Cheryl Talbert
Our Pacific Northwest is seeing rapid rate of growth. We're welcoming people from all over the country who are moving here to participate in our vigorous economy and enjoy our incredible natural places and outdoor recreation opportunities. Some of our newcomers are experienced hikers but don't know our major hiking areas, permit requirements, and our unique trail hazards and gear requirements. Others haven't hiked before but want to know where to go and how to do it safely. We have a solution for both.
As Mountaineers we love to see people getting outdoors, and part of what sets our community apart is our ability to teach people to do so safely with respect for our wild places and the other people who enjoy them.
To put those skills to good use, a group of our Mountaineers hike leaders are launching a free course to get people the information and skills they need to fast-track their success on our fantastic PNW trails! Sponsored by Foothills Branch Hiking Committee, the course will include a series of open evening seminars covering major hiking regions and trails, common trail hazards, good preparation, gear and clothing, Leave-No-Trace practices and trail etiquette as well as useful information on permits and other useful resources. The seminars will be accompanied by regular, easy to moderately strenuous teaching hikes within easy reach of the I405-I5-I90 corridors. These hikes will be led by one or two experienced Mountaineers hike leaders and will include an extra component of pre-hike guidance on planning and preparation, as well as hands-on assistance and instruction during the hike on the basics of navigation, safety, Leave-No-Trace and trail etiquette.
Register for the course
The course is free, but by registering you get on an email distribution list for advance information about upcoming seminars and teaching hikes.
The program is open to members and guests, including people who aren't yet Mountaineers members. To get on the email list and in two activities (e.g. a seminar and a hike, or two hikes), sign up as a guest member and register for the course.
Our first two seminars are:
- January 6, 2016 at 6:30PM at the Mercer Island Library, 4400 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040
- January 28, 2016 at 6:30PM at the Redmond Library, 15990 NE 85th St, Redmond, WA 98052
Mountaineers hike leaders who would like to teach a seminar or lead a 'teaching hike' can contact Cheryl at cascadehiker@earthlink.net, or sign up for the Introduction to Hiking in the Pacific Northwest course as an instructor to get on the email list.
