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- May 22, 2020
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Updated Covid-19 Response
Dear Mountain Madness Community,
Update/May 22, 2010
With the summer season fast approaching we’re all wondering if there’ll be climbing or trekking anytime soon. There is always something to dream about to keep us motivated and there is a positive outlook for the summer as areas continue to open up every day! Here at Mountain Madness headquarters in Seattle we have been developing a plan to help protect both our guides and our guests. Currently, we are looking at the possibility of opening programs during the Washington State “Phase 3” period, which could be as soon as the middle of June. With a great snowpack from the winter and a season that can go well into September, there will be plenty of opportunity for all.
Mountain Madness will operate this summer under the guidelines outlined by the CDC and the government land managers. Once we get the green light we will offer our regularly scheduled programs, with an additional emphasis on custom guiding. Custom trips enable you, your family, and close friends to maintain adequate social distancing, allowing for less exposer to the potential risks of Covid-19. Let’s focus on the mountains and all of the spectacular aspects that they bring to our lives and stay responsible to everyone’s health during this unusual time.
Please call our office at 800−328−5925 or email Jaime at jaimep@mountainmadness.com
March 30, 2020
As we all confront the challenges of COVID-19 on a global level, every individual is experiencing this pandemic differently; some are not yet impacted, others have lost loved ones, health care workers are facing perhaps the most significant challenges of their careers, and most of us will face some sort of economic hardship — for many these repercussions will have lasting effects. To all, our thoughts go out to you during this difficult time.
At Mountain Madness our objective is to do our part in preventing the spread of the virus and protecting the health of our clients, guides, office staff, and overseas partners and their staff. As such, we are following the international, federal, and local governmental guidelines outlined by the agencies listed below. Here is what we’re doing;
- Our office staff is working from home
- We are suspending both domestic and international trips until further notice based on strict agency guidelines
- We are developing new best practices to ensure the health of our groups once our trips resume; this will include, but not limited to, COVID-19 specific staff training for food preparation, heightened cleaning of vehicles after trips, placing additional emphasis on hand cleaning with use of hand sanitizers, etc.
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control
- World Health Organization
- National Park Service
- National Forest Service
- King County Public Health Guidelines
Summer Schedule
If you are already on a scheduled trip for the summer or are considering joining us, we currently intend to continue with our adventures until further notice. Given the ever-changing direction and and increased data around the situation, we will continue to monitor the places we travel. It is with hope and optimism that we will move forward with our summer plans, and provide updates as needed.
For all of our trips from May onward, we will determine whether a trip will operate as scheduled based on the guidelines outlined by the organizations above and in addition for our international trips, assess the specific situation for the country to be visited. Final determination will be made approximately one month prior to scheduled trip departure. To accommodate schedule changes, we have added more trip dates later in the season, which you can refer to on our website.
Postponed Trips
You’ve already laid the groundwork by training hard, allocating necessary funds, putting aside work commitments, and mentally preparing for the challenges of your adventure. We share your disappointment but want to do what we can to keep your plans alive and well. For our current clients, if your scheduled trip becomes disrupted, we will work on rescheduling or provide full credit for a future trip.
Travel Insurance
As with many in the travel industry, from airlines to insurance companies, flexibility has become a part of making this sector of the economy stay intact. To that end, insurance carriers Global Rescue, Ripcord, and others are extending coverage already purchased should your date change. In addition, a “cancel for any reason” add-on can be purchased, which will be useful for those considering joining a trip but have not yet registered with Mountain Madness.
A Final Note
Many of us have been through various, shared difficult times in our lives — 9 11, the Great Recession, and now the unprecedented difficulties presented by the COVID-19 virus. We will get through this together and once again face the challenges we all have a shared passion for, climbing, trekking and skiing. If there is one thing gained from adventure travel, it’s overcoming adversity, and with that we will prevail.
We will continue to explore the mountains we love, visit the people that often become our friends, and absorb the culture of the world’s most amazing places.
Until then we hope you, your family, and friends stay healthy.
All the best,
![](https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=300&s=8f7964166e26e5d85efc85b9a4b2e390 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=500&s=b3000cfa98b7ed7bbf89958c1d5170dc 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=700&s=ecb8e0ba605bc746282cce94f9e754d8 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=800&s=630e24ecfd68c1a43e5536fca37b5b73 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1000&s=7c718dc4488501451d6cd0d5ee46ebb1 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1200&s=b79ecdc96a1274f2ba4ee24d07b02af3 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1400&s=9880999bc843a73e4c9a6d51c4ce4b9f 184w, https://mountain-madness-external.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fkraftwerk-mountain-madness.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fgeneral-images%2Fmark-signature.f1585600892.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&q=80&w=1600&s=581538164ff908cda49eb27b84a854e2 184w)
Mark Gunlogson President/Owner