Steve’s Climb: Resilience, Friendship, and the Outdoors

For Steve, the outdoors has always been a source of challenge and joy. Long before Teton Adaptive was even founded, he found his way into the community almost by chance. While working with the Forest Service, Steve spotted a flyer in the lobby of Snow King (mountain? / hotel? )  for a meeting of Disabled Athletes of America – a regional sponsor that eventually helped launch Teton Adaptive.

That small moment changed everything.

At that first meeting, Steve connected with Kurt Henry, one of the early organizers of adaptive programming in Jackson. Soon after, Kurt and a few friends supported Steve in achieving a lifelong dream: summiting Jackson Peak. “It was step by step,” Steve recalls, describing the steep, bouldery terrain. “I had Kurt or David right in front of me the whole time. It was really tough, but when we got back down to camp, Kurt made this incredible stew. That climb is still one of my favorite memories.”

From there, Steve’s journey with adaptive recreation grew. He became one of the first participants in Teton Adaptive’s ski program. “Being on the mountain feels incredible,” he says. “As a former mountaineer, just being able to dabble in high-mountain activities again means a lot, even if I’m doing them at a different level now.”

Over the years, Steve has tried nearly everything: rock climbing, yoga, biking, kayaking, and even sailing. These days, biking and yoga are his go-to activities, though he looks back fondly on kayaking at String Lake and sailing on Jackson Lake. “The organization has made a big impact on me,” he shares. “It’s almost impossible for me to get out skiing or biking on my own, but with Teton Adaptive’s support, those activities become possible – and they just feel so good.”

For Steve, Teton Adaptive has been about more than sports. It has created lasting friendships and built connections across the community. “Some of my closest friends have been instructors or volunteers with Teton Adaptive,” he says. “It doesn’t just support athletes with disabilities – it strengthens the whole community.”

Looking ahead, Steve hopes to get back on the slopes, even if just for a few runs on the smaller hills. “If I could magically be on top of the slope, I’d be fine,” he laughs. “The hard part is everything else – the gear, the lifts, the process. But maybe this winter, I’ll push myself to get back out there.”

No matter what’s next, Steve’s story is a testament to resilience, community, and the power of adaptive recreation to open doors – one step, one ski turn, and one adventure at a time.