Foothills Branch Blog Posts

Our Pacific Northwest is seeing rapid rate of growth. We're welcoming people from all over the country who are moving here to participate in our vigorous economy and enjoy our incredible natural places and outdoor recreation opportunities. Some of our newcomers are experienced hikers but don't know our major hiking areas, permit requirements, and our unique trail hazards and gear requirements. Others haven't hiked before but want to know where to go and how to do it safely. We have a solution for both. Read more…

In September 2015, Washington resident Heather “Anish” Anderson hiked the 2,200 Appalachian Trail in 54 days, 7 hours and 48 minutes. Hiking 16-18 hours a day, she averaged 40 miles a day, setting a new fast-speed thru-hike record for FKT (fastest know time) for an ‘unsupported” hiker on the AT. Read more…

We’re bringing the spirit of outdoor adventure and mountain culture to The Mountaineers again! The World Tour features the best mountain films this year, showcasing amazing filmmaking talent from the world over to an audience that spans the globe.  Read more…

Our branch has accomplished great things this year, delivering top-notch learning opportunities, outdoor adventures and events.   Read more…

Need some new gear for winter? Come to the Seattle Program Center November 20-22, 2015 to buy some Sherpa Adventure Gear! Read more…

Experience the joy of moving through the silent winter landscape, brilliant light glinting from snow mounds piled in soft shapes all around. Get out into the mountains you love and get your favorite exercise - the trail kind! - through the winter months!   Read more…

Join One by One for the premiere of Shout Gladi Gladi at The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center on October 8 to learn more about the fight for maternal healthcare in Africa. Read more…

In the spring of 1990 - when the US, China, and Soviet Union were Cold War enemies and real war seemed imminent -  I organized and led the Mount Everest International Peace Climb. But there were personal reasons for the climb as well. The expedition not only focused on peace and the environment, it fostered a global mountaineering community and inspired efforts to save a young life. Read more…

In the spring of 1990 - when the US, China, and Soviet Union were Cold War enemies and real war seemed imminent -  I organized and led the Mount Everest International Peace Climb. Planned on for the 20th anniversary of the first Earth Day, we sought not only to reach the summit, but to send a message to world leaders about the state of the environment.  Read more…

Join us October  7 at the Mercer Island Library at 6:30pm for our Hike and Backpack Leader Seminar. Read more…

In the spring of 1990 - when the US, China, and Soviet Union were Cold War enemies and real war seemed imminent -  I organized and led the Mount Everest International Peace Climb. Despite language barriers, foul weather, equipment failures, and illness, our expedition of mountaineers from enemy countries reached the summit and changed the conversation from one of war to one of peace. With so much tragedy and death on Everest the past couple of years - especially  on the Tibetan side of Mt. Everest where we climbed -  I want to share why I still see Everest as a symbol of hope.  Read more…

Twenty-five years ago Cold War Enemies, united by climbing, stood together on the highest point on earth honoring world peace and the environment. Join us September 17 to celebrate this ground-breaking anniversary.  Read more…

Admission is FREE and registering will guarantee entry at Wild Rivers Night.  Read more…

Established in 1979, Mountainfilm is dedicated to educating, inspiring and motivating audiences about environments, cultures, issues and adventures. Read more…

The next meeting of the Foothills branch will be June 24th at the Eagle Room at Issaquah City Hall (130 East Sunset Way).  Doors open at 6:30pm for socializing and light snacks and beverages.  Read more…

 This spring  wildflowers are at their peak in the desert country of the Yakima Canyon! Join Foothills hike leader and photographer Chris Pribbernow for a fun series of hikes through beautiful desert wildflowers in the Yakima Canyon!  Read more…

Produced by the Boise-based nonprofit Winter Wildlands Alliance, the Backcountry Film Festival is renowned for its mix of professional and grassroots films, ranging from well-known filmmakers who search backcountry corners across the globe to submit their best work, to first-timers who take a video camera out on their weekend excursions. Read more…

Foothills Branch brings you another fascinating photo journey with prolific traveler and guidebook author Craig Romano! Read more…

The deadline has been extended for "Know the Snow" video contest.

Use your video camera to tell the story about how you and your crew get ready to ride and explore beyond the resort boundary. You have a great chance to win some amazing prizes. 

Learn more and enter. 

Sheri Goodwin, a certified personal trainer and veteran of trekking adventures all around the Northwest and overseas, now runs a business focusing on helping others succeed in similar life-changing hiking and trekking journeys.     Read more…

This free evening workshop offers participants individualized hands-on learning for activity leaders about how to use the Mountaineers website to list activities and courses, manage rosters, and communicate with activity/course participants, and any other website skills that participants wish to learn about. Bring your laptop or tablet if you have one (you can also share someone else's or follow along with demonstrations on the screen). Read more…

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and The Mountaineers are proud to present Ghost Bears: Studying Grizzly Bears in Washington’s North Cascades Ecosystem. Admission is free, but you need to secure your spot by signing up early!  Read more…

Join us October  16 at the Newport Way Library at 6pm for our new  Hike and Backpack Leader Seminar. Read more…

On August 10, 2014, Mountaineer Joe "String Bean" McConaughy reached the Canadian border and completed a historic effort: thru-hiking the full 2,600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border to the Canadian border in just 53 days and six hours. He averaged 51 miles a day on the PCT. He broke the "assisted hike" PCT speed record, set just one year earlier, by an astonishing six days and two hours. As recently as 2011, the PCT speed-hike record was 64 days. Read more…

Max approached us with the following:  Read more…

The first will be a “Continental Divide Trail Film Fest” that will feature two full-length documentary films about hiking the CDT, America’s longest (at 3,100 miles from Montana to New Mexico) and most challenging long-distance trail. Read more…

As our membership grows, requests for new programs and activities create leadership and support needs. These needs are opportunities for you to develop skills in leading, teaching, organizing, or facilitating events and activities. They are opportunities to make new friends, work on issues that you care about, and experience adventures with like-minded people. Read more…