Blog

Looking back on my 15 years as a member and volunteer with The Mountaineers, I can’t help but think about the fulfillment I’ve gained from being part of this amazing community. From leading trips and courses to serving as an activity leader and Board member, the journey has been incredibly rewarding. As a volunteer leader, I’ve enjoyed researching routes and trip reports, doing the planning, and then getting out with old and new friends. Yet, with the growing popularity of outdoor recreation, we’re also facing new challenges, particularly when it comes to navigating the complicated permitting process required to access many of our cherished public lands. Read more…

Let’s break down these numbers.  Read more…

Today is Giving Tuesday, and we are dedicating today to refilling our Mountaineers Access Program (MAP) scholarship fund. Will you make a special donation today to help people in our community access the outdoors? Read more…

Hundreds of people were able to participate more deeply in our community in 2024 because the financial barrier was lowered by our Mountaineers Access Program. This donor-funded program is made possible through the generosity of our outdoor community.  Read more…

The Mountaineers is a vibrant community, encompassing everyone from skilled alpinists summiting the world’s highest peaks to adults learning new skills to youth discovering the natural world’s wonders for the very first time. This vibrancy is made possible through our commitment to fostering a culture of equity and belonging, which drives us to reduce barriers and create welcoming spaces for all regardless of age, background, ability, or interest. We envision a future where every individual who wants to find inspiration, community, and a sense of belonging in the outdoors can have that opportunity at The Mountaineers. 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…

I am an Alpine Scrambling graduate and course instructor, and I still feel fear every time I sign up for a scramble. This morning is no exception. At 4am, my alarm blares a jolting reminder that it’s time to get up for a snowshoe with The Mountaineers, but all I want to do is stay in bed and forget about the mountains. The last time I was on snowshoes, they tried to kill me, and I haven’t let go of my grudge. Read more…

As the days grow shorter and winter sets in, there’s nothing better than escaping into a book from the warmth of your favorite reading nook. We’ve compiled this list of top ten titles that are guaranteed to bring outdoor adventures to life with tales of heart-pounding ascents, long-distance journeys, resilience and inclusion, and the raw beauty of the natural world. With our Winter Book Sale running through December, now is the perfect time to bring home one of these true-life accounts and get inspired for your next adventure. 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 August, I joined 11 other Mountaineers for a Global Adventure tour that included two, four-day wilderness treks in eastern Iceland. The first trek, the Viknaslóðir trail, traversed the eastern fjords. You can read more about Part 1 of the trip here.  Read more…

"Why would anyone go hiking in Iceland? If you want to see wind, rain, and basalt, just wait until November and go to central Washington. It's closer and cheaper." I am so glad I rejected this advice. Iceland was an amazing place to hike (as long as you love basalt and don't mind wind and rain). Read more…

The Mountaineers values transparency and takes pride in celebrating our successes. Our team is continuously working on updating our website, e-learning, and automated processes to enhance the user experience for members and volunteers. In this Changelog, we capture what improvements we have made over time so you can follow along and take advantage of new features.  Read more…

Last year, hundreds of people found joy and belonging outdoors thanks to Mountaineers scholarships – 433 scholarships, to be specific. Have you ever wondered what that looks like? Read more…

One of The Mountaineers core values is to empower our community to safely enjoy the transformative power of the outdoors. Creating the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts starts with our youth, and we’ve recently been reimagining how we engage with our youngest members at our Seattle Branch. Read more…

Each fall we host our Annual Meeting to recognize leaders across the organization and share highlights from the previous year as well as upcoming priority areas. More than anything, our Annual Meeting is a celebration of our community and all the impact made possible by the generosity and commitment of members, volunteers, and donors. Read on for a brief recap and please check out the virtual recording.  Read more…

Calling all adventurers! Are you eager to explore the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest in winter? The Mountaineers' Snowshoeing Committee offers a comprehensive range of courses designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently embark on snowshoeing journeys. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned outdoor enthusiast, we have a program to suit your experience level and aspirations. 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…

It’s safe to say that just about any recreationist can find their next adventure on Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR)-managed lands. Whether you’re tackling a strenuous ascent of Mailbox Peak, honing your sport climbing skills at Exit 38, or enjoying a trail run in the Issaquah Alps, you’re recreating in areas managed by the DNR.  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…

Outstanding leaders, volunteers, graduating students, and recipients of hiking pins and badges were recognized and celebrated at this year's Olympia Branch Annual Awards Celebration. Read more…

Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsperson or just starting your journey with The Mountaineers, you won’t want to miss this special crossover event: our annual Holiday Gear Grab & Meet The Mountaineers info session happening at the Seattle Program Center on Tuesday, December 17! Read more…

The Katmai lies west of Anchorage, across Cook Inlet. It is a rugged country with massive mountains, endless tundra plains, and numerous lakes, creeks, and rivers. In this event, travel with Naturalist Leader Thomas Bancroft to Katmai country and explore two national parks. During the presentation, Thomas will share stories from his book, Beyond the Wonder: An Ecologist’s View of Wild Alaska, and together participants will  look for bears, follow sockeye on their migration, chase birds, and explore the geology of the mountains. Read more…

Over the last several months, we shared our opposition to Washington ballot initiative 2117 and engaged in advocacy to defeat it because we strongly believe that we must continue to fight the climate crisis here in Washington state and beyond. 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…

One of the greatest gifts The Mountaineers gives is the ability to be safe while recreating outdoors. From urban adventures to technical climbs, we champion safety through interactions, hard-skills, and quality standards. Yet when we have that dreaded “worst day” in the mountains, our sense of safety can shatter, and there are often deeper internal wounds that take longer to heal. Read more…

With his trademark enthusiasm and expertise, Craig Romano will share information on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Silver Star Scenic Area, Trapper Creek Wilderness, Cottonwood Canyon State Park, and some select hikes along the Columbia east of the Gorge, with explorations of national forests and wilderness areas, state forests, state parks, county parks, city parks, and national wildlife refuges. 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…

We're very excited to host international mountain guide and adventure writer Charlotte Austin for the second part of this Adventure Writing Workshop series. Whether you're an experienced author, part-time blogger, or curious novice, this class will give you a glimpse into the wide world of travel writing.  Read more…

I can introduce myself in many ways: a member and volunteer of The Mountaineers, a guide, a rescue specialist, and a Doctor of Education. Beyond these roles, and more importantly, I am a Native American who is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation. As my grandfather would say, “I find myself caught between two fires,” advocating for the rights of Native Americans and the rights of outdoor enthusiasts. Sometimes, these two do not align. There is a lack of representation of Native Americans and other peoples of color in the outdoors. However, one area in which they do align – and can have the most significant impact – is outdoor leadership and education. Read more…

Winter arrived early in the Alps this year: on Friday, September 13. While many hikers were shocked by this so-called "unusual situation," this September snowstorm was not unusual at all. These conditions forced many of our customers to end their tours early, while other customers suffered and endured miserable trail conditions. Read more…