Reader Feedback

We always love receiving feedback on the magazine itself, and 39-year member Dee Smolar was kind enough to write in to let us know how much he loves his paper copies:

“Dear Mountaineers, please continue paper delivery of the magazine. It is one of the highlights of our membership. I keep the old copies (for articles and photos). I enjoy reading from paper, not a screen. I can read it when the power is out. It is harder to read and navigate from the screen (and less mindful). Actually, the spring 2022 issue was one of the most enjoyable issues in many years! Thank you! -Darian (Dee) Smolar, 39-year member

In our blog “30 in 30: Climbing Mailbox Peak 30 Times in 30 Days,” we shared the story of Mike "Mailbox Mike" Dubois, who climbed Mailbox Peak 30 times in 30 days to honor every addict's struggle to get clean. Our membership was touched by his efforts:

“Wow, Michael! Thank you for sharing such a personal story. Kudos on a decade sober, some serious athleticism, and so much compassion. May the mountains always lift and comfort you.” -Anita Wilkins, 16-year member

“Thank you for sharing this heartfelt story!” -Jessica Winter-Stoltzman, 1-year member

“This is beautiful Michael - thank you for providing a window into this and guiding me to further empathy. All the best to you and your loved one!” -Samantha Sanders, 6-year member

“What an inspiration to so many!” -Tracie Anderson Wallenberg, Facebook commenter

“Wow! What an amazing story!” -Lisha Koch, Facebook commenter

“Tissues please” -Stefanie Liddle, 1-year member

In “The Best Plus Size Outdoor Apparel,” member Sam Ortiz wrote about the challenges many face accessing plus size apparel, the difference between extended sizing and plus sizing, the importance of body representation, and the best places to find plus size outdoor apparel. Fellow members wrote in with notes of support and tips of their own:

“Great article and thanks for the research.” -Roland Bennett, 18-year member

“Another one to check out is Youer.com. Plus sizes, plus models, small woman-owned in the US. I love the way their clothes fit me!” -Woosi Wildwood, blog reader

“I am 5'3 and 216 and just started hiking with the GoHike program. All shapes and sizes – thank you to The Mountaineers for this great article and the GoHike Team, and especially to you Sam for being a leader in this industry and paving the way. Going big and not going home!” -Janice Suarez-Pena, 1-year member

“I love this article! Thank you so much for researching and writing it Sam. I’ve had to buy men’s plus size outdoor gear for years, and then pay a lot more to have it altered to fit, including making the legs and arms shorter. REI has been working on inclusive sizes at their flagship store but 3x isn’t big enough for me for most things. Thank you again for this valuable info and for the encouragement to gear up and get outside!” -Cristina McGlynn, 4-year member

Every magazine there’s at least one thing that slips by our editors that we wish we’d included! In our piece “Where to Buy Affordable Gear” in the summer 2022 edition, we omitted our much-loved Gear Grab from the list of available options. Fortunately, a member wrote in letting us know:

“The Mountaineers really missed a big opportunity with the “Where to Buy Affordable Gear” article. Where was mention or promotion of The Mountaineers own Gear Grab? As a duespaying member of more years than I care to mention, I felt unsupported by this omission. The Gear Grab should have had its own section in this article describing who sells what at the Gear Grab and what a great deal it is. I would have welcomed more serious buyers at the Spring Grab. And, The Mountaineers earn ten percent of sales! What a win-win all around. But, nowhere in the 48 glossy pages of Mountaineer was there room to mention this. I’m disappointed.” -Chris Richards, 32-year member