She thrives where others survive.
Mountain Maven Company
Courses offered in Montana, Utah, Idaho, Washington & Wyoming
Founded by Cheyanna, also known as Mountain Maven Gal, this space was created for women who feel most themselves under open skies, those who crave the dirt, the work, and the wonder that comes from learning to live with the land, not apart from it.
What began in 2021 as 406 Survival Co. has evolved into something deeper: a movement dedicated to women finding capability, confidence, and connection in the wild. Whether youβre curious about firecraft, foraging, or first aid, Mountain Maven meets you right where you are, no judgment, no ego, just honest, hands-on education rooted in respect for the land and faith in yourself.
Welcome to Mountain Maven Company, where wild places and womenβs courage meet.
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Welcome to Mountain Maven Company, where wild places and womenβs courage meet. *
Iβm Cheyanna, the heart behind Mountain Maven Co.
A few years ago, I set out to live what I teach, to truly understand the emotions that come with being not just alone in the wilderness, but as a woman alone. I spent three years living fully outside in Western Montana: no power, no running water, just me, my dogs, and the lessons that only the land can teach. From hundred-degree heat to seventy-below wind chills, I learned how to not only survive, but to thrive.
Every spark I lit, every track I followed, and every storm I endured deepened my respect for creation and strengthened my mission: to help women step into the outdoors with confidence, courage, and curiosity.
Meet Cheyanna
The Courses
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Protect the pack. Be a prepared Dog Mom.
A must-take course for the wilderness-loving woman and her four-legged companion, this course combines wilderness expertise with canine care. Everything from paw injuries and snake bites to emergency pack-outs and trail safety. Build a reliable canine first aid kit and learn how to respond with confidence & calmness when the unexpected happens.(Offered in MT, UT, ID, WA, WY)
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Turn grit into grace.
Learn the ancient craft of hide tanning, honoring the animal through hands-on education. Youβll explore pelt differences, ethical sourcing, and how to transform raw hides into beautiful, functional pieces.
**Mountain Maven Co. uses ethically sourced rabbit pelts for the majority of coursework.
(Offered in MT, UT, ID, WA, WY) -
Foraging Foundations
Discover the wild pantry around you. This course teaches safe and sustainable foraging of fungi and vegetation, focusing on identification, practical use, and the delicate balance between harvest and respect.
(Offered in MT, ID, WA)
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Tracks. Signs. Awareness.
Learn to identify and interpret big game signs, tracks, scat, feeding patterns, and movement across terrain. Build awareness, confidence, and understanding of the animals who share the landscape.
(Offered in MT, ID)
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Find your way without a compass.
Learn the art of natural navigation using the sun, stars, wind, and wilderness itself as guides. Discover ancestral techniques to read time, direction, and weather in any terrain, from alpine ridgelines to desert canyons.
(Offered in MT, WA, UT, ID, WY) -
Stay calm. Stay capable. Stay alive.
This essential course teaches wilderness first aid and emergency response when help isnβt close by. Learn to assess injuries, stabilize fractures, treat burns, bites, and stings, and keep yourself and others safe in the wild.
(Offered in MT, WA, UT, ID, WY) -
Build, Burn, BelongβForge confidence through fire & grit.
In this immersive overnight course, youβll learn the essentials of shelter building, firecraft, and tool use to thrive in the wilderness without modern assistance/amenities. Your newfound skills will then be put to the test in a team-based learning environment by spending a night in the structure youβve built & cooking your own meal over open flame. Walk away the next day with confidence forged in community, flame & grit.**All food & materials will be provided.
(Offered in MT, ID, WA) -
Cook like a wild woman.
Master the art of open-fire cooking, roasting, baking, grilling, and slow-cooking under the open sky. This course blends skill, creativity, and connection through food, perfect for campers, homesteaders, and off-grid dreamers alike.
(Offered in MT, WA, ID, UT, WY)
Offerings & Services
Beyond courses, Mountain Maven Co. offers private workshops, speaking engagements, and community gatherings across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West.
From hands-on group experiences to one-on-one mentorship, every offering is guided by respect for the land and the belief that knowledge shared is strength multiplied.
See our βCoursesβ page for discount & additional info!
Upcoming Courses.
Each course is designed to meet women where they are, curious, capable, and ready to learn.
All classes are taught with respect for nature, ethical sourcing, and the belief that skill-building should feel approachable, not intimidating.
The Thrive Wild Journal
Where rugged meets radiant. Exploring the art of living fiercely in Godβs creation from primitive survival skills & wildcrafting to faith-fueled reflections on womanhood, resilience & the raw beauty of the backcountry. Thriving is about more than just surviving but enjoying the process along the way.
