Tacoma Branch Blog Posts

At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…

The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch presents an evening with Jim Lynch, author of the book Before the Wind. Join us to meet the author and learn more about his local inspiration. Read more…

Summer is the busiest time for travelers. In fact, 400% more people make trips to the northwest from July-October than during winter. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. We go outside to wander and explore the adventurous spirit within ourselves. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit; so our grandchildren can experience the sensation of discovering an untouched place. Read more…

Did you miss the chance to attend our Progressive Climbing Education listening sessions? Please use this survey  to give us your input! Read more…

I am confident that you and I have at least two things in common: 1) we both set aside time to explore the outdoors, and 2) at some point during these adventures we will both experience the discomfort of knowing we have to go number two. Even if you don't, you will inevitably be reminded of this basic human function by the sight of toilet paper discarded uncomfortably close to trails and water sources. By the amount of TP I have seen recently on Washington’s trails, it seems even the most avid outdoor enthusiasts may not know how to handle nature’s calling. Read more…

Join us on Thursday, June 16 from 6-8pm for this all branch, community, and new member gathering. We'll have a presentation for new and prospective members to learn about opportunities to get involved with The Mountaineers, with a BBQ/potluck to follow. Read more…

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. Read more…

Both the words and inspiration of John Muir still resonate with us today. He was an adventurer, explorer and mountaineer; but more importantly, he changed the way in which the nation thought about its wilderness. Muir championed a change in thinking that argued our most treasured natural places are not resources to be harvested, but rather refuges to be preserved and protected. He believed in the restorative power of nature and promoted that people should “get closer to nature’s heart”.  Read more…

Meet fellow Mountaineers and learn how to get involved in our courses and activities, then stay for our feature presentation by Tacoma Mountaineer and peak bagger, Julie Myer. Read more…

A student sprained their ankle while beginning a rappel during an Intermediate Climbing Qualifier Practical Exam on January 24. The injury occurred at 1pm. Read more…

Meet fellow Mountaineers and learn how to get involved in our courses and activities, then stay for our feature presentation by adventure photographer Jason Hummel. Read more…

Starting in Spring 2016, The Mountaineers will be offering Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Responder Recertification courses!  Read more…

At this action-packed evening, you can check our our Gear Grab, meet fellow Mountaineers and learn how to get involved in our courses and activities, and enjoy great stories and pictures from Tacoma Mountaineer Beth Owen on her 8-day kayak adventure around the beautiful San Juan Islands. Read more…

This past November, Tacoma Mountaineer Carrie Kavanaugh traveled to Nepal to climb Ama Dablam, an impressive and beautiful peak that caught her eye on her first expedition to the Himalaya in 2009. Read more…

Grab your outdoor bucket list and adventure buddies to tune into a night of human-powered winter celebration, with ten edge-of-your-seat films celebrating backcountry skiing and other adventures! Read more…

If we bring it, will they come? Eleven years ago, this question plagued Justin Canny, of the University of Puget Sound Outdoor Programs, and me (Jim Feltus, of The Mountaineers, Tacoma Branch). Without knowing the answer, we took a chance and brought the Banff Mountain Film Festival to Tacoma.  Read more…

We're lucky. At The Mountaineers, we've always known the value of natural places to restore our bodies and our spirits. Our outdoor playgrounds offer endless ways to explore and learn and discover and connect. Read more…

Meet your fellow Mountaineers and learn how to get involved in our outdoor activities, then stay for our feature presentation by Julie Myer. Read more…

If you've dreamed of climbing the great glaciated and rocky peaks of the Northwest, this class is for you! Tacoma's Basic Climbing Course starts in February 2016. Read more…

We’re bringing the spirit of outdoor adventure and mountain culture to The Mountaineers again! The World Tour features the best mountain films this year, showcasing amazing filmmaking talent from the world over to an audience that spans the globe.  Read more…

You may have gotten a little confused lately browsing for Navigation courses on our website. The traditional "Basic Navigation" course has recently been renamed "Wilderness Navigation" by our Seattle and Tacoma branches. If you're a student or instructor trying to satisfy a Basic Navigation requirement, HAVE NO FEAR: you will still receive the same badge by taking the newly named Wilderness Navigation course. Read more…

Our Annual Potluck and Awards Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, Oct 17 at 6pm. Please plan to join your fellow Mountaineers for an evening of community and fun! Read more…

For our member profile this week we talked to ... Read more…

The Tacoma Nominating Committee encourages your participation in two upcoming elections: A Special Election will be held in August to approve Operating Procedures changes prior to Council Member elections in September. Both elections will be conducted electronically via a Web link sent to all member emails. Read more…

For our member profile this week we talked to Scott Schissel, a Park Ranger and Mountaineer who loves feeling all the stress melt away while on a long hike or run. Read more…

Due to the record lack of snow this season, we spent weeks trying to figure out how we were going to do FT 7 Hard Snow and Ice Axe Self-Arrest, the final field trip for the Basic Class. Of course, in my infinite wisdom, I volunteered several months earlier to lead this FT because they were one leader short. I had no idea what I was getting into. Read more…

The Photography Committee of the Tacoma Mountaineers will hold their Annual Photography Exhibit and reception on Thursday evening, May 21, from 6-7:30pm.   Read more…