Blog

In a North Seattle public school, 65 miles from Mt. Rainier, Kelsey Hoffman’s classroom is engaged in an unusual last-day-of-school activity. Read more…

We know it: you love being outside. Whether on calm waterways, crackling glaciers, bustling city parks, or quiet old growth forests, you find joy and connection outdoors. And as a Mountaineer, you don’t stop there. 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…

Washington’s premier ski-touring race is back again and open for registration! The Patrol Race is the oldest continuing ski race in the northwest – traversing nearly 20 miles and approximately 4,500 feet of gain and descent – taking racers from Snoqualmie Pass to Meany Lodge. With a rich history dating back to the 1930s, the Patrol Race is an experience steeped in snow, tradition, and adventure that you won’t want to miss! Read more…

Downhill ski, snowboard, and telemark lessons are now open for registration at Meany Lodge. We offer single-day lessons almost every Saturday, as well as multi-week classes (4 days total) during the winter season. Check out our Meany Lodge webpage and register for one of our ski courses!  Read more…

I am afraid of going downhill. Everyone is afraid of something, and for me it’s moving fast downhill on trail, rock, or snow. I am sometimes tempted to hide my fears and insecurities, but when I started the Scrambling course, I knew I would have to share this fear with my instructors and classmates. It felt like a true confession. Read more…

I was at the airport, ready to board a plane for my much anticipated trip to Europe. My plan was to summit Mont Blanc and, if possible, do some rock climbing. I'd spent hours refreshing the hut reservation website to secure a spot, so the anticipation was sky-high. I dream of climbing all Seven Summits one day, and Mont Blanc seemed like the perfect starting point. 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…

Outdoor recreation is growing in popularity in Washington state and across the country, and land managers need new tools and resources to sustainably manage recreation on public lands. The Mountaineers and our partners at Outdoor Alliance have been advocating for federal legislation that improves sustainable and equitable access to outdoor recreation.  Read more…

Note, this public comment period has closed. We'll keep our community updated on future developments in this process.

For many Mountaineers students, the South Face of the Tooth in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is their first foray into the world of alpine climbing. Considering its close proximity to the Seattle area, wide ledges for belaying, and grippy holds, it’s no wonder that the South Face is a classic teaching space for our alpine programs. Unfortunately, our community’s ability to safely access critical teaching spaces like the South Face of the Tooth is in jeopardy due to recently released National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposals. Read more…

Update: Federal land managers have released the final environmental impact statement, evaluating options for restoring grizzlies to the North Cascades. This is not a final decision, but rather an evaluation of the impacts of possible actions. We’ll keep our community updated on future developments in this process. Read more…

This holiday season, give experiences through the gift of a Mountaineers membership. We're offering you 25% off - our deepest discount of the year.  Read more…

Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is important training for teams to have when they’re out adventuring, doing the types of things Mountaineers do. In town, a deep cut with a kitchen knife lands you in the emergency room. But when you’re surrounded by technical terrain, the first thing you have to do is get out. It will be many hours before you can get to the emergency room, so understanding how to stabilize an injury or a sick person until you can help them get out is critical. That’s where Wilderness First Aid training comes in. Read more…

When I first came to The Mountaineers, I was excited to be part of a community that values conservation the way I do. Mountaineers don’t just love being outside, we love the outdoors itself. We want to share the natural world with others and take action to protect the outdoor experience for future generations.  Read more…

Since the inception of our Day Camps, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing our programs and community grow in breadth and depth. Every season is full of camp magic, laughter, bracelet-making, and outdoor adventure. Historically, camp has had an inevitably stressful registration day as well. In response to feedback provided by camp families, and in an attempt to make the registration process smooth for campers and staff alike, we’ve made the decision to reconfigure registration for our Seattle Day Camp offerings.  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…

Namaste! Imagine you are in a brand new place, and you know no one. When we moved to the Pacific Northwest 23 years ago, that was us. Read more…

In July 2021, my wife and I navigated high-season crowds to Colchuck Lake on our first adventure in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, one of the most visited Wilderness Areas in the country. We arrived early and still had to park a mile from the trailhead. During the hike, we passed by throngs of other outdoor enthusiasts. Experiencing this bustle didn’t diminish the stunning views and thrill of wide-open spaces, but it did underscore the need to harmonize recreation with the protection of this beloved landscape. Read more…

Long before beacons, Gore-Tex, groomers, or even the assurance of a good helmet: Mountaineers were on skis. They were a curious group, dressed in thick wool, without the ability to check snow conditions or rest their tired legs on a chair lift between laps. Still, they remained eager, stubborn, and terribly enthusiastic about the variable winter season. With keen interest and experimentation, these skiers unknowingly laid the groundwork for generations of powder hounds to come. Read more…

Once again, The Mountaineers partnered with Banff Mountain Film Festival to bring their World Tour to the Pacific Northwest. The World Tour screenings have been the perfect venue to recognize and celebrate our Peak Society members, who are The Mountaineers leadership level donors that bolster our mission and community impact. Before the show, on Wednesday evening, we celebrated nearly 200 Peak Society members at a lively reception in the stunning Promenade of Benaroya Hall, where we visited with old friends and met new adventure buddies. Read more…

Meet Erin Vagley, a Foothills Hike Leader and Qualified Youth Leader. Erin is also the Leader Development and Leader Certification Coordinator for the Foothills Hiking, Backpacking, and Urban Walks Committee. She has led hikes for the Foothills Yoga for Hikers, Backpackers, and Trail Runners course and for the GoHike course. Erin was recognized for her leadership with the Key Instructor badge in 2023. Read more…

Each month, we introduce you to the Foothills Branch Council members or activity committee chairs who make our Foothills Branch thrive. This month, meet Foothills Branch Director and Urban Walks Committee Chair, Liz McNett Crowl. Read more…

With great sadness we share the news that Jeff Bowman has passed away. Jeff was a 29-year Mountaineers member, 23-year member of our staff team, long-time volunteer with Stevens Lodge, Climb Leader, and volunteer contributor to Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Jeff passed away unexpectedly after recent health challenges. He was 57.  Read more…

We had an ambitious goal and you smashed it! Read more…

Who gives socks as a holiday gift? Runners do, and mountaineers should too. Grandparents aren’t the only ones to tell you, there’s nothing like a good compression sock. If you are looking for the perfect gift this holiday season, compression socks are it. I’ve thoroughly tested the limits of my compression socks and highly recommend giving a pair to the runner, climber, or mountaineer in your life.  Read more…

 A collection of trip reports with many opportunities for delight and few opportunities for dismay. Read on, dear friends, for an A-list peak, little feet in sticky sand, a very focused shuffle, and a sneaky October trip report (I know, I cheated) that reminds us of the dear and delicate work to be done in our forests.  Read more…

Judy Lightfoot and her husband, Bob McNamara, have always loved being outdoors. Access to skiing, hiking, and mountaineering is something that they never took for granted, and they are pleased to see that their kids and grandkids have also been able to find joy outside. Another value they hope to see amplified in their family is a commitment to giving back.  Read more…

The biggest film event of the year is here! Join us on December 4 at the Rialto Theater for an evening of inspiring films from the mountain world. Read more…

Enjoy 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…

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