I went on the Snowman Trek in Bhutan in Oct/Nov 2024. First let me say that the Snowman Trek is an epic adventure, the people of Bhutan are amazing and with the correct local team you will have an experience of a life time. My recent trek with Mountain Madness (MM) left me deeply disappointed and compelled to share my experience to prevent others from facing similar frustrations. You will read other reviews from my fellow trekers extolling the virtues of Mountain Madness and what they say about the trek, the scenery and the local guides is absolutely correct. My warning has to do with MM and their business practices. Remember that they are a marketing aggregator, there is nothing unique about the path the trek took and that the quality of the trek itself relies soley on the local operator. In this case is was provided by ' Sacred Himalaya Travel' who were excellent. In the build up to the trek, MM consistently misrepresented the size of our group (some being told it was to be limited to 3, others 7 and the website stating 10 max (the cap that I was told), pressuring trekkers to commit under false pretenses of capped numbers and "last spot" availability, only to reveal the actual size (17 hikers) well after non-refundable payments were collected. In fact the last addition was made in September. This lack of transparency created unnecessary stress and left trekkers unable to explore alternatives. Despite paying for a premium experience, we faced the logistical chaos and safety concerns that inevitably arose from managing an oversized group with insufficient resources. The inflated group size disrupted the trek's flow, with poorly coordinated stops and unsafe gaps between hikers, leaving some without guide supervision for hours. The group was split into two camps and with only one international guide, the physical separation of the camps (up to an hour) added further risk, as the international guide would have been unable to respond quickly to emergencies. Additionally, MM failed to honor pre-trek arrangements, including private tours and accommodations, despite the extra fees paid. These decisions, seemingly driven by profit over customer satisfaction, reflect a disregard for ethical practices and trekker safety. While MM did refund a small amount for the private tour portion (we asked that they donate it to a local school), I cannot recommend MM and would actively discourage you from booking with them. read more

I have now done AIRIE and Snowman trek with Mountain Madness and will be signing up for more with Mountain Madness for future adventures. Their worldwide reputation serves them well with locals, their quality and thoughtfulness of guides, and individual service blew me away. I ALWAYS felt very taken care of, checked in on, and CHEERED on to have success in their programs. Make sure when you sign up for their classes that you are not guaranteed to complete or be successful with the trips- that is part of MOTHER NATURE. Sometimes weather is not sunny, sometimes the body fails you, or gear was left at home. Know that you will have the BEST experience either way. Before signing up, know you'll have the best time but listen to their packing list and make sure you TRAIN to have the ultimate experience. read more

Local guides Mountain Madness employed were amazing. Western guide Mountain Madness employed was terrible. Told me he was jealous of me, admitted to gossiping about me with other clients, blamed me for his awful behavior. I spent part of every day scared I would get sick and he wouldn't help me and missed out on great opportunities just to avoid his awful attitude. When I offered feedback to the president he brushed off my experience. Can't believe I paid so much money only to be subjected to such immature insensitive unprofessional behavior. read more

Terrible customer service, and would give zero stars if I could. My husband had a course booked through them that was part zoom, part field. He suffered a shoulder injury that does not allow him to partake in any physical activity. Despite having a doctor's note, mountain madness did not allow for a reschedule or a reimbursement for the 550 dollar course. I was shocked at the lack of flexibility from the company, not even allowing him to complete the zoom portion and allowing the field day to be made up the following season (they did recommend this but shared that he'd have to pay again!). The customer service contact, Joe Sawyer, was pretty frustrating to speak with as well, and recommend hiring staff with at least a bit more empathy. read more

Mountain Madness arranged a custom climb of Mt Shuksan for us with 2 weeks notice. They sent a great guide (Thomas Greene) for us. His competence and professionalism gave us all the confidence we needed to reach the summit. I highly recommend this company for mountain guiding or rock climbing. read more

They provided 4 guides for our women's day climbing and rappelling activity. The crew were amazing. They taught us and helped us to rock climb and rappel of the side of a bridge. Would use them again. read more

