Foothills Branch Blog Posts

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Patti Polinsky and Michael Montgomery! Meet these awesome volunteers whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills branch community. Read more…

We're seeking volunteers to serve as victims for our First Aid Scenario Sessions in Renton on July 9, Sept 17, and Nov 7. This is a great way to brush up on your own first aid skills, flex your acting chops, and help our students graduate! Read more…

I am a proud trail running newbie! I first hit the trails in my street running shoes, carrying nothing but my car key. “No big deal,” I thought. “I’ve got this.” Then I watched my pace slow way down from my road pace and started debating whether the steep hills would kill me. “But I’m a runner, this shouldn’t be this hard!" Read more…

It’s very difficult to forget that we live in one of the world’s great rainforest ecosystems here in western Washington – the Northern Temperate Rainforest. After all, with very little coaxing (just a few decades), the trees grow tall and dramatic, the mosses and ferns quickly drape the fallen debris, and – lest you need a reminder – it rains a lot.  We are now in the midst of what my droll spouse likes to call “June-uary”, that nondescript but agonizing period from about May to mid-July when the rest of the country is bursting into spring and summer and we are just….drippy. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Tom Harvey! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills branch community. Read more…

In the grey of very early morning I was awakened by fluttering, scuttling, and pecking on the metal roof. The tiny, three-bed Ball Hut is perched on the moraine of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki-Mount Cook National Park. On New Zealand's South Island, the hut is just a stone's throw away from the sheer 6000-foot Caroline Face of Mount Cook.  Read more…

Few subjects cause so much hesitation on the part of new backpackers as trail food! How much do I need? What kinds should I pack? The questions are endless, and luckily we have a few tips to help you stay happy and well fed on the trail! Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Richard Bell! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Travis Prescott! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community. Read more…

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Danielle Graham, a volunteer leader with the Foothills Branch who encourages aspiring leaders to glean tips and tricks from every leader they interact with, and who wants all members to feel valued and included in The Mountaineers' community. Read more…

The Mountaineers are proud to present the BeWild Speaker Series, putting passion and adventure on the stage! Come to these talks to unlock inspiration to seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. This March we welcome photographer Joe Riis. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Ryan Dubberly and Chris Soverel! Meet these two awesome volunteers, whose  hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community.  Read more…

Photojournalist, adventurer, and author Erika Klimecky has traveled to Nepal several times on various adventures, which has given her a unique window into the country of Nepal and its people. Her photo tour will combine storytelling, imagery and culture of Himalaya and Nepal, giving you enough inside knowledge so you can plan a trip of your own and appreciate it more when you get there. Read more…

“Fear of the dark, fear of the dark. I have a constant fear that something’s always near. Fear of the dark, fear of the dark. I have a phobia that someone’s always there” -Iron Maiden. From songs, to poems and stories, to cultural teachings, people have an interesting relationship with the night. In general, as the days get shorter, so do most of our outdoor activities-if we continue them at all. So how does one continue to hit the trails despite, or perhaps because of, the lack of light? The following are a few tips and tricks that keep me and, hopefully, will inspire you, to be outside all year round. Read more…

Built in 1938, Meany Lodge is home to a thriving ski community. We provide a family friendly atmosphere similar to the huts in Europe. Our ski school is nationally recognized, and all instructors are Mountaineers who have received formal ski instructor training. Our instructors are volunteers, who want to share their joy of skiing and help you meet your goals. Read more…

The Foothills Navigation Committee is proud to offer a brand new clinic not offered by any other branch: Winter Navigation! This one night evening clinic is set for Thursday, Jan 25, 2018  at 6pm. Read more…

The 13th Annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival will show at the Bellevue Botanical Garden on Monday, January 22 and at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center on Monday January 29.  Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture - you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup of eight films.  Read more…

The Foothills Branch Annual Social and Volunteer Recognition Banquet was a well-attended and a fun event for all. To kick things off, former branch chair Steve LeBrun shared information about branch membership, volunteerism, and programs from 2017, and our committee chairs recognized their amazing activity and course leaders. Then our new branch chair Cheryl Talbert announced our branch Volunteers of the Year. Finally, in a much anticipated presentation, ski guides and educators Trevor Kostanich and Forest McBrian shared slides and stories from their 34 day ski traverse from Snoqualmie Pass to Canada. Read more…

Join us on Wednesday evenings from January 3 -February 7 in one of the the oldest and largest backcountry focused ski instruction programs in the US. This six-week, evening program (7:30-9:30pm) will hone your backcountry ski skills at a Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) certified ski school at Snoqualmie West. Enjoy a mid-week break  and develop your skills so you can ski the backcountry with more fun! Read more…

From April through November, we worked on several improvements to our website and our Salesforce platform. And in October and November, we added bigger improvements and one new features. Read on to learn more! Read more…

Have you ever wondered what it's like to guide climbers to the summit of Mount Rainier? Would you like to know the five things that are always in a travel writer's backpack? Do you want to work outdoors, or maybe pursue a career as a guide? Read more…

We're very excited to be hosting IMG mountain guide and adventure writer Charlotte Austin again for an evening writing workshop. Whether you're an experienced author, part-time blogger, or curious novice, this class will give you a glimpse into the wide world of travel writing.  Read more…

In the thousands of years before humans created the first sharpened tools, how did we catch the food we needed to survive? According to many if you answered, "We ran it to death (in a technique called persistence hunting)", you’d be correct. Read more…

In the process of writing a recent blog on committee volunteerism, I shared an email conversation with John Dunlap from the Olympia Branch about volunteering with The Mountaineers. John is a five year member who supports several committees, including Olympia’s Scrambling and Sea Kayaking Committees. When I asked John about his experience supporting committee work and volunteering with The Mountaineers, his response took me by surprise - in a very good way. Read more…

The Foothills Branch has provided lots of hikes, backpacks, and related courses for several years, and we have several fun new programs on the drawing board including backpacking with families and forming a beginner hiking community.  We also help to support trail-oriented navigation and first aid/emergency preparedness classes focused on hikers and backpackers. Read more…

Join Mountaineers trail runners from the east side of the lake to talk about creating a community of  folks from the area who love to run our trails with like minded folks! Come grab a brew and/or snack and join us in getting to know more!  No previous trail running experience is required! Read more…

You’re walking down your favorite trail, newly watered by an autumn shower, when it strikes. That misstep or unexpected slide leading to feelings of both weightlessness and panic: will you get that other foot down in time or end up kissing mud? Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Karen Wallace and Nancy Temkin, two fairly new hike leaders who have really gone the extra mile during 2017 to bring beginner hikers out on the trail and instill a love of outdoor adventure. Your hard work is huge asset to the Foothills community. Thank You! Read more…

My own Mountaineers leadership story started with a search for trail companions. I was seeking a compatible group on the types of hikes and backpacks that interested me. Then, one day, I took a new arrival from China on his first hike, and I saw the joy and wonder blossom on his face when Mount Rainier emerged in all her glory behind a ridge covered with meadow wildflowers. That was it, I was hooked. Read more…

The Foothills Branch Council plays a critical role in the future direction of our branch, supporting and resourcing our program and activity committees, so we can provide experiences and learning to our members.  We're very pleased to announce that outstanding candidates have stepped forward to run for 9 of our 11 open positions on the Council in upcoming elections!  Read more…