Katy Clark
As we close the book on another year, reflect on the many adventures Mountaineers enjoyed in 2025, including: freshies, wildflowers, freighter-wake fun, and a handful of moments we’ll never live down (we're talking about you, potholes and pee bottles). Plus plenty of Type 2 fun, a little stewardship that made the trails better for everyone, and just enough suspiciously perfect weather to keep us hooked. These 10 trip reports have the beta, photos, and details that send you straight to your calendar to start plotting. Consider this your year-end highlight reel and a subtle nudge toward your plans in 2026.
Winter overnight - Mazama Ridge - January
"An extended weekend of winter camping at Mount Rainier!" -Colin Chapman
Highlights of this trip report included an inch of freshies, a day trip to Panorama Point, glorious sunrises, and equally glorious sunsets. Oh, and a spilt pee bottle, though I'm sure that didn't feel like a highlight.
Intermediate Glacier Travel - Mount Ellinor & Mount Washington - February
"Experienced several inches of new snow overnight and a full-on winter camping experience!" -Jerry Logan
Tune in for a successful snow camp in avalanche territory, where a car ride through pothole central proved the most harrowing leg of the journey. Campers were rewarded with deep snow, and - for those who couldn’t get enough of the cold by the end - ice cream.
Cross-country Ski - Lost Lake - March
"Made a lot of new friends and I didn't have to leave planet earth to do it!" -Lisa Elliott
A lovely day for spring skiing at Lost Lake. If you’ve ever wondered what a trip to the moon might look like, this trip report has you covered.
Alpine Climb - Mount Hood/South Side - April
“I saw almost nothing but smiles on everyone's faces.” -Martin Fisher
In a shining example of how trip reports begets trip reports, this climber was drawn to Mt. Hood by a glowing report he read on the snow conditions. Read on if you need a boost: the good attitudes described on the Chute will restore your faith in humanity. And perhaps this trip report will inspire another!
Scrambling - Mammoth Cave National Park - May
“Three days exploring the unique geology and history of the world's longest cave system!” -Travis Prescott
Originally intended as a Global Adventure, the description of this Kentucky cave system absolutely wowed us. A cave mouth which was a nightclub in the 1930’s and geologic phenomena such as gypsum “flowers” are just a few of Mammoth Cave National Park’s marvels. Read on for more historic and geologic wonders alike, but be warned: this trip report is not for the claustrophobic!
Ski mountaineering - Koma Kulshan/Mt Baker - June
“As we gained elevation, views got better and better and stoke got even higher.” -Sohaib Haider
Experience sunrise over Mt. Baker in this ski mountaineering trip report. These mountaineers must have felt like emperors after scaling that Roman wall. Be sure to read to the end for footage of our champions as they ski down from the summit!
Backpack - Devils Dome/Jackita Ridge - July
“4 glorious days surrounded by wildflowers, sunrises, sunsets, and peaks of the Pasayten Wilderness.” -Colin Chapman
This trip report treats us to gorgeous views of Jack Mountain, Ross Lake, Devil’s pass and Shull Mountain. These backpackers certainly took the cake for the best campsite, replete with killer sunsets and rises, and enough Paintbrush to paint the landscapes pictured here.
Packraft - John River - August
“From a tiny native village in the tundra at the northernmost pass in Alaska, through the Brooks Range, to the mighty Koyukuk River, the John has a blend of personalities along the way.” -Logan DeGrand
These packrafters averaged 17 miles over 3-4 hours of floating a day, and when not on the water, enjoyed plenty of time to read, sleep, or hike through dense foliage.
Stewardship - Church Creek–Satsop Lakes - September
“Reclaiming the Church Creek Trail—one dew-soaked swath of grass at a time!”
Highlights of this trip report include waist- to chest-high “jungle” grass (cut into a four-foot corridor), crosscut saw teamwork with wedges and axe work, a little surprise wildlife cameo at Satsop Lake, and a satisfying stewardship finale: Church Creek Trail cleared end-to-end from Satsop Lake to the Skokomish side.
Canyon - Silver Creek - October
“Fun fall day in the canyons! ” - Monica Hansen
Highlights of this trip report include three repels, two jumps, one slide, and a whole day of five-star canyoning fun.
Wildflowers of the West: Drawing and Painting with Molly Hashimoto - November
“Twenty members enjoyed a drawing and painting workshop with artist and Mountaineers Books author, Molly Hashimoto, to celebrate the release of her latest book, Wildflowers of the West.” -Danielle Graham
Friendships and artistic techniques blossomed in this special salute to the end of wildflower season. If you’ve ever wondered about painting paintbrush, read on for a meadowful of stunning creations from Mountaineers members and author Molly Hashimoto.
Sea Kayak - Columbia River: Tenasillahe & Welch Islands - December
"A wonderful trip with varied conditions and lots of wildlife." -Will Greenough
Fast-moving freighters, rainbows, and swans (plus some tide-and-wind spice on the Elochoman).
Highlights of this trip report include an easy, protected launch at Elochoman Slough, a calm morning that shifted into a breezy crossing with one-foot waves and a few whitecaps, rainbows breaking through the squalls, and swans gliding the sloughs, all capped off by a towering nine-foot high tide on the paddle back toward Cathlamet.
