Foothills Branch Blog Posts

Baker Lodge is a special place. Its stunning location looking up at Mount Shuksan, and the sense of community it creates, brings many people to this wonderful place. There's nothing better than a day outside followed by a hot cup of tea and a hearty dinner served up by the volunteer hosts. Read more…

One of our Core Values is Community. We provide opportunities for all because we believe a diverse and inclusive outdoors inspires unity, respect, and passion for the places we love. To be true to this value, our commitment to treating one another respectfully must be iron-clad. When we do this consistently, day in and day out, we build the kind of culture where all people feel safe and can enjoy outdoor experiences to their fullest. Read more…

Thanks to support from hundreds of people and partners, we're excited to launch our new Mountaineers Gear Lending Library and leader training programs. As we seek to continue to engage future Mountaineers, expand our youth programs, and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors, this resource will make the outdoors more accessible to all outdoor enthusiasts. Read more…

Have you ever wondered who's devoting all the time and energy to run our courses and activities? How did they do it and why? Our volunteer leaders are the unsung heroes who have laid the groundwork for the programs we enjoy. This month we feature two exceptional volunteers: Darryl Olson and Rich Leggett! Read more…

In this sixth in our series of presentations by Mountaineers members from extraordinary adventures on foot in the wilds of the world, join long distance hiker Brian Lewis as he shares his photos and experiences from hiking the 1200-mile Pacific Northwest Trail! Read more…

The Mountaineers Foothills Branch has been growing in leaps and bounds, both in our grown number of members and fun and educational program offerings. We'd love to have you join us! The Foothills branch serves members on Seattle's eastside, along the I-405 and I-90 corridors. Read more…

Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and motivating audiences about environments, cultures, issues, and adventures. We're excited to host these wonderful films again this year, and we hope you'll join us! Read more…

As a 501(c)(3) volunteer-led organization, The Mountaineers continues to depend on the generosity, initiative and leadership of our volunteers. 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 your participation in the election process for these organization-wide leaders!  Read more…

With the threat of invasive species, we are at risk of losing Snoqualmie's greatest treasure: our forests. The Green Snoqualmie Partnership continues the region's forest legacy and invites people of all ages to get outside, have fun, and engage in helping restore our green spaces. Read more…

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Mountaineers programs, and this month we want to give a big shout-out to a volunteer who has jumped in with both feet to provide fantastic energy and great help with the startup of our Trail Running Committee! Read more…

Every five years or so, we refresh our strategic plan - a roadmap defining  the priority actions and investments we believe are essential to our future success. After a year-long process involving significant input from The Mountaineers community, our Board of Directors approved our latest strategic plan, Vision 2022. The actual document itself is hot off the presses and we're pleased to share it with our community.  Read more…

Since the 3.0 update in mid-February to bring Mountaineers Programs and Publishing under one roof, we have continued to make many improvements to our website. The two biggest ones are committee-aggregated feedback and an improved gift membership process. Read on to learn more. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Patti Polinsky and Michael Montgomery! Meet these awesome volunteers whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills branch community. Read more…

We're seeking volunteers to serve as victims for our First Aid Scenario Sessions in Renton on July 9, Sept 17, and Nov 7. This is a great way to brush up on your own first aid skills, flex your acting chops, and help our students graduate! Read more…

I am a proud trail running newbie! I first hit the trails in my street running shoes, carrying nothing but my car key. “No big deal,” I thought. “I’ve got this.” Then I watched my pace slow way down from my road pace and started debating whether the steep hills would kill me. “But I’m a runner, this shouldn’t be this hard!" Read more…

It’s very difficult to forget that we live in one of the world’s great rainforest ecosystems here in western Washington – the Northern Temperate Rainforest. After all, with very little coaxing (just a few decades), the trees grow tall and dramatic, the mosses and ferns quickly drape the fallen debris, and – lest you need a reminder – it rains a lot.  We are now in the midst of what my droll spouse likes to call “June-uary”, that nondescript but agonizing period from about May to mid-July when the rest of the country is bursting into spring and summer and we are just….drippy. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Tom Harvey! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills branch community. Read more…

In the grey of very early morning I was awakened by fluttering, scuttling, and pecking on the metal roof. The tiny, three-bed Ball Hut is perched on the moraine of the Tasman Glacier in Aoraki-Mount Cook National Park. On New Zealand's South Island, the hut is just a stone's throw away from the sheer 6000-foot Caroline Face of Mount Cook.  Read more…

Few subjects cause so much hesitation on the part of new backpackers as trail food! How much do I need? What kinds should I pack? The questions are endless, and luckily we have a few tips to help you stay happy and well fed on the trail! Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Richard Bell! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Travis Prescott! Meet this awesome volunteer whose hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community. Read more…

For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Danielle Graham, a volunteer leader with the Foothills Branch who encourages aspiring leaders to glean tips and tricks from every leader they interact with, and who wants all members to feel valued and included in The Mountaineers' community. Read more…

The Mountaineers are proud to present the BeWild Speaker Series, putting passion and adventure on the stage! Come to these talks to unlock inspiration to seek adventure, connect with nature, and work to protect the wild places we cherish. This March we welcome photographer Joe Riis. Read more…

Our branch wants to give a big shout out to Ryan Dubberly and Chris Soverel! Meet these two awesome volunteers, whose  hard work is a huge asset to the Foothills community.  Read more…

Photojournalist, adventurer, and author Erika Klimecky has traveled to Nepal several times on various adventures, which has given her a unique window into the country of Nepal and its people. Her photo tour will combine storytelling, imagery and culture of Himalaya and Nepal, giving you enough inside knowledge so you can plan a trip of your own and appreciate it more when you get there. Read more…

“Fear of the dark, fear of the dark. I have a constant fear that something’s always near. Fear of the dark, fear of the dark. I have a phobia that someone’s always there” -Iron Maiden. From songs, to poems and stories, to cultural teachings, people have an interesting relationship with the night. In general, as the days get shorter, so do most of our outdoor activities-if we continue them at all. So how does one continue to hit the trails despite, or perhaps because of, the lack of light? The following are a few tips and tricks that keep me and, hopefully, will inspire you, to be outside all year round. Read more…

Built in 1938, Meany Lodge is home to a thriving ski community. We provide a family friendly atmosphere similar to the huts in Europe. Our ski school is nationally recognized, and all instructors are Mountaineers who have received formal ski instructor training. Our instructors are volunteers, who want to share their joy of skiing and help you meet your goals. Read more…

The Foothills Navigation Committee is proud to offer a brand new clinic not offered by any other branch: Winter Navigation! This one night evening clinic is set for Thursday, Jan 25, 2018  at 6pm. Read more…

The 13th Annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival will show at the Bellevue Botanical Garden on Monday, January 22 and at the Seattle Mountaineers Program Center on Monday January 29.  Adventure, environment and climate, youth outdoors, ski culture - you’ll find it all in this award winning lineup of eight films.  Read more…

The Foothills Branch Annual Social and Volunteer Recognition Banquet was a well-attended and a fun event for all. To kick things off, former branch chair Steve LeBrun shared information about branch membership, volunteerism, and programs from 2017, and our committee chairs recognized their amazing activity and course leaders. Then our new branch chair Cheryl Talbert announced our branch Volunteers of the Year. Finally, in a much anticipated presentation, ski guides and educators Trevor Kostanich and Forest McBrian shared slides and stories from their 34 day ski traverse from Snoqualmie Pass to Canada. Read more…