Blog

In the outdoors, many factors are out of our control. We’re often at the whim of Mother Nature and to some extent, that’s the thrill of being outside. While a certain level of risk will always exist, there are variables within our control too, and it’s our job to identify and mitigate them. Hydration - the act of replenishing vital bodily fluids - is no exception. Read more…

The Mountaineers North Sound Leadership Conference is a day-long conference held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Seattle Program Center in Magnuson Park. We hope you’re able to join us for this engaging and exciting day of leadership development. All are welcome to attend! Read more…

In 1974, the third edition of Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills was released and with it, a safety and packing system named The Ten Essentials. This year, we’re happily celebrating 50 years of The Ten Essentials minimizing risks outdoors. Read more…

Looking for an opportunity to provide critical leadership and support for a committee’s vision and goals? Interested in playing a key role in ensuring the safety and quality of our urban walks? Ready to contribute to the development and training of our dedicated volunteers? Consider serving for the Seattle Urban Walk Committee. 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…

 When asked about their favorite post-activity meal, most Mountaineers members’ responses involve a burger – a greasy and satisfying reward for a day well spent. And, as is often experienced by the laws of nature, the harder you sweat, the tastier that burger becomes. But what if you didn’t have to wait until after an activity to indulge in your favorite meal? Read more…

When I look back on my first three years working to grow a culture of conservation throughout The Mountaineers, one phrase remains top of mind: “conservation powered by outdoor recreation.” I can’t take credit for this catchy moniker; it’s a mantra of our partners at Outdoor Alliance (OA) – a national coalition of human-powered outdoor recreation organizations working to conserve America’s public lands and waters. As a member of OA, The Mountaineers harnesses our shared passion for the outdoors to help conserve the places we love, leading to a compelling and impactful flavor of advocacy. Read more…

Looking for an opportunity to provide leadership for your branch’s vision and goals? Interested in offering key support for the Seattle Branch’s most dedicated volunteers? Ready to assume a Board of Directors position and serve as a liaison for The Mountaineers largest branch? Consider serving as Chair-Elect or as Branch Board of Directors Representative. 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…

Say goodbye to summer by unloading your extra outdoor gear or by scoring items on your fall gear wish list with our End of Summer Gear Grab. Mountaineers and members of our community can stop by The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center on September 10 from 6-8pm to buy or sell their gently used outdoor gear. Read more…

We're very excited to host international mountain guide and adventure writer Charlotte Austin again for an evening writing workshop. Whether you're an experienced author, part-time blogger, or curious novice, this class will give you a glimpse into the wide world of travel writing.  Read more…

It was the hike that almost never was. Out of the woods, with ash-encrusted nasal passages, I wished it was the hike that wasn’t. My friends and I had planned a four-day, 48-mile backpacking loop along the remote eastern boundary of Yosemite National Park. Fires flamed all over the west from a surge of hot, dry, windy weather, but where we headed the skies were clear. A reconnaissance hike the day before revealed a moderate air quality index. There was some haze, but no taste or smell of ash. We decided to go for it. Read more…

The Mountaineers has a longstanding commitment to promoting safety in the outdoors. Historically, that commitment has focused on physical safety. I was thrilled last year when we rolled out Emotional Safety in the Outdoors, a new online course designed to help leaders and instructors foster emotionally safe trip environments that ensure physically safe outcomes. Read more…

With nearly one million copies sold, Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills remains the premier guidebook for mountaineers all over the world. Join us for our two upcoming events to celebrate the release of the 10th edition of this acclaimed guidebook. 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…

A collection of trip reports to inspire your last few weeks of summer. Read on, dear friends, for a slight misadventure, brilliant beta, the perfect pair, an unnamed lake, and more plain fun.  Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization, The Mountaineers depends on the generosity, initiative, and leadership of our volunteers to steward the future of our organization. We are humbled by the service provided by Board and branch directors whose positions are confirmed by members each year. Thank you for all you do as members to elevate our mission, and for your participation in the forthcoming election process for these organization-wide leaders. Read more…

