Blog

For many youth, nature is a realm of endless possibilities. Every summer, Mountaineers Youth Programs embrace the magic of nature with Lodge Camps, a unique outdoor experience for campers ages 9-17 held at one of our three mountain lodges. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Northwest, Lodge Camps offer immersive opportunities for adventure, personal growth, and connection to the natural world. Read more…

As I clipped into my skis for the first time – the cool wind hitting my face, excitement filling my soul – I started to push forward… splat. My face met the cold ground – probably not the best start to my cross-country skiing career. Nevertheless, I got up and continued on the trail, thinking to myself that this MAC trip might be a long one. Read more…

Making a difference for conservation and recreation through advocacy can take several years. A campaign can consist of thousands of individual actions by grassroots advocates and policy experts alike who call or email lawmakers, meet with members of Congress, and testify on behalf of legislation. All these collective advocacy efforts add up to create a lasting impact through policy. 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 purpose of this annual gathering is to unite branch members who share an interest in stewardship and to simultaneously build enough enthusiasm to tackle meaningful stewardship activities in our area. Read more…

When I was 14, I got my period while canoeing to an island with a bunch of boys at summer camp. Moving outdoors was my favorite thing to do – but at that moment, I felt panicked and ashamed of my body. 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…

In addition to the Seattle Service Award winners Felicia Wibowo and Tess Wendel, as well as Service Awards Winners for all branches announced in this  blog post, the following 2024 branch awards have been presented to some of our most outstanding volunteers. Please join us in congratulating these exceptional volunteers. Read more…

 Have you recently sorted through your gear stash and found some things that you haven't used for a while or no longer need?  Rent a table at the Used Gear Sale and go home with some cash. Read more…

Since the new administration took office, they’ve adopted a “flood-the-zone” approach to policy. That means mass firings of federal employees, including ten percent of the Forest Service’s workforce, and a surge of executive orders (written directives signed by the President) that put our public lands and climate at risk.  Read more…

I recently taught an AIARE 1 course with The Mountaineers at Baker Lodge. One of the topics I always try to cover with my field group is human factors such as “heuristics.” Heuristics are shortcuts our brain utilizes to help us assess risk in day-to-day life, including in the backcountry. Read more…

Are you curious what secrets lie beyond the shore of Washington? Do you want to paddle around islands, explore hidden nature preserves, marvel at coastal features, and enjoy urban paddling experiences? Then Basic Sea Kayaking is the perfect course for you!

Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to refine your skills, this course offers both foundational training and opportunities to advance your sea kayaking abilities. You'll learn in a supportive and friendly team environment, where everyone is encouraged to grow together. Read more…

Mountaineers leader and committee chair David Bradley invites you to lean into sailing this spring by signing up for the 2025 Basic Crew and Sailing course!  Beginning April 1, the Seattle Mountaineers sailing program is gearing up for another fantastic year of day sails, raft-ups, and racing. Read more…

Enjoy access to our quarterly Mountaineer magazine, keeping you up-to-date with everything our organization and community have been up to. Hear from regular contributors on topics from training exercises to trail tips, and read features from our members sharing stories from the outdoors. We encourage you to access all of our updates, stories, tips, and more in the tree free online magazine today. Read more…

We had a fairly frosty February, and it definitely shows in this month’s adventures. Read on, dear friends, for snowy sculptures, deer to the rescue, and well-stocked toilet paper! Read more…

Imagine yourself as a novice alpinist, poised for a journey of discovery, opening Freedom of the Hills for the very first time. Or picture yourself sitting by the fire in a cozy mountain lodge, captivated by stories of Sherpa and Balti climbers in Bernadette McDonald's Alpine Rising. Books are powerful tools, teaching skills to unlock new landscapes and experiences. They can also be an adventure in themselves, transporting readers to distant summits. Read more…

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

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…

The Banff Mountain Film Festival is back to bring the best action, environment, and adventure films to Olympia! Join us February 28 through March 2 at the Capitol Theater to experience these films on the big screen. The playlists are different each night, so come for one night, or all three! Discount tickets are available if you purchase a ticket for multiple nights. Read more…

When I joined The Mountaineers, I wanted to become a better alpine climber. I didn’t realize it at the time, but learning how to climb has made me a better runner. Read more…

How do you fall in love with a place you’ve never been or creature you’ve never met? How can you gain the knowledge to do what you’ve only dreamed of? This is the mission of  Mountaineers Books. Mountaineers Books opens the door to new experiences, opens the window to new passions, and provides inspiration to pursue both. Their titles are companions we take with us on our journeys. Read more…

Last week, the new administration fired 10% of the Forest Service’s workforce, alongside thousands of employees from other public land managers, including the National Park Service. These workers do essential on-the-ground work, such as trail maintenance and cleaning facilities, that keep our public lands open, safe, and accessible. Read more…

Investing in mental health is foundational to successful risk management and fostering resilience. For this year’s Leadership Development Series, we’re pleased to offer our first ever Mental Health Symposium, in partnership with The Wilderness Chaplains, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month.  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…

Logging protests. Activists sleeping in the world’s tallest trees. An iconic species on the brink. This isn’t a summary of a Hollywood action flick - it’s the real world clash between loggers and environmentalists that led scientists to develop the Northwest Forest Plan. Read more…

Headlamps pierced the 4am darkness of a hopeful winter morning as Nigel Steere welcomed a jovial group of ski fanatics eager for a grueling day of touring. This wasn’t just any backcountry tour. The eleven teams, strapped to their skis and braving the pre-dawn cold, were making history as the first Patrol Race contestants since the infamous event ended in 1941. 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…

Mount Ellinor supports a variety of habitat types with a diverse assemblage of plant communities and species, including an array of species endemic to the Olympic Mountains. Dave and Joanne Schuett-Hames are biologists with backgrounds in salmonid habitat, conservation biology, and plant ecology. They've hiked and backpacked extensively in the Olympic Mountains, and worked as volunteers with Olympic National Park as Wilderness Rangers doing surveys for the Olympic Marmot monitoring project. Their botanical interests on Mt. Ellinor include developing and maintaining plant lists for the Mt. Ellinor trail network on the WNPS website, collecting specimens for the Burke Herbarium, and assisting with the Rare Care plant monitoring program. Read more…

In July 2005, six Mountaineers from several different branches set out to climb Sharkfin Tower in the North Cascades National Park. In what was the national park’s worst multi-fatality incident, the group experienced a series of events that resulted in three fatalities and one serious injury, plus trauma for the survivors. Read more…