Getting Started
For over a century, we've been sharing adventure, teaching skills, and conserving landscapes. Our coalition of volunteers lead hundreds of monthly courses and activities to help you get outside and connect with others passionate about the outdoors. People join The Mountaineers to explore nature, learn new skills, and make outdoor connections and lifelong friends.
Want the 'easy button' before doing anything else? Sign up to attend a Meet the Mountaineers info session and set up your Alerts & Notifications to get emails about the courses and activities that most interest you.
I Just want to get outside...
You are ready to explore some new places with our vibrant community of outdoor enthusiasts.
- Sign up for an activity (trip) that doesn't have prerequisites. This includes day hikes, backpacking trips, stewardship activities, naturalist trips, and urban walks. Even if the activity is something you're already comfortable doing on your own, this is the best way to learn about how our programs work.
- Consider taking a basic or introductory course with us such as Basic Snowshoeing, Introduction to Rock Climbing, one of our Hiking courses, and much, much more! Go to Find Courses to see what's currently available and familiarize yourself with our course calendar. About 75% of introductory courses are posted between September and January and spring is the busiest season for instruction.
- Check out our events page to find adventure speakers, film festivals, and other unique events tailored to our community.
- Still not sure how it all works? Visit our FAQ'S page or send us an email to info@mountaineers.org with your questions.
I want to learn new skills...
You’ve hiked Mt. Si, paddled around Lake Washington, and skied at Stevens Pass. You've been adventuring long enough to know all of the basics, and now you would like to advance to some new challenges. The Mountaineers offers advanced or more in-depth instruction on nearly a dozen different outdoor activities. Go to Find Courses to see what's currently available and familiarize yourself with our course calendar to plan ahead.
I want to learn more about how everythiNG works...
The Mountaineers is not a guide service, and our leaders expect that all activity participants will take responsibility for themselves, participate within their own limits, and contribute positively to the health and well-being of other participants and to the group as a whole. Some of our activities also have prerequisites to ensure that everyone is safe and has the skills needed to successfully participate in the activity.
In addition to these skill prerequisites, The Mountaineers has developed Essential Eligibility Criteria (EEC) to provide a guideline of the physical and cognitive skills necessary for participation in our programs. Please also review our Member Code of Ethics and Behavior Standards Policy for information about our community expectations.
I already have skills and want to join more technical trips...
Activities like hiking, backpacking, and naturalist activities - which do not require technical skills and gear - are open for anyone to sign-up. Trips that are more technical - like climbing, backcountry skiing, or sea kayaking - often require prerequisite skills before you can register. This ensures that everyone is familiar with the necessary skills to safely participate.
If you already have the prerequisite skills for a specific activity, you might qualify for equivalency. Email info@mountaineers.org and we can help you apply for equivalency in a number of different activities!
I want to LEAD trips...
You're in the right place! Volunteers are what make all of our programs possible, and we would not be able to exist without the generosity of our community. The first step toward getting involved in any of our activities is to join a trip. Even if you are very experienced, joining a trip helps you learn about how everything works. You can talk to your trip leader to learn from their experience and, if you are interested in pursuing leadership, you'll reach out to the activity committee chair for next steps. Read more about becoming an activity leader.
In the meantime, our suite of leadership development resources are geared toward leaders and prospective leaders and available to all members.
I want to GET TO KNOW My BRANCH...
We have seven branches throughout western Washington, which serve as geographic hubs for our various courses and activities. In addition, our branches occasionally host social events for their members. These are a great way to get to know your local member community and meet fellow adventurers. Get involved with your local branch today!
Bellingham | Everett | Foothills | Kitsap
Olympia | Seattle | Tacoma