High Country Veterans Adventures: Creating Connections Through Wilderness Excursions

Miles of peaks and valleys stretch in every direction. The sky wraps around you like the dome of a snow globe. As you traverse the land, your feet mark the earth, leaving traces from where you’ve come. Strapped to your back is everything you may need; you’re off the grid, and you’re surrounded by people just like you, plus trained wilderness guides who also share similar experiences. There is no room for overthinking in nature — no need to look for exits or worry about your next move. The wilderness calls you to carve out time to simplify and be present.

Photos courtesy of High Country Veterans Adventures.

This is the landscape of an experience with peer support group High Country Veterans Adventures (HCVA). The Frisco-based non-profit organization was created by veterans, for veterans. HCVA recognizes that not all wounds are visible; they express their commitment to veterans by providing tailored outdoor adventures at no cost and making space for veterans to enjoy a break from their busy lives, feel grounded in nature and connect with fellow veterans.

Austin Breuninger, HCVA founder, says, “We’re a safety net of veterans looking out for other veterans, sharing our experiences and strategies to continue to enjoy and appreciate our lives after service.

Tony Bonanno, director of logistics and field operations and wilderness guide, points out the importance of creating judgement-free zones. He explains how, in the civilian world, veterans are frequently forced to turn parts of themselves off to fit in or make others feel comfortable. On the adventures, though, they can be completely authentic. “It allows them to talk freely and get things off their chest with friends who have understanding,” he explains. He shares that all excursions move at a “talking pace” to ensure that adventurers have time and freedom to cultivate relationships.

HCVA creates community for veterans, so that they know they have people in their corner who want them to succeed and thrive. Breuninger says, “A flourishing U.S. veteran community is one where we do not continually lose ourselves to self-harm.

Bonanno lights up watching veterans bloom and feel safe to be vulnerable in the forest. Being surrounded by the simplicity of nature and security of like-minded, trustworthy people is an irreplaceable experience.

The veterans on the adventures understand the struggles of facing a new life devoid of the structure they’ve learned through the service. Bonanno recalls, “If you have a question, there’s a book or a higher-ranking officer or a same-ranking person. There’s always an answer to everything, and everything has a piece and a purpose and a place. Once that doesn’t exist anymore, it’s very chaotic.”

Bonanno speaks first-hand of the powerful possibility created through High Country Veterans Adventures. When he was seeking support, resources and direction after retiring from the military, he found exactly that and more from his first adventure. With the help of comrades and resources he found through HCVA, Bonanno went on to pursue a new career and invest in new relationships. Now, he creates opportunities for other veterans to find that same home in HCVA.

Adventures begin with a communal period, then move on to an equipment check and safety plan. If an adventurer doesn’t have equipment, HCVA will find a way to provide the needed supplies. Bonanno says that most of the money received through donations goes toward equipment purchasing and rental. The guides ensure that everyone is on the same page, has maps and stays as a group. From there, they go wherever the track of the day takes them, which could include the hiking trails, the slopes or other excursions. HCVA offers adventures of varying lengths, most averaging two to four hours.

The purpose of HCVA is to make connections — find allies, bridge the gap between you and the natural world and recenter yourself. Bonanno imparts, “The hardest step is showing up, so that’s what I ask.

For veterans, HCVA offers a moment of enjoyment, a time to grow and the chance to flourish. Choosing to prioritize your mental health and show up for an adventure with HCVA may be the best decision you will ever make. You can learn more at hcvaco.org.

If you or a veteran you love needs immediate support, you can connect with the Veteran Crisis Line by dialing 988 then pressing 1.