Blog

For tens of thousands of years, humans have thrived and strived alongside the natural world, protecting it for future generations of life. While protecting the forests, mountains, and coastlines of the Olympic Peninsula was one of The Mountaineers first conservation priorities, Native peoples have stewarded the lands, waters, and wildlife of the Olympic Peninsula since time immemorial. Today, Olympic National Park is at the center of a much larger ecosystem: a wild circle of rivers that encompasses ancient old-growth forests, pristine coastal expanses, and jagged alpine peaks, all possessed of rich biodiversity. Read more…

For over 100 years, The Mountaineers has enriched the outdoor community by helping thousands of people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We take pride in that legacy, and want to honor our volunteer leaders who make it all possible! Read more…

Last year, I took the Basic Alpine Climbing course with the Foothills Branch. To prepare for Basic Climbing trips – which can cover long distances, thousands of feet of elevation gain, and 12+ hour days – I completed regular conditioning hikes with The Mountaineers through the winter and spring. Read more…

Each October, the Olympia Mountaineers gather to celebrate the work we have done, the fun we have had, and the friendships we have made during the program year. Read more…

The Mountaineers BeWild Speaker Series puts passion and adventure on center stage! Join us at BeWild with Graham Zimmerman on November 9 to unlock inspiration, seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. Read more…

The Mountaineers Global Adventures program is thriving and growing.  Many people who love to plan and go on multi-day adventures have been asking us what's involved in planning and leading a Mountaineers Global Adventure. Join us for an informational session on Monday, October 23 to learn more about our Global Adventures program and what it means to be a Global Adventures leader. Read more…

Mountaineers programs occur on the traditional lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest Indian tribes. As we continue to grow our practice of land acknowledgment, we must also honor the histories, stories, and wisdom of the Indigenous peoples who have been living here since time immemorial. We’re partnering with Sacred Lands Conservancy, an Indigenous-led non-profit with strong ties to the Lummi Nation, to produce a series of educational pieces on the importance of mindful recreation and how we can develop deeper connections to the histories of our natural places. Read more…

Each year, we host an annual meeting for our members to learn more about the organization's state of affairs from staff and board members. Join us to celebrate 2023 fiscal year highlights, preview 2024, learn more about our strategic priorities, and have the opportunity to ask questions of our leaders.  Read more…

Backpacking the Teton Crest Trail in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park is a chance to experience glorious high alpine scenery like nowhere else in the United States. Highlights of this strenuous route include views of the Teton Range, alpine lakes, and a unique insight into the variety of geological structures that the park contains. Read more…

Each month we try to introduce you to one of the Foothills Branch Council members or and activity committee chairs who make our Foothills Branch thrive. This month, meet the Strategic Investment Subcommittee Chair, Travis Prescott. Read more…

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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

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…