The Mountaineers worth joining?

[goCougs]

Anyone have experience with the mountaineers in the pnw? I'm thinking of joining to gain access to some of the lodges, maybe take some classes, maybe learn to sail?!?

Are the people cool? Are lodge reservations hard to come by? Other comments?

Thanks y'all

[PNWbrit]

Don't do it!!!!

Overly officious, laden with bureaucracy and self appointed "leaders" everything requires interminable prerequisite courses to be completed.

And their love of gaiters.

Learning to sail? I'll again recommend Windworks at Shilshole.

[Buster Highmen]

Yes.
I will likely insult a variety of decent people, but in my experience, there is a sufficient number of uptight and weird people who dent the experience.

Lodges are supposed to be alcohol and drug free (but aren't). It contributes to an odd vibe, a subtle war, like being back in high school sneaking smokes and joints while Sister Mary Elephant stalks the shadows with her switch.

The lodge up at Snoqualmie used to be run by a guy that lived there with his family when he wasn't supposed to. The lodge burned down. They had a ropetow there which caused a death, so the ropetow was abandoned and property sold to Summit At Snoqualmie.

They have a lot of classes in the area where the participants can be identified by their gaiters and wool pants, smelling of granola regimentations.

[Buster Highmen]

Shhh.

There's a glot of Mountaineers.

And they're in their breeding gaiters.

[MagnificentUnicorn]

What’s wrong with gaiters, how can you shingle without them?


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[LegoSkier]

Agreed with the above. I joined a couple of years ago and never used it. Everything required some badge which then required some other set of pre-requisite classes which only enrolled like once a year or had major waiting lists. It just wasn't my style. If I need to take a class I'd much rather pay a bit more and go through a commercial outfit at this point.

[Buster Highmen]

What’s wrong with gaiters, how can you shingle without them?


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Shingle? Is that like a schoddish?

[Buster Highmen]

Agreed with the above. I joined a couple of years ago and never used it. Everything required some badge which then required some other set of pre-requisite classes which only enrolled like once a year or had major waiting lists. It just wasn't my style. If I need to take a class I'd much rather pay a bit more and go through a commercial outfit at this point.

Now you know where the failed eagle scouts went.

[Falcon3]

Second Windworks for sailing. It’s a nonprofit through US Sailing. I just took a class from them and will be taking way more. Check out the Sailing thread.

[altasnob]

The demise of the mountaineers is sad. They've been around since 1906. My parents were members in the 70s. They have some great community centers in Seattle and Tacoma. I joined 20 years ago when I moved back to the area and didn't have any friends to go climbing and hiking with. This was before it was fashionable to meet your friends on the internet. And as others have said, if you already feel accomplished in the woods it is annoying to test into their pre-requisites to do things more advanced than simple hikes. Even back then, it seemed like a dying organization that was getting older, and older, and left in the dust by the facebook/instagram crowd (but they'll never go completely away because of the million dollar real estate portfolio). I could see it being ok to do for a quick bit to make some friends if you are new to the area. I have a friend who is a mountaineer glacier guide and he is a good dude (but definitely the eagle scout type).

[goCougs]

Ha thanks for the replies everyone. I think this quote confirms my worst fears

Shhh.

There's a glot of Mountaineers.

And they're in their breeding gaiters.

Thanks for the tip on windworks!

[fatnslow]

Now you know where the failed eagle scouts went.

Do you need to be fondled to receive the required badges ?

[Buster Highmen]

Do you need to be fondled to receive the required badges ?

You'd have to ask the members. Their next meeting is in Mingeborough at the Slothrops house.

[nickwm21]

On the other hand… The Mountaineering Club (no relation) - the rooftop bar in U District is worth a stop if you’re in the neighborhood.


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[SDW]

Weirdos can never seem to get their sunscreen fully rubbed in.

[Buster Highmen]

Weirdos can never seem to get their sunscreen fully rubbed in.

So maybe they're not failed eagle scouts?

[LightRanger]

Started reading this thread and thought, "Dang. This sounds like a particularly shitty adult Scout troop." And then...

Now you know where the failed eagle scouts went.

Yep.

Bummer to hear, but not totally surprising. Seems like the old school "club" organizations have fragmented substantially in the internet age and younger folks just aren't into it.

The book publishing arm puts out good stuff. Not sure exactly how they're affiliated.

[old goat]

Yes.
I will likely insult a variety of decent people, but in my experience, there is a sufficient number of uptight and weird people who dent the experience.


They have a lot of classes in the area where the participants can be identified by their gaiters and wool pants, smelling of granola regimentations.

What's wrong with wool pants and gaiters? (And wool pants, wool underwear, wool socks, wool mitten liners?)



The picture is 50 years old so maybe I get a pass? And for the record I'm not a member. Not a member of the Appalachian Mtn Club either (the picture was taken at Mt Washington.)

[Buster Highmen]

I wear wool pants as well, but I keep my gaiters hidden.

I remember the Mazamas yelling at us while we ran around Mt. Hood tripping in our underwear.

No gaiters!

[ptavv]

Their Seattle headquarters has an outdoor climbing wall that is free to use and great for teaching friends and family things. I taught my wife to rappel and set up anchors there and taught my daughter to climb there.

Good, free, outdoor resources like that are hard to come by.

Their organized activities for adults are overly bureaucratic as mentioned by everyone else.

Their community outreach programs for youth are good and get a lot of kids who otherwise wouldn't have access to such activities involved though.

[telefreewasatch]

Weirdos can never seem to get their sunscreen fully rubbed in.

So true!

[MakersTeleMark]

What's wrong with wool pants and gaiters? (And wool pants, wool underwear, wool socks, wool mitten liners?)



The picture is 50 years old so maybe I get a pass? And for the record I'm not a member. Not a member of the Appalachian Mtn Club either (the picture was taken at Mt Washington.)

Classy self-dox.

[Ed el Loco]

We joined to use the Mt Baker lodge a few times when my kids were young. The drinking thing was odd. I was discreet and no one said anything. If you really want to stay at the mountain it’s one of the few options. Stopped going because the hours were so restricted. Open at 6 on Friday, lights out at 10. Up at the crack of dawn and closed before noon on Sunday.


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[fatnslow]

I wear wool pants as well, but I keep my gaiters hidden.

I remember the Mazamas yelling at us while we ran around Mt. Hood tripping in our underwear.

No gaiters!

That was you ? I actually spent quite few nights at the Mazama Lodge in high school with friends getting yelled at by climbers to shut the fuck up as we were assing out drunk in the bunk room.

[Buster Highmen]

That was you ? I actually spent quite few nights at the Mazama Lodge in high school with friends getting yelled at by climbers to shut the fuck up as we were assing out drunk in the bunk room.

Circa 1975, on the Palmer snowfield and up onto the hogsback. boxers with red hearts and black converse low tops.
We ran into then all roped up walking up the Palmer as we came down and they yelled at how we were endangering them because they were going to have to rescue us.
The college had (has) a cabin in Govt Camp.