Blog

Washington State has more than its fair share of gorgeous waterfalls.  In Gregory Plumb's new book, Waterfall Atlas of the United States, he's compiled a comprehensive list of 141 of the most scenic waterfalls in Washington, but that would have made for a really long blog post, so we're only going to share 7 of of our favorites from the list.  Read more…

Mountaineers spend their days looking down the trail, across the horizon, and toward the peaks. We plan our logistics around daylight, often aiming to avoid pitch darkness. If we find ourselves in nightfall, we may briefly praise the luminous celestial bodies that dot the sky, but typically, our time in the night is temporary. Yet, extending time under the night sky is exactly what Alan Vogt and Keith Krumm encourage. Alan, the Seattle Night Sky Committee Chair, and Keith, a Seattle Night Sky Course instructor, are eager to pique curiosity about the astronomical entities that occupy our night sky. Read more…

The stunning natural beauty and rewarding backcountry experiences offered by the Alpine Lakes area of the central Cascades have inspired Mountaineers for generations. Our members hiked and climbed here before it was designated as a Wilderness area, and advocated for its protection as Wilderness in 1976. We even published a book that was instrumental in persuading President Gerald Ford to protect the Alpine Lakes, and we were involved in the successful campaign to expand the Wilderness in 2014. 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…

On the morning of July 10, 2023, Rose Vanderhoof, 33-year Mountaineers member and avid outdoor enthusiast, became the oldest woman to summit Mt.Rainier at 78. She reached the summit with her son Chris Haugen, granddaughter Aleah Haugen, friend Mingrey Hildebrandt, and Mt. Tahoma Trails Association’s High Hut Manager Dr. Leyton Jump, who led the climb. This trip marked Rose’s ninth, and last, summit of Mt. Rainier.  Read more…

Our group erupted in peals of laughter as I smashed the pee-soaked diaper into the boulder with my boot, hoping to squish out some of the water weight. I peeled back the diaper in astonishment. Not a drop of pee had transferred to the rock. Read more…

Represent The Mountaineers at this year's Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC). Join us to foster an environment of open dialogue and enhance our organization’s understanding of risk management practices. As a WRMC attendee, you'll acquire valuable skills in risk management, connect with fellow industry experts, share field and administrative techniques, and contribute to the establishment of standards for risk management in outdoor adventure and education. 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…

One of the ways we advocate to protect public lands and the outdoor experience is by engaging in federal land management processes like the Northwest Forest Plan. Read more…

Many Pacific Northwesterners rely on cars to get to the mountains, forests, islands, and waters to adventure and experience nature. Yet, you don’t need a car to access these beautiful places. As an experienced and carbon-conscious adventure cyclist, I’ve rolled directly from home on many previous adventures, and prefer my trips rely on just two wheels. Read more…

Meet Renee Lenti, a Mountaineers Naturalist leader and instructor with the Introduction to the Natural World Course. Renee was recognized for her leadership and contributions with the Key Instructor Badge and the Super Volunteer Badge in 2022. Read more…

The growing impact of wildfire on Washington's lands, waters, and communities increasingly affects our outdoor experiences. Warmer temperatures mean drier summers and more severe wildfires. Larger, more intense wildfires are occurring more frequently, resulting in forest closures and unhealthy smoke that impacts our health and obstructs our views. As we grapple with these challenges, it’s important to better understand how the wildfire crisis is playing out in Washington and how we as outdoor enthusiasts can advocate for critical solutions. Read more…

Fran Troje, a beloved Mountaineers member, steadfast conservationist, and founder of our Foothills Branch, passed away on June 18, 2023. A force of nature and a force for nature, she was tirelessly dedicated to advocating for the protection of the natural world and the preservation of our special recreation spaces. She embodied our mission to the fullest – volunteering her time to teach others how to recreate safely while giving back to the lands and waters she so dearly loved. She was 92. Read more…

Did you know that algae are one of the oldest life forms? They’ve been producing an estimated 30-50% of the Earth’s net global oxygen for the past three billion years and can be found throughout the world on snow, fresh water, salt water, and even animals. Nearly all life owes its existence to this small but mighty organism. Read more…

