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 cardholder?
Click below to login 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 cardholder.
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 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
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.
Questions? Please email us at gearlibrary@mountaineers.org.
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 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. We offer a variety of Gear Library membership types to fit your needs. Your gear library membership gives you unlimited gear use for one year, pending gear availability. Membership fees help us cover the cost of maintaining high quality gear and staffing the Gear Library.
- 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 have completed an activity-specific training.
- $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.
Join the Gear Library
Ready to join our Gear Library community? Complete the following steps to active 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.
- Become a Mountaineers member, if you are not already. Mountaineers members receive discounted pricing on a Gear Library membership.
- Select the appropriate Gear Library membership level and register as a cardholder.
- If you are borrowing gear on behalf of a partner organization, complete an activity-specific training. Email gearlibrary@mountaineers.org to discuss options.
- 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 credentials, then we’ll activate your account on MyTurn and you can start your first gear reservation!
Note: It is a manual process for our staff to confirm that new members have completed this orientation and registered as a Gear Library cardholder through The Mountaineers website. Until this is done, you will have access to view our inventory via MyTurn, but you will not have access to reserve gear. Staff are typically able to confirm new Gear Library cardholders in MyTurn within 1-2 days. If you have questions, please contact gearlibrary@mountaineers.org.
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 with your rental.
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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.
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.
