Blog

Over the last two months we’ve shared about the administration’s intent to roll back the Roadless Rule and how Washington’s Roadless Areas support Mountaineers adventures. Now the USDA has formally launched a federal rulemaking process to rescind Roadless protections for nearly 45 million acres of the National Forest System. Nearly two million acres of Washington’s forests would be put at risk. It’s time to take action once again in support of Roadless Areas.
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Hiking and camping at Baker Lake and Lake Kachess on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest remind me of the intrinsic value of Washington’s forests. It can be easy to take our favorite public lands for granted or assume they will always be public. Until this year, I never imagined these places and other cherished national forest areas could so quickly become at risk of being sold off to developers. Read more…

I was 17 years old when I went on my first hike. It was miserable, painful, and downright humbling. A heavy pack, an environment of unknowns, and 43 miles to go, I thought what any naive teenager would: why am I here? By the end of that hike, I felt completely rebuilt by the mountains. 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 wind whistled through whitebark pines and subalpine firs. This August Friday had been hot at Mount Rainier, but with the sun beginning to set behind the volcano, temperatures cooled rapidly at these elevations. The meadows along Sourdough Ridge glowed in the warm afternoon light. Read more…

Many of the outdoor skills we teach are perishable. These skills are often in response to an incident, are used infrequently, and require periodic review and practice. Good examples of perishable outdoor skills include glacier crevasse rescue, wilderness first aid, and avalanche companion rescue. As responsible recreationists, we take many measures to avoid having to use these skills in real-life scenarios, but when incidents occur, our calm and skillful response can literally mean the difference between life and death. Read more…

Whether venturing out to climb cliffs, hike through mossy verdant forests, or paddle the Salish Sound, the Pacific Northwest offers breathtaking beauty and adventure. And with the warm days and cool nights of late summer comes a surge in bug activity. These bugs can be a nuisance, and pose real health risks. Read more…

Enjoy access to our quarterly 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…

August is the heart of summer, and trip reports from this month of scrambling, sea kayaking, star-gazing, and more confirm that our hearts are full. Read on for some of our favorite trip reports from this month. Read more…

Have you ever wondered what it takes to protect the outdoor spaces you love? The Mountaineers Conservation & Advocacy program is our deliberate and strategic plan to safeguard the natural places we all cherish. Our unique, grassroots engagement model is powered by over 17,000 members, including you, and combines conservation education, stewardship, and advocacy with deep policy expertise. This community-driven approach to getting people outdoors creates strong connections to the natural world, turning our community into powerful advocates for public lands and other protected areas. Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization, The Mountaineers depends on the generosity, initiative, and leadership of our volunteers to steward the future of our organization. We are humbled by the service provided by Board and branch directors whose positions are confirmed by members each year. Thank you for all you do as members to elevate our mission, and for your participation in the forthcoming election process for these organization-wide leaders. Read more…

Photographer and author Tommy Corey has built his career around amplifying stories of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the outdoors. As an LGBTQ+ Mexican-American creative based in Redding, California, Corey first fell in love with life outside during his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, a journey that sparked a wholehearted devotion to documenting the transformative power of nature.  Read more…

The Mountaineers is an extraordinary community of givers who selflessly and passionately support our mission to connect
people to the natural world and each other. Read more…

Too exhausted to pause for a snack, we finally round the last switch back. Our water supply is depleted. Above us, slivers of snow glimmer on the talus field we just glissaded down. Below, we hear the raging river, lined with alpine shrubbery. The sun is almost gone as twilight engulfs the sky. Just as a student mutters, “are we there yet?” a sight for sore eyes appears near the river: our blue Subaru.   Read more…

Last week, Mountaineers conservation staff and our Outdoor Alliance Washington (OA Washington) partners enjoyed a scenic hike on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest with Representative Rick Larsen, members of his staff, and local land managers. The Congressman was eager to spend time on public lands in the North Cascades with recreation stakeholders during this year’s summer congressional district work period. These relationship-building opportunities with lawmakers and their staff represent one of the ways OA Washington is building bipartisan support for public lands and outdoor recreation initiatives in Congress. 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…

