Bruce McClintock

FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXPLORATION OFFICER

Bruce is the founder and CEO (Chief Exploration Officer) of Hike for Life. Bruce grew up in Colorado but did not start hiking until he was a teenager. He summited Pikes peak the first time at age 14, from Crags trailhead, the same route that Hike for Life guides today! Since then he has completed all 58 of Colorado’s 14ers and has hiked all over the world. He loves hiking with his trail buddy, Sadie, a Black Lab from Russia. Bruce created Hike for Life to help share the wonder and joy of the outdoors with people that were new to hiking. He is trained in Wilderness First Aid and believes in the importance of helping others hike more safely and with respect and appreciation for our fragile outdoor environment. He is on the board of the Colorado Mountain Club and that is his preferred outdoor non-profit.

Jeff Vandenbussche

CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF OUTDOOR OFFICER

Jeff is the Co-Founder, COO (Chief Outdoor Officer), and Hiking Guide for Hike for Life. Jeff grew up in Oregon and has been an active outdoorsman since the age of 10. He did not grow up “hiking,” he grew up hunting and fishing. While hunting though, he has hiked all over Oregon and is now expanding his range to Colorado. Since moving to the area in 2017, he has been getting to know the trails in his adopted home. In January he completed a winter ascent of his first 14ner, Pikes Peak. Jeff met Bruce through a mutual friend. When he heard of the idea of a business that would get more people outdoors and involved with nature, he was “all-in.” Like Bruce, Jeff is trained in Wilderness First Aid. Jeff is on the board of the Tri-Lakes YMCA and that is his preferred non-profit.

Tabitha Frazer

FRONT-COUNTRY GUIDE AND YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Tabitha enjoys wearing many hats!  Mother, Yoga Instructor, Kindergarten Teacher, and now Hiking Guide.  Her favorite adventure is meeting people, hearing their stories, and finding a connection to bring circles closer together, forming community and relationships across the country and the globe.  Originally from Kentucky, Tabitha grew up exploring nature and finding joy in observing all that nature can bring.  Her time in Europe offered another unique perspective for embracing cultures, foods, and fun.  Many of her favorite memories were the hiking adventures through the German countryside and small villages, putting one foot in front of the other; a great way to connect with nature and locals alike.  Hawaii offered yet another perspective and respect for nature and culture with the magic of both land and sea.  Tabitha and her three children now call Colorado home and love exploring the mountains, creating delicious food, and spending time outdoors. Tabitha’s preferred non-profit is Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center at the Mark Reyner Stables in Palmer Park.

Britt Jones

SUMMIT GUIDE

Britt is an avid mountaineer who climbs mountains year-round, even in the dead of winter. He has climbed all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000 foot mountains. With repeats has well over two hundred 14er summits. And he has also successfully climbed over two hundred of Colorado’s 13ers. Britt also completed the list of “State Highpoints”. That is reaching the highest point in all 50 states. And this meant climbing Denali in Alaska which is 20,310’. Not only does Britt love mountaineering, he enjoys rock climbing, ice climbing, backpacking, camping, snowshoeing, road and mountain biking. He enjoys taking others into the mountains to experience God’s amazing creation and the natural beauty found in the backcountry, which is why he is a guide for Hike For Life. Britt is also a trip leader and course instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club. Britt earns his living as a professional videographer and photographer. Britt’s preferred non-profit is Colorado Mountain Club.

MINDY SACHAJ

FRONT/BACK COUNTRY/SUMMIT GUIDE, OPERATIONS MANAGER

Mindy's love of nature began when she was growing up in Illinois. The majestic mountains of Colorado called to her during her teenage years and it was a dream come true to move here in 1994. As her desire grew to backpack and hike in the Colorado mountains, she realized survival knowledge would be helpful. She is trained in 4-season back country survival and rescue, plant identification, and has volunteered on trail building projects. She's hiked over 34- different 14ers in the back country wilderness of Colorado and she hiked the entire Colorado Trail in the summer of 2023, which is more than 486 miles. She enjoys kayaking and rock-climbing, and is a winter aficionado, too. She is trained in avalanche science, and is a nationally certified ski/snowboard instructor.  When traveling, she aspires to hike the highest peak in every location. In addition to guiding and instructing, Mindy earns her living as a Realtor. It's rewarding to her to have the opportunity to share her love of the outdoors and knowledge with those that she's able to hike and guide through Colorado's wonders. Mindy's preferred non-profit is the Big City Mountaineers.

