Blog

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…

The world-renowned Banff Centre's Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates 48 years of bringing 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 a showing of Banff in Tacoma, Seattle, or Olympia.  Read more…

Winter is on its way and now is the time to slow down and see a movie! Join the Everett Climbing Committee at the Seattle Program Center on December 3 as we watch Journey to Infinity: Pico de Orizaba with one of the film's stars, Jason Hardrath. Tacoma Branch Climb Leader and North Face Athlete Development Team member Kimber Cross will lead a Q&A with Jason after the film. The event is open to anybody who would like to come. Stop in, see the film, enjoy refreshments, and get inspired! Read more…

What benefits do you experience from outdoor recreation? When you find joy outside, does that trickle into your relationships? Your family? Your role in our greater community? Everyone has something to gain from spending time outdoors. The benefits of pursuing individual goals, connecting with others, giving back through leadership, and paying forward as advocates go beyond our personal health and joy.  Read more…

When members like you give to support scholarships, you are saying that finances should not be a barrier to connecting with the natural world. The outdoors is for everyone, and scholarships can help lower one barrier to finding joy and belonging outside. Read more…

It’s one of the best times of the year: The Mountaineers Bookstore Winter Sale! Come get lost in a great adventure story, check out our incredible selection of maps and trail guides to inspire your next trip, and find your new favorite Mountaineers merch at the Seattle Program Center Bookstore. Our winter sale runs for the entire month of December. We also sell Discover Passes, Northwest Forest Passes, and Sno-Park Passes to help you get outside this season! 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…

Wild blueberry leaves, red and encrusted with frost, sparkle as early morning sunlight peeks through trees lining the meadow. The cold air awakens my nose and lungs. While I am happy with my choice of a long-sleeve shirt, I might regret the decision later when I’m higher on the mountain. Right now, the long sleeves keep me warm. Through the trees, I can see the top of Mt. Baker glowing against a blue sky. A cleansing rain in the lowlands brought early season snow to higher elevations a few days before. Read more…

Toiling up a dry mountain shoulder in desert heat, I briefly question why I signed on to hike the highlights of Jordan’s national trail on a Mountaineers Global Adventures trip. Then I crest the shoulder of Jordan’s Grand Canyon and see the Dead Sea glimmering in the hot haze. I remember that this place has history. Jordan encompasses the biblical land of Moab. Nearby Mt. Nebo, above the Dead Sea, is where Moses saw the Promised Land. To the south, where we’re headed, lies Edom,  abled site of Sodom and Gomorrah. Visiting the desiccated salt flats around the Dead Sea, I can see these stories come to life. Read more…

Washington state has it all when it comes to outdoor recreation opportunities: an idyllic coastline, jagged peaks, and golden larches. But unfortunately, eroded trails, ancient bathrooms, washed out roads, and other challenges can prevent outdoor enthusiasts from experiencing the restorative power of our public lands.  Read more…

From picking a trusted guidebook to feeling included by a volunteer leader, there are many aspects to finding belonging outside. One barrier that people face is the financial cost of learning new skills. Donor-funded scholarships through the Mountaineers Access Program (MAP) allow people to learn skills that help outdoor recreation to be safe, sustainable, and fun, regardless of their ability to pay.  Read more…

One of my favorite things about my role at The Mountaineers is working with and recognizing our volunteers and supporters. This was the primary theme at the 2023 Annual Meeting, an event hosted to reflect on what we accomplished together during our fiscal year (Oct-Sep). We are celebrating a terrific year and highlighting exciting priorities in the year ahead, all made possible by the generosity, skill, and dedication of our community. Read on to meet our award recipients, check out our 2023 highlights, get a look at how we’re implementing our strategic plan, and/or watch a recording of the Annual Meeting. Read more…

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the big city? Come for a relaxing getaway in a cabin in the woods. Nestled next to the Stevens Pass Ski Area, our lodge is the perfect place to stay after a long day of shredding powder. Enjoy hot food, great company, and ski trails right from our lodge’s front door. 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 2023 Annual Olympia Awards Celebration, outstanding leaders were recognized, hiking and climbing pins were awarded, and graduating students were celebrated for their hard work. Read more…