News & Events

Volunteers are the heart and soul of The Mountaineers. To acknowledge their immense service to our organization,  we are hosting an hour-long virtual Volunteer Appreciation Night this year on Friday, January 21. Registration is open to volunteers from all branches. Read more…

Grab your Zoom pants and slippers, a favorite beverage, and some popcorn! Our 2022 Backpackers' Pajama Party series is back by popular demand, and we're excited about the lineup of stunning backpacking trips that will be presented this winter to feed your backpacking dreams! Read more…

Community members are invited to join the Olympia Mountaineers on the first Wednesday of each month from December 2021 through April 2022 for our Adventure Speaker Series. We've hosted this amazing event for many years and are pleased to be able to bring it back after a hiatus. Read more…

The world-renowned Banff Centre's Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates its 46th 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 us as we host this premier outdoor film festival for our 16th year.  Read more…

The Mountaineers has added a new Holiday Gear Grab to our annual used gear sales! Come search for holiday gifts, treat yourself to something special, or sell your own used gear. Summer, winter, and all-season gear is welcome. The Gear Grab is open to all at the  Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm on Monday, December 6. Read more…

On Wednesday, REI Co-op leadership partnered with The Mountaineers to celebrate the 25th anniversary of REI's Seattle Flagship store and support conservation and advocacy efforts led by The Mountaineers. Attendees gathered on the outdoor terrace to enjoy handmade tamales from Frelard Tamales, freshly baked cookies from Bell’s Cookie Co., and local beer and wine from Georgetown Brewery and Tinte Cellars. After nearly two years of virtual-only connections, it felt great to finally gather in-person in support of our wild places. Thank you to those who came out and joined the celebrations! Read more…

Each year, we host an annual meeting for our members to share a retroactive tour of our last fiscal year. Learn about our state of affairs from our board members and staff, hear about Governance Committee and Board nominations for At-Large Directors, and have the opportunity to ask questions of our leaders. Per our bylaws, the Annual Meeting also allows members of The Mountaineers to make At-Large Director nominations from the floor for the 2021 election season. We held the session virtually on September 14, 2021, and you can watch the recording here. Read more…

Have you ever wanted to explore the world with a group of active, capable outdoorspeople? Or are you a trip-planning master hoping to share your skills and knowledge with a group of excited participants? Join us for our upcoming Global Adventures Info Session on November 1 to learn all about our program!  Read more…

On September 19, 1996, REI opened the doors to its first flagship store in downtown Seattle to serve as a hub for its co-op members. Twenty-five years later, you’ll still find the store bustling with outdoor enthusiasts searching for top quality gear, seeking expert advice, and receiving service from a pro technician. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the REI Seattle flagship store is inviting you to eat, drink, and socialize to support conservation work at The Mountaineers. Read more…

Interested in learning how to snowshoe, kayak, or navigate in the backcountry? Want to meet new adventure buddies? Have a gear wishlist a mile long, or some extra gear you'd like to unload? Come to The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center from 6-8pm on Monday, August 23 for our upcoming Gear Grab.  Read more…

Dee Molenaar and Patti Polinsky were each beloved members of The Mountaineers community who passed away shortly before or during the pandemic. Due to safety concerns, we were not able to host public memorials as we normally would to bring our community together for healing. Now that it's safe to do so, we are honored to be able to host two Celebration of Life memorials for these incredible individuals. Read more…

“The show must go on” has always been the motto of The Mountaineers Players who have been performing at the Kitsap Forest Theater since 1923. We produce shows to enrich the community by bringing stories to life in a magical outdoor setting that all ages can enjoy. We perform through all types of challenges (rain, record heat, cold, a closed Kitsap Cabin), and are thrilled to present Little Women on most weekends this summer. Come take a hike to visit our magical space and experience the wonder of outdoor theater for yourself!  Read more…

Picnics and northwest summer evenings are made for each other, and they're even even better when the picnic offers your first chance to gather in person with other Olympia Branch members in over a year.  We invite you to join us for our summer picnic on August 4.  Read more…

Each spring we gather our community to celebrate our collective achievements and support future efforts to transform lives and protect wild places. With the pandemic preventing us from gathering in person, we hosted our second (and hopefully final) virtual Gala. Read more…

When we began planning the 2021 Virtual Gala, we knew we wanted to host an outdoor awards show unlike anything we’ve ever done before. Mountaineers Books author and Guinness World Record-holding ocean rower Jordan Hanssen had a musical project that was the perfect fit. Since the pandemic began, Jordan has been inviting musicians to play in his rowboat for his newly-created  TinyBoatSessions. We asked him if he would organize a TinyBoatSession for the auction, and he found the perfect performers for the occasion: The Musical Mountaineers. Read more…

