News & Events

News & Events

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Kayaking Cape Scott: A Leader's Perspective - Feb 28

A year ago, I had the notion to lead a group of Mountaineers sea kayakers on a difficult trip around the northwest corner of Vancouver Island. This is a classic trip because the launch point (Port Hardy) and the landing point (Coal Harbor) are separated by only 20 minutes of driving - and 100 miles of remote, beautiful coastline. It is a thru paddle with a very easy shuttle. But the paddling is mostly open coast, much of which is exposed to ocean swell with surf on the beaches. It's an advanced paddle and it takes two weeks. So, I wondered:  How will I find a group of capable and compatible kayakers? Read more…

BeWild with Joe Riis - March 20

The Mountaineers are proud to present the BeWild Speaker Series, putting passion and adventure on the stage! Come to these talks to unlock inspiration to seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. This March we welcome photographer Joe Riis. Read more…

Nepal's Extraordinary Culture & Landscapes | A Unique Perspective - Mar 16

Photojournalist, adventurer, and author Erika Klimecky has traveled to Nepal several times on various adventures, which has given her a unique window into the country of Nepal and its people. Her photo tour will combine storytelling, imagery and culture of Himalaya and Nepal, giving you enough inside knowledge so you can plan a trip of your own and appreciate it more when you get there. Read more…

Introduction to Kai Lightner - See Him at BeWild Feb 20

In this era of the perpetual run-up in sports, when the next trend or wunderkind can be spied, not just a mile but often an entire continent away, Kai Lightner has been an under-the-radar, champion-in-waiting for so long, he’s literally had “next” before his sport had a recognized competitive outlet. Read more…

Meet The Mountaineers + Gear Grab - Feb 12

Interested in learning how to snowshoe, kayak, or navigate in the backcountry? Want to meet new exploration buddies? Have a gear wishlist a mile long, or have some extra gear you'd like to unload? Come to The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm on Monday, February 12! RSVP today! Read more…

Photographer Jim Herrington speaks about his book "The Climbers" - Feb 6

Join Mountaineers Books for an evening with renowned photographer Jim Herrington as he presents The Climbers, the culmination of his two-decades-long project to capture the mountaineering icons roughly the 1930s to 1970s who used primitive gear, along with their considerable wits, talent, and fortitude, to tackle unscaled peaks around the world. His book includes 60 intimate, black & white portraits of greats Reinhold Messner, Royal Robbins, Gwen Moffat, Tom Hornbein, Yvon Chouinard, and Pertemba Sherpa, among others. Published in October, 2017 by Mountaineers Books, The Climbers received both the Grand Prize and the Mountaineering History Award at the 2017 Banff Mountain Book Festival. Read more…

BeWild with Kai Lightner - Feb 20

The Mountaineers are proud to present the BeWild Speaker Series, putting passion and adventure on the stage! This year, we're presenting adventurers who've 'found' themselves in the outdoors. Come to these talks to unlock inspiration to seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. Read more…

Introducing Youth Camps for February and April School Breaks

Looking for something for the kids to do over school vacation? Do you have a really active kid who would LOVE to learn more climbing and other outdoors skills? The Mountaineers have a new opportunity just for you. Our week-long camps are offered during Winter and Spring Breaks and designed for campers ages 6-12. Sign up today! Read more…

Sea Kayaking the World with Justine Curgenven - Jan 22

Pull up a chair, settle in, and enjoy stories and video from award winning filmmaker Justine Curgenven. With 15 years of sea kayaking adventures spanning six continents, Justine's hair-raising experiences appeal to anyone with an adventurous spirit ... be they climbers, skiers, sailors, or kayakers themselves! Read more…

Olympia Branch Winter Open House - January 4

Are you dreaming of getting outside this year? Learn how the Olympia Mountaineers can help you realize your ambitions. Representatives from our courses will set up information tables for attendees to check out.  Plus, we'll share information about our activities, events, and more. Read more…

Discover California’s Best Backcountry Ski Tours with Jeremy Benson - January 25

Join us for Mountaineers Books’ next live web event January 25 to “Discover California’s Best Backcountry  Ski Tours,” featuring pro-skier and backcountry expert Jeremy Benson, author of the new Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: California. Benson is Tahoe-based, and his insider beta is sure to get you stoked to find new powder lines. Read more…

Backcountry Film Festival in Bellevue and Seattle - Jan 22 & 29

The 13th Annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival will show at the Bellevue Botanical Garden on Monday, January 22 and at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center on Monday January 29.  Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture - you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup of eight films.  Read more…

Review: Mountaineers Books Climbing Titles Do Well on Gender Diversity

A significant goal of The Mountaineers and its publishing division, Mountaineers Books, is to recognize and encourage diversity in our community and in the books we publish. A recent article in Alpinist Magazine reviewed four climbing instructional texts in regard to gender diversity and gave Mountaineers Books positive marks. Read more…

