Mountaineer Magazine

The chances of seeing a wolverine in the North Cascades are low but no longer zero, thanks to the intrepid animal’s return from Canada. Read more…

Lying in the tundra miles north of the Arctic Circle, the sun shines warmly on my face. The autumn air smells fresh and crisp. If I listen closely, I can hear the distant tweet of birds and wind whistling over the fells. This is what I’ve learned to look forward to on every hike: a slow moment to rest. Read more…

Recognizing local edible berries, flowers, greens, roots, tree parts, mushrooms, seaweeds, beach vegetables, and shellfish is a passport to a comforting sense of place. In Pacific Harvest: A Northwest Coast Foraging Guide, expert forager and longtime guide Jennifer Hahn introduces both novice and experienced foragers to the Pacific Coast’s ample and diverse edible species, while highlighting authentic Indigenous harvesting practices and amplifying profiles of Indigenous leaders in the traditional foods movement. Hahn’s coastal foraging guide offers a sustainable approach to foraging, reminding readers of what other beings also depend on our local plants and animals as food and shelter sources. Read more…

Women have been summiting mountains and taking the lead at The Mountaineers since the beginning. Of the 151 charter members of The Mountaineers in 1906, 77 were women. With such a strong legacy of women in leadership, we want to celebrate the stories of resilience and honor the challenges that some of our current Mountaineers leaders experience. Read more…

I was first introduced to the northern lights (or aurora borealis) through The Golden Compass, a fantasy book in which parallel universes abound, talking polar bears stalk the icy landscape, and the aurora dances overhead. At eight years old, talking polar bears sounded a lot more plausible than the northern lights. What do you mean the sky shimmers with vivid ribbons of red, green, and magenta? As soon as I confirmed with my parents that the aurora was, in fact, real and viewable on Earth, seeing the lights vaulted to the top of my bucket list. Read more…

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…

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…

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…

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

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…

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…

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…

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…

Perched atop Sefinenfurgge – the second highest pass on Switzerland’s Via Alpina – we soaked in our last views of the Eiger and Mönch (two of the Bernese Alps’ most famous peaks). We were eager to see the Blümlisalp massif ahead, but weren’t exactly excited about our next task: descending 3,700 feet over 3.6 miles into a valley and then immediately ascending another mile and 1,200 feet. Excited or not, that’s what it was going to take to reach our next hut, Berghaus Bundalp. Before we started downhill, a quick headcount revealed we were missing a participant. Read more…

Finding the correct balance between training and recovery is one of my main objectives as a coach. Famed running coach Renato Canova once said that a proper training load is not the maximum amount of work an athlete can tolerate, but the least they need to improve performance. Since every person has a unique athletic history, genetic code, and physiological makeup, figuring out how to train just hard enough can be tricky. Read more…

In the winter of 1907, forty-eight charter members of various genders and ages walked through what is now Seattle’s Discovery Park to the West Point lighthouse on Elliot Bay. Ninety-one years later, author Jim Kjeldsen would reference this outing in The Mountaineers: A History, writing “The Mountaineers’ legacy of outdoor adventures began with a local walk.” Read more…

Below is an excerpt from the 10th Anniversary Edition of The Adventure Gap by James Mills published by Mountaineers Books (reprinted with permission). This excerpt comes from the afterword - a reflection on the decade following the first all-Black summit attempt on Denali, North America’s highest mountain. Read more…

Getting youth outside changes with the season, and winter is no exception. Our Mini Mountaineers program helps little kids and their families enjoy and learn about nature during even the rainiest months by facilitating nature-based activities and hikes. The program – offered by our Seattle and Tacoma Branches – is designed for youth ages two through five and fosters a love for the outdoors in the next generation. Read more…

If taking a photo makes a memory last longer, then memorializing a photo in print would effectively make a memory last forever.

We launched our Instagram (@mountaineersorg) over a decade ago. Since then, hundreds of Mountaineers and members of the outdoor community have shared their outdoor pursuits with us. From stewarding beloved forests to embracing grand adventures, photos go a long way in encouraging each other to appreciate, protect, and respect the lands and waters we love. Read more…

Crisp air circulates through your lungs. You exhale and a misty cloud hangs in the cold winter air. High in the mountains, trails turn to mud and ice as snow falls, then freezes. The sun hides behind a thick layer of dark clouds. At lower elevation, mossy soil and gentle rain offer a refreshing environment in the forest canopy. You lace up your shoes and put on your vest. It’s the perfect day for a trail run.

Trail running takes you outside, away from busy streets to the trails. Forested or mountainous, well-maintained or overgrown, nicely graveled or covered with rocks and roots… there are thousands of runnable trails in Washington state. While similar to hiking, trail running allows you to move faster, explore further, and stay active all year long. Read more…

I never waxed my first pair of skis. I didn’t know any better. Twenty years later, they are still viable skis. But most avid skiers do wax their skis (and for good reason). With the right wax, your glide improves and the ski base is protected, allowing them to perform better, longer. There’s a saying: “Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.” But how? For me, waxing skis was intimidating. With seemingly endless options and advice, learning the process felt overwhelming as a beginner. My hope is to demystify the world of hot waxing so you can confidently prepare your skis for winter adventures. Read more…

Growing up backpacking with my family in the Cascades and Olympics, I was introduced to our magnificent Northwest forests at a young age. Those summer trips where I collected pinecones and roasted s’mores over the campfire fostered my love for recreating in these iconic landscapes. These days, trail running and backcountry skiing through the same forests remind me why I was called to conservation work and the role the recreation community can play in protecting our lands and waters through outdoor advocacy. Read more…

I like to joke that I was born with skis on my feet. The product of two skiers raising a child in Montana, I’ve always loved winter (the colder the better). And, as someone who grew up watching Captain Planet and was raised on the idea of reduce > reuse > recycle, I enjoy finding multiple uses for my treasured outdoor gear. In the spirit of reuse, I’m delighted to offer a list of ideas to help you upcycle your old winter equipment. 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…

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…

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…

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…