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.
Already a Gear Library Member?
Click below to login to MyTurn and make a reservation.
New to the Gear Library?
Keep reading to learn more about the Gear Library and how to join as a Gear Library member.
About the Gear Library
The Mountaineers Gear Library is a community resource to make Mountaineers courses, personal adventures, and group outings more sustainable and accessible for anyone interested in spending time outside. We use a reservation system called MyTurn to manage all gear rentals. 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, nonprofits, schools, and organized groups can borrow gear for the following activities:
- Hiking
- Car camping
- Backpacking
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
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.
- 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 is already in use. Requests are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Location & Hours
The Gear Library is located in the basement of our Seattle Program Center:
7700 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Gear pick-up and gear return is by appointment only during our open hours.
- Tuesdays: 3-6pm
- Thursdays: 3-6pm
- Fridays: 9am-12pm
You will select a pick-up time slot during the reservation process. We will confirm a return time during your rental pick-up.
Contact Us
Questions? Please get in touch!
- Email us at gearlibrary@mountaineers.org
- Call us at 206-521-6025
Join the Gear Library
Ready to join our Gear Library community? Complete the following steps to activate your membership and start renting gear!
- For new Gear Library members, we suggest completing our Gear Library Orientation to learn about our rental processes and procedures.
- Mountaineers members receive 20% off Gear Library memberships. If you're not already, consider becoming a Mountaineers member.
- Purchase a Gear Library membership at the level that works best for you. Learn more about our membership levels.
If you are borrowing gear on behalf of a partner organization, contact our Gear Library staff to discuss the activity-specific training requirement. - Create an account on our MyTurn reservation platform to sign our Cardholder Contract & Release of Liability.
Once you've completed the above steps, our staff will confirm your payment and activate your account on MyTurn.
Note: It is a manual process for our staff to confirm payment on our website and grant access to members in our MyTurn reservation platform. Until this is done, you can view our inventory via MyTurn, but you will not have access to reserve gear. Staff are typically able to confirm Gear Library payments and get folks set-up in MyTurn within 1-2 days. If you have questions, please contact gearlibrary@mountaineers.org.
Gear Library Membership Levels
We offer several membership levels to fit different needs and budgets. All membership levels include 6-months of unlimited gear rentals (default loan length is 7 days).
We invite you to choose the membership level that best suits your needs and/or budget. If our pricing does not work for you or your organization, please email gearlibrary@mountaineers.org to ask about scholarships.
Mountaineers members receive a 20% discount on Gear Library memberships. Consider becoming a Mountaineers member, if you are not already!
- Basic Membership: $65 ($52 for Mountaineers members!)
- For individuals who want to try renting, or who only plan to rent once.
- This level helps us maintain our fleet of gear.
- Standard Membership: $130 ($104 for Mountaineers members!)
- For individuals who plan to rent 2-3 times over the course of a season.
- This level helps us cover the cost of staffing.
- Sustaining Membership: $195 ($156 for Mountaineers members!)
- For individuals who plan to rent monthly, or families who plan to rent once or twice during a season.
- This level allows us to maintain our current operations.
- Supporter Membership: $260 ($208 for Mountaineers members!)
- For families who plan to rent 3+ times during a season, or partner organizations renting for a large group (5+ people).
- This level allows us to invest in program expansion.
Reservation Process
The Mountaineers uses an online reservation system called MyTurn to manage our Gear Library rentals. Gear Library members will need to create an account on our MyTurn to view available inventory and submit gear reservations.
Anyone is able to view our Gear Library inventory online, but only paying Gear Library members can make reservations.
- 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.
- 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 with your rental.
- You are responsible for gear that is lost or damaged due to negligent use. You'll receive an invoice for the cost of replacement or repair. If needed, we are happy to work with you on a payment plan or discuss volunteering in lieu of payment.
- We love to see pictures of our gear in action and appreciate any photos you can share!
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 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. Please refer to this guide regarding what we can currently accept.
- Donating 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.