Join us for the 2018 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner - Jan 27

Every year, The Mountaineers hosts an organization-wide Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Seattle Program Center! This event is open to volunteers from all branches, as well as their guests.  Read more…

Tacoma Branch Awards Potluck - Dec 8

Please join us for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and festivities as we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our fellow Tacoma Mountaineers! Read more…

A Kick Step Scavenger Hunt

In July we announced a partnership with Ghostfish Brewing to introduce Kick Step IPA, a bold and distinctly Northwest India Pale Ale by Ghostfish Brewing, benefiting The Mountaineers. Our community has been on a search to buy it ever since, and we're happy to report that a new partnership with Trader Joe's will make it much easier to find! Read more…

BeWild Speaker Series 2018 Lineup

The Mountaineers are proud to present the BeWild Speaker Series, putting passion and adventure on the stage! This year, we're presenting adventurers who've 'found' themselves in the outdoors. Come to these talks to unlock inspiration to seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. Read more…

Remembering Mountaineer Bill Maxwell

Mountaineers often measure their heroes by first ascents or mettle under adverse conditions. Former president Bill Maxwell earned his place in the annals of Mountaineers’ history as much for skill in the boardroom as for his many alpine scrambling trips and global adventures. Read more…

A Public Memorial for Legendary Fred Beckey - Dec 3

Fred Beckey, a legend among Northwest Mountaineers, and a climber, environmentalist, historian, and Mountaineers Books author, passed away on October 30, 2017. On December 3 we will gather to celebrate his amazing life. Please join us to honor his enduring impact. Read more…

Wilderness Trekker J.R. Harris to Share Gripping Stories from More than Fifty Years of Adventure

Mountaineers Books, in partnership with  Seward Park Audubon Center and  The Trail Posse, presents J.R. Harris' Way Out There: Adventurers of a Wilderness Trekker talk and book signing at Third Place Books - Seward Park in Seattle on Wednesday, November 29 from 7-8pm.  The talk is free and open to the public.  Read more…

Tech Update 2.9 - Many Small Improvements

From April through November, we worked on several improvements to our website and our Salesforce platform. And in October and November, we added bigger improvements and one new features. Read on to learn more! Read more…

How to #OptOutside This Thanksgiving

Two years ago REI made headlines with their decision to close stores on Black Friday and pay their employees to #OptOutside instead. At The Mountaineers, we couldn't love this decision more. Like REI, we believe going outside is not just good for your health - but good for your soul.  Read more…

"The Climbers" Awarded Grand Prize in 2017 Banff Mountain Book Competition

Chosen from a field of more than 170 international titles, The Climbers by photographer Jim Herrington was awarded the prestigious Grand Prize at the recent 2017 Banff Mountain Book Competition in Banff, Alberta, Canada.  The Climbers was also named the competition's Category Winner for Mountaineering History. Read more…

The Life and Times of an International Mountain Guide with Charlotte Austin - Nov 7

Have you ever wondered what it's like to guide climbers to the summit of Mount Rainier? Would you like to know the five things that are always in a travel writer's backpack? Do you want to work outdoors, or maybe pursue a career as a guide? Read more…

Adventure Writing Workshop with Charlotte Austin - Oct 30

We're very excited to be hosting IMG mountain guide and adventure writer Charlotte Austin again for an evening writing workshop. Whether you're an experienced author, part-time blogger, or curious novice, this class will give you a glimpse into the wide world of travel writing.  Read more…

2017 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The most prestigious mountain festival in the world, The Banff Centre’s Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates 41  years in 2017 by continuing to bring the best action, environmental, and adventure films to audiences in Banff and in 40 countries across the globe. Read more…

Mountainfilm Festival Preview: A Field Guide to Losing Your Friends

After losing his best friend in a terrorist attack in Uganda, Tyler Dunning embarks on a journey to visit all 59 United States National Parks, to find nature, himself and eventually his broader outdoor community. Read more…

Leaked Report Kicks Off Whirlwind Week for National Monuments

After weeks of uncertainty, a leaked report from Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has reignited concerns about the fate of National Monuments and what this could mean for our public lands. The memo, titled Final Report Summarizing Findings of the Review of Designations Under the Antiquities Act, doesn’t specify boundary changes, but does issue clear recommendations to shrink or alter ten National Monuments. Read more…

Introduction to Hiking - Oct 16 in Issaquah

Are you new to the Pacific Northwest and to giving hiking/backpacking a try for the first time? If you're not sure where to go, how to find compatible people to go with, what gear you need, or how to do it safely, join us on Monday, October 16 for a free seminar. Read more…

Walking the Wild: 18 Days on the John Muir Trail with Daniel Zilcsak - October 4

The Mountaineers Walking the Wild Series celebrates extraordinary trekking and backpacking adventures by Mountaineers members with stories, photography, and information for other members to add those same experiences to their life list! Read more…