An evening of Adventure Travel to Italy and Switzerland is in store at the Mountaineers Program Center at Magnuson Park on Monday September 13th at 7 pm. during this travel preview. Patti Polinsky, trip organizer will guide you from Milan,  to Champoluc, Italy and on to Andermatt and Zurich, Switzerland.  The adventure will include several optional adventures for walkers, photographers, downhill or cross country skiers and snow boarders.

Find out more about this International Outing

If you are an outdoor enthusiast or even just someone who wants to get outside more, OutdoorsFest is a great place to start. We are bringing together outdoor education, gear vendors, outdoor non-profits and other groups to help you get the best information about enjoying the outdoors. Here's a brief list of what you can expect when you attend OutdoorsFest:

• Gear Park
• Climbing Wall and Clinics
• Outdoor Workshops
• Family Activities area
• Maps to Taps 5k Trivia Run
• Backcountry Cook Off
• Beer and Wine Garden
• Food
• Prizes

At the end of OutdoorsFest, stick around for a presentation by world-famous mountaineer, author, explorer and environmental activist Conrad Anker at 5:30pm (see below).

View a complete schedule of OutdoorsFest activities.
Vendor booth applications can be found here.

The Annual Meeting is a long tradition within The Mountaineers, and it's an opportunity for members to come together, swap stories, and reconnect. It is a time for us to recognize the volunteers and members who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to The Mountaineers. It's also a way to take stock and discuss what's next.

This year, we've combined this annual get-together with a new event, OutdoorsFest (see above). We encourage all members to come by early and enjoy OutdoorsFest and then stick around for the Annual Meeting. From 5 pm to 6 pm, dinners are available through Ballard Brothers and Dante's Inferno Dogs at a special price for Annual Meeting attendees.

Our Keynote Address speaker this year is Conrad Anker, the renowned climber, author, explorer and environmental activist. His talk is titled "Mountaineers and Environmental Stewardship: Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Alpine World." Conrad's talk starts at 5:30 pm. Immediately following his talk, we will move into Mountaineers business and Volunteer Recognition.

This year's slate of candidates can be found on our Elections page. The last opportunity to nominate someone for a board vacancy is at the Annual Meeting on September 18 (see above), and voting begins on October 1. At that time, members can vote using an online ballot accessible through the Elections page. Alternately, those who wish to vote by paper ballot will find that form in the October issue of The Mountaineer.

View a list of this year's candidates here.

Advance copies of the newest edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills have arrived at Mountaineers Books. The full shipment is on their coattail. With more than 600 pages of updated how-to in the world of climbing, the eighth edition signals the 50th anniversary of what is commonly referred to as "the climber's bible."

Join us in celebrating 50 years of "Freedom" on October 15 at The Mountaineers Program Center. Keep your eyes on our web site for more details as the anniversary party nears.

Join The Mountaineers each month for our "Adventures in Reading" book club. Visit exotic destinations, meet courageous explorers and discover long-kept secrets. Most meetings are in Seattle, with the occasional Eastside session.

Visit our Adventures in Reading page for a complete list of books, meeting places and times.

UPDATE: The 2010-2011 schedule has been posted!

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Show your support for The Mountaineers, and tell the world where your priorities lie! These shirts are available through our Seattle office, so stop by and pick one up. Or give us a call at 206-521-6002 to order yours today!