Mark Herbison

@markherbison ’s mantra “Move with Purpose” has guided him through every journey, and continues to take on new meaning. @arcteryxbc ’s newest Regional Ambassador aligns his daily actions with conscious, disciplined choices—his personal cheat code toward meaningful goals and living with intention. Mark shares, “I build adaptability by embracing challenges and viewing movement as a way to improve my mental, physical, and emotional well-being.” “I’m proud of the path that has brought me here and am looking forward to what’s ahead, Moving with Purpose, every step of the way.” ___ Welcome to the team, Mark! We’re grateful to have you and the perspective you bring to every mountain pursuit. Photos by @robinoneill

@markherbison operates in overdrive. He appears to have a never ending supply of motivation. Thank you for the privilege of spending time with you. And congratulations on being an ambassador for @arcteryx Thank you also to @tourismgolden .

Sunny smiles, one cold foot, dirt skiing and alder bashing, soggy boots and foot hygiene 😅 #amputee #spring #skiing

The most important stories are those you have never meant to tell. I have faced this story head on, being held up by those closest to me. The early days were difficult, sad and had so many unknowns. Thinking about the future, with moments questioning if it’s worth carrying on, if the effort outweighs the struggle. Questioning what opportunities, if any, would arise. I continued to try hard, physically, mentally and emotionally, putting myself in uncomfortable situations, challenging myself to be a better/stronger person, and to continue learning. When I returned to work, my desk had been left untouched for 14 months. “Because we knew you were coming back”. Those words had a huge impact on me. To have a group of people believe in you, in this way, is a powerful thing. I’ve changed, obviously, in many ways, as we all do with time. I’m not who I was, hopefully not any worse, and definitely not any better, just different. I gradually returned to full time and have taken back responsibilities slowly as I figured out how to adapt and fit back into the program. The first time I trained for Heli-sling rescue, as an amputee, I was stoked my leg didn’t fall off into the snowy forrest beneath me while being transported through the air dangling below the helicopter 😅 I’ve helped several people out of the backcountry now, all whom had no idea I am an amputee. I loaded a patient into the helicopter on a vacuum mattress, not dissimilar to the one used on me, buckled them in, closed the door and watched the helicopter fly away. I remained frozen in place for a moment, my left knee on the ground, eyes fixed, staring into the snow before I stood. I gave myself that time to be thankful to be alive, to have recovered and to be at the point where I can return to Mtn Rescue and Avalanche Forecasting work, contributing to a very high functioning team. That moment made the last 16 months of pain, struggle and frustration, worth it. I’ve walked that path now, full circle. #mountainrescue #amputee #backcountry

Meet Mark Herbison. If you don’t already know him, read a bit about his incredible journey below and learn what resilience, community, passion and hope really mean. Mark embodies all of our values and has been a huge contributor to the Columbia valley Chapter. Thanks for being you Mark! We can’t wait to see what crazy adventures you take on next! Give him a follow! I have worked in the Mountain Rescue and Avalanche Forecasting industry for the past 18 years. I originally sought out the Mountain Muskox in 2022, with the goal of maintaining a stable mental health routine and to have a community to rely on when faced with the mountain traumas I have experienced personally and see on an annual basis through my profession. This past year that community showed up for me in the form of a tidal wave of support, love and care after I suffered a severe, life changing, injury from a paragliding incident. Though I was unable to attend circles while I worked through my rehabilitation and discovering life as a below the knee amputee, the Muskox presence was constant in the form of messages, letters and personal visits from many of its members. Since returning home to Golden BC I have rejoin the Columbia Valley circles, creating a stronger bond with others who have faced trauma from the mountains in a wide variety of experiences. The Mountain Muskox circles and immersions have been invaluable to me as I navigate my new reality, return to mountain rescue work and strive for a healthy mindset and relationship with the mountains and its community.

So good to be stomping around in the backcountry again! 📷 @lecurtois , @tymills #amputee #backcountry #skiing

I recently returned to my crash site on Monroe Peak. While approaching the top I was preparing myself for any sort of wild emotional experience. To be honest I wanted it to hurt more than it did. I was surprised that I felt joy, happiness and stoke as I took purposeful steps with my prosthetic through the spikey, tough as nails, scrub bushes towards the rubbly launch area. Walking up to the edge, I was curious if I would recognize the spot where I piled into the ground last September and if my blood still stained the rock and earth… it did not 😂 As I got ready to launch, I was fearful. Don’t fuck this up again. Only a few of the fifty plus pilots on launch knew my story, and I had no intention of adding any more drama to it. The flight was one of the more powerful experiences of my life, beyond what words can describe. Spending hours above the peak, spinning circles around the site where I lay broken less than a year ago. Tears obscured my vision several times as I reflected on the past year, how far I’ve come, what I’ve been able to regain and achieve. I hope I’ve portrayed my story with authenticity. Though I’ve posted about many successes these past many months, there have been countless bouts of frustration, sadness, crying and dark days. And there will surely be more to come with the ebb and flow of life. The support I received from family, friends and my community came in as a welcomed tidal wave. I leaned on many during my recovery and likely took more than I’ll ever be able to give back. To everyone that has been there for me, as small as it may have seemed, I am truly grateful. 📸 1, 2 and 5, thanks @disclexic #amputee #paragliding #recovery

