Blog

On June 4, we completed a new concrete pathway at our Seattle Program Center, improving access into our building for people in wheelchairs, caterers, and anyone using wheels. The path stands not just as a functional improvement, but as a symbol of community, generosity, and teamwork. I want to extend my deepest thanks to three incredible individuals who made this project possible: Elizabeth Nakashima, John Rollins, and Trent Jackson. Read more…

This season has reminded me how crucial it is to stay safe and hydrated during hot-weather hikes. On one recent outing that involved a lot of exposure, a  participant got so dehydrated they needed two liters of IV fluids from the ER. Another stopped talking and moving mid-trail, verging on heat exhaustion. Both were strong hikers, but heat illness and hydration challenges caught them off guard. Read more…

The towering evergreens and moss-covered trails of the Olympic Peninsula play an important role in connecting outdoor enthusiasts from near and far to the natural world. But public lands and trails like these aren’t just critical for outdoor programs, they’re an ideal setting for relationship building efforts with policymakers and their staff, one hike at a time. Read more…

One of the ways the recreation community speaks up for the lands we love is by participating in public comment opportunities provided by federal land agencies like the Forest Service and the National Park Service. Many opportunities to weigh in on land management planning processes are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Through the years, Mountaineers have continued to answer calls to action to participate in NEPA processes, including efforts to protect Washington’s Methow Valley from mining and how to access Mount Rainier National Park during the peak summer season.
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Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to.. Read more…

Meet Barbara Folmer, a Foothills backpack, snowshoe, hike, and naturalist leader who has received many Key Leader and Super Volunteer badges, and can’t remember a time when she didn’t hike! Read more…

Our volunteer leaders are a huge part of what makes the Foothills Branch one of the fastest growing branches, offering a broad array of activities we all love. Each year, we honor the hard work and dedication of one Foothills volunteer by presenting them with the Branch Service Award. Read more…

Our community knows well the critical role that land managers play in the conservation of our shared public lands. During our annual Donor and Volunteer Block Party this spring, attendees shared their appreciation by signing six thank you cards to federal land managers. As a significantly reduced land manager workforce faces growing challenges, our support is deeply appreciated, and there's more we can do to support sustainable management of Washington’s parks and forests. Read more…

In October 2024, my outdoor world shifted. My faithful canine companion injured his paw, and a hiking partner shared she’d be moving out of state, which left me scrambling to find new trail friends. Rather than retreat, I completed the necessary requirements to lead hikes for The Mountaineers and joined stewardship work parties with the Washington Trails Association (WTA). I had no idea that both paths would challenge me, teach me, and expand my relationship with the outdoors in unexpected ways. 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…

Apparently, midsummer means mosquitos, mountain goats, and a whole lot of Mountaineer spirit! Read on, dear friends, for some of the best trip reports from this July, with more alpine lakes, wildflowers, and creatures of legend than you could ask for. Read more…

Cresting the ridge after a long climb, we stand enchanted. Ahead of us stretches a gorgeous fjord. Across the way, cliffs crash into the sun-sparkled water. To the right, a valley ringed by mountains rises from the fjord’s head. To the left, the mouth of the fjord opens to the sea. Coastal clouds cast shadows that dance across the water. Read more…

Are you currently an outdoor leader, or interested in outdoor leadership but aren’t sure where to start? If so, the Leadership Development Series is for you! We curate the Leadership Development Series to help you expand and hone your outdoor leadership skills. Whether you are new to leadership in outdoor spaces, or have been leading and guiding in the wilderness for a lifetime, there are seminars for you. Read more…

Over the past few months, an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits and raids on places where people work and gather has been reported across the U.S. and here in Washington State. Having a plan that defines how to respond to an ICE visit is an important way to protect the rights of The Mountaineers and our community.  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…

Imagine a future where the natural spaces we love are diminished, trails are restricted, and the climate is irreversibly impacted. It's not a distant nightmare; it's a very real threat we're facing right now, and it affects every single one of us who finds solace and adventure in the outdoors. Read more…

Last year, The Mountaineers community gave over 182,654 volunteer hours. We're grateful for each volunteer who donated their time to support our mission. Read more…

In a shallow, sunlit riverbed, Ken Sund stands shin-deep over his canoe wearing a proud smile. Both hands grip a pickaxe, and two car tires rest in the canoe, their rubber edges peeling from years of subaquatic erosion. Only a few feet of space remain near the bow of the canoe, where Ken will situate himself before paddling down the river, collecting debris along the way. 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…

Ah, finally, summer has arrived and, if you’re like me, you want to spend as much time as you can exploring the outdoors in summer’s warm sun. But too much fun in the sun can cause problems beyond the occasional sun burn. I’m talking about hypernatremia and hyponatremia. Read more…

On August 14, 2018, my best friend Stephen Kornbluth and two other climbers set out to summit Dewey Peak on the Sunrise side of Mt. Rainier. During the descent, the anchor built to support their rappel down the mountain failed, and Stephen fell. Despite heroic efforts from the other climbers to provide emergency care, Stephen did not survive. Read more…

One of the ways The Mountaineers advocates to protect backcountry recreation on our national forests is by defending important conservation safeguards like the Roadless Rule. Inventoried Roadless Areas protect one third of the national forest system (59 million acres, including two million acres in Washington state) from logging and development. Roadless Areas support recreational opportunities across Washington’s six national forests. For example, the Mount Baker, Lake Quinault, and Washington Pass areas offer popular opportunities to recreate in backcountry forest areas protected as Roadless. Read more…

The Mountaineers is recruiting for the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Prevention (SHSAP) Implementation Team, a volunteer group working to prevent sexual harassment and assault and foster a Mountaineers community where all members feel safe and supported. Read more…

In recent years, The Mountaineers has expanded its risk management activity to include an increased focus on the interpersonal environment, understanding that there is a direct link between physical and emotional safety. The Mountaineers recognizes the importance of organizational culture in establishing an inclusive and welcoming environment. Read more…

The Mountaineers relies on technology to stay connected and support our mission. From using laptops to register for courses to using cell phone apps for backcountry navigation, technology plays an essential role in our daily operations. But while tech can make our lives more efficient, it also comes with environmental costs.  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…

The Mountaineers is a group of people who love the outdoors, and who share their experience freely. As a volunteer organization, we hold a unique spot in the continuum of leader-follower dynamics: on one end is the IFMGA-certified guide, goddess-like in her competence and inspiring absolute confidence by her clients; on the other side is a group of buddies stumbling around in the woods with a dog eared copy of Freedom of  the Hills. Sometimes our trips may look more like the first case, sometimes more like the latter. Let’s talk about how this affects safety. Read more…

When I started out in the bicycle industry, I was full of enthusiasm, excitement, and passion. With my head in the clouds and my heart with the stars, I didn’t know where my feet were supposed to be planted. I needed a mentor – someone who could redirect my tractor beam aspirations into a plan with a focused goal, process, and outcome. Read more…

Meet Terri, a Foothills hike and urban walk leader who is inspired to give back to the outdoor community that has provided her with so many beautiful experiences. Read more…

With over two decades of high-altitude experience, Melissa Arnot Reid has become one of the most respected voices in modern mountaineering. As the first American woman to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, Melissa’s career has been defined by resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to learning from the mountains she calls home. Read more…