Outside / Adventure
Big City Mountaineers by laura mills
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our steps become rhythmic, moving at a meditative pace up steep slopes, stepping over roots and rocks, pushing your body up the side of rugged mountains or through desolate wilderness areas. You become aware of all that is around you, while simultaneously focusing inward. Though the journey can be strenuous, the teachings of perseverance, fortitude and appreciation of everything you’re a part of greet you at each peak. That’s just a
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glimpse of what many of us experience when it comes to hiking. We use this level of challenge that the natural world provides as personal therapy, a way to connect back to ourselves. The way we push through the physical and mental blocks of moving up mountains much bigger than us can be directly applied to how we climb the mountains within ourselves. Big City Mountaineers (BCM) is a nonprofit organization based in Golden, Colorado that connects youth from disinvested communities to metamorphic backpacking experiences in the outdoors. The national organization is making a lasting impact on students who are bringing lessons from the trail into their daily lives. “We want to give these kids a connec-
tion to something that not only supports their week with us, but allows them to grow in a more enduring way. We want to help them improve their social and emotional capacities,” explains David Taus, executive director of BCM. BCM is focused on offering this experience, as well as gear, completely free of charge to students. BCM works with youth agencies and organizations that serve students from economically disadvantaged areas that, without programs like BCM, wouldn’t have access to the backcountry. With the completion of each excursion, students come back with valuable life experiences and reflections. “A realization I had is that I'm not really alone and that there are more people out there willing to support
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Photos COURTESY of Big City Mountaineers
Breaking Down Barriers in the Backcountry