Comparison is the killer of joy. I stopped comparing my current self to my old self very early on in my recovery, as I knew it would only lure me into darker spaces. I took on challenges that I’ve never done before; competing in my first X Triathlon and 4.5km open water swim. Being the only amputee to compete in the events, I was shocked when I placed 2nd in both for my age category. I wouldn’t have been able to do either of these events without the support and encouragement from @meggie_may , who has been a huge part of my recovery and my official swim coach. I was then gifted an entry into the Golden Ultra, which I knew I had no chance of completing in my current state. But I trained all summer (by coach @kyleektoth with @evokeendurance ) increasing my run distance and tolerance of the stump. 5, 10, 20, 30, 42km, week by week the distance added up and the effort was paying off as I grew stronger. I ran the 60km, 2400m elevation gain/loss in just over 10hrs. Hours behind the leaders, but I didn’t care, I just finished an ultramarathon, my first ever official race, within 11 months of having my foot cutoff. I am stoked and looking forward to what’s next! #amputee #ultramarathon @ottobock_northamerica

I have hesitated for weeks/months to share this but it now happens all too often that I cannot not. I ran my first 5km trail run since my amputation in late May and spent about half of it ugly crying, not because my stump hurt or was in pain but because I was so incredibly happy. I craved the freedom of movement, the simplicity, the efficiency, and I had found it once again. I ran my first 15km a few days ago, and yes I still cried and have every time in between 😅 I had previously thought that simply walking downhill would be an arduous, uncomfortable experience. The fact that I can now run down (though slow and methodical) gives me incredible motivation. It’s been 9 months since my surgery and I continue to see weekly progress. The leg gets stronger, the wrist is stabilizing and hurts less, balance and coordination improves, and tolerance of the prosthetic increases. “The only work that matters, is the work that no one sees. It shows you who you really are rather than what you say you are.” #workharder

The last 6 months has felt like a blink of an eye, but while I was in it, it couldn’t move fast enough. I wanted my life back, my identity as a mountain dweller, adventurer and sensation seeker. I wanted the pain to end, my injuries to heal, my body to gain strength and to become comfortable with who I am. I’ve been home in Golden for nearly 4 weeks and with the help and company of many good friends I have been able to reclaim some of what I had been missing of myself. My community has been incredible and the outreach from people I don’t even know has been humbling, motivating and has brought on many tears of joy and gratitude. Life is different, the challenges are real but I look forward to whats to come! #highfivesfoundation #lifewithoutlimitations #amputee #prosthetic #adaptandovercome #backcountry #skiing #hikeandfly #iceclimbing #paraglide

Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an irreversible succession from the past, through the present and into the future 🤓 Much time has passed in just a blink of an eye but at times, felt like it froze in place. My time in Vancouver has come to an end and so much had changed in that short period. I often imagined changing my past, so I wouldn’t have to live in my present and that my future would be different. Though I’ve dabbled in the theory of time travel, I’ve given up on this dream and have focused my energy towards embracing the past, working hard in the present and to create a better future. Thanks to all that were part of my journey since my crash, through the rescue/transport, surgery, recovery and beyond. I am incredibly lucky to have shared time with you. More of that please! It’s good to be home.

Rehab is all consuming and I’ve poured an immense amount of effort into it. It has been satisfying watching the strength and ability slowly return after such a traumatic event but it’s wild how quickly it disappeared in the first place. I do not have any phantom pain or sensations and have recently dropped off pain medication. I have no pain in the stump and walking with the prosthetic is becoming increasingly comfortable with time and as I build tolerance. I am fully weight bearing but walk with a forearm crutch for extra stability for the time being. My wrist has made big improvements with mobility and is slowly building back strength. I have been able to return to strength training, swim laps in the pool and going on easy walks. I’m am hopeful to be back on skis before spring, but we’ll see how it goes. I’ve had quite the journey with my Mental Health and have had many sad moments coming to terms with what I’ve lost and how simple everything use to be. I know it will get easier and I’ll find ways to adapt and be more efficient but not without struggle. My motivation and determination to return to the mountains and my way of life is unwavering, it’s only a matter of time and effort. I look forward to being back in Golden, in my community, catching up with friends and being in my own space again soon! It’s been 4 months since I piled into the ground on Monroe Peak Utah 🪂