Elizabeth Barber

SUMMIT GUIDE

Elizabeth grew up in Colorado and has been exploring the mountains and forests since she was a child. Elizabeth grew up in a single-parent home, where money was tight, but because hiking was free, her family spent a lot of time outside. Those early experiences instilled in Elizabeth a lifetime love of the outdoors. As an adult, she began hiking Colorado 14ers, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Elizabeth graduated in 2020 with an AAS in Outdoor Leadership and Recreation Technology from Pikes Peak Community College. Elizabeth has a passion for learning and teaching outdoor skills, history, and crafts. Combining her love of history and hiking, in 2018 Elizabeth hiked Pikes Peak in moccasins and an 1850s style “Bloomer dress” to celebrate the 160th anniversary of the first recorded female ascent of Pikes Peak. Elizabeth enjoys the challenge of mountain hiking, and loves to share outdoor adventures with others. Elizabeth currently works for the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) building and improving the trails we are all so grateful for - it is also her preferred non-profit!

Rob Roriston

HIKING GUIDE

For Rob, summers in Maine as a child inspired a lifelong pursuit of the outdoors. After graduating from the University of Southern Maine in Portland, Maine, Rob moved to the White Mountains of NH to continue his hiking. After completing all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000’ Footers with his dog Zoe (they start much lower!), some more than a couple times, he decided to move to Colorado to further his knowledge and love of the mountains as well as have the opportunity to explore all the beauty that lies out west. Since moving to Colorado, Rob has hiked fifty seven 14ers (all but Culebra) and can be found in any of the various parks and trail systems here in the Pikes Peak Region. In his free time, Rob enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, trail running, skiing and just about any sort of activity he can get up to in the mountains. Rob is a certified Wilderness First Responder and trained in AIRIE Level I Avalanche Safety and hopes to pass on both important knowledge about hiking, but also his deep appreciation for the mountains. Rob’s preferred non-profit is Big City Mountaineers.

Megan McCullough

HIKING GUIDE - OUTREACH ADVISOR

Megan is a Hiking Guide for Hike For Life. Megan grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Colorado Springs in the summer of 2014. She has always had a love for the outdoors and worked at an environmental education camp for children in Indianapolis. Since moving to Colorado, Megan’s passion for photography has taken off and now her favorite thing to do is to escape into the mountains with her husband, two dogs, and her camera. She also enjoys camping, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, and trail running. She has a drive for educating people and believes our parks are the treasures of this country. Megan has chosen Guardians of Palmer Park for her preferred non-profit to help preserve Palmer Park for future generations to enjoy and love.

LAUREN WOLFE

BACKCOUNTRY GUIDE AND OPERATIONS MANAGER

Meet our newest guide! Lauren Wolfe completed a combination of in-person hikes (pre-Coronvirus) and on-line training even while she completed her third year of medical school! Lauren, pictured here on a snow-shoeing trip in Oregon, is taking a year off from medical school to focus on her family and be a guide with Hike for Life. She grew up in Memphis, TN where she first explored the outdoors working on her grandparents’ farm, riding horses, and hunting and fishing. She hiked in Arizona, Texas, and Oregon, exploring many trails, National Forests, and National Parks before returning to Colorado in 2019 to complete medical school. Lauren says: “I enjoy hiking because being in nature feeds my adventurous spirit and inspires me to push myself daily, both mentally and physically.” Her preferred non-profit is Big City Mountaineers.

