Pueblo man conquers Colorado’s fourteeners to overcome autism

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Scott Garcia is proving you can always put your best foot forward, even when that foot is at 14,000 feet.

Despite having Autism Spectrum Disorder, the 27-year-old Puebloan has pursued more than one passion in his life. But conquering fourteeners, which is what hikers call the mountain peaks above 14,000 feet, has helped him find a new fervor that’s not dissipating any time soon.

In just four years, Garcia has climbed 47 of Colorado’s 58 elusive fourteeners, and he remembers every detail.

"My first 14er was Mt. Elbert. The elevation is 14,433 feet,” said Garcia.

Capital Peak?

“14,130 feet,” he said. “The date I did it was August 30, 2018."

Quandary Peak?

“14,265 feet,” Garcia said, after brief thought.

What about Pikes Peak?

"Pikes Peak ... the elevation, 14,115 feet. It used to be 14,110 feet,” said Garcia.

Not only does Garcia remember the elevation and date of which he summited each fourteener, but he’s even started hiking solo.

“It really helps me mentally … Just staying positive. That's really been the huge thing,” he said.

Because of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Garcia didn’t start speaking until he was five-years-old. He was certainly shy as an adult, until he discovered his passion for hiking with others.

"I was really shy being around people, especially in bigger groups,” said Garcia.

What helped Garcia take a leap forward was when he joined Always Choose Adventures, a Colorado non-profit that helps people of all ages and abilities discover and conquer the outdoors.

"That's when I really started to breakout my shell even more,” said Garcia.

Chantelle Shoaee runs ACA and has become a good friend to Garcia. Watching him progress as a hiker, and as a more independent adult, has inspired her.

"He's shattering all of the autism misconceptions,” she said. "Scott's been an inspiration to me and everyone in our community. He sets his eyes on a goal or hike and he meets people along the way that help him get to that goal.”

Also remarkable is the fact Garcia is proving that having autism doesn’t prevent him from becoming a fantastic hiker.

“When I first met him he didn't really introduce himself. He wasn't really that outgoing. And now he's able to lead events completely on his own,” said Shoaee. "He remembers maps. He remembers elevation, trails, where to go, where not to go. That's not a disability at all."

Garcia overcomes stereotypes while going over summits. But his passion has had an extra layer of meaning since the beginning.

"I think the biggest thing was being closer to my parents,” said Garcia.

Garcia was 12-years-old when his mother, Sandy, passed away from type 1 diabetes. His father, Stuart, passed away from a heart attack just seven years later.

"It was a learning curve for both of us. We both shed some tears. We both got frustrated,” said Laurie Bowman, Garcia’s aunt, who took him in as his legal guardian after Sandy and Stuart both passed.

"It was frightening. It was really frightening but we both came through it OK,” said Bowman.

Bowman was also surprised to see Garcia’s independent, new-found passion following the loss of his parents.

"He researched everything,” she said. “Because I started Googling stuff and thinking 'what does he need, what does he need?' And I'd ask, and he said, 'I got that covered Aunt Laurie.'"

Garcia was eager to hike in order to heal.

"Just to be closer to my parents. Being close to the heavens,” said Garcia.

“I feel that connection every time. I can tell the weather pattern changes every now and then when I summit and stuff, you can really just tell the signal, the sense of it."

That feeling of being with mom and dad hit its peak when Garcia neared the top of Mt. Democrat.

“It was an overcast day and it was cloudy when I summited and I said, 'love you mom and dad' ... and then the sun just opened up and shined at the summit and I'll never forget that day. That was one of those vivid memories,” said Garcia.

There’s no question the higher Garcia climbs, the more he elevates his soul; it’s a noticeable, positive, lifestyle change that’s truly helped Garcia work, live, and socialize independently.

"He's gonna achieve any goal … anything he has set out to do he has done,” said Bowman.

"This might sound strange but, if things didn't happen in Scott's life the way they did, I don't know if he would be doing fourteeners. Who knows what he would be doing,” she said.

And while he’s happy to be a trailblazer, he’s even happier connecting with ‘mom’ and ‘dad,’ and encourages others to find that same catharsis through nature.

"It's always amazing every time you reach a summit,” said Garcia.

"Don't let anybody hold you down, pigeon-hole you or anything, just go out there and do it. Just try and see what you think,” he said. "Because, I mean, It's God's country. God made this."

Garcia and Bowman are working on a book together, writing about Garcia’s life and what he’s overcome. He has just 11 fourteeners left to summit in order to conquer all 58.

You can join Garcia and Always Choose Adventures on a hike – simply reach out by going to AlwaysChooseAdventures.org.