Gear Library
The Mountaineers is deeply committed to helping folks explore, learn about, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest. As we seek to promote greater inclusion in the outdoors, our Gear Library is here to make our wild places more accessible. Borrow gear to make your outdoor exploration dreams a reality! The Gear Library is a community resource to make Mountaineers courses, personal adventures, and group outings more sustainable and accessible for all outdoor enthusiasts.
Individuals, families, non-profits, schools, and organized groups can borrow gear for the following activities:
- Hiking
- Car Camping
- Backpacking
- Snowshoeing*
- Cross-Country Skiing*
*For graduates or current students of a Mountaineers snowshoe or cross-country ski course, or for partner organization leaders who have completed a snowshoe or cross-country ski outdoor leadership training workshop.
Our Gear
The gear library is packed with gear to support you in hiking, backpacking, car camping, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski adventures. We offer outdoor gear and clothing, ranging from a children's size 8 through adult XXXL.
- Day hiking suggested gear list
- Car camping suggested gear list
- Backpacking suggested gear list
- Snowshoeing suggested gear list
- Cross-Country skiing suggested gear list
The gear library is an asset shared between individuals and community organizations. While we’d love to guarantee that gear will always be available, we can’t currently do that. We have limited quantities of gear and there may be weekends where certain types of gear isn't available because it is in use. Requests are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Because snowshoeing and cross-country skiing come with the risks of winter recreation, including avalanches, borrowing those items is currently limited to Mountaineers course graduates, current students attending course field trips, and partner organization leaders who have completed a snowshoe or cross-country ski outdoor leadership training workshop.
Who can rent gear
The Gear Library is open to individuals, families, and organizations located in Washington. We offer a variety of Gear Library cardholders types to fit your needs. There is unlimited use of the gear, pending availability. The fees help us cover the cost of maintaining quality gear.
- Individual Adult WA Resident: $30 annual fee, along with a membership contract, Mountaineers membership, and orientation
- WA Family: $50 annual fee, along with a membership contract, Mountaineers membership, and orientation
- Organization Cardholder, including schools and non-profits: $95 fee for 2021–2022! Join us as a gear library member in our first year at this discounted rate. Program partners must also attend a Gear Library orientation and a training workshop with Washington Trails Association.
We don’t want the fee to be a barrier to access. We aim for the Gear Library to be an inclusive, welcoming space, especially for communities of color who have been traditionally excluded in mainstream representations of outdoor recreation. If the cardholder fee does not work for you or your organization, please email gearlibrary@mountaineers.org and we will ensure you get a membership.
Gear Library cards are valid for one year after being assigned. Cardholders need to attend a Gear Library orientation to cover expectations and complete an agreement before borrowing.
How it works
Step 1: Become a Mountaineers gear library cardholder
Become a Mountaineers member, if you aren't already. We have a variety of options for membership. Take our Gear Library orientation to learn about our rental processes. Sign the Gear Library Contract and join at the right cardholder level for you.
Step 1.5 for organized groups: (if you are planning on joining the Gear Library as an individual or a family, skip to Step 2)
Build your outdoor leadership skills by attending a leadership workshop with Washington Trails Association WTA) or The Mountaineers. The workshops provide information on how to safely lead your chosen activity, as well as instruction on how to use the gear being borrowed. WTA teaches workshops throughout the year on hiking, camping, backpacking and snowshoeing. The Mountaineers teaches workshops in January about cross-country skiing.
Note: In addition to their Outdoor Leadership Training Workshop, WTA also offers a gear library orientation. This is separate from our orientation (see Step 1) and is not required to borrow gear from The Mountaineers Gear Library. To borrow gear from WTA, you must also attend their Gear Library Orientation.
Step 2: make a gear request
Gear must be reserved in advance. For large groups, we recommend reserving a few weeks in advance and for smaller groups or individuals, requesting anywhere from 2 weeks to at least 5 days in advance. Download a request form, fill it out and save a copy that contains your last name and the date, (ex: Metzger.12.9.20.xlxs). Email your saved copy to gearlibrary@mountaineers.org and we will respond with availability.
DOWNLOAD THE GEAR LIBRARY REQUEST FORM
Step 3: Check out gear at the seattle program center
We want to make sure you are getting all you can out of your gear borrowing experience, including minimizing wait times. For that reason, all gear should be picked up during a scheduled appointment time designated on the request form.
Step 4: Have a blast outside!
We love to see pictures of our gear in action and appreciate any photos you can share.
Step 5: Return the gear clean and dry and start planning your next adventure
Follow the the aftercare instructions you receive with your rental and bring your gear back during your scheduled appointment return time.
Supporting the gear library
The support of volunteers, in a variety of ways, makes the Gear Library a stronger program and we appreciate your contributions. Help us by:
- Volunteering with the gear library. We always need assistance organizing, inventorying, cleaning, and repairing gear. Email gearlibrary@mountaineers.org or attend an orientation to get started.
- Donating gently used gear. We accept gear in good condition that is 5 years old or newer. Donated gear will either be directly loaned through the Gear Library or resold with the proceeds benefiting the Gear Library.
- Donate to The Mountaineers. Gear inevitably wears out and breaks. Financial support keeps our programs running and allows us to purchase new items!
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK
This resource belongs to the community. It exists so more people can get outside comfortably, safely, and affordably. We want it to work for you. If you have thoughts about how we can improve, please let us know!
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Thank you to Get Outdoors Leadville, Washington Trails Association, and the Outdoor Empowered Network for sharing their expertise. We are thankful to be a part of the Gear Library community.
Additionally, a big thank our partner organizations for their continued support: Adidas TERREX, Adventure Medical Kits, Bogs, Cascade Designs, Cocoon, Deuter, Helly Hansen, Jansport, King County, Kovea USA, Nikwax, Outdoor Research, Petzl, Patagonia, Rab USA, REI, Salomon, Sea to Summit, The Moccasin Lake Foundation, The North Face, Vasque, and Wise Owl Outfitters.