Kara Thomas

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING MANAGER

Kara is originally from Chicago, where she has spent most of her life. She moved out to Colorado 3 years ago to attend Colorado College, and is now in her senior year, studying sociology and environmental science. She quickly fell in love with the mountains, and plans to stay in Colorado after graduation. Kara enjoys running, hiking, skiing, camping, doing yoga, and watching the gorgeous Colorado sunsets over Pikes Peak. Kara was drawn to Hike for Life for its strong mission, to “nurture community, inspire exploration, and preserve the great outdoors”.

Lindsey Rice

SOCIAL MEDIA AND MARKETING INTERN

Lindsey was born and raised here in Colorado Springs. Her love of nature began as a kid, and has continued to grow ever since. Lindsey enjoys camping, backpacking, hiking, climbing, and kayaking, along with photography, painting, and creating digital art. She currently is attending University of Colorado Colorado Springs and is in her senior year, studying strategic communications and marketing. Lindsey hopes to always work in the outdoors and spread as much awareness as possible regarding how to keep the beautiful scenery around us preserved for future generations to enjoy.

Chase MEDNICK

FINANCE/BUSINESS INTERN

Chase is a business student at the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado, Boulder, studying Finance and Accounting. He received his Business of Sports Certificate in the Summer of 2020. Chase is from just outside Philadelphia, PA, and has a passion for the sports industry, where he hopes to work in the future. He loves to ski and watch/play sports in his free time.

Nikki

HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI

Nikki is originally from Germany and has lived in Asia, Europe and the US and has been local to Colorado since 2014. Nikki loves to cook, rock-climb, play the guitar and is a substitute teacher for the schools in the area. She's a military spouse and mother as well as a highly ranked Airbnb Experience guide. She loves the National Parks and has hiked portions of the John Muir Trail, the AT, the PCT and the CDT. One place she'd love to visit soon is Alberta, Canada. Nikki’s preferred non- profit is Big City Mountaineers.

Nikki’s Trail Tip: When you immerse yourself in nature, positive things happen not only to your health but also to your mental state. Great ideas and creative solutions materialize in your thoughts, you can completely de-stress and walk away refreshed.

“HIKING BOB”

HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI

Bob is a retired firefighter and a Hiking Guide for Hike for Life. Bob has lived in Colorado for more than 26 years and is heavily involved in outdoor recreation as a newspaper and magazine columnist, guide book author, podcaster, and subject expert for local TV news stations. He is a former president of the Friends of Cheyenne Canon, and is chairperson of the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board. Bob is also an accomplished landscape photographer and travels extensively in the western United States, hiking and taking stunning photographs. Because he hikes more than 700 miles a year, there aren’t many trails in the Pikes Peak region that Bob is not familiar with. Bob chose the Trails and Open Space Coalition as his preferred non-profit because of their relentless advocacy for outdoor recreation.

Ren Thorpe

HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI

Ren served as a Social Media Director for Hike for Life. Ren is a Colorado native that spent most of her childhood to early adult years in Eagle, Colorado. She now resides in Colorado Springs and is finishing up her last year at UCCS. In 2017, Ren joined Hike for Life helping develop and manage social media content with Megan McCullough! Ren thrives in an environment where there is plenty of sunshine, mountains, and snow! She is always ready and eager to hike any mountain! For the love of dogs and people, Ren enjoys sharing Hike for Life’s mission: “nurture our outdoor community spirit and to inspire others to appreciate and care for our great outdoors”! Her preferred non-profit is the Give Well foundation.

Jacquee Martel

HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI

Jacquee is originally from Niceville, FL and has lived in The Springs since 2017. She is a business graduate from UCCS. Jacquee started working as a social media and marketing intern for HFL in April 2019 and has since become a hiking guide as well. Her favorite experience with HFL so far was having the opportunity to guide 8 students from The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind on a hike. If she isn’t hiking, Jacquee enjoys distance running and reading. She is also in attempts of teaching herself how to quilt, but has learned it’s not as easy as it seems. After graduation, it’s on her bucket list to take a trip and explore Alaska.

Jacquee’s Trail Tip: Bring enough water! Plan for more than you think you need. You don’t realize how fast you go through it when it’s hot, especially at this altitude.