MOUNTAIN ASCENT ASSOCIATION is a not-for profit 501(c)7 corporation, as recognized by the US Federal Government and the State of California, incorporated in 2011. We are governed by a volunteer board of directors and led by a small staff of officers, with the huge help of dozens of volunteer event leaders. We are fully insured and permitted to operate commercially in the Tahoe National Forest and on private land in the Tahoe area. Elsewhere we operate non-commercially. All our volunteer event leaders are required to have minimum medical and CPR qualifications and are provided ongoing training. We have hundreds of members and a few thousand associated contacts spread throughout the US, with the majority being in California.  

As a non-profit we exist to serve and support our members to be in and experience the mountains together. To that end our organization is built on the following ideals.

MAA MISSION: To provide widespread climbing events, comprehensive instruction and meaningful personal connections to enrich our community, encourage a life of adventure and foster an appreciation for the natural world.

MAA VISION: To be an international network of climbers providing year-round local climbing, training, seminars, social events, and international expeditions focused on general mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing and all human-powered land-based mountain sports. Our members receive a personalized membership experience powered by abundant connections within a global community of active mountain enthusiasts. MAA strives to promote a life of adventure and an appreciation for the natural world where members can achieve their dreams.

MAA VALUES: We believe in the power of the ascent, a lifelong passion for adventure, teamwork, responsibility, safety, and the pursuit of dreams.

• THE POWER OF THE ASCENT - We continually strive to “climb higher” in all aspects of life

• A LIFELONG PASSION FOR ADVENTURE - We encourage, enable and support all forms of human-powered exploration of the mountain world

• TEAMWORK - We are a collection of inspired climbers who come together for the purpose of reaching our climbing goals within a safe, self-sufficient and supportive community

• RESPONSIBILITY - We take responsibility to care for each other, our communities, and the natural world

• SAFETY - The inherent risk in adventure is best managed with the experience and sound judgment of a strong, well-trained team

• THE PURSUIT OF DREAMS - We believe everyone can achieve even their highest ambitions