Attention bidders! We know you’ve been dueling it out on the auction website for great getaways, unique experiences, and first-class gear, but we have a surprise for you... two brand new packages, including a Corey Rich print of the Dawn Wall signed by Tommy and Kevin and a super secret chanterelle mushroom forage and feast. With over 60 packages to bid on, there’s a little something for everyone. Read more…

After weeks of pining after your potential new vacation, experience, or awesome gear featured in The Mountaineers online auction...your moment has finally come. It’s time to place your bids! Read more…

Have you been meaning to register for The Mountaineers Virtual Gala, but life keeps getting in the way? We get it, this week’s sun is so tempting!. If you’re reading this now, take a quick detour and head to our registration page. Now is your last chance to register before the online auction goes live on April 22! Read more…

We are less than a month away from The Mountaineers Annual Gala: Adventure with Purpose! While you still have time to register for your free ticket to attend the virtual Gala, it’s the last call for meal purchases from Kaspars Catering. Crusted halibut, rainbow carrot cake, specialty cocktails and hibiscus mocktails - oh my! Read more…

Family vacations, unique experiences, adventures near and far - good things are coming in 2021!

The sun is shining again in the Pacific Northwest and our community is itching to travel beyond their backyards. There is hope on the horizon for new experiences and adventure travel! And there is no better way to kickstart your plans than through The Mountaineers Annual Gala: Adventure with Purpose. With over 50 auction packages, including adventurous getaways, beautiful artwork, and awesome outdoor gear, you can feel great knowing that your next vacation or new swag benefits a cause you care about! Read more…

Adventure and travel are on the horizon! 

This past year, social distancing and virtual experiences have helped keep our community safe. While we’re not out of the woods, we’re feeling hopeful and excited about near-term experiences and opportunities to travel! And what better way to kickstart your plans than through The Mountaineers Annual Gala: Adventure with Purpose? Read more…

Join us to hear stories from Mountaineers Book Author, Triple Crown hiker, and a man who National Geographic dubbed “the dean of America’s long-distance trails," Barney Scout Mann.  Read more…

Hi, it's me - your social life! I know I haven't been around much this past year. I promise that it's not you, it's me. But, I have good news! The Mountaineers is hosting their annual fundraising gala and I am inviting you to dust off your cocktail-wear and enjoy some (virtual) time with your friends before the event streams live on Thursday, April 29. Gather your friends and look forward to some socializing at a Mountaineers Pod Social! Read more…

There’s no denying it - our community is an incredible force for good. Even in a year mired with challenges and social distancing, we found ways to come together and support one another through our shared love of wild places and the outdoor experience. Our volunteers have done a tremendous job of creatively offering opportunities for us to grow our skills through modified courses and virtual offerings, and our members continue to speak up and advocate for our big backyard. Mountaineers Books helped millions around the world seek refuge in adventure through pages in a book (and won 13 prestigious awards for their titles!) Read more…

For eight years, we've hosted the BeWild Speaker Series to bring  you stories of passion and adventure. On February 11, we're excited to host Elsye "Chardonnay" Walker, who in 2018 became the first African American woman to complete the "Triple Crown of Hiking" - trekking 7,900 miles along the Appalachian, Pacific Crest, and Continental Divide trails. Read more…

We're back! The Foothills Backpacking Committee's Backpackers' Pajama Parties helped many of us stay sane during the early days of quarantine, and many of you have told us you want more. We're happy to announce our 2021 lineup, sure to keep you entertained while we wait for the summer season to arrive. Read more…

For eight years, we've hosted the BeWild Speaker Series to bring  you stories of passion and adventure. We're excited to kick the 2021 season off with historian, founder of the Banff Centre for Mountain Culture, and author of the new Mountaineers Books title Winter 8000, Bernadette McDonald.  Read more…

2020 was a difficult year for our Mountaineers programs. With 2021 just a few weeks away, Olympia leaders are developing hybrid courses and tailoring activities to ensure the COVID-19 safety of all participants. Join us on January 7, 2021 to learn about new and exciting way of providing outdoor education and look forward to welcoming new members. Read more…

For eight years, we've hosted the BeWild Speaker Series to bring you stories of passion and adventure. We're excited to announce this year's lineup, which includes award winning authors, not your average thru-hiker, and a world class alpinist. Read more…

Fluff  your couch cushions, grab some snacks, and make sure you have good internet connection, because the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is going virtual this year, and we have your exclusive access!  Read more…