Our Staff
Mountain Madness recognizes that our clients are the ones that allow us to keep doing what we love, professionally. Because of that, your business is important to us and we want to ensure that every aspect of your Mountain Madness experience is an enjoyable one. Not only does Mountain Madness have experts in the regions that our client's travel, but we also have a US contact who is here to answer all of your questions. Long before a client's trip departs, Mountain Madness' in-office Area Specialists are preparing for their arrival. All of the logistics for a smooth trip, down to the smallest of details, have been checked, double-checked and confirmed. Whether its equipment questions, training suggestions, recommendations for trip extensions or assistance with travel plans, our Area Specialists' expertise lies in knowing the activities and regions we explore.
Mark Gunlogson
President
Mark began climbing at the young age of 15 and guiding in 1987. He led his first MM trip in 1994 in the North Cascades. Since then he has led trips on all seven continents, including successful ascents of six of the Seven Summits. With more than 40 expeditions to his credit Mark brings a wealth of hands-on experience that make our trips run smoothly. He has guided Pik Lenin, the high peaks of South America, in the Alps, Africa, and Nepal. Mark has made more than 35 big wall ascents, including ten ascents of El Capitan in Yosemite, Mount Hooker in Wyoming's Wind River Range, and Mount Proboscis in the Northwest Territories. In the alpine arena, he has completed difficult lightweight alpine-style ascents in the Andes and Himalayas (including the SW Pillar of Bhagarathi III in India). When not climbing or in the office he is busy raising two daughters. Read more.
Mark Ryman
International Logistics Coodinator
Mark has been part of the Mountain Madness team since Winter of 2000. He has traveled, climbed and guided on six of the seven continents. For seven years Mark worked as a lead guide in the Pacific Northwest, South America and Russia. Additional climbing forays into Africa, Oceania, and Asia have rounded out his world travels. His extensive experience and familiarity with many of our international destinations, coupled with his knowledge of our instructional course curriculum and domestic programs, make him a perfect fit for his current position in our office staff. Mark continues to spend time in the field whenever he can break away for climbing expeditions abroad and local instructing for our Rock, Alpine and Avalanche Education programs. Whether it is responding to initial inquiries or assisting expedition members with travel itineraries and equipment requirements, Mark is always happy to help make your trip a smooth, enjoyable and exciting adventure.
Jeremy Allyn
North America Program Director
Jeremy made the transition from the field to the Mountain Madness office in the winter of 2008. As Director of North America Programs, he oversees all sales, permit administration, and local program development; as well as sharing the scheduling and management of Northwest guide staff with Mark Gunlogson. Over twenty years of personal climbing, seven years of professional guiding, and an intimate knowledge of the North Cascades all combine to make him a valuable member of the Mountain Madness team. Prior to his career as a mountain guide, Jeremy attended the University of Puget Sound majoring in Asian Religion. After a brief stab at graduate work (including two years of Sanskrit studies at UW), he left academia and dove back into the mountains – climbing and skiing extensively throughout North America, working as a finish carpenter, and in the field of avalanche education. Jeremy welcomes any and all questions related to his home turf – the North Cascades – which he advocates still retain much of the remoteness and wildness we all seek.
Kayla Fenske
Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
Kayla joined Mountain Madness in June 2010 and is excited to apply her networking and organizational skills in her position as Marketing and Outreach Coordinator. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in French. Her passion for learning about cultures drew her to travel the world and making connections with people from many different countries. Before college she spent nine months living in Naples, Italy, and still considers Naples her second home. During college she also spent two months studying in Angers, France. Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, she has a natural passion for being outdoors, hiking and rock climbing. Until recently, her focus has been on school and travel. As part of the Mountain Madness team, she is looking forward to expanding her outdoor knowledge in mountaineering. She spends her spare time studying languages and playing piano.
Julie Ruef
Bookkeeper/Accounting
Heidi Bornstein
Web and Graphic Design needs
Heidi has been creating marketing materials for Mountain Madness for several years now. Most recently the redesign of the Mountain Madness website. When not creating graphics, Heidi can be found out biking or out on the trails.
