Blog

Years ago, when I was traveling in southern Chile, a local man proudly told me that in Patagonia people can't rely on the sun to dry their laundry, so they use the wind (and plenty of clothespins). Here in the Pacific Northwest, the same principles apply. Read more…

Since the inception of day camp at The Mountaineers in 2010, we’ve had the pleasure of seeing our programs and community grow in breadth and depth over the last twelve years. Every season is full of camp magic, laughter, bracelet-making, and an inevitably stressful registration day. In response to feedback provided by camp families, and in an attempt to make the registration process smooth for campers and staff alike, we’ve made the decision to reconfigure registration for our Seattle Day Camp offerings. Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, The Mountaineers relies on both philanthropic support and the dedication of our volunteers to help us deliver on our mission and get people outside. When you take advantage of your employer’s Workplace Giving Program, you maximize the impact of your volunteer hours, charitable donations and membership dues and can double, sometimes triple your impact!  Read more…

We’ve been on a long journey to protect Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Like many conservation issues, the fight to preserve swaths of ancient, old-growth trees in the Tongass from logging and development is an ongoing story with some twists, turns, and some chapters still to be written. Over the years, we’ve asked you to take action on this issue because protecting roadless areas in Alaska sets a strong precedent for protecting our wild backcountry places here in Washington and beyond. Read more…

Fragrant pine trees reaching for the sky. Rhythmic waves crashing against a foggy coastline. Bald Eagles soaring along winding rivers.  Read more…

We’re looking forward to getting back to a more “normal” season at Meany Lodge with overnight guests! Registration is open now. 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…

Attention Mountaineers! We have some BIG, eco-friendly news to share. Tacoma Power has awarded The Mountaineers a 2021 Evergreen Options grant of $50,000! This sought-after grant means our Tacoma Program Center (TPC) will soon be powered by rooftop solar – an enormous win for The Mountaineers and our whole community. Read more…

Are you dreaming of outdoor adventures or looking to improve your skills? Join the Olympia Branch on January 6 for our annual Winter Open House. You can meet representatives from our courses and activities who will answer your questions about what it takes to get started, the gear you will need, course schedules, and more. Read more…

Our youth program for the youngest adventurers, ages 2-5, kicked off for the year last month, and there’s still time to join! Read on to learn about what we do in Mini Mountaineers and how to get your little one involved. Read more…

Travel by air to a backpacking destination requires some additional planning and organization, as well as awareness of the baggage restrictions of the countries you are visiting. In this article, you'll find information to help you prepare for your trip. Read more…

Community members are invited to join the Olympia Mountaineers on the first Wednesday of each month from December 2021 through April 2022 for our Adventure Speaker Series. We've hosted this amazing event for many years and are pleased to be able to bring it back after a hiatus. Read more…

The world-renowned Banff Centre's Banff Mountain Film Festival celebrates its 46th year, continuing to bring the best action, environment, and adventure films to audiences in Banff and no less than 40 countries across the globe. Join us as we host this premier outdoor film festival for our 16th year.  Read more…

The Olympia Branch has a rich history of developing outstanding leaders. This year, our leaders faced the challenges of 2020 and continued to teach and inspire our membership. Congratulations to the recipients of Olympia Branch Leadership Awards. Read more…

It’s hard for us to believe it’s been nearly 60 years since Jim planted the first American flag on the summit of Mount Everest, proudly representing The Mountaineers and our community of PNW adventurers. These days, you’ll most often find us spending time in our Port Townsend home, gazing out at the Olympic range and reminiscing fondly on the beauty we’ve had the privilege to experience here and around the world. As we’ve gotten older, we don’t get the chance to wander among the trees as we once did, though we regularly think about the people and experiences that helped open the door for us to enjoy the beauty and wisdom of this wild world. Read more…

Mountaineers members can earn badges, patches, and pins for completing different objectives in Washington and beyond. If you're looking for new ideas, look no further than our list of awards. Join us in congratulating the 2020-2021 recipients. Read more…

Baker Lodge is open and welcoming vaccinated guests this winter! Access world-class terrain for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing just outside the front door. Read more…

As a Mountaineers member, you receive free 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…

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

Wow. Yesterday, in the spirit of #GivingTuesday, we asked our community to rally together and fund Mountaineers scholarships for youth, adults, and families in need of financial support. Today, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for your generosity - and we have incredible news to share! Read more…

Getting outside during the colder months can be endlessly rewarding. Finding solace in natural areas, seeing familiar landscapes through new eyes, and shaking off the “I-can't-wait-for-winter-to-end" feeling are just a few of the perks.  Read more…

The close of the calendar year offers us many reasons to celebrate. Snow is beginning to fall in the mountains, friends and families are gathering for holidays, and some of our favorite traditional dishes are making their way to our tables. At The Mountaineers, we also celebrate you: our members, volunteers, readers, and donors, who help make the magic of our community possible through your charitable giving. Read more…

Over the years, I’ve lost track of how many times someone has shot me a puzzled look and asked, “why did you decide to become a fundraiser?” Read more…

Mushroom hunters, kayakers, climbers, hikers, canyoneers, and more – The Mountaineers is proud to support our community of passionate adventurers and the many ways you engage with our natural landscapes. However, though all are welcome, many people people find that they are unable to join our community without additional support. Read more…

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Randy Oakley. He's a backcountry skiing and trail running  volunteer leader with the Foothills and Seattle Branch, who welcomes constructive feedback and emphasizes engaging team members.  Read more…

The last 20 months have challenged all of us in ways we never could have imagined.  Now more than ever, we need the outdoors to connect with one another, as well as experience the physical, emotional, and mental benefits that outdoor recreation provides. Read more…

Seth Kantner is a commercial fisherman, writer, and wildlife photographer. His newest book, A Thousand Trails Home: Living with Caribou (Mountaineers Books; September 2021), is a stunning firsthand account of a life spent hunting, studying, and living alongside caribou. He lives in the Northwest Arctic. Read more…

When you hear the word “infrastructure,” you might first think of urban roads, bridges, and other types of transportation frameworks. But the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - which President Biden signed into law on November 15 - covers much more than that. Congress seized a historic opportunity to prioritize and deliver climate action, while providing a long-overdue boost to many facets of our nation’s aging infrastructure. Read more…

Many people choose to "opt outside" (#OptOutside) on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and this year you can opt outside at no cost thanks to a free day with Washington State Parks and other lands covered by the Discover Pass. Read more…

Braided River, the conservation imprint of Mountaineers Books, tells visual stories that inspire a wide audience to protect our communities, lands, and wildlife. By taking book projects and turning them into events, regional and national media coverage, and museum exhibits, they create a diverse toolset to raise awareness for conservation causes and threats to wild places. Given the interconnected threats of the climate and biodiversity crises, Braided River’s work of inspiring action on conservation issues near and far is more important than ever. Read more…