adventure
CREATING CONNECTIONS THROUGH WILDERNESS EXCURSIONS
HIGH COUNTRY VETERANS ADVENTURES Words by Kristen Grace | Photos courtesy of High Country Veterans Adventures
M
iles of peaks and valleys stretch in every
This is the landscape of an experience with
direction. The sky wraps around you like
peer support group High Country Veterans
the dome of a snow globe. As you traverse the
Adventures (HCVA). The Frisco-based non-
land, your feet mark the earth, leaving traces
profit organization was created by veterans, for
from where you’ve come. Strapped to your
veterans. HCVA recognizes that not all wounds
back is everything you may need; you’re off the
are visible; they express their commitment
grid, and you’re surrounded by people just like
to veterans by providing tailored outdoor
you, plus trained wilderness guides who also
adventures at no cost and making space for
share similar experiences. There is no room
veterans to enjoy a break from their busy lives,
for overthinking in nature — no need to look
feel grounded in nature and connect with
for exits or worry about your next move. The
fellow veterans.
wilderness calls you to carve out time to simplify and be present.
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Austin Breuninger, HCVA founder, says, “We’re a safety net of veterans looking out for