Mountainfilm on Tour is coming back to The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center! Founded in 1979, Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals, inspiring audiences through stories of indomitable spirit.  Read more…

Back-to-school is right around the corner and now is a great time to seek out year-round outdoor adventure at The Mountaineers. While most of our programs are geared toward adults, Mountaineers ages 2-18 can find joy and confidence outdoors through Youth Programs like break camps, year-round clubs, and after-school programs. Read more…

As I step into the warmth of the Meany Lodge common area, a cacophony of oohs and aahs leads me to a table at the front that is overflowing with various mushrooms. Beneath blacklight, one glows vibrant neon. Another puff ball mushroom releases dark clouds when I squish it. Across the table, I spot smaller species: tiny slime molds. Finally, my eyes and nose discover a prized matsutake emanating its iconic smell – spicy with notes of cinnamon and pine. With guidance, fellow curious observers and I are invited to taste, smell, and touch the species on display. Read more…

As a child, I had a lot of adverse experiences exploring the outdoors. I was taught that outdoor spaces were not for people with my skin-tone, religious beliefs, and dietary traditions. It wasn’t until I found an informal BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) group of hikers and climbers in my early 20s that I felt finally able to grow my love for getting out into nature. Since moving to Seattle, I’ve fostered my outdoor pursuits through The Mountaineers – first through backpacking, then climbing and cross-country skiing, before finally finding my true passion: canyoning. 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 Roadless Rule is a key conservation safeguard that protects two million acres of national forests in Washington - and more than 58 million acres nationally - from logging and development. Unfortunately, the current administration is planning to undermine Roadless protections by repealing the Roadless Rule. Read more…

Interested in helping  young people build skills, courage, and a lifelong love of the outdoors, while having a blast along the way? The 2025–2026 youth program year is about to kick off, and we’re seeking passionate volunteers to spark adventure in the next generation of leaders. From climbing and skiing to kayaking and trail running, there are so many ways to share your love of the outdoors. Read more…

The Hood River Crag Rats, America’s oldest all-volunteer search and rescue team, is situated in the foothills of North America’s most-climbed glaciated peak: Mount Hood. Author and emergency room doctor Christopher Val Tilburg recounts many of the highs and lows of the Crag Rats' hundred-year history in his new book Crisis on Mount Hood. As climate change and overcrowding alter the shape of mountain rescue, the Crag Rats remain unwaveringly dedicated to keeping adventurers safe. Read more…

Do you have tips on ways to avoid blisters during a hike? Are you the best at pitching a tent in the rain? Have you learned something unique from a Mountaineers course or activity? We want to know!  Read more…

Ready to climb frozen waterfalls in 2026? The Seattle Branch is excited to offer two water ice climbing courses in Ouray, Colorado. 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…

One of the ways we're reducing our organization's impact on the environment is by educating our community about sustainability and how we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint as Mountaineers. This includes sharing about the Carbon Footprint Reduction Committee’s work to reduce the carbon impact of Mountaineers facilities and operations, as well as steps you can take to reduce your individual carbon footprint. Read more…

Say goodbye to summer by unloading your extra outdoor gear or by scoring items on your fall gear wish list with our End of Summer Gear Grab! You can stop by The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center on September 9 from 6-8pm to buy or sell gently used outdoor gear. Read more…

On June 4, we completed a new concrete pathway at our Seattle Program Center, improving access into our building for people in wheelchairs, caterers, and anyone using wheels. The path stands not just as a functional improvement, but as a symbol of community, generosity, and teamwork. I want to extend my deepest thanks to three incredible individuals who made this project possible: Elizabeth Nakashima, John Rollins, and Trent Jackson. Read more…