Our Hike for Life Team
Each member of the Hike for Life Team is dedicated to local charities and non-Profit organizations as our way of increasing the Social Return on Investment (RSOI) to the community and environment.
Bruce McClintock
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXPLORATION OFFICER
Bruce, the heart behind Hike for Life, grew up in Colorado and discovered his love for hiking as a teenager. At 14, he summited Pikes Peak via the Crags trailhead—the same route featured on Hike for Life’s guided hiking trips in Colorado today! Since then, he’s completed all 58 of Colorado’s 14ers and hiked trails around the world. Bruce created Hike for Life to share the wonder and joy of the outdoors with those new to hiking. Trained in Wilderness First Aid, he believes in helping others hike more safely and confidently. Bruce also serves on the board of the Colorado Mountain Club, his preferred outdoor nonprofit.
Mindy Sachaj
FRONT/BACK COUNTRY/SUMMIT GUIDE, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Mindy’s love of nature began in Illinois, but the mountains of Colorado became home when she moved here in 1994. She’s hiked over 34 different 14ers and completed the entire 486-mile Colorado Trail in 2023. Passionate about hiking in Colorado, Mindy is trained in 4-season backcountry survival, avalanche science, and plant identification. She also enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, and winter sports as a certified ski/snowboard instructor. Mindy is a Realtor and loves guiding others through Colorado’s wilderness, sharing her outdoor knowledge along the way. Her preferred nonprofit is Big City Mountaineers, an organization dedicated to inspiring youth through outdoor adventure.
Britt Jones
SUMMIT GUIDE
Britt is an avid mountaineer who climbs year-round, even in the dead of winter. With over 200 summits of Colorado’s 14ers and more than 200 of its 13ers, he’s made a habit of conquering some of the most challenging peaks, including hiking Pikes Peak. He’s also checked off the “State Highpoints” list, including the legendary Denali in Alaska, standing tall at 20,310’. When he’s not summiting, Britt enjoys rock climbing, ice climbing, backpacking, camping, snowshoeing, road and mountain biking, and even hiking at night. As a guide for Hike for Life, Britt shares his passion for the outdoors, helping others discover the awe of the backcountry. He’s also a trip leader and course instructor for the Colorado Mountain Club. Outside of guiding, Britt works as a professional videographer and photographer.
Tabitha Frazer
FRONT COUNTRY GUIDE AND YOGA INSTRUCTOR
Mother, Yoga Instructor, Kindergarten Teacher...and now, Hiking Guide—Tabitha loves wearing all the hats! She’s passionate about connecting with people, hearing their stories, and building a sense of community. Originally from Kentucky, she grew up exploring nature, and her adventures through Europe and Hawaii only deepened her appreciation for the outdoors. Now, Tabitha and her three kids call Colorado home, where they enjoy hiking the mountains and soaking in the beauty of the outdoors. A hiking trip in Colorado is her perfect way to connect with nature and others. Tabitha’s preferred nonprofit is the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Riding Center at the Mark Reyner Stables in Palmer Park.
Bruce Barron
FRONT COUNTRY GUIDE
Bruce Barron's wife got so tired of seeing him stop and gab with people during their hikes that she referred him to Hike for Life. A professional policy writer and editor, Bruce spent most of his adult life in Pittsburgh, where he built up his leg strength by accompanying his son Trevor, an Olympic racewalker, for hundreds of miles. Since becoming a full-time Colorado Springs resident in 2019, Bruce has traversed almost every mile of trail on the city’s mountainous west side. His selected nonprofit is the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, in honor of RMFI’s amazing efforts to keep the region’s trails in excellent condition.
Melody Monberg
FRONT/BACK COUNTRY GUIDE
Certified yogi, world traveler, and lifelong adventurer, Melody has dedicated her life to helping others connect with nature. Born and raised in Africa, she summited Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro before turning 18. Now based in Colorado Springs, she’s spent decades trekking across the globe, exploring breathtaking landscapes, and guiding others to do the same. Whether hiking with her Brittany Spaniel, gardening, or cooking, she finds joy in the outdoors. As a co-owner of a hiking website, she’s passionate about inspiring others to embrace the journey. She supports Springs Rescue Mission, providing food, shelter, and life-changing care to the homeless in Colorado Springs.
Mike Ives
FRONT/BACK COUNTRY/SUMMIT GUIDE
Mike’s love for the mountains began at his grandparent’s cabin in California, where he would explore for hours alone at just 8 years old. A retired US Army Medic, Mike has climbed mountains in Colorado, Alaska, and the Alps. He has summited 55 of Colorado’s 14ers and another 40 of its 13ers, and enjoys Pikes Peak Colorado hiking. He has also skied several of these peaks, including Pikes Peak, and is a member of the Copper Mountain Volunteer Ski Patrol. Mike loves nothing more than being in the mountains and sharing that joy with others. In addition to mountaineering and skiing, Mike enjoys mountain and road biking, as well as golf. His preferred nonprofit is the Mt. Carmel Veterans Center.
Jeff Vandenbussche
CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF OUTDOOR OFFICER
An active outdoorsman since age 10, Jeff grew up in Oregon exploring the wilderness through hunting and fishing. Since moving to Colorado in 2017, he’s embraced the trails of his new home and completed a winter ascent of Pikes Peak, fueling his love for hiking Pikes Peak and beyond. When Jeff heard about starting a business that helps people get outdoors and into nature, he was all in. Trained in Wilderness First Aid, Jeff enjoys helping others safely discover the joy of the outdoors. He also serves on the board of the Tri-Lakes YMCA, his favorite nonprofit.
