impactgiving
REI and The Mountaineers Doing More, Together By Sarah MacGillivray, Development Manager
Two boys enjoying a day snowshoeing at Gold Creek Pond. Photo by Satish Shanmugasundaram.
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or many of us, someone else introduced us to the outdoors for the first time. Perhaps your family took an annual camping trip to the Hoh Rain Forest, a friend convinced you to join a hike up Mt. Si, or a coworker inspired you to get out on the water.
“Climbers’ Group,” of which Lloyd was elected president. The group launched our first climbing course in 1935, laying the foundation for what’s known today as Basic Alpine Climbing. Little did they know that this experience would change the outdoor community forever.
For others, especially young people, it’s not always possible to lean on family and friends for an introduction to the outdoors. Many youth rely on community-focused organizations to experience our region’s wild places. This year, The Mountaineers is celebrating 10 years of partnership with REI Co-op following the launch of our innovative Mountain Workshops youth program. Since 2011, our two organizations have worked together to make adventures possible for over 10,000 youth who face barriers to outdoor education and recreation. Inspiring a lifetime of outdoor adventure has been part of our ethos from the very beginning. An ethos we share with REI.
During their climbing courses, Lloyd and Mary were some of the first to learn new ice axe techniques, many of which are still used by Mountaineers today. But the country was just coming out of The Great Depression, and finding high-quality gear for affordable prices presented a significant challenge. The Andersons were determined to find a better way, and ultimately purchased ice axes directly from Austria, with Mary translating the German catalogs. They were purchased for $3.50 each (including postage), instead of the going rate of $20, equivalent to over $325 today.
Mountaineers Mary and Lloyd Anderson In 1929, Seattle local Lloyd Anderson joined The Mountaineers to improve his climbing techniques. His wife Mary Anderson joined in 1932, and they soon became part of a new generation of Mountaineers: the self-appointed 12
mountaineer | winter 2022
The birth of REI Friends and colleagues in The Mountaineers quickly caught word of the Anderson's operation and wanted to get involved. In 1938, Lloyd and Mary Anderson officially formed the Recreational Equipment Cooperative (REI), with over 100 members by the end of its inaugural year.
