“I’ve spent over five decades adventuring in the mountains, but nothing prepares you for the fallout of an accident or a close call.”

These words from Bob Krysak perfectly reflect the core mission of Mountain Muskox, a peer-support program launched in the Bow Valley 5 years ago. After surviving an avalanche a few years ago, followed by a serious biking accident, Bob understands how quickly life can change.

“The Mountain Muskox program offers a space where people can process these kinds of challenges together—through shared stories, connection, and healing,” Bob added.

The program was founded in 2020 by clinical psychologist Janet McLeod, and Bow Valley-based adventure experts Sarah Hueniken, Barry Blanchard, and Todd Guyn, who all recognized the silent emotional toll that critical incidents in the mountains were taking on people. The name, Mountain Muskox, is inspired by the way muskoxen protect each other in a circle. From the start, it was clear that people affected by trauma needed safe, welcoming spaces to share their stories, focus on their healing, and begin to imagine what life beyond trauma could look like.

During the circles, a trained professional helps create a calm, supportive environment where participants can feel safe, open up about their emotions, and begin to process their experiences. In the second half of the session, the facilitator introduces a teaching tool that encourages reflection and personal growth. These insights are strengthened through shared conversations and meaningful connections with others experiencing similar challenges.

“Mountain recreationalists and professionals often face trauma alone without structured support,” Sarah said. “We launched a pilot program with 12 participants, focusing on shared experiences, individual learning, and training peers to eventually offer support to others.”

With a commitment to fostering an active, vibrant, and healthy community, the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation has become an important supporter of Mountain Muskox. A recent $25,000 donation is helping the organization expand its reach and deepen its impact, ensuring more people can access the support they need when they need it most.

“The Mountain Muskox program truly reflects what we believe in,” said Cathy Geisler, Executive Director of the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation. “Our goal is to inspire a love of our mountain community and make it accessible for everyone. This program steps in when people face their toughest moments, offering the support and connection that bind us together. We’re proud to play a part in making this vital work possible.”

As the program quickly expanded into mountain communities like the Columbia Valley, the Kootenays, and the Sea-to-Sky region, Sarah saw just how many people need support and how essential sustainable funding will be to ensure Mountain Muskox can reach the communities that need it most.

With the ambitious goal of creating a global healing community for mountain trauma, Sarah envisions the program’s continued growth.

“We hope to expand beyond Canada into the US and eventually across the globe,” she said. “Wherever there are mountains and people working or recreating in them, there is a need. We aim to support that need as best as we can.”

As the program expands, consistent investment is required to support service delivery that enables a community-based program to thrive for the long term.

“As our program grows, so does our need for funding beyond day-to-day operations,” she said. “We’re working to strengthen our foundation, establish strong governance, and build systems for long-term sustainability. We are deeply grateful to the Pauw Foundation for recognizing this need and stepping forward with their support.”