Blog

Wow. Yesterday, in the spirit of #GivingTuesday, we asked our community to rally together and fund Mountaineers scholarships for youth, adults, and families in need of financial support. Today, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for your generosity - and we have incredible news to share! Read more…

Getting outside during the colder months can be endlessly rewarding. Finding solace in natural areas, seeing familiar landscapes through new eyes, and shaking off the “I-can't-wait-for-winter-to-end" feeling are just a few of the perks.  Read more…

The close of the calendar year offers us many reasons to celebrate. Snow is beginning to fall in the mountains, friends and families are gathering for holidays, and some of our favorite traditional dishes are making their way to our tables. At The Mountaineers, we also celebrate you: our members, volunteers, readers, and donors, who help make the magic of our community possible through your charitable giving. Read more…

Over the years, I’ve lost track of how many times someone has shot me a puzzled look and asked, “why did you decide to become a fundraiser?” Read more…

Mushroom hunters, kayakers, climbers, hikers, canyoneers, and more – The Mountaineers is proud to support our community of passionate adventurers and the many ways you engage with our natural landscapes. However, though all are welcome, many people people find that they are unable to join our community without additional support. Read more…

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Randy Oakley. He's a backcountry skiing and trail running  volunteer leader with the Foothills and Seattle Branch, who welcomes constructive feedback and emphasizes engaging team members.  Read more…

The last 20 months have challenged all of us in ways we never could have imagined.  Now more than ever, we need the outdoors to connect with one another, as well as experience the physical, emotional, and mental benefits that outdoor recreation provides. Read more…

Seth Kantner is a commercial fisherman, writer, and wildlife photographer. His newest book, A Thousand Trails Home: Living with Caribou (Mountaineers Books; September 2021), is a stunning firsthand account of a life spent hunting, studying, and living alongside caribou. He lives in the Northwest Arctic. Read more…

When you hear the word “infrastructure,” you might first think of urban roads, bridges, and other types of transportation frameworks. But the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - which President Biden signed into law on November 15 - covers much more than that. Congress seized a historic opportunity to prioritize and deliver climate action, while providing a long-overdue boost to many facets of our nation’s aging infrastructure. Read more…

Many people choose to "opt outside" (#OptOutside) on the Friday after Thanksgiving, and this year you can opt outside at no cost thanks to a free day with Washington State Parks and other lands covered by the Discover Pass. Read more…

Braided River, the conservation imprint of Mountaineers Books, tells visual stories that inspire a wide audience to protect our communities, lands, and wildlife. By taking book projects and turning them into events, regional and national media coverage, and museum exhibits, they create a diverse toolset to raise awareness for conservation causes and threats to wild places. Given the interconnected threats of the climate and biodiversity crises, Braided River’s work of inspiring action on conservation issues near and far is more important than ever. 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…

Knee pain is a common complaint among outdoor athletes of all ages. Knees function best when the hip and ankle joints move well throughout their entire range of motion. In other words, by improving mobility and strength at the joints above and below the knee, you will be less likely to experience knee discomfort as you age. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, the impact of receiving a scholarship runs deeper than the outdoor skills gained through courses and activities. Scholarships empower members of all ages to grow their support networks, discover new passions that spark joy during challenging times, and reinvest in our outdoor community through meaningful volunteer opportunities. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, we believe a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. Our Equity & Inclusion (E&I) Committee was founded in 2018 and works across the organization, with a focus on long-term, systemic, cultural change. We are excited to share the progress we’ve made since our April Town Hall and to announce that applications are now open to join the E&I Committee in 2022.  Read more…

We’ve all been there: a near-miss during a trip. They’re a possibility even with the best safety planning. But rather than categorizing them as bad luck, paying close attention to near-misses will offer insight into why they happen, and how you can prevent them. Read more…

We explored Sunrise the old-fashioned way, by foot! This strenuous loop hike starts at the White River Campground, climbs to the first and second Burroughs back to White River campground, continues to Shadow Lake via the Sunrise Rim Trail, and then takes the Wonderland Trail back down to the White River Campground. Read more…

The Foothills Hiking Committee is excited about the success of their new beginner hiking course, GoHike. The course was carefully designed by Foothills Hike Leaders Christina Buckman and Liz McNett Crowl, who fervently believe that everyone belongs outdoors, regardless of their abilities, limitations, or experience. Read more…

This month the Foothills Branch would like to recognize the contributions of Birgit Grimlund and Larry Holsted. Find out more about them and what inspires her to volunteer for The Mountaineers. 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 following is excerpted from Imaginary Peaks: The Riesenstein Hoax and Other Mountain Dreams, new from Mountaineers Books. Read more…

Join The Mountaineers for a Nov 16 screening of The Alpinist, which offers a breathtaking portrait of charismatic climber Marc-André Leclerc as he makes some of the boldest solo climbs in history. Read more…

This month, we're sharing the trip reports that epitomize fall adventures. From colorful foliage and misty mountains, to crisp mornings and dustings of snow, October in the Pacific Northwest surprises us with a little bit of everything.  Read more…

We're pleased to present you with the outcome of the 2021 Board & Branch elections, and we're grateful to everyone who participated by voting and accepting a nomination. Your participation shows a deep commitment to the organization, and this year, we saw over 1,700 votes.  Read more…

After a rollercoaster of a year and a half, we are looking to the year ahead with cautious excitement. For fiscal year 2022, The Mountaineers Board of Directors have approved a high-confidence operating budget of $9.785M to provide the vital support needed to educate and engage the next generation of recreationists and conservationists. Read more…

Seth Kantner, author of  Ordinary Wolves, Swallowed by the Great Land, Shopping for Porcupine, and Pup and Pokey will be in Alaska reading from and discussing his latest book, A Thousand Trails Home. Read more…

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Takeo Kuraishi, a volunteer leader with the Seattle Branch who serves on the Climbing Committee for  the Foothills and Seattle branch. Takeo is also one of our newly elected Board Directors from the 2021 Board & Branch elections! Read more…

Seth Kantner, author of  Ordinary Wolves, Swallowed by the Great Land, Shopping for Porcupine, and Pup and Pokey will be in Montana reading from and discussing his latest book, A Thousand Trails Home. Read more…

I had a light bulb moment this summer when I got back from a backpacking trip. Read more…

Join the Olympia Branch for a Hiking and Backpacking Committee meeting! This online meeting is a place for hike and backpack leaders within the branch to come together, share ideas, and get a refresher if you haven’t led any activities for a while. We will be reviewing our plans for the 2021-2022 season, providing news on the latest Mountaineers leader guidelines, and sharing experiences from the last year. Read more…