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I have known about this company for many years. I had a desire to trek to Base Camp so two years ago I decided on these guys as my trekking firm. They have a long history with Nepal so I thought it was a good way to go. Additionally, in all my reading of Everest over the years, the founder, Scott Fischer, had been in my heart from his adventures. I called the office and talked to mark and discussed who I was and what I could and could not do. I saved, trained and got ready and on the 28th of March this year (2012) I headed out to Nepal to meet the other trekkers and begin my trek. This is a review of Mountain Madness, not the wonderful beauty of the trek itself. So I will try to contain myself. Deana was the Lead Guide in Nepal. She had a staff of Sherpa's, Porters, Kitchen help and yaks that took the nine of us. I was the oldest woman of the group and the biggest. But the Mountain Madness staff treated me with respect and gave me the support I needed to do well and be safe. ORG. This company is truly organized. Everything has a system that works and is efficient. STAFF I know I will get the names spelled wrong, but I will try my best. DAWAH was the Big Boss who took lead of the Sherpas. He was kind and knowledgeable and professional. He took O2 and heart readings morning and night and monitored any medications we were taking. By monitored I mean he wrote them down and asked us how we were feeling each time. They are not doctors and they do not try to play that they are. But they take info and that is soooo good. Ram Kaji was the head of the Kitchen and he got all of the meals organized for each day. He also did tea and tang every day. It was great and he was good with it all. Mingma was the head cook and food was hot and well prepared for every meal. Nadje Kaji and Mani were the Sherpas and they helpped everyone. If you were sick or if you needed support they were there to carry your bag or anything else that you needed. Never a complaint and always cheerful. They have local Nepal staff in Katmandu as well who assist with everything in country. I would suggest that anyone going on a world adventure consult these guys at www.mountainmadness.com first to see if they have a trip that appeals. They are worth every single penny! read more

Just got back from a Mount Baker climb with mountain madness and it was fantastic. They picked us up right on time, had perfect knowledge on what to take and what to leave, no salesmanship. Idle chat on the drive, mountain history, etc, its relaxing to travel with someone who knows how to get there. The guide ( Tino) was so great;knowledgeable but not overbearing, helpful, and funny! He really knew what he was doing and made us all look great. Plus the meals were...yum! I felt confident and safe, but also challenged by the climb. The price was clearly staetd and I had no surprises, everything went perfectly. read more

I went on 2 of Mountain Madness's trips, one on December 2017-Jan 2018 Aconcagua and the second trip Mt Elbrus, June-July 2018. I agree the food was very good but what ruined it for me was that I felt like I didn't matter as a client. I work out regularly and hike every weekend (day hikes) 10-21 miles, 6-8,000 ft of gain, sometimes camping trips up to 30 miles. I notice that above 12,000 ft I'm not as fast. But I'm not considerably slow, just a bit behind in Mountain Madness's clients of Mountain goats. In Aconcagua I paid for a porter to carry my stuff to the summit (a separate price) and up to the higher camp (additional higher prices). I wanted to maximize my chances of summiting. On summit day, I had to take a bathroom break and a clothing layer off and I got behind from the group outside our break time. There was suppose to be 1 guide for every 3 people but somehow, for 6 clients, we had an extra guide. All the guides wanted to go to the summit and I had a porter with me who doesn't count as someone who can turn you around as my guide said. Anyway, we stopped at 21,945' at the Aconcagua cave and it was about 12:45 pm. The rest of the group had just left the cave to continue on the summit. My porter told me we were going to take a break and then used a walkie-talkie to ask my guide if I should continue on. I only told him that I was tired but could still keep going. He exchanged words in Spanish with my guide and my guide made the decision to turn me around despite not being physically present to assess my situation. At the time I was afraid to protest as I thought my porter would refuse to help carry my things to the summit. After that experience I was reluctant to try Mountain Madness again but I gave them the benefit of the doubt as I already payed $700 on a down payment to Elbrus. When I got to Russia for Elbrus, they had us acclimate to 7,000 ft for 2 nights and climb to 10,000 ft during the day, and then sleep at 12,000 ft and hike to 14,050 ft for one day. On summit night, in 35-40 mile winds and white-out conditions, one of our guides wanted to quit before the saddle due to the weather. One of my group members protested as this was before they were turned around last year. As they keep going, I was slowing down as I wasn't as acclimated. My guide yelled at me for losing the group despite that although the rest of my group reached the summit at 8:50 am, I was 400 ft below the summit. My guide said it would be good if we did 500 ft per hour which would make our reach to the summit in 4 hours. I heard of a woman who was out of shape took 12 hours to the summit and her guide patiently led her the whole way. My guide kept threatening to turn me back and said I didn't improve, we would turn around (it had been at most, 4.5 hours). I began to go however, it was difficult to maintain her pace; I asked for a break. She said I could move to a certain side. I let myself collapse there and she yelled at me and said I was endangering her as well. I told her that I was trying my best. Later, she told me to go down based on this. My guide initially let me try to go to the summit because she wanted to catch up with other group members but she told me wherever we caught them, we would have to come down even if we didn't teach the summit. I was under so much stress to hike quickly that I developed a headache and nausea. As the rest of the group met us on the fixed lines down, my guide asked me how I was and I told her that I had a headache and nausea. By the time we reached the snow cat to take our group down, I felt like vomiting and she was a half mile ahead of me when the snowcat came to get the group. When my group members wanted to pack in an hour and leave the mountain to the hotel I was recovering but I packed everything. I asked for someone to help me carry my bag and my guide insisted that if she helped me, I had to do some of the work as "everyone can't do everything for me." I asked someone else as I was too weak and had to carry 2 other bags on my own. Anyway, one of the guides decided not to acknowledge my presence or even shake hands goodbye since I wasn't giving a tip due to poor treatment. With the other guide, I had to threaten that if she further mistreated me, I would have more content to write about. Anyway please don't go with this guide company as I wasted $10,000 + and have not summited a mountain with them. So they expect you to go quickly in high altitude without developing AMS. When I mentioned that not everyone hiked the same speed of acclimatizes the same way, the administrator said at least their schedule "works for most people." I read that good guiding companies try to Inspire their clients that they have a shot at the summit and encourage them. I have never been so discouraged or ripped off or talked down to by a guide. read more

