2025 Tacoma Branch Volunteer Recognition and Awards Banquet

Please join us as we celebrate and recognize the incredible volunteers who make the Tacoma Branch of The Mountaineers possible. This evening is dedicated to honoring the time, energy, and passion you give to our community.

We’ll be recognizing:

• Award recipient of the Annual Tacoma Branch Volunteer Service Award, along with recipients of organization-wide Mountaineers awards.
• Super volunteers of 2025
• Key leaders of 2025
• Key Instructors of 2025
• …and many more who keep our programs thriving!

Guest Speaker: Eric Simonson, International Mountain Guides CEO & Owner

Eric has been a professional mountain guide since 1973 and has personally conducted over 100 major expeditions around the globe, including over 30 to the Himalayas. Eric's guiding experience includes 298 successful ascents of Mt. Rainier over 52 years (every year since 1970).

For this event, Eric will look back at his 50+ years of guiding on Mt Rainier and discuss how climbers are dealing with the shrinking glaciers and shorter climbing seasons that are becoming the new normal on The Mountain.

Cost: Free.

Food & Beverages:

The Tacoma Branch Council will provide:

• Appetizers
• Both meat and vegetarian main courses
• Side dishes
• Dessert
• Non-alcoholic beverages
• Beer and wine

Bringing food is completely optional, but if you’d like, you’re welcome to bring a dessert, appetizer, or side to share.

We look forward to celebrating with you and saying thank you for all that you do.