Seattle Branch Blog Posts

Seattle Branch Blog Posts

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Seattle Photography Committee Featured Member - Dec 2017

Name: Dennis Day
Hometown: Lake Forest Park
Member Since: 2008
Occupation: Educator
Favorite Things to Photograph: Macro, landscapes, long exposures, macro. Read more…

Tech Update 2.9 - Many Small Improvements

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…

Seattle Photography Committee Featured Member - Nov 2017

Name: Heidi Walker
Hometown: Grew up in Monroe but now live in Edmonds
Member Since: 2003
Occupation: Desk Jockey at a nonprofit
Favorite Things to Photograph: flowers, landscapes, and people out adventuring Read more…

2017 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The most prestigious mountain festival in the world, The Banff Centre’s Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates 41  years in 2017 by continuing to bring the best action, environmental, and adventure films to audiences in Banff and in 40 countries across the globe. Read more…

An Ode to Volunteerism

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…

Become a Hike or Backpack Leader for The Mountaineers

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…

Help get Meany Lodge ready for winter adventures

Are you good with your hands? Can you take apart an engine? Can you swing a hammer or clean a kitchen? If you can say yes to any of the above (and even if you don't), sign up for Meany's fall work parties. These work parties are a very good way to meet the folks who run our Meany Lodge  and see the inner-workings of a winter full of fun.  Read more…

Vision 2022: Discussing Survey Results at Town Hall Sessions, Sept 28, Oct 2 & 4

We're more than halfway through the process of building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. We've completed our community survey and are looking forward to sharing the results in our upcoming town hall sessions.  Read more…

Make your ideas a reality - volunteer on a committee!

Did you know that The Mountaineers club didn’t have a paid employee until 1984? Tired of all of the paperwork, the growing organization hired a part-time administrator to help with waivers and dues so that volunteers could focus on the fun stuff: developing courses, providing instruction, leading trips, and running committees. Read more…

Climbers: Join us at Forefront 2017 - Oct 13

Back by popular demand, and open to all branches, FOREFRONT 2017 will take place Oct 13 from 6-9pm at the Seattle Program Center. You will have a chance to move from one table to the next learning climbing techniques and concepts from instructors and special guests, including representatives from Black Diamond and Petzl.  Read more…

Mountainfilm on Tour - October 12 & 14, 2017

Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and motivating audiences about environments, cultures, issues, and adventures. Read more…

Photography Hikes During August 2017

At The Mountaineers, we love to hike! For members of our photography committee, we typically plan shorter, easier hikes to accomodate plenty of time to photograph nature. We took two hikes during the month of August 2017.  Read more…

Strategic Plan Survey: Please Provide Feedback for Vision 2022

We're halfway through the process of building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. After rounds of feedback from staff, committee members, and three 'town hall' meetings, we've put together a survey to help us further define our future priorities.  Read more…

Calendar Photo Contest Winners

During the spring and early summer, the Seattle Branch Photography Committee held a calendar photo contest. The rules were simple: we invited Seattle Branch members to submit photos portraying an activity of one of the club’s committees (photography, climbing, hiking, backpacking, skiing, sailing, kayaking and scrambling), to include landscape and nature photography. Read more…

Find a Park, Drink Wine, Get a Discount - Sept 14

Fjallraven, a new outdoor clothing and gear brand in the Northwest, and Canoe Ridge Vineyard, a Seattle-based winery, are anxious to meet Mountaineers, show you what they offer, and give you a big discount - all while you learn about Seattle parks that you've probably never heard of. Read more…

Seattle Photography Committee Featured Member - Aug 2017

Name: Barbara Retelle
Hometown: Originally from Tiburon, California, now in Maple Valley, Washington
Member Since: 2001
Occupation: Retired Read more…

Leader Spotlight: Sherrie Trecker

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Sherrie Trecker, a Climb Leader who knows how to delegate, wants to inspire more women's leadership, and always has a bag of gummies in her backpack. Read more…

