Mountain Legends
moun•tain leg•end (n.)
- An admirable individual who has contributed significantly to the High Country outdoors through education, service, scholarship, or development
- Someone who has made a lifelong dedication to sharing their passion and improving the outdoor community for all
Mountain Legends is hosted by the Outdoor Recreation Management program at Lees-McRae College. The event is split into two portions. From 6–7 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to network with both current and past Mountain Legends. This networking portion will include dinner and drinks. From 7–9 p.m., a panel discussion with this year’s Mountain Legends will offer these industry leaders a platform to showcase their stories and experiences.
Event Information
The next Mountain Legends event will take place Thursday, April 9, 2026.
WHEN
6–9 p.m.
WHERE
LP on Main
171 Main St E
Banner Elk, NC 28604
2026 Legends
- Justin Padgett
Landmark Learning, The Landmark Foundation, National Outdoor Leadership School Wilderness Medicine, North Carolina Office Emergency Medical Services, American Canoe Association
- John Copper
Mast General Store
- Rufus Dalton
Outward Bound, North Carolina Outward Bound School
- Linda Tatsapaugh
Camp Elliott, Talisman Programs, Talisman Academy, National Association of Therapeutic Wilderness Counselling
Past Legends
- Dr. Charlie Baker
North Carolina Outward Bound School (advisor and physician), MAHEC Family Medicine Residency (Boone), Crossnore and Linville pediatric practice.
- Dr. Gordon Grant
Mondamin Camp, Green Cove Camp, Nantahala Outdoor Center, North Carolina Outward Bound School, UNC Chapel Hill
- Robbie Oats
Phoenix Experiential Designs, Canopy Construction Associates, Alpine Towers, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Mountain Alliance
- Bunny Johns
Camp Merrie-Woode, Nantahala Outdoor Center, International Whitewater Hall of Fame
- Doc Klein
Alpine Towers International, Outward Bound, HahnX, Expeditionary Learning
- Skip Sickler
National Park Service, Outward Bound, Alpine Towers, International
- Paul Wolf
Southwestern Community College, Association for Experiential Education, Alpine Towers International, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Voyageur Outward Bound School
- Mike Fischesser
Outward Bound, Alpine Towers, Beanstalk, The American Adventure Service Corps
- Jim Gravely
North Carolina Outward Bound, Pecos River, Alpine Towers, Beanstalk Designs, Beanstalk Builders, Bonzai Designs, Cornerstone Designs, Challenge Design Innovations, Phoenix Experiential Designs, Signature Research, Western Piedmont Community College, JG Construction, Association for Challenge Course Technology, Grand Canyon Private Boaters Association, Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail
- Jude Bevan
Appalachian State University's Camp Broadstone, American Camp Association
- Jim Cottrell
French-Swiss Ski College, Appalachian State University, United States Military, International Special Olympics, American Association of Physical Education Recreation and Dance, Professional Ski Instructors of America, National Ski Patrol, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America
- Nina Fischesser
Lees-McRae College May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, North Carolina Outward Bound School, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina
- John Huie
North Carolina Outward Bound School, Environmental Leadership Center of Warren Wilson College, John Huie & Associates
- Goose Kearse
Misty Mountain Threadworks, The Access Fund, The High Country Conservancy
- KB Medford
Nantahala Outdoor Center, American Canoe Association, US Whitewater Racing Team, World Age Group Olympic Championship, World Half Ironman Championships
-
Gil Adams
National Ski Patrol, Southern Division of NSP, North Carolina Ski Areas Association, National Ski Areas Association, Beech Mountain Town Council, League of American Bicyclists -
Bob Benner
Western Piedmont Community College, American Canoe Association, Friends Of Mountains-To- Sea Trail, North Carolina Outward Bound School -
Jerry Cantwell
Appalachian State University, Mountain Alliance, North Carolina Outward Bound School - Randy Johnson
Appalachian Mountain Club, U.S. Forest Service, Grandfather Mountain (Attraction and State Park Advisory Committee), Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Society of American Travel Writers, North American Snowsports Journalists Association, North American Travel Journalists Association, American Society of Magazine Editors, National Ski Patrol (Nordic), Professional Ski Instructors of America (Nordic) - Lisa Loveday
Avery County Schools Experiential Education Program, Kaplan/Mitchell Conference and Retreat Center at Ramah Darom, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Alpine Towers, Int., Live and Learn Consulting
- Aram Attarian
North Carolina State University, North Carolina Outward Bound School - Jeep Barrett
North Carolina Outward Bound School, Alpine Towers International, Phoenix Experiential Designs - Tex Teixeira
Camp Woodson Wilderness Challenge Program, Association of Experiential Education (AEE), North Carolina Outward Bound School - Dee Thomas
Lees-McRae College, Catalyst Sports, North Carolina Outward Bound School, Beech Mountain Adaptive Ski Program - Jim Wall
Challenge Design Innovations, Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), Georgia College and State University - Tom Zartman
Phoenix Experiential Designs, Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)
Thank you to our sponsors!
Questions?
Contact Associate Professor of Outdoor Recreation Management Katie Wall to learn more about the event.