Blog

Our volunteer leaders are a huge part of what makes the Olympia Branch an inspiring, fun, and impactful community.  Each year, we honor the hard work and dedication of one Olympia volunteer by presenting them with the Branch Service Award. Read more…

As we shared last month, members of Congress are seeking to sell off federal public lands as a way to raise revenue, putting these lands at risk of transfer or development. Thanks in part to recent advocacy by outdoor enthusiasts, public lands sales were kept out of the final House reconciliation bill. However, this near-term win during the early stages of the congressional budgeting process was short-lived.  Read more…

Congratulations! Our spring fundraising campaign wrapped up last week and we’re delighted to share that 311 members took action with a gift this season, raising a total of $69,735 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…

Summer is arriving at Mount Rainier National Park, and with it comes a season of change - and challenge. As the iconic peak draws crowds from across the country, Park officials are rolling out new visitor access policies, temporarily closing roads and campgrounds, and navigating staffing shortages. If you’re planning to explore Rainier’s natural beauty this summer, some extra preparation will go a long way. Here’s what you need to know before you hit the trail. Read more…

In April, I had the honor of hosting a table at The Mountaineers Gala, a night dedicated to celebrating our shared love for the outdoors and the people who make this community what it is. My entire table was filled with women who have shaped my Mountaineers journey in ways I’ll never forget. Read more…

The Foothills Cross-Country Skiing Committee has a new Chair! We’d like to thank the outgoing Chair John Gilbert for his service to the branch, and welcome the new Chair Birgit Grimlund. Please read Birgit’s warm introduction. Read more…

The Mountaineers values transparency and takes pride in celebrating our successes. Our team is continuously working on updating our website, e-learning, and automated processes to enhance the user experience for members and volunteers. In this Changelog, we capture what improvements we have made over time so you can follow along and take advantage of new features.  Read more…

On June 5, 2025, The Mountaineers was delighted to host our annual 50+ Year Member Luncheon, a cherished tradition dedicated to celebrating the remarkable individuals who have shaped our community for over 50 years. The Seattle Program Center was filled with warmth, laughter, and a profound sense of shared history as we honored some of our foundational members. 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…

Most outdoor experiences on public lands and waters begin on trail or at a trailhead. Trails serve as pathways and connectors to the special parks and recreation areas where we teach and learn outdoor skills, engage with the natural world, and make memories with our community. On the first Saturday of June each year, outdoor enthusiasts from across the country come together to celebrate National Trails Day - sharing time outdoors together and giving back to lands that make our adventures possible through on-the-ground stewardship.  Read more…

Enjoy access to our quarterly Mountaineer magazine, keeping you up-to-date with everything our organization and community have been up to. Hear from regular contributors on topics from training exercises to trail tips, and read features from our members sharing stories from the outdoors. We encourage you to access all of our updates, stories, tips, and more in the tree free online magazine today. Read more…

It’s that time of year, dear friends - temperatures are rising, the snow is changing, and wildlife is coming out to play. May you find exemplary leadership, geological curiosities, and extraordinary scenery in this month’s top trip reports. Read more…

At The Mountaineers, Adventure with Purpose is the unifying vision that connects our diverse programs, from outdoor education and conservation to publishing and philanthropy. While our vision is clear, the structure and programs that support it are broad and complex. As a nonprofit, we must balance mission-driven goals with financial sustainability. Because of this, we hold financial transparency essential to fostering understanding and trust within our community. Read more…

On May 29, 2025, The Mountaineers hosted our annual Block Party at The Seattle Program Center, an event celebrating super volunteers, key leaders, key instructors, and donors who have given their time, expertise, and financial support to advance our  vision, Adventure with Purpose. The event – now in its third year – is a great way to kick off the summer while honoring some of our most engaged members and the contributions they’ve made to our outdoor community.  Read more…

What we do out in the beauty of nature is not “safe” –  every backcountry adventure involves some level of risk-mitigation. Reflecting on my time within The Mountaineers as Safety Committee Chair, I realize how valuable it is to document near misses, whether within your party or observed about another group.   Read more…

