Blog

Meet Karla Munguia, a Foothills Backcountry and Frontcountry Trail Run leader, hike leader and backpack leader. Karla has been recognized for her leadership and contributions to the Foothills Branch with Super Volunteer badges in 2021 and 2022 and a Key Instructor badge in 2022. Read more…

Waking early on my first morning of a five-day climbing trip in Canada, I quickly dressed and enjoyed the wonderful breakfast offerings that Steve and his partner Ann so generously supplied. Nibbling on a toasted slice of a local bread and slowly sipping my much needed coffee, I continued to pack  everything for the day until my phone vibrated on the counter. It was go time. I stepped out into the crisp cold of a clear morning still speckled with waning stars as the surrounding peaks were beginning to glow with the first light of a new day.  Read more…

Tickets to attend the 2023 Gala in person are officially SOLD OUT but you can still join us virtually for an unforgettable evening! Virtual event registration gives you early access to our online auction and the chance to catch all the action on April 1 during the livestream presentation.  Read more…

I have never met another organization quite like this: one that is truly led by a community of volunteers at every level. Members and volunteers develop the courses, lead the trips, and even write the books that sustain our outdoor education and recreation.

As a community, we have always sought to share the outdoor experience with others and protect the places that we love; and as a 501(c)(3), we can leverage philanthropic donations to have an even greater impact. Read more…

Unlike a traditional field guide, Cascadia Field Guide blends art and science to celebrate our diverse region through cultural histories, poetry, and artwork depicting many of the plants and animals who call Cascadia home. Bringing together a wide spectrum of writers and artists, Cascadia Field Guide invites readers to explore their relationship to the region from a whole new perspective. Read more…

5Point Adventure Film Festival is an adventure film festival based out of Carbondale, Colorado, and on tour internationally. 5Point Adventure Film Festival is dedicated to sharing stories of adventure that have the power to ignite positive social and environmental change in our local communities and around the globe. Their five founding principles - respect, commitment, humility, purpose, and balance - guide our curation process and festival experience. Read more…

Venturing into nature during winter can be challenging if you don’t know where to start. The cold and snow require more technical gear to keep you safe and warm in such low temperatures. But there are ways you can get outside, even if you are short on experience or gear. If you are curious about exploring Washington in winter but don’t know where you should go, check out one of Washington’s Sno-parks!  Read more…

Our last strategic Plan, Vision 2022, provided an important foundation for us as leaders in innovative outdoor education, striving to engage future generations in advocacy, adventure, education, volunteerism, and community. Vision 2022 was community-centric and articulated strategic priorities that were bold and interconnected. Strongly supported by our community through a year-long, multi-level engagement process, Vision 2022 also put a stake in the ground for our goal of becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Read more…

Dreaming of your next big adventure? Enjoy this in-depth first look at a few of the auction items available at the 2023 Gala! Bid on the ultimate vacation, and feel great knowing that your donation will help elevate the way our community transforms lives through outdoor education and conservation.  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…

The world-renowned Banff Centre's Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates its 47th year, continuing to bring the best action, environment, and adventure films to audiences in Banff and no less than 40 countries across the globe. Join The Mountaineers  to catch our last showing of Banff in Olympia on March 24-26. Read more…

As a Mountaineers member, you receive free access to our quarterly Mountaineer magazine, keeping you up-to-date with everything our organization and community have been up to. Hear from regular contributors on topics from training exercises to trail tips, and read features from our members sharing stories from the outdoors. We encourage you to access all of our updates, stories, tips, and more in the tree free online magazine today. Read more…

For 10 years, The Mountaineers has come together at the Gala to celebrate and honor the remarkable achievements of our community. One such achievement gained historical recognition when, in 1963, Mountaineers member Jim Whittaker made a groundbreaking climb. Challenging the odds, he became the first American to reach Everest’s 29,028-foot summit. He was only 34. The success of that climb, made possible thanks to the tireless work of the Sherpa supporters, launched Jim into the upper echelon of the climbing world. He has worked tirelessly since to give back to the outdoor community, including leading the first-ever Everest cleanup efforts. Read more…

Happy February Mountaineers! As the weather gets warmer and we shed the winter blues, we look to February as the month of change and the beginning of those summer feels!  Read more…

