Salmo’s Mountain Muskox Provides Healing for Backcountry Trauma

In Salmo, British Columbia, a new peer-support group is helping individuals cope with trauma experienced in the backcountry. The Mountain Muskox organization, which began its chapter in February 2023, offers a safe space for those affected by tragedies in the mountains to share their experiences and find healing.

Cheryl Smith, a resident of Nelson, finds solace and joy in the mountains, saying it is where she feels her true self. “I get so much joy from skiing powder or hiking or climbing,” she shared. Yet, she acknowledges the profound impact of losing that joy, especially when it is linked to tragic events. Alongside Kat Williamson, a fellow counsellor, Smith supports members of the Mountain Muskox group, which is backed by The Alpine Club of Canada.

The Salmo chapter of Mountain Muskox meets monthly and attracts individuals from various backgrounds, including those who have lost loved ones in mountain-related accidents and guides who have witnessed injuries or fatalities. Although backcountry fatalities are not frequent in the West Kootenay region, they do occur, often due to avalanches. For instance, three individuals lost their lives in an avalanche north of Kaslo in March 2023, while another avalanche claimed the lives of two police officers later that year.

Williamson emphasized the unique relationship that mountain culture has with identity in communities like Nelson. “The mountains give people so much joy and strength,” she explained. For many, these outdoor spaces are places to release stress and connect with friends. However, the reality of loss can bring fear and anxiety into what should be a joyful experience.

In addition to community members, first responders involved in search and rescue operations also participate in the Mountain Muskox sessions. Williamson noted that these individuals often do not have the opportunity to process their own mental health needs following traumatic incidents. “There’s a real sense that they have to just push it down and get into the next thing, which could be just as traumatic,” she said.

During sessions, participants engage in discussions about their grief, self-judgment, shame, and survivor’s guilt. The act of sharing can provide a sense of relief, even for those who prefer to listen rather than speak. Williamson believes that mountain tourism communities often lack the tools to address grief when tragedies occur.

“A safe place to process an experience can be enough for some participants,” she remarked. “They can just be there and know that people around them would hear it if they wanted to share.”

The goal of Mountain Muskox extends beyond just providing support; it also aims to help participants rebuild their relationship with the natural environment. While past tragedies are irreversible, Williamson is optimistic that connections with nature can be restored. “It may have been built on stoke and high-level energy before now,” she said. “You have to grieve that relationship with it but then rebuild it from a place of self-awareness and self-compassion.”

Mountain Muskox is not just a support group; it is a community dedicated to healing in the face of trauma, fostering resilience, and reclaiming joy in the beautiful but sometimes perilous backcountry.