Tess Wendel
REI made headlines with their decision to close stores on Black Friday and pay their employees to #OptOutside. We'd like to give them a shout out because like REI, The Mountaineers believes going outside is not just good for your health - but good for your soul.
To help you #OptOutside, The Mountaineers volunteer leaders have a ton of great activities listed for the Thanksgiving weekend! We would love nothing more than to have you join us for a winter exploration!
Check out all of our activities November 26-29th and #optoutside with us today!
And remember, if you have a guest in town for the holiday they can create a guest member account to register for free and get outside with you.
Don't feel like you are quite ready for the snow and want a winter travel refresher? Take a snowshoeing or ski class with The Mountaineers this season to ensure you are exploring safely and responsibly.
If you do get outside over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend we encourage you to share your photos with us online by using the #OptOutside hashtag in conjunction with our Mountaineers hashtag #OurPNW.
HashTag whAT?!
I'm an Instagram newbie, and am only just realizing the cool things made accessible through the hashtag system utilized by Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Using hashtags, I've been able to get up-to-date pictures for areas I want to visit all around Washington - a good photo of a trail or landscape can be a great instant trip report for seeing conditions.
Plus the #OurPNW tag is being utilized by great Mountaineers member photographers who are traveling to beautiful places - some I've never even heard of!
If you want to share some of the magical feeling you felt outside once you are back inside, I'd like to personally encourage you to say "hi" to The Mountaineers community online and add a hashtag or two :-)
A FEW FAVORITE WINTER PLACES To Check OUt on BLACK FRIDAY
- Cutthroat Lakes (via Walt Bailey) - This trail off Mountain Loop Highway doesn't get too steep but you get some good mileage in and peek-a-boo views along the way before hitting the lakes. Based on the recent snow, I'd pack my snowshoes too!
- Teneriffe Falls/Kamikaze Falls - A moderate hike closer in to our urban centers with a great payoff at the end especially because all the rain means these falls are going strong.
- Green River Natural Area via O'Grady trail - A fun outing for those closer to Tacoma and Auburn with great views of the Green River (can you see a few sockeye?), plus good for dogs!
- Lime Kiln Trail - Mellow river outing with lots of changes in scenery and historical objects along the way. Great for families and easy on the knees, bring a warm thermos to share while soaking in the beautiful Stillaguamish River.
- Chain and Bagley Lakes - Guaranteed good snow, mellow terrain and if its cloudy you have some beautiful frozen lakes and if it's clear Mount Baker in all her glory.
Click here to find out where your favorite Mountaineers will be and to join them for a winter outing!
