Jackson Gutierrez
Since the 1960 release of the keystone title, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, Mountaineers Books has served as a mission-driven home for the voices that define our relationship with the natural world.
As an independent, nonprofit publisher housed within the greater Mountaineers community, Mountaineers Books embodies our shared values — leading innovation in outdoor education, engaging a vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts, and advocating on behalf of the natural world — by publishing essential guidebooks, compelling narratives, and illuminating publications that deepen our connection to the landscapes we cherish.
Publishing with Purpose
In a world of rapidly shifting media, Mountaineers Books remains a constant: an independent, mission-driven publisher for the storytellers who remind us why we love the natural world and what drives us to Adventure with Purpose.
Mountaineers Books amplifies perspectives that arise from and speak for places they know, places they love, and places that have shaped them. Through community support, folks aren't just buying a title -- they're ensuring these stories have a platform to be told, preserved, and shared with the next generation.
As thru-hiker and Mountaineers Books author Derick Lugo recently shared, this independence creates a unique space for authentic storytelling:
“Working with Mountaineers Books reminded me why I wanted to tell my story in the first place. Their team gave my writing the time, care, and trust it deserved, without trying to sand down its edges or rush it toward something marketable. They operate as more than a publishing house—they’re caretakers of stories that deserve patience, intention, and space to land. It’s rare to find a place that believes certain stories matter simply because they exist, and then does the work to thoughtfully guide them into the world. I’m grateful to be one of their authors and proud of both what they publish and what they stand for.” 
Inspiring Stewardship for The Natural World
Our commitment to the natural world extends to how we see and connect with it. Through our publishing, we empower advocates to foster deeper relationships between people and place. Award-winning Mountaineers Books author and artist Molly Hashimoto describes this as a vital "exchange":
“Mountaineers Books has been my friend and supporter over the course of writing and illustrating five books. Through its nonprofit, independent publishing program, this fantastic team promotes care and respect for our public lands—and that is what I am all about as an artist. My goal is to enable people to experience the outdoors through a creative lens, teaching them to see and connect with the natural world in a kind of exchange: nature inspires us and we, in turn, honor it with our attempts to express its beauty, as well as to take action to preserve it. Mountaineers Books helps me achieve these goals with thoughtful attention and true commitment. I feel lucky that our collaboration continues—now for more than ten years!” 
Behind the Scenes of this work
We recently went "behind the scenes" to explore this craft during a conversation featuring Mountaineers Books author David B. Williams and Acquisitions Editor Emily White. They dived into the making of David’s forthcoming title, In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington's Cascades, discussing everything from archival research to the vital role community support plays in bringing these essential histories to life, and David shared his personal affections to this amazing range.
If you missed the live event — or want to revisit the conversation about how David’s forthcoming book, In the Range of Fire and Ice, came to life — we invite you to watch the event recording.
Leave your legacy in our publishing work
As we prepare for the release, In the Range of Fire and Ice we are offering the opportunity to have your legacy left in this incredible work. This book is a love letter to the peaks we call home, and we want you to be a permanent part of it. 
Donate by March 16 to leave a lasting legacy.
With a gift of $250 or more, your name — or the name of a loved one — will be listed in the acknowledgments section of this new book. Your contribution directly supports the production of this title and the broader mission of Mountaineers Books.
Please make your gift or provide confirmation of your gift by March 16. Email jacksong@mountaineers.org with any questions.
Your support champions independent publishing and empowers our books to flourish. As they become lifelong companions on our journeys, these stories inspire us to explore, protect, and appreciate the places we hold dear. Thank you for being part of our story.
