Camp Hale’s 10th Mountain Division Featured in Huts for Vets Event
Rifle, CO – On Friday, October 11, 2024, the Ute Theater in Rifle, Colorado, will host an unforgettable evening sure to captivate local audiences.
Entitled “Mountain Warriors,” the evening will feature a presentation by veteran alpinist and Ninety-Pound Rucksack host Christian Beckwith about the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the transformative power of the mountains to reshape American society.
The event, organized by Huts for Vets, begins at 7:00 PM, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. Proceeds support Huts for Vets’ wilderness therapy programs for veterans.
Known as “America’s original warriors,” the 10th Mountain Division was an unprecedented unit of World War II climbers and skiers who trained for more than two years in Colorado’s Camp Hale to fight the Axis powers in extreme cold and mountainous terrain.
Not only did the Division’s insertion into the war catalyze Germany’s surrender; post-war, its veterans developed Vail, Aspen and 60 other ski areas across America, started companies like NOLS and Nike and electrified the fields of conservation and wilderness education.
Beckwith’s presentation will explore how the elite unit not only achieved military success during World War II but also shaped the outdoor industry and pioneered wilderness therapy for veterans.
“Huts for Vets is thrilled to partner with Christian for an inspiring evening of storytelling and impact,” said Erik Villaseñor, the organization’s Executive Director. “More than just an evening of storytelling, this will be an opportunity to highlight the power of the mountains to shape and heal everyone, including those who have served us.”
While the Mountain Warriors event will focus on the historical legacy of the 10th Mountain Division, it will also emphasize the relevance of their connection to nature today—particularly in relation to veterans’ health and wellness. Huts for Vets, the organization behind the event, carries on the 10th Mountain Division’s tradition of finding healing in the wilderness by offering veterans therapeutic outdoor experiences.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to Huts for Vets, supporting their mission to provide free wilderness therapy programs for veterans. By purchasing a ticket, attendees are not only signing up for an inspirational night of storytelling; they’re also helping to raise awareness about the challenges veterans face and the potential of nature-based therapies to aid in their recovery.
“Christian’s presentation perfectly captures the spirit of what we do at Huts for Vets—using the outdoors as a tool for transformation and healing,” Villaseñor said. “This event will help us continue to support veterans in finding peace and purpose through wilderness experiences.”
Beckwith was inducted into the 10th Mountain Division’s Warrior Hall of Fame in 2023. Earlier this year, he embedded with 10th soldiers for the inaugural Hale to Vail Traverse, retracing part of the division’s original training routes in Colorado. In 2020, he helped develop the SHIFT Summit’s Outdoor Rec and Nature-Based Programming for Vets study, which documented best practices for using outdoor experiences as therapeutic tools for veterans.
“The 10th Mountain Division’s legacy extends far beyond their military achievements,” Beckwith said. “The mountains shaped these men, and when they returned home, they used their knowledge and passion to forge a deeper connection to the natural world. In return, the natural world helped them heal.”
Event Details:
- Title: Mountain Warriors: The Story of the 10th Mountain Division and the Power of Wilderness Therapy
- Date: Friday, October 11, 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
- Location: Ute Theater, 132 E 4th St, Rifle, CO 81650
- Tickets: Available online here
For more information, visit www.hutsforvets.org.
About Huts for Vets:
Huts for Vets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing therapeutic wilderness experiences to veterans. Based in Colorado, Huts for Vets offers veterans the opportunity to find healing and connection through outdoor recreation and therapy programs designed to support their transition to civilian life.
About Christian Beckwith:
Christian Beckwith is the host of the Ninety-Pound Rucksack podcast, which explores the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division and the dawn of America’s ca. $1T outdoor recreation industry. He is a passionate advocate for the healing power of nature and has worked on several initiatives supporting veterans’ outdoor experiences.