Gear Library
The Mountaineers is deeply committed to helping folks explore, learn about, and enjoy the Pacific Northwest. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy our local outdoor spaces. We also know there are many obstacles to having a safe trip outside and our hope is to reduce the gear barrier through our Gear Library!
The Mountaineers Gear Library is a community resource to make Mountaineers courses, personal adventures, and group outings more sustainable and accessible for all outdoor enthusiasts. Members borrow gear for a variety of reasons - because gear is expensive, because they are trying something new, or because they have a child who is growing. We invite you to join our gear lending community to make your outdoor exploration dreams a reality!
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 has a wide variety of gear to support your hiking, backpacking, car camping, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing adventures. We offer outdoor gear and clothing, ranging from a youth size 8 through adult XXXL.
| Hiking | Backpacking |
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| Clothing | Car Camping |
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| Snowshoeing | Cross-Country Skiing |
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*Current inventory geared towards youth and shorter adults. |
- 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 across many different members of our community. While we’d love to guarantee that gear will always be available, there may be times when certain types or sizes of gear isn't available because it is already in use. Requests are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
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. Your gear library card gives you unlimited gear use for one year, pending gear availability. Cardholder fees help us cover the cost of maintaining quality gear.
- Individuals: Borrow gear for a Mountaineers course, activity, or a personal trip.
- $30 for Mountaineers members; $35 for guest members
- Families: Outfit yourself and others in your household (another adult and/or any children) with gear for a family adventure.
- $50 for Members; $55 for guest members
- Organized Groups: This includes non-profits, schools, and other organized groups. Borrow gear so participants on your trips have everything they need to participate and enjoy the outdoors. Partner organizations must also attend an activity-specific training workshop with Washington Trails Association.
- $95 for Mountaineers members or guest members
We don’t want Gear Library fees 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 from mainstream representations of outdoor recreation. If our pricing does not work for you or your organization, please email gearlibrary@mountaineers.org and we will ensure you are able to access the gear you need.
Gear Library cards are valid for one year after being assigned. New cardholders need to attend a one-time Gear Library orientation to cover expectations and complete an agreement before their first rental.
Training Requirements
Individual & Family Cardholders
Borrow hiking, car camping, and backpacking gear without any previous experience. If you are unfamiliar with any of this gear (ex: operating a stove or setting-up a tent), we are happy to provide a demo.
Because snowshoeing and cross-country skiing comes with the increased risk of recreating in avalanche terrain, this gear is limited to students or graduates from courses that teach these skills. This includes renting snowshoes for a Basic Climbing snow field trip.
Non-Profit, School, and Organized Groups
Partner groups are required to attend an activity-specific outdoor leadership training workshop prior to renting group gear. These trainings teach the basics of how to use the gear we lend, as well as how to stay safe outside, ideas for group activities, and more.
We partner with Washington Trails Associate (WTA) to offer these trainings because they also have a robust gear lending system. They teach workshops on hiking, backpacking, camping, and snowshoeing. We provide workshops on cross-country skiing.
The Mountaineers and WTA are partnered together to make sure there is enough gear to go around, serving the broader Pacific Northwest community in outdoor adventuring.
Note: In addition to their Outdoor Leadership Training Workshop, WTA also offers a gear library orientation. This is separate from our orientation (see below) 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.
Join the Gear Library
Ready to join our Gear Library community? The following steps to become a Gear Library cardholder can be completed in any order.
- Complete our Gear Library orientation to learn about our rental processes and procedures.
- Become a Mountaineers member, if you are not already.
- Select the appropriate Gear Library membership level and register as a cardholder.
- If you are borrowing gear on behalf of a partner organization, attend the relevant WTA or Mountaineers outdoor leadership training workshop(s).
- Create an account on our MyTurn reservation platform to sign our Cardholder Contract & Release of Liability.
Once you've completed the above steps, we’ll activate your account on MyTurn and you can start your first gear reservation!
Reservation Process
The full reservation process is covered in our Gear Library orientation.
- Gear must be reserved in advance. Requests should be submitted at least 5 days before you’d like to pick-up items. Gear may be reserved up to 45 days in advance and our default loan length is 7 days.
- Gear must be picked-up and returned at our Seattle Program Center during a scheduled appointment time. You will select a gear pick-up time when submitting your reservation, and you will schedule a return appointment during gear pick-up.
- We love to see pictures of our gear in action and appreciate any photos you can share!
- You are responsible for bringing your gear back clean and dry. The Mountaineers will wash any clothing items in between rentals. Specific cleaning and return instructions will be included on your rental form.
Current Gear Library Hours
- Tuesdays: 3-6pm
- Thursdays: 3-6pm
- Fridays: 9am-12pm
Supporting the gear library
The support of volunteers 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. Your 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 at gearlibrary@mountaineers.org!
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.
