Blog

With their dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea, and ancient ruins, the Greek Islands provide an idyllic setting for outdoor exploration. Read more…

Poking my head out of my tent one damp morning on the wild Olympic coast, I spot a mother otter leading three pups into the surf. As dawn touches the nearby offshore rocks, I watch with Mountaineers companions as mama teaches her babies how to swim and catch breakfast. Above, bald eagles swoop low, their curious gargles providing constant entertainment. Other gulls, terns, and sanderlings dot the shore in abundance. Read more…

Bursting blossoms, migratory birds, and majestic mountain views have put a spring in everyone’s step this April. Read on, dear friends, for a warm welcome to the spring season in this month’s top trip reports. Read more…

Update: We were glad to see public lands sales stripped out of the final version of the reconciliation bill that passed the House. Support from the outdoor community and efforts by Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and the congressional Public Lands Caucus were instrumental in securing this near-term win. Unfortunately, other harmful public lands provisions were left in the final House bill, and public lands sales could crop up again as the Senate considers the reconciliation package in the coming months.

As a lover of public lands, it can be disheartening to read the news lately. Recent actions by Congress and the administration represent a mounting threat to our shared lands and waters - places where we find connection to the natural world. The largely partisan support for these harmful policies - which include public lands sell-offs - is built on the short-sighted premise that public lands are solely items on a balance sheet to be leveraged for financial gain through privatization and development. Read more…

Did you know that last winter – just between November and January – our community grew by more than four percent? People need community more than ever. Our hunger for connection to the natural world and to each other has never been greater. Donations to The Mountaineers help ensure that everyone can find joy, confidence, and connection outdoors. 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…

For over a decade, The Mountaineers has inspired adventures of all kinds through the BeWild Speaker Series - and this year’s lineup promises to be as unforgettable as ever. Read more…

Earlier this week, one of our longtime landscape protection priorities, the Wild Olympics Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, was reintroduced in the 119th Congress by two members of the Washington delegation. Senator Patty Murray continues to champion this effort in the Senate and freshman Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06) has reintroduced the Wild Olympics bill in the House. The bill protects key recreation areas of the Olympic National Forest through the designation of new Wilderness and the Peninsula’s first-ever Wild and Scenic rivers.  Read more…

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or just beginning your journey with The Mountaineers, you won’t want to miss our Spring Gear Grab. Read more…

When we go outside together, we not only increase our connection to each other, but also to the natural world. This is why, at our core, Mountaineers are not just learners and adventurers, but also advocates and conservationists. We fall in love with places and then do our utmost to conserve that experience for others. Read more…

When two climbers who met in the mountains get married, it only makes sense to tie the knot in the alpine. Last August, I eloped with my now husband Garrett on the summit of Liberty Bell in the North Cascades for an intimate, sunrise ceremony. Eloping in the mountains where we fell in love was an exciting and special way to celebrate our love, our relationship, and our commitment to each other. Read more…

Before you grab your Discover Pass and head to your favorite Washington state park or recreation area this spring, read on for a post-legislative session update to learn more about the critical funding that makes our adventures on state lands possible. (Spoiler alert: it’s a mixed bag.)
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Our community raised more than $15K during GiveBIG: an event dedicated to the power of generosity in every form and donations of every size. Thank you to the 77 donors who gave a total of $8,489 to support The Mountaineers mission and community, and to the matching challenge that added an additional $7K. 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…

As federal land managers like the Forest Service and the Park Service continue to sustain deep cuts that will jeopardize their ability to steward public lands and manage outdoor access, members of Congress and the recreation community are coming together to support the landscapes and outdoor experiences they cherish. The Mountaineers continues to stand up for our public lands, including by sharing how ongoing agency workforce reductions are affecting Washington’s federally managed parks and forests - the landscapes that host 60% of our organization's courses and trips. Read more…

Meet Rob, a Foothills backpack, hike, snowshoe, and urban walk leader, Key Leader, Super Volunteer, and Mountaineers Leader of the Year who loves to spread the joy of the outdoors and mentor new leaders. Read more…

When we build the kind of community we believe in, the joy we find is unmatched. Do you know what can be matched, though? Your GiveBIG donation to The Mountaineers! A longtime member has offered to give $1,000 for every 10 unique GiveBIG donors up to 100 donors and $10,000.  Read more…

Mindfulness is an important part of our outdoor experiences. In this guide to mindful moments, follow prompts to practice awareness, breathe with intention, explore your senses, and more. To learn more about how The Mountaineers enhances outdoor experiences through mindfulness, read Mindful Mountaineers.  Read more…

A gentle drizzle begins to fall as Foothills hike and urban walks leaders Lori Heath and Liz McNett Crowl gather with Mountaineers for a Mindful Outdoor Experience at Saint Edwards State Park. The activity begins with a yoga-like warm up, breathwork exercises, and a poem before starting down the trail. Walking at a slow pace, Lori encourages participants to pay attention to the feeling of their feet on the trail and notice more subtle sensations – the weight of each step, the stretch of each muscle, the tickle of rain on the skin – to increase awareness of their physical bodies. The goal is to observe with curiosity, as if seeing something for the first time. Read more…

We are proud to participate in GiveBIG, a regional grassroots giving event where every donation makes a difference. When you make a GiveBIG donation, you are joining thousands of people across the Pacific Northwest who believe in the value of community and the power of our collective generosity. 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…

At The Mountaineers, we believe adventure means more than simply reaching a summit objective or snapping a photo at the perfect viewpoint. It’s about how we show up with curiosity, care, and a sense of responsibility—about connecting more deeply with nature, with one another, and with something bigger than ourselves.  Read more…

Each year, our community gathers at this annual fundraising Gala to make a difference and support our mission. The funds raised this night represent more than one third of our charitable revenue for the year, elevating our initiatives across branches and activities, including nonprofit publishing, adult programming, youth outreach, scholarships, volunteer leadership development, conservation advocacy, and more. Read more…

Are you up with the sun to beat the heat of the day? Do you hit the road at 4am to get the trailhead’s best parking spot? Do you set an alarm so you’re first on the roster for your next Mountaineers adventure? You might be an early GiveBIG giver.  Read more…

When spring hits, hikers turn their sights to alpine adventures. As we welcome the new season, it can be easy to jump too quickly into activities without proper preparation. But how do we make sure to not overdo ourselves in our eagerness to visit favorite trails? And how do we maintain training programs when motivation is low, or life is distracting? Below, I share training tips inspired by writer and speaker James Clear’s philosophy on identity-based habits. 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…

Spring is a busy time of year at The Mountaineers, and this year that feels especially true. The need to connect people with each other and the natural world has never been greater. Read more…

The chances of seeing a wolverine in the North Cascades are low but no longer zero, thanks to the intrepid animal’s return from Canada. 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…

Spring is a busy season at The Mountaineers. The majority of our courses are underway and summer camp is right around the corner. Lengthening days pull us outside and the rising snow line tempts us deeper into the alpine. Behind the scenes, we’re also setting the stage for a new budget year, measuring our mission impact, and exploring ways to strengthen our community and protect outdoor spaces in the months and years to come. Read more…