Fresh from a weeklong backpacking trip in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest, 170 miles from her home in Denver, Mimi Kim joyfully recounted the epic adventure that delivered high mountain vistas, challenges overcome and precious memories shared with friends. The experience was made possible by Big City Mountaineers, an Arvada-based non-profit that organizes backcountry trips for youths who might not otherwise get to experience the outdoors on such a grand scale. Mimi Kim, 14, poses for a portrait at a lacrosse clinic hosted by Denver City LAX on August 11, 2024, at MLK Recreation Center Field in Denver.