the environment and maximize your enjoyment. Read more…

Each year, hundreds of students sign up with The Mountaineers for courses in winter conditions. These courses range from snowshoeing to cross-country skiing to backcountry skiing and winter mountaineering, to name a few. All of these activities are athletic pursuits that come with inherent risks. But going out in winter conditions also increases the risk.  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…

For the last decade, I’ve had the honor of serving our Mountaineers community and helping advance our mission. At the heart of what inspires me about The Mountaineers is our vision to Adventure with Purpose. Every day, we give people of all ages and walks of life the opportunity to have transformative outdoor experiences. Read more…

In a busy world, there’s nothing quite like spending time in community outdoors, especially when that time involves returning home each evening to a mountain lodge. Our Overnight Camps, held at The Mountaineers Stevens and Baker Lodges, invite campers ages 10-15 to engage deeply with the natural world while make lasting memories in some of our state’s most beautiful places. Read more…

As March draws to a close, we can look back at our trip reports and see the turning of the seasons written plainly across them. March is a month of in–between: thin snow and spring mud, sharp wind and soft blooms, one last ski and the first real push toward summer fitness. Along the I-90 corridor, we travel familiar conditioning trails in preparation for bigger objectives ahead, and elsewhere birders greet migration with delight, hikers navigate the annual Pacific Northwest baptism of mud, and naturalists pause to notice the first signs of abundance returning. Read more…

Enjoy access to Mountaineer magazine, keeping you up-to-date with everything our organization and community have been up to. Hear from regular contributors on topics from training exercises to trail tips, and read features from our members sharing stories from the outdoors. We encourage you to access all of our updates, stories, tips, and more in the tree free online magazine today. 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…

Your next adventure can make a huge impact! The Mountaineers Online Auction is just around the corner, and we’re excited to give you a first look at this year’s lineup of incredible items and experiences which support The Mountaineers mission-driven programs and publishing. Read more…

I’ve spent the last eight years at The Mountaineers helping students learn how to trad climb. Volunteering for these field trips is rewarding but can come with moments of anxiety. Read more…

On the last day of what had been an unsuccessful expedition deep into the Canadian Rockies to look for fossils in 1909, Charles Doolittle Walcott found one small, unusual fossil in a pile of avalanche debris. About half an inch long, Walcott called it a lace crab because of its delicate, lace-like appearance and identified it as an odd trilobite. (It has since been identified as Marrella splendens and is neither a trilobite nor a crustacean.) Read more…

Are you a hiker who wants to explore frontcountry trails at a faster pace? A road runner interested in changing up your terrain and scenery? A beginner trail runner who wants to find an inclusive community and connect with other runners? Then the Introduction to Trail Running: Frontcountry course is for you! Don't wait - registration closes March 31, 2026. 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…

The Mountaineers Adventure with Purpose Gala is an opportunity to celebrate our mission and the organization’s meaningful impacts across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. And no celebration is complete without our Mountaineers Adventure Club (MAC) students!  Read more…

The cold air freezes my lungs as I jog through the half-frost, half-mud trail. My quads burn and my breath rises in soft clouds. It’s just me (and the assistant trail running leader) bringing up the back of the pack, again. Read more…

The "End of Maintained Trail" sign is a familiar sight for most Pacific Northwest hikers. For some, it’s a stopping point. For others, it’s a challenge. If you’ve ever looked at the untracked snowfields and high mountain meadows of the Cascades and felt like you were missing something, you’re ready for a scrambling class. Read more…

From scrambling craggy summits to meandering through alpine meadows, paddling glacier-fed lakes, and snowshoeing in quiet winter forests, the North Cascades offer some of the most spectacular outdoor recreation opportunities in Washington. For members of The Mountaineers, this landscape is central to how we explore, learn, and build community in the outdoors. But access to these experiences relies on safe and well-maintained infrastructure, like sturdy bridges, durable trails, functional parking areas, and smooth roads. Read more…

Washington’s approximately 6.5 million acres of state parks and public lands are home to places where we hike, climb, ski, scramble, paddle, and connect to the natural world. Since early January, The Mountaineers and our partners have advocated to minimize cuts to our state lands this year. More than 700 members of our community sent nearly 2,200 messages to legislators highlighting their support for these recreation lands and the sustainable outdoor access opportunities they provide. Read more…

Have you recently sorted through your gear stash and found things that you haven't used in a while or no longer need? Rent a table at the Used Gear Sale and go home with some cash! Read more…

At The Mountaineers, we believe everyone should be able to access great stories. That's why we are thrilled to launch The Mountaineers Dispatch, a pilot project that brings our written content to life through audio. Audio tracks will allow members and readers to engage with our content in new ways, so whether you’re commuting, recreating outdoors, managing screen fatigue, or relying on audio formats for accessibility, you can now listen to Mountaineers stories wherever you are.  Read more…

Are you fascinated by the mysteries of the universe and the stars in the night sky? If so, then The Mountaineers Night Sky and Astronomy star gazing class is the perfect opportunity for you to explore and learn more about the wonders of the sky! Led by expert instructors who are passionate about astronomy, this class offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired and awe-struck. 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…

Sunlight filters through the trail’s forested canopy as I struggle to keep up with nine students from Interagency Southeast. We’re on a day hike to Twin Falls in Ollalie State Park. Read more…

Looking for an opportunity to provide leadership for your branch’s vision and goals? Interested in offering key support for the Seattle Branch’s most dedicated volunteers? Ready to assume a Board of Directors position and serve as a liaison for The Mountaineers largest branch?  Read more…