 At The Mountaineers, leadership plays an integral part in every facet of our organization. We have a wide variety of leaders in many different roles - from Branch Treasurer, to Qualified Youth Leader, to Committee Chair. The term "leader" also specifically refers to a volunteer who has been vetted by an activity committee to lead a Mountaineers activity. These trips leaders have fulfilled the technical and interpersonal skill requirements included in our Club-wide Activity Standards. By leading hundreds of trips each month, trip leaders play a fundamental role within our organization.  Read more…

It seemed important two years ago to better know Seattle’s Central District (CD). After leading more than 50 Urban Night Walks (then known as “Night Hikes”) on Seattle Stairway Walks (2013) routes, a keener feel for the CD was in order. Nothing beats walking a neighborhood and soaking in the casual interactions with people and places. Active navigation with many turns sharpens attention to landmarks and the shape of the land. Read more…

Growing up, my family had an off-grid cabin in the woods off Mountain Loop Highway. When my folks bought it, a faded wooden sign hung above the door that read “Scotty’s Castle.” The name stuck. Scotty’s Castle was an unassuming wood-frame cabin with no electricity or running water, but despite its lack of amenities, winter was my favorite time of year to visit the cabin. When the door creaked open to let us in, it would be so cold inside we could see our breath. We’d start a fire, light the gas lamps, and sweep out a few dead mice before unpacking. Read more…

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

The countdown is on for our biggest event of the year! We are so excited to welcome you to our annual Gala on Saturday, April 1. Join us for an unforgettable evening to celebrate our Mountaineers community and raise funds that help us explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Read more…

This past year, as always, our volunteers have remained at the core of our operations. Thank you to the 3,254 members who volunteered their time during fiscal year 2022 (October 2021-September 2022), and to the many others who supported from afar! Each of you has made a difference. Read more…

Since the beginning of Mountaineers Youth Programs in 2011, camp has been a staple of our summers, filling the Seattle and Tacoma Program Centers with camp joy every year. As we strive to connect more youth with nature year after year, we’re excited to expand our summer offerings to include week-long camp programs from mid-June through mid-August. Join us for a week, or multiple, full of community building and outdoor exploration at a Mountaineers lodge this summer!  Read more…

As we experience worsening impacts of the climate crisis on our public lands and communities, we must do more to respond to this urgent threat.
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In the fall of 1990, my parents drove with me from Asheville to Seattle in Ol’ Red, our ancient family station wagon. I’d heard only positive things about the Emerald City, except for one: would it really be as rainy as people said? As we drove west across Washington, I spotted Mt. Rainier in all her splendor and drew in a sharp breath. I must climb that mountain. Read more…

The Leadership Development Series offers high-quality, continuing education opportunities for our current and aspiring volunteer leaders and instructors. Offered mainly remotely through Zoom, with a couple in-person sessions, these seminars lean on the expertise of outdoor professionals - including experts within our community - and focus on areas of leadership development. Read more…

Remember how wonderful it felt to tumble or sled down a steep slope laughing so hard you fell off your saucer? As an adult, there is no better way to recapture those moments than by practicing rolling safely. Different than somersaults, shoulder rolls are the practice of going head-over-heels from shoulder to opposite hip, safely tucking the head. A wonderful way to improve your vestibular system – the sensory system in our bodies that gives us our balance and spatial awareness – they are fun as well as practical. This winter, you may find yourself spending some time in the snow on your belly, side, or back. Learn how to roll safely and have fun doing it. 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…

Whether it’s paddling the emerald waters of Deception Pass, hiking through Capitol State Forest, or climbing the Royal Columns at Oak Creek Wildlife area, Washington’s state-managed public lands and waters connect us to nature through the many recreational activities we enjoy. Over the years, Mountaineers have been strong champions for Washington’s state parks and recreation areas and the outdoor opportunities they provide.
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Whether you prefer backcountry skiing the North Cascades, climbing in Tieton, or day hiking along the Snoqualmie River, as Mountaineers you’ve likely experienced how policy and management decisions impact our public lands. Many of us have seen hazardous roads, decrepit facilities, and closed trailheads as funding falls shy year after year. But this frustration can – and has – produced change. The experiences of recreationists like you translate into compelling advocacy for conservation and recreation. Read more…

Meet Dan Renfrow, a Foothills Backcountry and Frontcountry Trail Run leader and lead instructor for the Introduction to Trail Running: Fastpacking Course. Dan has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to the Foothills Branch in 2022 with Super Volunteer, Key Instructor, and Key Leader award badges. Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, philanthropic donations to The Mountaineers support organization-wide innovation, equity, conservation, and more. But did you know that The Mountaineers has a pilot program where members can designate donations specifically to their branch community? Read more…