The Mountaineers is internationally known for high-quality outdoor education and experiences, yet many people are surprised when they find out that our programs are almost entirely led by volunteers.  Read more…

Did you know that June became officially recognized by the US Senate as "Great Outdoors Month" on June 5th, 2019? Originating under the Clinton administration as "Great Outdoors Week", our nation's love of the great outdoors continued to grow under the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations, eventually evolving into what we now know and celebrate as a month-long ode to the great outdoors! Read more…

“Go West, young man,” heeded author and newspaperman, Horace Greeley, in 1865. It would become one of the most quoted phrases of the 19th century. And while its intent was rooted in the concept of Manifest Destiny, promising opportunities for homesteaders and industrialists at the expense of Native American sovereignty and environmental integrity, the phrase became a rallying call for Euro-Americans and an invitation to a better life than back East. Read more…

I thought I didn’t need a navigation course. As a frequent trail hiker who carried the Ten Essentials (paper map included), I was confident in my skills. I used my phone’s compass and altimeter apps to orient myself and figure out what I was looking at. When I went home, I reviewed my route on my paper maps. I had the Gaia app, and I always knew where I was and where I’d been. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members and volunteers. For our volunteer profile this week we talked to... Read more…

Among The Mountaineers properties are our three rustic lodges: Baker, Meany, and Stevens. Each nestled close to their own mountain terrain, our lodges provide a restful atmosphere after a long day outdoors. Read more…

We are devastated to share that Scott Shafer has passed away. He was a widely beloved and respected member of The Mountaineers community as a climb leader, SIG leader, Super Volunteer, teacher, mentor, climbing partner, and friend to many during his 26-years as a Mountaineers member. He passed away on June 26, 2023, after a four month battle with cancer. Read more…

It’s summer and this year we are celebrating the season with our annual Summer Book Sale! We have everything you need to plan your next adventure in the great outdoors. Stop by the Seattle Program Center Bookstore between July 1 and 31, 2023 to check out our selection of best-selling guidebooks, Green Trails Maps, adventure narratives, instructional books, and Mountaineers merchandise! You can also pick up a Discover Pass or Northwest Forest Pass while you’re here.  Read more…

If now is the year you’re committed to accomplishing a long-pursued goal, you may benefit from reframing your perspective. Start by asking yourself what’s held you back in the past. By critically examining your current levels of fitness, you can achieve better results. Read more…

I enjoy sea kayaking and watching the birds along the way, but I'm definitely not a birder who has the book memorized, so I need a little extra help to figure out what I'm looking at. Years ago, I picked up a laminated coastal bird guide, only to find that most birds I saw paddling were not included, while some of the birds featured in the guide weren't common in our rocky coastal habitat or even in our state. That's when I decided to make my own bird cheat sheet. A version of it has gone on many family outings over the years and helped get the next generation hooked on paddling and birding. I hope you will get the same enjoyment out of it! Read more…

Last week we celebrated the legacy and impact of our annual 50+ year members with a hosted lunch at the Seattle Program Center. We are thankful for their lifelong exploration, friendship, and commitment to our home here in the Pacific Northwest, and we were excited to welcome over 60 members and guests to the Seattle Program Center, including:  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…

Tom Hornbein, a legendary high altitude mountaineer, geologist, and anesthesiologist, passed away at his home in Estes Park, CO in the early hours of May 6, 2023. He was 92. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center on July 9 at 1pm. Please RSVP. Read more…

Note: The comment period for the draft visitor use management plan is now closed. We'll continue to update our community as this process develops. Thank you for your interest and engagement in this important issue.

Last month, we shared that Mount Rainier National Park is proposing to implement timed-entry reservations. The Nisqually to Paradise Corridor Draft Management Plan proposes several options for a new timed-entry reservation system to access popular areas of the park during the peak summer season. The Park is seeking feedback from the public before they make their final decision. The deadline to submit comments to the park is June 26. Read more…

How many national parks are there in Washington? Why is Washington nicknamed the Evergreen State? When visiting wilderness, what should you take home with you? 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…