Lopez Island Library presents as part of it’s series “Beyond Limits”, Seattle based trekking company Mountain Madness who will share their company’s incredible climbing history & the gorgeous pursuit of the highest mountains in the world. 32 years ago Mountain Madness was founded by renowned climber Scott Fischer who had summitted the world’s most challenging peaks. He successfully summited both K2 and Mt. Everest without oxygen, and was the first American to summit Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world. In May of 1996, Scott Fischer along with seven other climbers, lost his life on Everest in a rogue storm. All people on his team summitted and survived but Scott died on his way down. The story was featured in Jon Krakauer’s best-selling book “Into Thin Air” read by many of the Lopez community. Climber Christine Boskoff then became the owner and CEO of the company. Along with Scott, she was among the elite of high altitude climbers around the world, a female minority in a male dominated sport, which made her all the more notable. She successfully climbed six of the world’s fourteen 8,000 meter peaks. Under her management the company continued to grow but in 2006 she and well-known climber Charlie Fowler died in an avalanche. Today Mountain Madness CEO Mark Gunlogson continues the legacy of these two original CEO’s sharing the adventure of climbing and trekking, leading people to some of the most wild, remote & beautiful places in the world. Mark Gunlogson will present the history of this remarkable company for the Lopez audience, along with spectacular images of the highest and most beautiful mountains in the world on the big screen at our wonderful LCCA. Included in the discussion at this Earth Day event will be Mountain Madness’ well known support of non-profits including Himalyaan & Tanzanian educational opportunities, Nepal Earthquake Relief, Preservation of the Sherpa Culture, Pack for a Purpose, Porter Assistance Project, Room to Read, CARE Kilimanjaro, Climb for Care, the Seattle Parks O2 program, Camp Long providing climbing opportunities to under-served kids in the city and much more. This program is not to be missed! Generously presented by Friends of the Lopez Library & the Ramsey Shirk Fund. For more information contact Jen Krajack at the Lopez Library. 468-2265