Tacoma Branch Blog Posts
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An Ode to Volunteerism
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In the process of writing a recent blog on committee volunteerism, I shared an email conversation with John Dunlap from the Olympia Branch about volunteering with The Mountaineers. John is a five year member who supports several committees, including Olympia’s Scrambling and Sea Kayaking Committees. When I asked John about his experience supporting committee work and volunteering with The Mountaineers, his response took me by surprise - in a very good way. Read more…
Remembering Tacoma Mountaineer Ben Miller
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The Mountaineers lost a good friend and great person when Ben Miller passed away on June 12, 2017, following a 2+ year battle with brain cancer. Read more…
Vision 2022: Discussing Survey Results at Town Hall Sessions, Sept 28, Oct 2 & 4
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We're more than halfway through the process of building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. We've completed our community survey and are looking forward to sharing the results in our upcoming town hall sessions. Read more…
Make your ideas a reality - volunteer on a committee!
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Did you know that The Mountaineers club didn’t have a paid employee until 1984? Tired of all of the paperwork, the growing organization hired a part-time administrator to help with waivers and dues so that volunteers could focus on the fun stuff: developing courses, providing instruction, leading trips, and running committees. Read more…
Strategic Plan Survey: Please Provide Feedback for Vision 2022
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We're halfway through the process of building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. After rounds of feedback from staff, committee members, and three 'town hall' meetings, we've put together a survey to help us further define our future priorities. Read more…
Progress On Our Next Strategic Plan - June Town Hall Recaps
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We've begun building 'Vision 2022' - our strategic plan to carry us forward through the next five years. For 111 years, we have welcomed people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. We intend to carry forward this legacy for 111 more years and beyond, which is why we're working collaboratively to create Vision 2022, our next strategic plan. Read more…
Leader Spotlight: Charlie Michel
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For our Leader Spotlight this month we talked to Charlie Michel, a Sea Kayak Leader who can still hold his own with the young guns. Read more…
Introducing Kick Step IPA: A Beer Partnership with Ghostfish Brewing
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We're excited to introduce Kick Step IPA, a bold and distinctly Northwest India Pale Ale by Ghostfish Brewing, benefiting The Mountaineers. Read more…
Vision 2022 - Steering Committee and Plan for Engaging Our Community
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For 111 years, The Mountaineers has been a passionate group of bold explorers welcoming people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. Adventure is at the core of who we are as Mountaineers, but for us, it’s adventure with a purpose. Vision 2022, our next strategic plan, will outline the best ways we can continue to carry forward our legacy of volunteer-led outdoor education and conservation advocacy and you can get involved. Read more…
Vision 2022 - Creating Our Next Strategic Plan
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For 111 years, The Mountaineers has been a passionate group of bold explorers welcoming people from all walks of life into a community that shares deep connections to the outdoors. We’re adventurers driven by imagination, challenge, and the spirit of discovery. Read more…
Wild Skills Day for Girls - May 20 & June 11
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SheJumps and The Mountaineers are pleased to present Wild Skills Day again this year - a free day camp for young girls (age 6-12) to learn the skills they need for outdoor adventuring. You can read more about this exceptional experience from Wild Skills Director Christy Pelland. Read more…
The Mountaineers Core Values
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Mountaineers have been enjoying the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond for 110 years, and it's our long-term aspiration to be thriving for another 110 years. As we look toward Vision 2022 - our next strategic plan - we felt it was time to put our core values on paper. Read more…
Tacoma Summer Camp July 10-28
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This July, we'll be offering three weeks of outdoor-adventure themed summer camp. Each week has a different theme, but will all include plenty of hiking, climbing, outdoor skill-development, and tons of fun and games! Read more…
10 Essential Questions: John Morton
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Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to .... Read more…
10 Essential Questions: Reese & Harper Pelland
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Each week we bring you a personal story from one of our members. For our member profile this week we talked to .... Read more…
Tacoma Branch Awards Banquet - Dec 9
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Please join us for an evening of fun, camaraderie, and festivities as we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our fellow Tacoma Mountaineers! This year’s Tacoma Branch Awards Banquet will be held on Friday, Dec 9, at the Tacoma Program Center. We’ll be honoring our most dedicated volunteers, awarding Peak Pins, and enjoying a special presentation by ultra-mountaineer, Gavin Woody. Read more…
How To: Implement Low-Impact Recreation Skills
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At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…
Meany Lodge Committee Positions Open + Snow Cat Transport
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Meany Lodge is looking to fill several committee postions that will put you at the heart of one of The Mountaineers most vibrant communities. Read more…
Mountaineers Hosting LUNAFEST!
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The Mountaineers is hosting the Seattle premiere of LUNAFEST, a traveling short film festival by, for, and about women on Thursday, November 3, 2016! Read more…
How To: Reduce Your Backcountry Bathroom Use Impact
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At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…
Community Building with Tacoma Mountaineers Youth Programs
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As Mountaineers, we see the outdoors as the ultimate community center. It's a venue for young and old, new and seasoned, professional and novice to convene around a common interest. The renovated program center in Tacoma is an indoor space that proves the outdoors is not the only place Mountaineers come together. Read more…
How To: Reduce Your Backcountry Camping Impact
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At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…
How To: Reduce Your Backcountry Eating Impact
![](https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-reduce-your-backcountry-eating-impact/@@images/18fb88da-86df-4fca-9114-8ab74b3fbf05.png)
At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…
How To: Reduce Your Backcountry Travel Impact
![](https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-reduce-your-backcountry-travel-impact/@@images/dd59c11f-e606-4f51-9f40-104e165dd2b1.png)
At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. Read more…
Special Presentation: "Before the Wind" with Jim Lynch - Sept 14
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The Mountaineers Tacoma Branch presents an evening with Jim Lynch, author of the book Before the Wind. Join us to meet the author and learn more about his local inspiration. Read more…
Airbnb Offers Special $200 Bonus to Mountaineers Who Host
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Summer is the busiest time for travelers. In fact, 400% more people make trips to the northwest from July-October than during winter. Read more…
Be An Outdoor Ambassador: How To Implement Low-Impact Recreation Skills
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At The Mountaineers, we've believe venturing into the outdoors is an essential piece of the human experience. We go outside to wander and explore the adventurous spirit within ourselves. It's important to implement low-impact recreation skills to keep our wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit; so our grandchildren can experience the sensation of discovering an untouched place. Read more…
Our Climbing Curriculum: Tell us what you think!
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Did you miss the chance to attend our Progressive Climbing Education listening sessions? Please use this survey to give us your input! Read more…
How To: Poop in the Outdoors
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I am confident that you and I have at least two things in common: 1) we both set aside time to explore the outdoors, and 2) at some point during these adventures we will both experience the discomfort of knowing we have to go number two. Even if you don't, you will inevitably be reminded of this basic human function by the sight of toilet paper discarded uncomfortably close to trails and water sources. By the amount of TP I have seen recently on Washington’s trails, it seems even the most avid outdoor enthusiasts may not know how to handle nature’s calling. Read more…
Tacoma Branch Open House and BBQ - June 16
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Join us on Thursday, June 16 from 6-8pm for this all branch, community, and new member gathering. We'll have a presentation for new and prospective members to learn about opportunities to get involved with The Mountaineers, with a BBQ/potluck to follow. Read more…