Seattle Branch Blog Posts

Ski the skiers' favorite ski areas in the world: the mega resorts of Val d'Isere France with 86 lifts and Les Arc/La Plagne, France with 145 lifts - both which guarantee snow every year! Learn more at our information session on September 20. Read more…

This past spring we hosted the fifth year of the Alpine Scrambling Intense (ASI) class teaching 17 students the basics of off-trail travel. Five years and 60 participants later we’ve learned some surprising things, including how modularization techniques could revolutionize the future of outdoor education! Read more…

"OUCH!" screamed my instructor at the rock field trip last month. A golf ball-sized piece of Mt. Erie had just bounced off the top of her helmet and she asked her students why no one had been screaming the "rock, rock, rock!" warning. In this case, however, no climbers were above her and as best as we could figure out, an empty rope had knocked it loose earlier in a climb and it finally fell after the climber was off rappel. "Thank you" to Instructor Sherrie Trecker for that perfect demonstration why you always wear your helmet at the crag - even if you're not belaying or on a rope. Because of that, one modest "ouch" was all Sherrie had to say to convey her level of surprise: no injury was caused.  Read more…

Junior Mountaineers camp  is a program for kids ages 6-13, and each week the campers learn all sorts of outdoor skills. Read more…

Navigation and other committee leaders from Everett, Foothills, Seattle and Tacoma proposed development of a coherent “navigation curriculum ladder” across all branches. The 21 navigators, climbers, scramblers, hiker/backpackers, authors, and back country ski and snowshoe  instructor/leaders met June 19/20 at Meany Lodge to chart a course for 2016 and beyond. Read more…

Meet your fellow Mountaineers and learn more about our programs and activities at this 40 minute information session, and stay after to chat with your fellow members and guests. Read more…

NW Peaks Brewery is looking to The Mountaineers for someone who could offer informative, interesting presentations on topics that will  inspire the community to get outside, enjoy the wilderness that surrounds Seattle, and to get involved in protecting our wild spaces. This series is a new aspect of this vision and will feature one or two speakers giving a 30-45 minute audio/visual presentation, Q&A, and discussion or mingling with attendees.  Read more…

Hey, Ho! Sailing, here we go! Read more…

Every two years Seattle Branch Executive Committee officers are up for election or appointment. Any branch members in good standing are invited to nominate candidates for the two-year positions as noted below. Per Branch Manual policy, an ad hoc committee of Secretary Peter Hendrickson, Hiking Chair Heidi Walker and First Aid Chair Mary Panza are screening nominations. They have extended the deadline for nominations to June 15. 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…

Gone for nearly 40 years, the Western Bluebird had completely disappeared from the San Juan Islands. But local bird lovers are bringing them back. Read more…

The fisher, native to the Olympic range, was trapped to extinction some 80 years ago. In 2008, wildlife biologists began an ambitious project to bring fishers back. Read more…

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

The Earth’s surface is made up of a dozen or so tectonic plates floating over the planet’s mantle. The collision of the Juan de Fuca plate and North American plate uplifted and formed our North Cascades range. Donn Charnley, longtime college geology instructor, will walk you through the process. Read more…

Picture yourself tromping through a winter wonderland with your friends, family and favorite Mountaineers trip leaders. The Mountaineers will be celebrating Winter Trails Day in the Methow Valley this January. And, instead of just one day, we will be there the whole weekend! The Mountaineers will be leading snowshoe and cross-country ski trips for members and the public of all ages and abilities. Read more…

Some of you may have seen a little fruit cake tin in the Mountaineer Archives which contains a very old cookie or biscuit. I've seen this before and have always set it aside for another time (after scratching my head over why it was even there). Read more…

We are looking for a volunteer with Facility Management/Building Engineering experience to complete a building documentation project that will compile all of the information necessary for maintaining and repairing our facility in one set of easy-to-read documents.  Read more…

Join WSU ecologist John Bishop as he talks about the stunning return of life to Mt. St. Helens, 34 years after the blast. The lecture hosted by The Mountaineers Seattle Naturalist Committee will be held on Nov. 20 at the Seattle Program Center from 7-9pm.  Read more…

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

Starting August 1, our Seattle Program Center staff office will be under construction. With an active and growing membership, The Mountaineers staff is expanding too. We are adding a few additional program staff members to assure we're offering the same level of service and support to our increased membership base. Read more…

Interested in learning how to snowshoe, kayak, or navigate in the backcountry? Want to meet some new exploration buddies? Then come to The Mountaineers Seattle Program Center from 6:00-8:30pm on Monday, June 30th for Meet The Mountaineers! Read more…

As an outdoor enthusiast nearing fifty, I’ve noticed my balance and coordination aren’t what they used to be several decades ago. Both of these are important for hiking, climbing, backpacking, trekking, skiing, and mountaineering. Try this exercise to help restore balance and coordination for any age or ability level. Read more…

On March 8th, 2014, The Mountaineers had their first of what is hoped to become a yearly tradition. Those who have climbed all 100 peaks of Mount Rainier are honored with a peak pin. Read more…

Is "NWAC" a household term and already a valuable resource for you? Or, have you never heard of them? Whether you are already a veteran backcountry skier/rider/snowshoer or you are still feeling very new, the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC) website has much to offer you. And this season, much has changed on their website that you need to know about.  Read more…