Volunteers Blog

When I joined The Mountaineers this past fall, I had the opportunity to quickly connect with many passionate volunteers who were deeply involved in course management. One common theme I kept hearing from these volunteers was how time-consuming it can be to manage the various aspects of our courses, including course-related activities, post-course tasks, co-requisites, and other essential requirements. 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…

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…

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…

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…

Meet Val Ensor, a Foothills Urban Walk Leader and Peak Society member who loves to share her love of the outdoors and knowledge of local history with those attending her Urban Walks. Read more…

This past year, our volunteers remained at the core of our operations. Thank you to the nearly 3,000 members who volunteered their time during fiscal year 2023 (October 2022-September 2023), and to the many others who supported from afar! Each of you has made a difference. Read more…

Meet John, a hike, scramble, snowshoe, and cross-country ski leader who is also the Chair of the Foothills Cross-Country Skiing Committee and organizes the Foothills Wilderness Navigation course. John has earned numerous Key Leader, Key Instructor, and Super Volunteer badges for his contributions to The Mountaineers. Read more…

I am afraid of going downhill. Everyone is afraid of something, and for me it’s moving fast downhill on trail, rock, or snow. I am sometimes tempted to hide my fears and insecurities, but when I started the Scrambling course, I knew I would have to share this fear with my instructors and classmates. It felt like a true confession. Read more…

Each month, we introduce you to the Foothills Branch Council members or activity committee chairs who make our Foothills Branch thrive. This month, meet Foothills Branch Director and Urban Walks Committee Chair, Liz McNett Crowl. Read more…

Meet Erin Vagley, a Foothills Hike Leader and Qualified Youth Leader. Erin is also the Leader Development and Leader Certification Coordinator for the Foothills Hiking, Backpacking, and Urban Walks Committee. She has led hikes for the Foothills Yoga for Hikers, Backpackers, and Trail Runners course and for the GoHike course. Erin was recognized for her leadership with the Key Instructor badge in 2023. Read more…

With great sadness we share the news that Jeff Bowman has passed away. Jeff was a 29-year Mountaineers member, 23-year member of our staff team, long-time volunteer with Stevens Lodge, Climb Leader, and volunteer contributor to Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills. Jeff passed away unexpectedly after recent health challenges. He was 57.  Read more…

Each month we introduce you to the Foothills Branch Council members or activity committee chairs who make our Foothills Branch thrive. This month, meet the At-Large Branch Council Members, Tom Eng, and Karen Wallace. Read more…

While unrestricted giving is critical to grow our mission impact across all program areas, some members seek to leverage donations to strengthen the community within their local Branch. One of our strategic goals is to deepen our culture of giving back by providing new opportunities to contribute.  Read more…

The outdoors has always been a source of inspiration and rejuvenation. It presents an opportunity to forge deep connections with nature, push our boundaries, and craft lasting memories. At The Mountaineers, we believe all people should have equitable access to the outdoors and the transformative benefits it provides. Through our volunteer-led programs, we strive to empower our members and foster a culture of belonging by providing outdoor skills education to individuals from all backgrounds. Read more…

For over 100 years, The Mountaineers has enriched the outdoor community by helping thousands of people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We take pride in that legacy, and want to honor our volunteer leaders who make it all possible! Read more…

From belaying at the Seattle Program Center to supporting students on backpacking trips in remote corners of the Pacific Northwest and beyond, there are ample opportunities to get involved as a volunteer with Mountaineers Youth Programs. 

Join us on Thursday, November 2 for an evening of good food, good company, and introductory information on supporting the next generation of climbers and outdoor explorers through our youth programs.  Read more…

Deloa Dalby has been the Foothills Conservation Committee Chairperson since its inception in 2019. With her experience as a member of the Board of Directors for the Mountains to Sound Greenway, she had just the right skills to establish a committee responsible for administering conservation, advocacy, restoration, and educational programs under the auspices of the Foothills Branch.  The Committee charter is organized under the CARE acronym for conservation, advocacy, restoration, and education. Read more…