Mountain Madness

I have used Mountain Madness for 3 trips thus far (Rainier, Cotopaxi, and Shuksan). I have a 4^th 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.

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.

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.

«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

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 28^th 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
first to see if they have a trip that appeals. They are worth every single penny!