Samantha Sanders
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.
May 2018: It was a blustery day. My husband, and I found ourselves on an abandoned forest service road outside White Horse. We were desperate to spend a night in the backcountry on what should have been a multi-night backpacking/running adventure off Lake Diablo. A mostly busted water pump foiled the grand plans for my husband’s birthday, but reinforced the knowledge that adventure can be found anywhere - and sometimes, starts with a good book.
The book that sparked this particular adventure (and my journey with Mountaineers Books publications) was discovered by us the year before, shortly after our return to the States from living in France. Eager to explore our local outdoor scene, my spouse and I attended an Everett Mountaineers event, featuring Craig Romano. It was his book: Day Hiking in the North Cascades that propelled us on this fantastic and unpredictable adventure, along with many others.
More daunting than our prior activities, our newest ventures have been of a different sort. Now parents - in addition to skiers, climbers, runners, and ultralight (not that we’ve managed this feat with a baby) backpackers - the impact of Mountaineers titles has become even more profound as we build ways to share our outdoor traditions.
“He’s still sleeping…” My spouse and I whispered gently to each other in the confines of our ultralight tent. Never had our son, at this point six months old, slept so long. The last place we expected such an outcome was on his first overnight backpacking trip. (Note: results may vary. The following year’s trip, at 18 months, we were not as fortunate.)
For our little family of, now, three humans and two majestic snow mutts, the outdoors is our every day, our haven. It is vital for us to pass on this tradition of outdoor appreciation and education through titles like Fruits of the Forest, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and National Parks A-Z.
Mountaineers Books does more than just publish; they tell stories that cultivate a deeper understanding of the natural world. Their commitment to conservation-focused titles is essential to ensuring our next generation of adventurers has somewhere to adventure. These books provide the knowledge to understand complex environmental challenges and empower readers to become informed stewards of the environment. Mountaineers Books invests in resources that educate, inspire, and ultimately drive impactful outcomes – from advocating for legislation like the Great American Outdoors Act to fostering an appreciation for the road less traveled.
As a reader consistently inspired by Mountaineers Books, I know the power of their storytelling, and that’s why I’m excited to share an opportunity for you to support their publishing efforts. With upcoming titles like Paul Bannick’s Woodpecker: A Year in the Life of North American Woodpeckers, now is your chance to support their mission to protect the natural world and nurture love for nature. By making a gift of $250 or more, you’re inspiring others to appreciate the beauty of our natural world. Please join me in supporting Mountaineers Books today!
A gift in support of Mountaineers Books ensures crucial publications like Woodpecker reach and inspire others, like you. With a gift of $250 or more, your name will be listed in the acknowledgments section of the new book, directly supporting Mountaineers Books as well as the production and distribution of Woodpecker.
