Cascade Backcountry Alliance is a non-profit run by an all-volunteer board. We're excited to have brought on 5 new board members this year and want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our team.
Corinne Handelman
A reformed type 2 adventurer, Corinne has decided that “fun can be fun, too” and she brings this approach to all of her outdoor activities. Corinne joined the Cascade Backcountry Alliance board in 2022, bringing over a decade of experience in environmental nonprofit engagement efforts, including raising millions of dollars for causes and giving more public talks with a beverage in hand than one can count. For Cascade Backcountry Alliance, you can find her managing internal processes as our board president.
Will Russack
Will joined Cascade Backcountry Alliance in 2022 because he saw the need for a unified voice to advocate for the growing winter backcountry community in Washington. He works closely on parking and access projects, coordinating with land managers and partner organizations to identify opportunities for improved or increased access to trailheads. During the winter, you'll usually find Will at Snoqualmie Pass hunting for powder stashes and making pancakes in the Hyak parking lot.
Kyle McCrohan
Kyle is born and raised in the PNW, currently living in Issaquah. Many of you might know him as "Climber Kyle", but over the last few years, he has been more invested in backcountry skiing and advocating for our community. Kyle helped found Cascade Backcountry Alliance in 2022 because he saw the need for formal cooperation as winter backcountry recreation becomes more popular. He works on a variety of topics, from organizational planning to strategizing about new Sno-Parks.
Dan Bolliger
Dan grew up in Seattle and fell in love with the mountains as a kid during family camping trips. The Cascades provide unique winter recreation opportunities not found anywhere else - which come with unique challenges as well. Dan is passionate about Cascade Backcountry Alliance's mission to provide better access and overcome challenges. It's been inspiring to see the community come together in support of our mission!
Mike Graw
Mike is a Bellingham-based skier and climber who's been with Cascade Backcountry Alliance since 2022. He got involved to help create a positive voice for the backcountry community, and he primarily works on our blog and emails to keep our community in the loop. You can find Mike in the Baker backcountry during the winter and all over the North Cascades come spring.
Tess Wendel
Tess is a Seattle-based skier and snowshoer (yes, slow shoes, she knows). Getting outside in the winter helps her stay sane during the dark rainy days. Tess loves being able to travel off the beaten path and work up a sweat breaking trail uphill. Snoqualmie Pass area is her home zone and she's interested in supporting larger scale winter recreation planning along the I-90 corridor that includes equitable access options for all types of winter users. When she's not at her day job or working on winter initiatives with Cascade Backcountry Alliance, you can find Tess crack climbing, doing karaoke or volunteering for The Mountaineers.
Simon Hokesen
Simon joined Cascade Backcountry Alliance in 2022 to contribute his digital skills to our Cascades mountain community. He believes a rising tide lifts all boats and there’s plenty of snow to go around when we work together to get there. Simon mainly works on our social media and website, but he loves learning and trying new things, and he's grateful this position has also given him the opportunity to practice podcast production and event photography.
Madelynn Scherrer
Madelynn has been on Cascade Backcountry Alliance's board since 2022 and she has felt so honored to serve our snow-loving community. Within Cascade Backcountry Alliance, she's spent time on our executive board and is currently helping out with our public engagement team. Outside of Cascade Backcountry Alliance, you will find Madelynn backcountry skiing primarily in the Snoqualmie and Crystal zones, doing ceramics, printmaking, and cycling around town.
Nick Carlson
Nick is a Seattle-based skier who joined the board of Cascade Backcountry Alliance in 2023 as the organization’s treasurer. As a backcountry skier who’s seen access become more challenging at the same time as demand increases, he got involved to help Cascade Backcountry Alliance continue growing advocacy and action for an ever-growing user base. You can find Nick at Crystal or skiing in the Snoqualmie backcountry while he's not-so-patiently awaiting volcano season.
Tony Cannistra
Tony is a new Cascade Backcountry Alliance board member this season. He's an enthusiastic believer in backcountry skiing and is based in the Snoqualmie Valley. Tony's work at Cascade Backcountry Alliance is focused on ensuring that the Northwest’s winter recreation community is well-informed and well-represented as we strategize to support growing interest in the wintertime backcountry.
Dennis Reber
Dennis and his Great Dane, Caddis, are recent transplants to Fremont, Seattle in their post-vanlife world, coming from the Colorado Rockies. He is excited to leverage his passion for the outdoors to help improve the access and build community here in his new home in the PNW!
Brandon O'Rourke
Brandon lives east of the Cascades in Ellensburg, in sight of Mt. Stuart and Mt. Rainier. It's important to him to give back to the communities he's a part of, and Cascade Backcountry Alliance is a wonderful overlap of his love for the mountains and his work in public policy and natural resources. Our public lands are a lot of things for a lot of people, and Brandon believes outdoor recreation is a fundamental part of how we appreciate our mountains and all they give us. You can best reach Brandon on a skin-track, a trail, a rope - or by email.
Mary Robinson
Mary joined the board in 2024 and is excited to be on the team.
Shane Tully
Shane joined the board in 2024 and is excited to be on the team.
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