Blog

The Foothills Branch is seeking a Backpacking Committee Chair! We urgently need to fill this role by March, otherwise the Backpacking committee will not continue operating. Read more…

We’re Dave and Laura, six-year Mountaineers members, and we believe in the transformative power of the outdoors.  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…

When Matt Surprenant joined The Mountaineers in 2019, he was simply looking for people to hike with. What he found instead was a passionate volunteer community, a deep love for scrambling, and a meaningful way to give back — through leadership, service, and philanthropy amplified by his workplace giving program. Read more…

For skiers, splitboarders, and snowshoers eager to explore the backcountry, avalanche awareness isn’t optional — it’s vital. The Mountaineers AIARE 1 course provides a structured, hands-on introduction to avalanche safety, empowering participants to make informed decisions in complex winter environments. Read more…

The day starts in the dark. We shuffle through our condo making coffee, eating breakfast, and coiling ropes. A ten-minute drive up the hill puts us a short walk to the Ouray Ice Park entrance, where people begin slipping into their harnesses and strapping on helmets and crampons by headlamp. Everyone is bundled against the cold Colorado air. We paid to be Ice Park members, which affords us entrance into the park 30 minutes early to have first pick at the routes. Read more…

The Mountaineers Gala is more than just a fundraiser, it's a chance to showcase our Adventure with Purpose mission and celebrate the wide range of activities, programs, and people that our nonprofit positively impacts. This year, we have a full and exciting evening planned – with familiar elements and some new surprises and delights. Read more…

Some years it’s hard to transition from long, sunny days and fields of flowers to the rainy season here in the PNW. Yet the shoulder season repays that loss by ushering in amazing colors in the mountains and lowlands. 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 the wake of deep reductions to the federal land manager workforce and cuts to the Washington state budget over the last year, volunteer stewardship work coordinated by nonprofits is increasingly critical to maintaining thriving, well-maintained public lands. The practice of stewardship brings Mountaineers of all ages together across branches and activities to care for the places where we recreate. Robust volunteer stewardship isn’t a replacement for the agency staff who support and guide our work, but is a great way to support public lands and the dedicated professionals who care for them.
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2025 was a whirlwind year for defending public lands.  Sweeping workforce reductions at federal land management agencies, along with proposals to sell off wide swaths of public lands, created an unprecedented need to raise our voice to protect the future of outdoor recreation. We’re calling on our community to support The Mountaineers with a year-end donation to help fund critical mission-driven work, like our Conservation & Advocacy program which amplifies the voice and values of members like you.  Read more…

I like to think of Roadless Areas as the silent heroes of Washington’s public lands. They don’t garner the hype of Wilderness Areas, but they form the backdrop to many of our favorite backcountry experiences. From the ancient groves of the Olympic rainforest to the snowy slopes of the Cascades, you're never too far from a Roadless Area. Recreation opportunities provided by Roadless Areas in places like Quinault Ridge, Baker Lake, and Washington Pass are not permanently protected, and need more advocates. Read more…

Washington is experiencing record rainfall, and we know that some of our members are directly impacted by flooding, rising rivers, and rapidly changing conditions. To those of you navigating this right now: we’re thinking of you, and we’re holding you and your communities in our hearts. 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 over 13 years, The Mountaineers has brought the spirit of outdoor adventure to Seattle youth through Day Camp programs that now engage over 600 campers each summer. We know that demand for camp is high, and we’re committed to a registration process that feels fair and accessible. Read more…

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is headed back to Seattle! Join The Mountaineers on January 14 and 15 as we travel to remote vistas, analyze topical environmental issues, and get up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action sports. Read more…

Thank you to all our Giving Tuesday donors for helping us raise more than $61,000 for the Mountaineers Access Program (MAP) scholarship fund! 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…

My journey in guiding began in spaces that weren’t designed for people like me. At my first mountaineering job, I was the first woman they’d ever employed. I had to navigate subtle dismissals and over-explanations while being passed up for growth opportunities and bearing the expectation of representing all women. Read more…

Our experiences in the mountains are rarely about the summit itself. They’re about who you tie in with, who hands you a cup of hot tea at 2am at base camp, who laughs with you when you posthole to your knees, and who reminds you that you belong out there. Read more…

We are halfway through Giving Tuesday and have already raised $34,976 for our scholarship fund! In a surprise twist, several long-time supporters of the Mountaineers Access Program have created a matching challenge to double every donation between now and 6pm, up to $10,000. If you are thinking about donating to our scholarship fund today, your gift right now will have double the impact! Read more…

Thriving public lands that support outdoor recreation depend on stable, robust federal funding from Congress. As we look toward the next funding cycle, the public lands we know and love are at a crossroads. Over the last year and half, federal land managers like the Forest Service and Park Service have experienced multiple waves of staffing cuts. These workforce reductions - of up to 25% nationally - have significantly reduced the agencies’ ability to protect natural resources, manage sustainable outdoor access, and support local partnerships on public lands.  Read more…

Sade never dreamed she’d participate in something like the Alpine Scrambling course.  Read more…

The daylight is waning, but The Mountaineers spirit certainly isn't! Read on, dear friends, for salmon runs, fungi, and even a rainbow that brightened our day during this dreary season. 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…

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or just starting your journey with The Mountaineers, you won’t want to miss our annual Holiday Gear Grab at the Seattle Program Center on Monday, December 15 from 6-8pm. Read more…

Join The Mountaineers as we celebrate the spirit of adventure with the Banff World Tour.

The Seattle screenings will be at Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle on January 14 and 15 at 7pm. The lineup of films is different each night, so join us one or both nights. All proceeds benefit The Mountaineers. Reserve your tickets today! Read more…

Mountaineers members have access to a range of events, opportunities, and discounts to help give the best gifts this holiday season. Whether you're shopping for gear, experiences, or simply good deals, we've got something for everyone on your list, including yourself!  Read more…

Abigail is an active kid with a “goofy personality” who loves being outdoors and making new friends. Her mother, Rachel, works hard to provide for her, parenting alone because her family is back home overseas. Thanks to Mountaineers donors, Abigail was able to use a scholarship to attend overnight camp at Stevens Lodge this summer. Read more…