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The Priviest Views in Washington

When you're sourcing content for a story about outdoor toilets, your first thought probably isn’t, “I’m going to make my mom so proud.” Well, your mom isn’t a copy editor for this magazine, but my mom is, and when I told her about this article, the first thing she did was groan and say, “Oh Kristina. You aren’t writing about poop again, are you?” Full of unconditional love, she did a quick course correction. “It has been about a year since you wrote about poop, so I guess this makes sense.” Read more…

Mountaineer of the Week: Emma Agosta

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

Cross-Training: How Mountaineering Can Inform Ultra Running, Part 2

Running is often a solitary sport. Ultra-running is even more solitary. Thirty-mile training runs are a special kind of challenge and not one that my casual running friends are eager to join. Because of this, I train mostly on my own.  Read more…

Seattle Youth Volunteer Orientation Dinner - Nov 2

From belaying at the Seattle Program Center to supporting students on backpacking trips in remote corners of the Pacific Northwest and beyond, there are ample opportunities to get involved as a volunteer with Mountaineers Youth Programs. 

Join us on Thursday, November 2 for an evening of good food, good company, and introductory information on supporting the next generation of climbers and outdoor explorers through our youth programs.  Read more…

Top Tips for Shoulder Season Backpacking

I was forty years old when I went on my first backpacking trip. We visited Second Beach in Olympic National Park, and the experience left me hungry for more. I had to go again, first with friends who mentored me, and then solo. I couldn’t get enough. Read more…

Cross-Training: How Mountaineering Can Inform Ultra Running, Part 1

In 2014, at the age of 24, I started running. In 2018, I competed in my first marathon. In 2019, I competed in my first ultra-marathon. Since then, I have run the San Francisco (road) marathon, six trail races at the 50-kilometer distance, five trail races at a 50-mile distance, and one 100-mile race.  Read more…

An Evening of Advocacy 2023 Recap

The Mountaineers has a long and rich history as a regional leader advocating on behalf of the natural world, and our successes would not be possible without the persistent action and dedication of our whole community. Thanks to all of our donors and sponsors, we raised more than $25,000 to support our Conservation & Advocacy program. We also had 100% participation in our Conservation Pledge, where attendees committed to deepen support for conservation education, public lands stewardship, and advocacy engagement. Read more…

New Course: Winter Trail Running Conditioning

The Foothills Trail Running Committee has just launched a new course: Winter Trail Running Conditioning.  Read more…

Andrew Okerlund, 20, becomes youngest to complete Washington’s Bulger List

On September 11, Andrew Okerlund became the youngest person to have completed the Bulger List: the highest 100 peaks in Washington. Not only did he climb all 100 peaks, but he managed to do so in a single summer – 85 days to be exact. He is the fifth person to have completed the Bulger List in one season and the second fastest, right after Jason Hardrath. Andrew's timing was impeccable as his college classes began only nine days later, making him the most interesting classmate in all of San Luis Obispo.  Read more…

Mountaineer of the Week: Henry and Ada Bergvall

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

Peak Performance | Spice Up Your Shoulder Season Training Routine

Now is the perfect time to beef up your fitness regimen to take advantage of unique seasonal opportunities. Take that exercise class you’ve never had time for or explore a new form of exercise. How about a backpacking trip or a rainy hike? The trails beckon you to enjoy the changing colors, cooler temperatures, and solitude. Pick one or more of these strategies to spice up your exercise routine and stay ready for anything this shoulder season. Read more…

Celebrate National Public Lands Day 2023 Through Stewardship

Fall is here, and that means a new season of outdoor adventures on Washington’s parks, trails, and wildlife areas. Each September, outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers across the country celebrate our public lands by getting outdoors - from local green spaces to the backcountry - in observance of National Public Lands Day (and month). This year the Biden administration added a little extra flare to the 30th anniversary of National Public Lands Day by proclaiming this September National Wilderness Month as well.
Read more…

Origin Story: Ian Cox Memorial Dicks-A-Thon - Oct 21, 2023

This story begins in April, 2018 with a silly idea. I was moving away from my hometown of Seattle to Santa Barbara, and I wanted a good old fashioned Seattle sendoff before I went. I started thinking about the things I would miss when I moved, and one of those things was Dick’s, the classic Seattle burger chain. Dick’s is the mecca for late night food for teenagers, and post adventure eats for weekend warriors. It’s fast, cheap, and delicious.  Read more…

2023-2024 Leadership Development Series

The Mountaineers is committed to leading innovation in outdoor education. A key component of this commitment is investing in our volunteer leaders, the heart and soul of our vibrant organization. We’re excited to announce new Leadership Development Series seminars that provide high-quality, continuing education opportunities for our current and aspiring volunteers. Read more…