For over 100 years, The Mountaineers has enriched the outdoor community by helping thousands of people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. We take pride in that legacy and want to honor our volunteer leaders who make it all possible. Read more…

Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to three retiring members of the Olympia Branch Stewardship and Conservation Advisory Team (SCAT). These dedicated individuals have been instrumental in guiding The Mountaineers stewardship efforts over the past 25 years. As they step into retirement, we recognize their remarkable contributions to conservation and stewardship. Read more…

Mountaineers have always been fierce advocates for the natural world. Thanks to early Mountaineers, we helped to protect and establish Olympic National Park, North Cascades National Park, and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Today, conservation advocacy remains central to our mission and is a key strategic priority. Read more…

As a recreationist adventuring in the Pacific Northwest, you know how the eastern slope forests, grasslands, and shrub steppe of central Washington offer special ways to experience the outdoors through recreation. Visitors and residents alike cherish the opportunity to paddle the Tieton and Yakima rivers, climb the Royal Columns near Tieton, and hike and mountain bike trails that crisscross a unique and diverse landscape.  Read more…

In Paddling the Salish Sea, professional kayaker and paddling coach Rob Casey guides paddlers to the most rewarding destinations across the region. This updated, comprehensive guide covers everything from the quiet inlets of the South Sound to an entirely new section featuring the fjords, waterfalls, and local waterways around Vancouver, B.C. Beginner, intermediate, and advanced paddlers can find beautiful, rewarding routes for their skill levels. Read more…

I took my final dose of prednisone last March after being on the corticosteroid for three years. Excited and relieved, I also felt apprehensive. Would my symptoms return? Two months later and so far, so good. My condition is in remission. 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 Park's public comment period is now closed. The Mountaineers submitted comments sharing feedback we received from our leaders on timed entry. Stay tuned for more opportunities to shape visitor use management at Mount Rainier National Park.

Visiting Mt. Rainier National Park has felt a little different this summer. For the first time in the park’s history, many visitors are required to purchase a timed entry reservation to enter during peak visitation hours. While the pilot reservation system ends Labor Day 2024, the long-term use of timed entry in the park hangs in the balance. Read more…

The Mountaineers is committed to leading innovation in outdoor education. A key component of this commitment is investing in our volunteer leaders, the heart and soul of our vibrant organization. We’re excited to announce new Leadership Development Series seminars that provide high-quality, continuing education opportunities for our current and aspiring volunteers. Read more…

The growing impact of wildfire and smoke on Washington's lands, waters, and communities increasingly affects our outdoor experiences. With the wildfire season in full force this summer, fires continue to burn and affect communities across Washington, including in the North Cascades and in the Yakima Valley.  Read more…

Scientists have only explored five percent of the ocean, estimating that 91 percent of marine species are still unidentified. Naturally, we wonder about the unknown creatures lurking in the deep. But don’t let curiosity kill the… snail. Right in our own backyard are the waters of the Pacific Northwest, homing a diverse ecosystem of marine species. Among them lives a glorious, potentially terrifying, viscous, and only slightly cannibalistic species: the moon snail. Read more…

Have you visited the new Denny Creek - Franklin Falls trailhead yet this summer? This popular, family-friendly destination near Snoqualmie Pass has long been overcrowded with unsafe parking behavior. Thanks to investments from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), this parking lot got a major upgrade. GAOA was passed in 2020, thanks in large part to the outdoor recreation community. The passage and implementation of the GAOA in Washington continues to be a shining example of what we can achieve when we advocate together on behalf of more than 75,000 human-powered recreationists across the state.
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The Olympia Branch is a vibrant, growing community with quality volunteer leaders. Behind these leaders is a dedicated Branch Council, providing structure and support for our leaders and general membership to thrive.  Read more…