I have taken 4 trips with Mountain Madness (Baker, Ouray, Rainier, Nepal) and every single trip has been absolutely stellar. The most important aspect of Mountain Climbing/Trekking to me, is the guide. MM hires only the best, safest, most qualified guides available. On top of that, the food, logistics and preparations have never been less than awesome. The staff works hard to make sure clients have amazing, memorable trips and I have each and every time. read more

Disorganized Madness. I signed up over a week out before the start of Mountain Madness' 8-day Alpine Climbing Course. Two days out I fractured my hand and spoke to Mark, the owner, about rescheduling or getting a refund. He wanted to know the x-ray results before discussing these options though. The swelling and not being able to close my hand apparently was not sufficient for him. "Besides, you won't have to carry an ice axe until day 4 so that should give you some recovery time". This obviously left a bad taste in my mouth. The doc said results revealed hairline stuff but nothing requiring intervention. I figured another conversation with Mark would require pulling teeth so I continued with the booking. When I arrived, the guide had no clue that I was coming and only expected 3 clients, not 4. Alright I said, just a miscommunication, it happens. Before departing for the trip we do a gear check. It turns out that not only were they not expecting me, but they also didn't send me the second equipment list. Now I'm short on gear and forking out some serious cash. On a better note, they were able to provide me with a couple loaner items which helped. Turns out there are a couple lists depending on the course and different people are in charge of different lists. Here's a thought, how about a shared folder where each course has just one list. No confusion, problems avoided. Lastly, if you have any climbing experience, go hire a guide to fill in the gaps of what you're wanting to learn. This course is focused on the complete novice. (I.e. folks that have never seen mountains) If you're wanting to get after it, this is not the course for you. Good comprehensive course for the super green beginner though. Hope this helps make your decision. Overall, once the issues were sorted, it was hard to complain once you're climbing in the Cascades. read more

Mountain Madness is a first rate climbing and trekking company that has provided superlative service to my wife, our two sons and me for a combined 17 trips. We are very pleased with what has developed into a long term relationship and will continue to climb and trek with Mountain Madness. We've climbed and trekked with Mountain Madness in Washington state, Peru and Ecuador on both scheduled and custom trips. Each trip has been a unique and rewarding experience. Based upon our experience a few factors make Mountain Madness a great company and which keeps us as loyal clients. 1. Personal Attention. From the staff in the office to the guides, Madness employees are focused on providing great service and doing the little extra things (e.g., making a special trip to the airport to pick a client up because the airline goofed) that really make a difference. For custom trips, if you can dream it, they will make it a reality and tailor the trip to your desires and objectives. 2. Flexibility. Within the limits of their control, it's been our experience that the guides will customize the day's or the trip's activities to meet the clients desires. If a certain route or mountain is out of shape or if the weather precludes the scheduled objective an alternative plan is developed and the fun continues. 3. Great Guides. We've had the opportunity to climb with a large number of guides. Each and every one has been a true pleasure. They are knowledgeable, very competent climbers, as positive as a person can be, safety oriented and instruction based. Additionally, they are very interesting people and just plain fun to be around. I can't say enough good things about their guides. 4. Safety First. The culture of Madness is one based upon safety with it being the highest priority. As a parent with our sons on Madness trips, I believe this is how it should be and it provides my wife and me with a high level of confidence. 5. Cultural Experience. For international trips Madness makes it a point to stay at and utilize the services of companies that provide a very rich and rewarding cultural experience as well as the climb or trek. Further, the clients come from all over the globe and provide further enrichment. 6. Great Food. Madness prides itself on providing great food both on and off of the mountain. For climbs in Washington, the foods have represented the best of the Pacific Northwest. For our international trips, we've had the pleasure of eating at a wide variety of locations serving the best of the local foods. For all of the reasons listed above, but most importantly because climbing with the Madness team is just plain fun, we will continue to seek new adventures with Mountain Madness. read more