Mountaineer of the Week: Tim Wick

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

Did You Know? The Fall Equinox

The shift away from summer’s longer, warmer days typically comes with apprehension. Even the snow sport fanatics brace themselves for the oncoming gloom of fall and winter days. But this new season has a lot to offer, especially if we keep our heads up and our eyes toward the sky. Thanks to the fall equinox, there are some neat things to watch out for this month. Read more…

Olympia Mountaineers Host Youth Booth at Nisqually Watershed Festival

The Nisqually Watershed Festival is an annual celebration of nature featuring art, discovery, science, and family fun. There are displays from local organizations, tours, an Insect Extravaganza, storytelling, salmon discussion, and more.  Learn about reptiles and bats, make a salmon lifecycle key chain, or bring a t-shirt to make a fish print.  Lunch options are available including a salmon barbeque. Read more…

Mountaineer of the Week: Cece Venzon

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

Important Updates on Mountaineers Membership Program and Pricing

At The Mountaineers, we strive to be a welcoming community, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to connect with the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Over the past decade, we have grown from 10,000 members to a remarkable 16,000 strong. This growth has been inspiring, and speaks to the enduring love and passion for the outdoors that we all share. As we near the end of 2023, we have some important updates to our membership pricing. Read more…

Mountainfilm On Tour - Oct 12, 2023

Join The Mountaineers this fall for an evening of inspiring and captivating outdoor films handpicked from the Mountainfilm festival in Telluride, Colorado. Read more…

Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor at Meany Lodge

Our volunteers hosts at Meany Lodge are looking for several ski and snowboard instructors to join their wonderful team! Read more…

Kitsap Forest Theater Access Update

In May of this year, you may recall that I shared with you the news that Keta Legacy Foundation had tried to obstruct access to Kitsap Forest Theater, jeopardizing our 100th anniversary season. We were successful in obtaining a temporary restraining order to allow The Sound of Music and Seussical, the Musical to proceed for this season. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend both productions this summer and was thrilled to see so many people, across multiple generations, enjoying these wonderful shows and the idyllic setting of Kitsap Forest Theater.  Read more…

Walk Turkey's Lycian Way with Global Adventures

The first time I ever hiked on the Lycian Way, the oldest of Turkey's long trails, I was gobsmacked by the casual juxtaposition of ancient history and daily life.  Read more…

Mountaineer Magazine Fall 2023

As a Mountaineers member, you receive free 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…

Mountaineer of the Week: Steven Freygang

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

Impact Giving | Transforming Loss into Legacy: Remembering Ian Cox Through Mountaineers Scholarships

We all move through the stages of grief at different speeds, and never in the same order. Sadness tends to hit me first, followed by denial and anger. With self-care and some extra time on the trail, acceptance comes into view. In my role at The Mountaineers, I’m often the first person people talk to when sharing the news that a Mountaineers member has passed, and these conversations never get easier. On the bright side, something that is very special about this community is how fast motivation and inspiration presents itself. The spirit of adventure is forever present, even when facing serious loss. Read more…

Top 10 Trip Reports - August 2023

One thing I am absolutely sure of: August has FLAVOR, and these Mountaineers seem quite sure of that too. Read on, dear friends, for a tale of three wives, summiting Rainier's least favorite peaks, a bear's lunch, and the art of knowing when not to YOLO it. Read more…

This Land: An Indigenous Perspective on Land Acknowledgment

The Mountaineers is partnering with the Sacred Lands Conservancy, an Indigenous-led nonprofit with strong ties to the Lummi Nation, to produce a series of educational pieces on the importance of mindful recreation and how we can all develop deeper connections to the histories of our natural places. Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley is a Lhaq’temish fisherwoman, an enrolled Lummi Nation tribal member, an elected member of Lummi Nation’s Fisheries and Natural Resource Commission, and President of the Sacred Lands Conservancy (SLC). We hope you enjoy this first blog from her, written in collaboration with SLC’s Julie Trimingham, which unpacks the practice of land acknowledgment and how we can acknowledge the land in a meaningful and impactful way. Read more…

Olympia Meet The Mountaineers Open House - Oct 5

Olympia Mountaineers have a lot to be proud of, and the annual Open House provides us the opportunity to showcase the wide range of activities, courses, and events that we put on so well! Read more…

An Evening of Advocacy - Sep 21 2023

The Mountaineers has a long and rich history as a regional leader in conservation, education, stewardship, and advocacy efforts, and we need your help to continue moving the needle on conservation education, stewardship, and advocacy.   Read more…