Volunteers Blog

Volunteering with the Foothills Branch means connecting with like-minded adventurers, supporting inclusive outdoor education, and helping others discover the transformative power of nature. Most of our volunteer opportunities don't require special skills or experience - we're just looking for your energy and enthusiasm! Read more…

A stunning mosaic of purples, magentas, yellows, and whites filled the green meadow, subtly contrasted by the darker firs behind. In the light breeze, the flowers resembled a spinning kaleidoscope. On this July day, the subalpine meadow before me was at its flowering peak. All I could do was stare across Berkeley Park and breathe in the deep, sweet aroma of life regenerating itself. Read more…

With fall finally here, we’re excited to gear up for another season of Mountaineers Leadership Conferences!  For over a century, our community has been led and shaped by volunteer leaders. The Mountaineers Leadership Conferences celebrate that legacy by supporting the continued growth of current and aspiring leaders.  Read more…

As a child, I had a lot of adverse experiences exploring the outdoors. I was taught that outdoor spaces were not for people with my skin-tone, religious beliefs, and dietary traditions. It wasn’t until I found an informal BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) group of hikers and climbers in my early 20s that I felt finally able to grow my love for getting out into nature. Since moving to Seattle, I’ve fostered my outdoor pursuits through The Mountaineers – first through backpacking, then climbing and cross-country skiing, before finally finding my true passion: canyoning. Read more…

On June 4, we completed a new concrete pathway at our Seattle Program Center, improving access into our building for people in wheelchairs, caterers, and anyone using wheels. The path stands not just as a functional improvement, but as a symbol of community, generosity, and teamwork. I want to extend my deepest thanks to three incredible individuals who made this project possible: Elizabeth Nakashima, John Rollins, and Trent Jackson. Read more…

Our volunteer leaders are a huge part of what makes the Foothills Branch one of the fastest growing branches, offering a broad array of activities we all love. Each year, we honor the hard work and dedication of one Foothills volunteer by presenting them with the Branch Service Award. Read more…

Meet Barbara Folmer, a Foothills backpack, snowshoe, hike, and naturalist leader who has received many Key Leader and Super Volunteer badges, and can’t remember a time when she didn’t hike! Read more…

Last year, The Mountaineers community gave over 182,654 volunteer hours. We're grateful for each volunteer who donated their time to support our mission. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, the learning never stops. Every time we go out together, we sharpen our skills and learn more about the natural world. Any volunteer will tell you that every trip and every student provides an opportunity to become a better leader. And each of the 6,000 volunteer-led trips in the last year created space for leaders and students alike to learn with and from one another, and build genuine connections that flourish. Read more…

Want to be more involved with The Mountaineers and support programs at a foundational level? Consider becoming the new Chair-Elect for the Foothills Branch. Read more…

Update 7/1/2025: This pilot has transitioned into an org-wide offering for conditioning courses, courses with multiple co-requisites, or courses with many trip/lecture requirements. If you are interested in this tool for your course, please reach out to devinl@mountaineers.org. Read more…

As a climb and course leader, one experience etched in my memory is working with students who are learning to rappel for the first time.  Read more…

The North Sound Leadership Conference is only a few weeks away at the Seattle Program Center. Spots are filling up - secure yours today! Read more…

Looking for an opportunity to provide critical leadership and support for a committee’s vision and goals? Interested in playing a key role in ensuring the safety and quality of our urban walks? Ready to contribute to the development and training of our dedicated volunteers? Consider serving for the Seattle Urban Walk Committee. Read more…

Looking for an opportunity to provide leadership for your branch’s vision and goals? Interested in offering key support for the Seattle Branch’s most dedicated volunteers? Ready to assume a Board of Directors position and serve as a liaison for The Mountaineers largest branch? Consider serving as Chair-Elect or as Branch Board of Directors Representative. Read more…

Our volunteer leaders are a huge part of what makes the Foothills Branch one of the fastest growing branches offering a broad array of activities we all love. Each year, we honor the hard work and dedication of one Foothills volunteer by presenting them with the Branch Service Award. Read more…

With the recent release of our annual impact report, we're celebrating all that donors and volunteers made possible through The Mountaineers in 2023.  Read more…

Looking for a deeper involvement in The Mountaineers? The Seattle Hiking Committee is holding biannual officer elections in September 2024 for fiscal years 2025-26. We're excited to share details about the open positions and encourage all interested members to self-nominate, joining the organization's legacy of volunteer leadership.  Read more…

With the western sun shining brightly on the Seattle Program Center, 122 volunteers, donors, and staff gathered for a Block Party to kick off summer and celebrate their contributions to our outdoor community, celebrate our mission impact, and have a bit of fun, too!  Read more…

Meet Chris Ensor, a Foothills Hike, Urban Walk, and Cross-Country Ski Leader and 2023 Super Volunteer. Chris has earned Key Leader and Super Volunteer badges every year since 2014. He earned the Foothills Branch Service Award in 2020. Read more…

Meet Rich, a Foothills hike and naturalist leader, Key Leader, Super Volunteer, and Mountaineers Leader of the Year who loves showing people the wonders of the natural world.  Read more…

The Foothills Cross-Country Skiing Committee has a new Chair! We’d like to thank the outgoing Chair John Gilbert for his service to the branch, and welcome the new Chair Birgit Grimlund. Please read Birgit’s warm introduction. Read more…

Danielle Graham joined The Mountaineers in 2016. She enjoys being outside with the club in almost every activity. In addition to serving as the Foothills Safety Officer, Danielle currently leads the Foothills Women’s Scramble course and represents The Mountaineers as a member of Outdoor Alliance's Grasstops Collective, a new leadership development and advocacy training program. Past leadership roles include co-leading the Intro to the Natural World course, serving as an At-Large member of the Foothills Branch Council, and chairing the Foothills Cross Country Ski Committee. Read more…

Lori joined The Mountaineers in 2016 and has been serving as Foothills Branch Secretary and Communications Chair since 2019. As Secretary, Lori is the custodian of all Branch records. She also prepares and distributes agendas and minutes for Branch Council meetings, and serves as the Branch liaison with Mountaineers staff for annual elections. Read more…

Meet Becky, a Foothills hike and urban walk leader, Key Instructor, Key Leader, and Super Volunteer who is passionate about helping others get outside to discover the wonders of nature. Read more…

Meet Terri, a Foothills hike and urban walk leader who is inspired to give back to the outdoor community that has provided her with so many beautiful experiences. Read more…

Erik joined The Mountaineers in 2022 and has been serving as Foothills Branch Treasurer since 2023. In this role, Erik works with Foothills Committee Chairs and Committee Treasurers as well as Mountaineers staff to manage the overall financials for the branch, approve expenses, and prepare the annual budget. As a branch treasurer, he is also part of the Branch Treasurer Committee and The Mountaineers Finance Committee. Read more…

Meet Rob, a Foothills backpack, hike, snowshoe, and urban walk leader, Key Leader, Super Volunteer, and Mountaineers Leader of the Year who loves to spread the joy of the outdoors and mentor new leaders. Read more…

In 2024, I joined The Mountaineers after a life-changing experience in the Sierra Nevada. I had a close call falling into a snow bridge, which made me realize how much I had yet to learn about traveling safely in the mountains. A close friend pointed me to The Mountaineers, and that recommendation set me on a path of challenge, growth, and deep connection. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to... Read more…