I have used Mountain Madness for the last two years, and have been a client on several trips including : a glacier mountaineering course for five days, a custom, three day, Red Rocks rock climbing endeavor, a five day climb on Rainier, a three day trip on Mt. Baker, and four days in Ouray, Colorado, for ice climbing. I am absolutely in love with Mountain Madness, and will only use this guide service in the future. First, when I first decided to get into mountaineering, I closely observed the various guide services in the Pacific Northwest. The first company to return my call, and to answer my "newbie" questions in a thorough manner, was Mountain Madness. The glacier course, on Mt. Shuksan, helped me decide that I had made a great choice by selecting Mountain Madness. In fact, the owner of the company, Marc Gunlogson, has spoken to me on the phone on several occasions. I ask you, potential client, how many company owners take the time, personally, to speak with their clients? Mountain Madness does. By selecting Mountain Madness, you are going with a company that has some of the greatest guides in the world, period. In fact, two of their guides have put up new climbing routes in the Himalaya. When I selected Mountain Madness, my investment was repaid by receiving a professional service, in the form of top-notch guides, a prolific and well established system of logistics, and a kind and caring staff, both on the mountain, and in the office in Seattle. It is also important for me to mention that on a Mountain Madness climb, you will receive wonderful coaching and teaching, providing the climber with the ability to climb, but, most importantly to learn and experience "how" to climb a mountain. In fact, I am so stoked about this company that, I have signed up for a ten day custom trip in the Cascades, and am planning a trip to Peru with them next year. If you are wanting to climb the great peaks, worldwide, and would like the extra perk of climbing with a master climber as a guide, and, finally, to actually learn how to climb in any style, whether it be rock,ice, snow,alpine or high altitude, go with this guide service. In short, I love Mountain Madness. read more

"Bad Communication and Added Cost Not Disclosed" 1 of 5 starsReviewed February 5, 2014 via mobile We have used MM on a couple of trips. My fiancé has used them several times. This last trip we had booked and was told the trip would cost $1500 for each of us. We were not doing a climb just the extension to the amazon. The day before our flight I noticed a charge for an additional $2360. I called and did not get a call back. On the way to the airport to leave for the trip I called several times before I got an answer. I was concerned to board the plane without some sort of explanation. I was told the charge was for transfers and internal flights. I was not made aware of this at any point. I knew of such additions from other trip but they never added up to this much. I was basically told by the owner who had been on kili while we were making our arrangements for this trip that there was nothing he could do. Kayla in their office did not communicate this. She informed us we had to pay for our flights which we did from US to Quito but was not informed about any internal flights. We found this out an hour before our flight. We decided not to go on this adventure. MM did not express an apology or any solution. I am disputing the charges. I also lost $400 in change fees from my flight. I had another issue with them on a trip to Patagonia on additional charges arising. I do not recommend using this company. I have done several climbs and treks with other companies and received better service read more

I have used Mountain Madness for 3 trips thus far (Rainier, Cotopaxi, and Shuksan). I have a 4th planned for this summer. I have found them to be extremely organized and very clear about billing, the cost, and what is provided as part of the cost. The staff has always been helpful and willing to give advice about gear and which gear might be best for that particular trip or climb. Contrary to another review I have never had any surprise charges or costs. Their billing policy for international trips is that the cost must be paid in full 90 days prior to departure so I'm not sure how the day before a surprise fee/cost would pop up. The guides have always been professional and knowledgeable about the area. This is especially important for international trips. I have never spoken with the owner, Mark except via email, but Jaime and Nikki have been helpful in coordinating logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly. read more