First of all, they are our friends! They are also HIGHLANDER’s global partner. 

They have been with us since 2020, and have been coming to our events since 2022. The enormous value of Mateo, Jamie, and all other Zpacks members is they help us educate all those who are not experienced long-distance hikers. What kind of tent do I need? What and how to pack? How to properly carry a backpack. These are just a few of the questions you’ll get answers to during the presentation(s) by Zpacks. And you’ll hike with them for all five days on the trail. 

Mateo & Jamie will be with us at HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake hiking the 5-day Hercules format and presenting a workshop at camp.

Benny educates… inspires… and leads by example.

Responsible Stewardship is an action-based 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in East Tennessee. They are dedicated to making the outdoor spaces and public lands a better place to recreate and making our communities a better place to live. They do this by leading through example, something they call ‘Education Through Action’.

Suffice it to say that Responsible Stewardship and HIGHLANDERs (that’s you), together, in 2023, managed to collect 545 lbs of trash at HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake... and 1195 lbs at HIGHLANDER Kalispell! We want to do even better this year.

Benny will be with us at HIGHALNDER Big Bear Lake, not hiking, but inspiring us all to be(come) Responsible Stewards! (Hercules / Pegasus formats)

Nic “Darwin” Rakestraw is a long-distance “Triple Crown” hiker, adventure cyclist, and outdoor filmmaker with an unending love for travel.

While completing the Appalachian Trail (AT) in 2016, he started documenting his various hiking adventures and filming gear reviews to share with others via a YouTube Channel.

Aside from logging over 14K accumulative miles of Long-Distance Hiking (AT, PCT, CDT, etc…) and Adventure Cycling in the last 7 years, he has expanded his creativity as a storyteller to filmmaking, Photography, Writing, Podcasting, and anything to help inspire others to get outside their comfort zone and experience the natural world around us.

Nic will be with us at HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake hiking Hercules and sharing his amazing story with all of you on Day #3. (Hercules / Pegasus formats)

Dr. Jessica Llach DPT is a physical therapist in Big Bear Lake, at mile 266 of the PCT. She has been working with injured PCT hikers for the last 3 seasons and is the author of Happy Feet Happy Hike: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to Eliminate Foot & Ankle Injuries.

For 17 years she owned Ankle & Foot Physical Therapy, a physical therapy practice in Bakersfield, CA. Her extensive experience in treating foot and ankle injuries has equipped her with a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by hikers.

With Dr. Llach as your expert guide, you can expect personalized care tailored to your specific needs. She understands that each hiker is unique and requires an individualized approach to achieve optimal results. Her dedication to your well-being and her innovative techniques will empower you to overcome foot and ankle challenges and enjoy pain-free hiking. (all formats)

Meet Jesse Lee, our resident Yoga expert from Man Flow Yoga, at various checkpoints along the trail. Jesse seamlessly blends the tranquility of Yoga with the rugged beauty of nature, offering rejuvenating sessions to soothe both body and mind.

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a novice explorer, Jesse's sessions provide the perfect opportunity to stretch, breathe, and reconnect amidst the wilderness. Don't miss this unique fusion of outdoor adventure and mindful movement with Jesse Lee! (all formats)

My name is Jordan Lowe and I am the Big Bear Trails Manager, I manage a volunteer group that educates, maintains, and improves trails in the Big Bear area.

I have always had a love for the outdoors, and the smell of the woods, I grew up hiking in Colorado and throughout my life, I've experienced many different ecosystems, Big Bear may be one of the most unique.

Join me as I dive into the thrilling ecology, geology, and history of the Big Bear Valley. (all formats)

Embark on a cosmic adventure amidst the serene wilderness of Big Bear Lake during HIGHLANDER, where the Bear Valley Astronomers await at a celestial checkpoint.

Positioned beneath the star-studded canopy, these passionate astronomers extend a celestial invitation to participants, offering a captivating glimpse into the mysteries of the night sky. Equipped with powerful telescopes and boundless enthusiasm, they unveil the wonders of distant galaxies, constellations, and celestial phenomena. Amidst the tranquility of nature's embrace, hikers pause to gaze upward, marveling at the ethereal beauty that unfolds before them.

Join the Bear Valley Astronomers at HIGHLANDER for an enchanting rendezvous with the cosmos, where the allure of exploration meets the majesty of the universe, creating memories that linger long after the journey's end. (all formats)

We won't give too much away about Jesse's story... because Jesse will be the one to share his personal story and the story about why Hike The Good Hike organization came to be.

Jesse has walked more than 10,000 miles to raise support for young people suffering from depression and other mental health issues. In fact, he’s on the homestretch of a yearlong hiking and fundraising campaign - just WOW!

HIGHLANDER Big Bear Lake is privileged to have the opportunity to host Jesse, and we are sure that after his talk you will be changed forever. (all formats)

Dana Andrews is the owner of Mountain Yoga in Big Bear Lake, CA. She has been practicing yoga for 25 years and teaching for 22.  She was certified in 2002 at the Ashtanga Yoga Center with the internationally renowned Tim Miller.  Traveling multiple times to India since 2000, Dana has studied with Ashtanga guru, the late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, his daughter Saraswathi Jois and grandson R. Sharath Jois. In 2017, Dana completed a 200 hour teacher training at Yoga Medicine with Tiffany Cruikshank.

Dana's well rounded classes include strength, balance, and stretching with a focus on linking breath and movement to create a moving meditation. She believes that yoga can help manage daily stress and leave you with a positive mindset. Dana's goal with every class is to leave her students feeling relaxed, yet energized, and with a clear and calm mind.

"The Blackbook" is a heartfelt blend of folk, rock and blues. Featuring brother and sister duo, Colin and Lauren Schour, inspired songwriting meets distinctly covered classics.