Since joining the Mazamas 11 years ago, Matt has dedicated more than 6,000 volunteer hours to the organization. He’s chaired the climb committee, spearheaded the Mountain LEAD certification program, launched the AIARE Pilot Program and developed new programming like the Introduction to Alpine, Multipitch Skill Builder and Traditional Gear and Anchor Rigging courses.
For his efforts, Matt has earned the Terry Becker Leadership Award and the Parker Cup. Professionally, Matt has founded and grown multiple small businesses and consulted as a technical strategist. Read more about Matt and other board candidates.
Name: Matthew Sundling
Pronouns: He/him
Year Joined Mazamas: 2011
Present-day outdoor activities: Mountaineering and alpine climbing, rock climbing, car camping, hiking, occasional skiing.
What’s your earliest outdoor memory? As a curious four-year-old exploring the woods behind my parents’ house, I used my National Audubon Society “Field Guide to the Southwestern States” to seek out creatures. I never did find any creatures from that book— I was located in upstate New York.
How did you first hear about the Mazamas, and what prompted you to engage with the organization? In 2010, I learned about the Mazamas from a friend—now a longtime climbing partner. Our friendship strengthened over a shared love for adventure, but our lack of education often led us into challenging situations. Recognizing the need for skills, he completed BCEP and ICS. Then, one day, he told me I couldn’t join him on some mountaineering adventures because he couldn’t teach me all the important skills I needed. He urged me to enroll in ICS, and I applied immediately, officially becoming part of the Mazamas community.
As more people seek to recreate outdoors, what advice would you offer them? Besides encouraging individuals to pursue the proper mentorship, education, and training needed to safely recreate and be self-sufficient while adventuring outdoors…
I encourage everyone to discover their unique adventure. We all differ in how we engage with the outdoors, bringing our entire selves with us. Embrace the unique connection with adventure, honoring what inspires, thrills, and fulfills you. The world is vast and full of wonder. Find your adventure—whether a calm stroll or tackling remote peaks—on your terms. Don’t let others dictate how you should enjoy the outdoors. Forget social media, peer pressure, or unnecessary expectations. Engage in a way that suits you and feeds your soul.
What activities/situations/people most inspire you? The moment when someone accomplishes a significant feat and the realization dawns on them. Whether it’s summiting a challenging mountain, leading their first pitch, excelling in teaching, or conquering a personal challenge, you can sense the achievement. You know it when you see it; it’s remarkable to witness.
What is your favorite book/movie/TV show/social media account that you follow and why? Pick one. My most recent favorite book is The Unexpected Universe by Loren Eiseley. His meticulous choice of words imparts thoughtfulness, wonder, and gravity to every sentence in his essays. Eiseley’s writing is inspiring and shows a love and connection to the natural world like few others.
What’s on your adventure bucket list? Visit Antarctica and the southernmost tip of Cape Horn. Climb the Daubenhorn via ferrata in Leukerbad, Switzerland. Walk the Camino de Santiago. Spend a few months rock climbing all over Thailand. Climb the Matterhorn.