Going once, going twice, sold! During the 2024 Mountaineers Adventure with Purpose Gala, Fred Northrup Jr. wasn’t just working the event as the evening’s emcee and auctioneer, he was also an active bidder for package number 1024: Brew Your Own Beer with Ghostfish Brewing. At the end of the evening, Fred (a long-time Mountaineers member and superfan) was ultimately the winner of this very unique experience package, and The Mountaineers was the beneficiary of auction proceeds thanks to the donation from our partner and sponsor, Ghostfish Brewing Company. It was a win-win-win situation. Read more…

The purpose of this report is to provide transparency regarding the risks of glacier travel and influence motivation for technical competency in glaciated terrain. Below is a detailed report on a crevasse fall and rescue that occurred on the Squak glacier, Kulshan (Mount Baker) on May 23rd, 2025. No injuries were sustained. Read more…

We set some ambitious goals for our spring fundraiser, aiming for 300 Mountaineers members and donors to pay it forward with donations of all sizes. In these final hours, we need just 19 donors to close the gap. That’s half as many Mountaineers as you can see in this week’s photo collage! Read more…

If you’ve ever dreamed of venturing beneath the surface to explore hidden passages and ancient landscapes few ever see, then Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky should be at the top of your adventure list. As the world’s longest known cave system (over 400 miles of mapped passageways and counting), Mammoth Cave is truly one of North America’s most fascinating natural wonders. Read more…

We’re excited to once again be calling for nominations for individuals to join our Board of Directors, and this year we are also seeking individuals to join as part of our branch leadership. Our open nominations process is rooted in our core values and ensures we bring forward an excellent and diverse slate of candidates to be elected by membership. Nominations are due by June 22, 2025. Read more…

 For more than 25 years, Christopher Van Tilburg has served as a volunteer with the Hood River Crag Rats – the nation’s oldest all-volunteer mountain rescue organization based on the slopes of Mount Hood, Oregon. As the Crag Rats recently marked their 100th anniversary, Van Tilburg turned a reflective eye to the team’s remarkable legacy in his newly released Mountaineers Books title, Crisis on Mount Hood. Read more…

Over the past few months, an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visits and raids on places where people work and gather has been reported across the U.S. and here in Washington State. Having a plan that defines how to respond to an ICE visit is an important way to protect the rights of The Mountaineers and our community.  Read more…

At The Mountaineers, the learning never stops. Every time we go out together, we sharpen our skills and learn more about the natural world. Any volunteer will tell you that every trip and every student provides an opportunity to become a better leader. And each of the 6,000 volunteer-led trips in the last year created space for leaders and students alike to learn with and from one another, and build genuine connections that flourish. 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…

Throughout the Pacific Northwest, recreationists are facing a new reality: wildfires are impacting outdoor recreation more than ever before. From smoky skies to long-term trail closures, fire season is no longer an occasional disruption, but a defining part of the summer outdoor experience. Read more…

With their dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters of the Aegean Sea, and ancient ruins, the Greek Islands provide an idyllic setting for outdoor exploration. Read more…

Poking my head out of my tent one damp morning on the wild Olympic coast, I spot a mother otter leading three pups into the surf. As dawn touches the nearby offshore rocks, I watch with Mountaineers companions as mama teaches her babies how to swim and catch breakfast. Above, bald eagles swoop low, their curious gargles providing constant entertainment. Other gulls, terns, and sanderlings dot the shore in abundance. Read more…

Bursting blossoms, migratory birds, and majestic mountain views have put a spring in everyone’s step this April. Read on, dear friends, for a warm welcome to the spring season in this month’s top trip reports. Read more…

Update: We were glad to see public lands sales stripped out of the final version of the reconciliation bill that passed the House. Support from the outdoor community and efforts by Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-01) and the congressional Public Lands Caucus were instrumental in securing this near-term win. Unfortunately, other harmful public lands provisions were left in the final House bill, and public lands sales could crop up again as the Senate considers the reconciliation package in the coming months.

As a lover of public lands, it can be disheartening to read the news lately. Recent actions by Congress and the administration represent a mounting threat to our shared lands and waters - places where we find connection to the natural world. The largely partisan support for these harmful policies - which include public lands sell-offs - is built on the short-sighted premise that public lands are solely items on a balance sheet to be leveraged for financial gain through privatization and development. Read more…