Hike for Life Alumni
Rob Roriston
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Rob’s love for the outdoors began in his childhood summers in Maine, which led him to hiking. After completing all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000’ Footers, he moved to Colorado to deepen his mountain knowledge. Rob has since summited 57 of Colorado’s 14ers (all but Culebra) and enjoys exploring the Pikes Peak Region. He loves rock climbing, backpacking, trail running, and skiing. As a certified Wilderness First Responder and trained in AIRIE Level I Avalanche Safety, Rob enjoys sharing his knowledge during hiking tours in Colorado. His preferred nonprofit is Big City Mountaineers.
Elizabeth Barber
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
A Colorado native, Elizabeth has been exploring the state’s mountains and forests since childhood. Growing up in a single-parent home, hiking provided an affordable way to connect with nature. She has since hiked Colorado’s 14ers, rock climbed, and embraced mountaineering. Elizabeth earned an AAS in Outdoor Leadership from Pikes Peak Community College and loves sharing outdoor skills and history. In 2018, Elizabeth made history of her own when she hiked Pikes Peak in moccasins and an 1850s-style dress, celebrating the 160th anniversary of the first female ascent. When she’s not hiking or teaching, Elizabeth works with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI), her preferred nonprofit, helping to maintain the trails we all cherish.
Megan McCullough
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
As a Colorado hiking guide, Megan’s love for the outdoors has shaped her journey since childhood in Indianapolis, Indiana. She moved to Colorado Springs in 2014, where her passion for photography blossomed, and now she spends her time exploring the mountains with her husband, two dogs, and camera in hand. When she’s not capturing breathtaking landscapes, Megan enjoys camping, skiing, snowshoeing, canoeing, and trail running. With a heart for education and a belief that our parks are treasures, she supports Guardians of Palmer Park to ensure this beloved park remains protected for future generations.
Lauren Wolfe
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Lauren’s journey as one of the Colorado hiking guides began in her hometown of Memphis, TN, where she explored the outdoors through horseback riding, hunting, and fishing on her grandparents’ farm. After hiking in places like Arizona, Texas, and Oregon, Lauren moved to Colorado in 2019 to attend medical school. She later took a break from medical school to focus on family and share her love for hiking as a guide with Hike for Life. For Lauren, being in nature always fueled her adventurous spirit, pushing her both mentally and physically. Her preferred non-profit is Big City Mountaineers.
Kara Thomas
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Kara is originally from Chicago and moved to Colorado a few years ago to attend Colorado College, where she studied sociology and environmental science. She quickly fell in love with the mountains and planned to stay in Colorado after graduation. Kara enjoys running, hiking, skiing, camping, and yoga, and loved watching the stunning sunsets over Pikes Peak. Drawn to Hike for Life for its mission to nurture community, inspire exploration, and preserve the great outdoors, Kara is passionate about both the outdoors and making a positive impact.
Lindsey Rice
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Lindsey was born and raised in Colorado Springs, where her love of nature began as a child and has only grown since. She enjoys camping, backpacking, hiking, climbing, and kayaking, along with photography, painting, and creating digital art. Having studied strategic communications and marketing at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Lindsey hopes to always work in the outdoors, spreading awareness about preserving the beautiful scenery around us for future generations to enjoy.
Nikki
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Originally from Germany, Nikki has lived in Asia, Europe, and the U.S., settling in Colorado in 2014. She loves cooking, rock-climbing, playing guitar, and works as a substitute teacher in the area. As a military spouse and mother, Nikki brings a diverse perspective to her work as a highly ranked Airbnb Experience guide. She’s hiked portions of the John Muir Trail, the AT, the PCT, and the CDT, and hopes to visit Alberta, Canada, soon. Nikki believes that immersing yourself in nature brings not only physical benefits but also a boost to your mental well-being—creative ideas flow, stress melts away, and you walk away feeling refreshed. Her preferred non-profit is Big City Mountaineers.
“HIKING BOB”
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Bob is a retired firefighter and a Hiking Guide for Hike for Life. He’s lived in Colorado for more than 26 years and is deeply involved in outdoor recreation as a newspaper and magazine columnist, guidebook author, podcaster, and subject expert for local TV news stations. As a former president of the Friends of Cheyenne Canon and chairperson of the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board, Bob is committed to protecting the outdoors. An accomplished landscape photographer, he hikes more than 700 miles a year, with many of those miles spent exploring the Pikes Peak Colorado hiking trails. 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 is a Colorado native who spent most of her childhood to early adult years in Eagle, Colorado, and now calls Colorado Springs home. She completed her studies at UCCS and, in 2017, joined Hike for Life, where she helped develop and manage social media content. Ren thrives in an environment filled with sunshine, mountains, and snow, and is always ready to take on any hiking trips in Colorado. She loves sharing Hike for Life’s mission to "nurture our outdoor community spirit and inspire others to appreciate and care for our great outdoors." Ren's preferred non-profit is the Give Well foundation.
Jacquee Martel
HIKE FOR LIFE ALUMNI
Jacquee, originally from Niceville, FL, has called Colorado Springs home since 2017. A business graduate from UCCS, she started with Hike for Life in 2019 as a social media and marketing intern before becoming a Colorado hiking guide. One of her favorite moments was guiding eight students from The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind on a hike. Outside of hiking, Jacquee enjoys distance running, reading, and has taken on the challenge of teaching herself quilting—though it’s been trickier than expected! Jacquee advises always bringing more water than you think you'll need, especially when hiking at high altitudes—it's easy to go through it faster than you expect, especially on warm days.