Becky WalteR
hcva guide/treasurer
 

I became part of the Summit County community in 2011, after receiving a Biomedical Science degree from CSU and moving to Breckenridge to “take a year off” and be a ski bum. Initially, the mountains were not kind to me and I struggled to find community for several years, leading to depression and a variety of unhealthy habits. Eventually, I found a healthy outlet in skiing and pursued it with all my heart, time and money. My passion for skiing then led me to seek further outdoor education including avalanche and medical training. Then, on a cold January day in 2016, I was driving back from an avalanche class and got a call from HCVA Founder and President Austin Brueninger. He asked me if I wanted to help him start a non-profit to give Veterans opportunities to explore the mountains together. I immediately said yes, knowing how much the mountains have given me in my personal journey. I have been guiding for HCVA since then, and am now also on the board as Treasurer. I have never served, but my time with HCVA has given me a strong connection to the veteran community and I feel very passionate about the organization’s mission. When I'm not skiing you can find me mountain biking, rafting, spending time in the alpine, or playing the violin in the Summit County Community Orchestra.