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 5DAY 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! (5DAY/3DAY 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.

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 5DAY Format and sharing his amazing story with all of you on Day #3. (5DAY/3DAY 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)

Selia Jimenez is the Owner and Operator of Soothing Canna Massage and Wellness, located in the tranquil and picturesque setting of Big Bear Lake, California. With over 20 years of experience as a California State Certified Massage Therapist and a proud member of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, Selia has dedicated her career to nurturing the physical and spiritual well-being of her clients. Her extensive background includes working at renowned establishments such as Glen Ivy Hot Springs, The Viceroy Palm Springs, and The Parker Palm Springs.

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)

"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.

At 6’7”, Jesse doesn’t look like your typical yoga teacher - and that’s exactly what makes his approach so powerful. A longtime practitioner with 20 years of yoga experience, Jesse turned to yoga in 2016 to help navigate struggles with depression and addiction. Today, he’s a certified Hatha and Vinyasa instructor specializing in accessible yoga for all bodies, with an emphasis on breathwork, mindfulness, and thoughtful modifications. He’s passionate about creating a welcoming space where everyone can connect, recover, and grow - especially after a long day on the trail.

During this year's event (his fourth time as a participant!), Jesse will be leading evening yoga sessions to help hikers unwind, stretch out sore muscles, and reset for the next day’s adventure. His classes are designed to meet you where you are - no prior experience or flexibility required. Just bring your body, your breath, and an open mind.

Introducing a NEW special Highlander Event:

“Bear Witness” To the wild, the self, and the story within.

Join Lauren Kleppin of ZEN BEAR, a local health and wellness specialist serving athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and mountain community professionals, for a Guided Journaling Workshop on the trail.

Lauren is a lifelong outdoor adventure enthusiast and local health and wellness practitioner serving the San Bernardino Mountain communities, and has called Big Bear Lake home since 2012. Writing and art were her first tools and transport for exploration - portals to the world outside when she was stuck in classrooms and cities. She now brings over 25 years of lived experience, mentorship, and creative study to guide others in reconnecting with their own stories.

Whether through shared trail miles, bodywork, creating, or writing, Lauren believes in stretching the body, the mind, and the imagination.

Emily and Matt ~ based in Southern California, they are an acoustic duo who centers around an eclectic variety of music with an emphasis on refined vocal harmonies. They are both highly experienced performers as individuals; and having also performed together for over 15 years, they have developed an expansive repertoire of popular music that is a perfect fit for any setting.