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Mountaineer of the Week: Ben Witten

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

Adventure Speaker Series: Donna Kreuger - Solo Alaska

Donna Kreuger retired in January 2022 and in June 2023 left from Olympia on an 11,500-mile solo trip camping and exploring western Canada and Alaska.  Her trip took her through the Canadian Rockies, on the Stewart-Cassier Highway north up to the Dempster Highway through the Yukon and Northern Territories to the Arctic Ocean.  Read more…

Volunteer for Gear Library Inventory Week Oct 17-20

Join us in the Gear Library at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center for a day of volunteering during our annual inventory week! This year's inventory week is scheduled for October 17-20, 2023. See the full schedule below and RSVP to help out. Read more…

How to Make Your Own String Art Mountain Installation

In the summer 2023 Mountaineer magazine, we shared an article on how to liven up your indoor space with a DIY mountain mural. A reader responded with their own version of indoor mountain art: a string art installation of Mt. Tahoma (also known as Mt. Rainier). Read along for some top tips on their artistic process. Read more…

Retro Rewind | Naturalists of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Back in 1906, it took newly-minted Mountaineers 21 days to reach the top of Mt. Adams (known by Native peoples as Pahto), horse-travel time included. Popular peaks like Chimney Rock and Eldorado Peak had yet to be summited by Mountaineers members, and so few Washington residents could access the Olympic Mountains that they might as well have been on the other side of the country. The mountains, and the species that lived within them, were mostly a mystery to Western eyes. Read more…

Running with Grief

The first time I ran the Mountain Lakes 100, I DNFed (Did Not Finish) the race at 61 miles in the middle of an early winter storm.  Read more…

Top 10 Trip Reports - September 2023

This collection of trip reports is warm, fuzzy, and reminds us to munch our last marshmallow and squeeze in our last skinny dip before the weather turns lovely for ducks. So read on, dear friends, for a rodent's sleepover, what constitutes a handsome view, why we play with spice, and the ridiculous but necessary 2lb Rice Krispy Treat. Read more…

Impact Giving | More than Breakfast and a Bunk

Every weekend this winter, tens of thousands of people will flock to the Cascades to play in the snow. The mountains come alive with the bustle of snow plows, ski lifts, and resort infrastructure catering to locals and tourists alike. And if you look closely, adjacent to the hubbub at three popular recreation areas, you’ll find vibrant and warm pockets of Mountaineers community. Read more…

Results: Board & Branch Elections - 2023

We're pleased to present you with the outcome of the 2023 Board & Branch elections, and we're grateful to everyone who participated by voting and accepting a nomination. Your participation shows a deep commitment to the organization, and this year, we saw over 1,100 votes. Read more…

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…