Photography Scavenger Hunt at Pike Place Market

You don't always need to leave the city to get outside and enjoy the surroundings (while getting some exercise). Last weekend, a group of Mountaineers from the photography committee headed to Pike Place Market for a photo scavenger hunt. It was also an opportunity to check out the new section of the market shortly after it opened to the public. Read more…

Progress On Our Next Strategic Plan - June Town Hall Recaps

We've begun building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. For 111 years, we have welcomed people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. We intend to carry forward this legacy for  111 more years and beyond, which is why we're working collaboratively to create Vision 2022, our next strategic plan.  Read more…

The Seattle Branch Council is looking for you

Do you love your Mountaineers? Do you want to help with building policy and overseeing activities? We have the opportunity for you! Read more…

Introducing Kick Step IPA: A Beer Partnership with Ghostfish Brewing

We're excited to introduce Kick Step IPA, a bold and distinctly Northwest India Pale Ale by Ghostfish Brewing, benefiting The Mountaineers. Read more…

Become a volunteer hike or backpack leader - Seminar June 22

Attendees of our Leader Seminar will learn what it means to lead a Mountaineers hike or backpack. We'll cover how to prepare and lead your participants in a safe and enjoyable outing and how to handle some common on-trail leadership challenges, as well as how to post a hike or backpack and a post-trip activity report. This seminar  will get you started toward becoming a certified trip leader for the Seattle or Foothills Branches. (this seminar can count toward certification for the other branches as well!) Read more…

Vision 2022 - Steering Committee and Plan for Engaging Our Community

For 111 years, The Mountaineers has been a passionate group of bold explorers welcoming people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. Adventure is at the core of who we are as Mountaineers, but for us, it’s adventure with a purpose. Vision 2022, our next strategic plan, will outline the best ways we can continue to carry forward our legacy of volunteer-led outdoor education and conservation advocacy and you can get involved. Read more…

Stay at Stevens Lodge and Welcome Summer PCT Hikers!

If you love exchanging stories of the trail or are interested in a mini vacation close to home, we have the perfect opportunity for you. The volunteers who run our  Mountaineers Lodge at Stevens Pass are hoping to open the lodge to Pacific Crest Trail thru hikers, and we need a few volunteers to commit to staffing Stevens Lodge for a week apiece from August 20 - September 30.  Read more…

Vision 2022 - Creating Our Next Strategic Plan

For 111 years, The Mountaineers has been a passionate group of bold explorers welcoming people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. We’re adventurers driven by imagination, challenge, and the spirit of discovery. Read more…

Wild Skills Day for Girls - May 20 & June 11

SheJumps and The Mountaineers are pleased to present Wild Skills Day again this year - a free day camp for young girls (age 6-12) to learn the skills they need for outdoor adventuring. You can read more about this exceptional experience from Wild Skills Director Christy Pelland.  Read more…

Seattle Branch Calendar Photo Contest

Want to see your photography in a Mountaineers calendar? We're hosting a photo contest to create a 2018 calendar to be sold in our Seattle Program Center Bookstore. The grand-prize cover photo winner will receive a one-year subscription to Photoshop CC and Lightroom (courtesy of Abobe), a copy of the calendar, and their information/winning photo recognition in a blog post of the Mountaineers website.  Read more…

The Mountaineers Core Values

Mountaineers have been enjoying the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond for 110 years, and it's our long-term aspiration to be thriving for another 110 years. As we look toward Vision 2022 - our next strategic plan - we felt it was time to put our core values on paper. Read more…

Get Outside with the Photography Committee

We go outside to find inspiration, and the experience is even richer when we can capture beautiful images of the places where we play. If you're looking to get outside and while taking your photography skills to the next level, check out these upcoming courses from our Photography Committee. Read more…

Become a Northwest Naturalist

Our Introduction to the Natural World course is designed for hikers, climbers, photographers, scramblers, and conservationists who want to learn more about the mountains they enjoy. Read more…