Moving Forward, Together: Oscar Mike’s Unplugged Expeditions in the Rockies

By Jamie Palmesano, Brownfield's
all photos by OscarMike.org
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On any given summer morning, you might find a group of veterans rolling down the trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, fishing rods secured to the sides of adaptive chairs, laughter echoing off granite walls, and a sense of quiet determination in the alpine air. These are the Oscar Mike expeditionaries—injured veterans who have discovered that the wilderness doesn’t just heal; it frees.

Oscar Mike, which means “On the Move” in military radio speak, is a non-profit founded by injured veterans for injured veterans. Their vision is a world without barriers, clearing a path for people living with disabilities by building adaptive facilities, expanding adaptive programs, and creating a library of content to help people learn to adapt everything—whether that’s a fishing technique, a workout, or a trail route.

And every other week during the summer, Estes Park becomes part of that vision.

Through adaptive camping, fly-fishing, hiking, and guided interpretive tours, Oscar Mike’s Unplugged Experiences in Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park offer veterans the chance to make memories they didn’t think possible. Teamwork is at the heart of these custom mountain expeditions, providing fun, challenge, and healing while focusing on building psychological and physical independence.

One of the best parts of Oscar Mike expedition weeks is the solitude of sleeping in nature. Using accessible backcountry campsites, these veterans experience the hush of the Rockies under a star-filled sky, a space of quiet dignity where barriers fall away, even if only for a few precious days.

At Brownfield’s, we connected with the Oscar Mike team through Trail Tags, which the expedition leaders purchase for each participant to mark the trails they conquer during their time in town. We’ve had the privilege of meeting Patrick, Arthur, and Kim, three of the leaders who guide these transformative journeys. Their passion for Oscar Mike’s mission and for the injured warriors they serve shines through in every conversation.

Patrick Tocco, the Program Manager said, “Our Veterans share a deep connection with the life up on the Tundra.  "Resilient yet fragile."  Resilient enough to survive the harsh environment around it, yet they can take up to a decade or longer to recover from trauma.  Handing them that trail tag after trekking Toll Memorial is just a small reminder of just how great and capable these men and women still are.”

We are deeply grateful that Oscar Mike is bringing people from across the country to Estes Park, giving them the chance to unplug, unwind, and discover the magic of these mountains. Here, amidst the pines and peaks, they find refreshment for their souls—and so do we, simply by witnessing their courage.

If you get a chance, visit oscarmike.org to learn more about this impactful organization, the veterans they serve, and how you can support a world where a wheelchair or prosthetic is never a reason to miss the breathtaking views of the Rockies.