Don't be fooled – HIGHLANDER is no walk in the park!

Temperatures from 40°F / 4°C to 70°F / 21°C

To fully enjoy HIGHLANDER, we strongly advise you to prepare physically beforehand. We recommend you backpack around 125 miles during the months leading to the event. During your physical preparations, don't forget to test the gear also.

The climate of Big Bear Lake is moderately continental. The winters are cold and snowy, while summers are sunny and warm during the day but cool at night. Since the event will take place in summer, expect plenty of sunshine and small chances of precipitation. The climate is a high desert at 7,000 ft of altitude which means dry air and strong sun exposure. Expect temperatures averaging between mid 70°F(21°C) and high to mid 40°F(4°C).

Temperatures from 40°F / 4°C to 70°F / 21°C

Get your backpacking checklist here

Backpack checklist

BACKPACK

The backpack you will be carrying will likely be heavy. Practice with 11-15 lbs and increase gradually to 33-37 lbs.

Make sure you can walk comfortably in your backpacking shoes and break them in before the event.

Look into ultralight backpacking and thru-hiking methods of walking and packing. Bring only the indispensable items in your backpack and choose natural materials wherever possible.

Merino wool is great (especially for underwear) for its quick-drying, anti-fungal, and anti-odor properties.

A fully packed backpack, excluding food and water, should not weigh over 37 lbs. The lighter, the better!

< 37 lbs

The lighter, the better!

HIGHLANDER backpack

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN

Highlander travel informations

weather

Expect dry and sunny weather with low humidity and colder nights.

Bring dry weather and rain clothing, including a cap or hat, gloves, cold-weather long-sleeve t-shirt (preferably wool), hiking pants, rain pants, and a rain jacket.

Food

For cooking food, you will need an ultralight backpacking canister stove and at least a 1L pot per person, both are available for rent from our partner RightOnTrek. Isobutane fuel canisters for cooking meals will be provided by HIGHLANDER.

Navigation

To find your way around, you must know how to read maps (which will be provided by the Organizer) and use a compass, available for rent from our partner RightOnTrek as well as a GPS navigation tool that you may use alongside the compass.

Safety

For your safety, all participants must have a first aid kit during our events. And, since we are backpacking in the land of bears, mountain lions, and other mammals with large teeth, we recommend you consider carrying bear spray.  Both first aid kits and bear spray are available from our partner RightOnTrek. 

Littering

We believe our participants love and cherish nature and all its beauty. We know you wouldn’t litter, so please bring a waste bag for your litter.

Littering on and around trails, checkpoints, and mountain lodges is forbidden. Litterers will be disqualified and banned from applying to any future HIGHLANDER events.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome but must always stay on a leash. See the Rules for more info.

PACKING LIST FOR HIGHLANDER BIG BEAR LAKE

*Items marked with (MI) are MANDATORY ITEMS and items marked with an (RT-R) are available for rent or (RT-S) available for sale from our partner RightOnTrek. 

BACKPACK
  • backpack (35-60L) (RT-R)
  • backpack liner/cover (RT-R)
  • dry bags (2-5L)
  • ziplock bags
  • trash bag (provided by organizer) (MI)
FOOD & DRINKS
  • camping food divided by days (provided by organizer)
  • snacks
  • start water 4L (MI)
  • hydration bladder / water bottles (volume 4L) + water (MI)
  • water purification filter (RT-R)/drops (RT-S)/ tabs (MI)
COOKING
  • backpacking stove (MI)/ ultralight backpacking canister stove (RT-R)
  • cookware & cutlery (MI) (RT-R)
  • matches or lighter (RT-S)
  • biodegradable hand sanitizer or soap
SLEEP SYSTEM
  • sleeping bag (RT-R)/ bivouac sack (MI)
  • sleeping bag liner (RT-R)
  • sleeping pad / bivouac sack with integrated sleeping pad (MI) (RT-R)
  • pillow
SHELTER
  • tent (RT-R)/ bivouac sack / hammock + tarp (MI)
NAVIGATION
  • map and trail instructions (provided by the organizer)
  • map cover (provided by the organizer)
  • compass (MI) (RT-R)
  • GPS device (RT-R)
CLOTHES
  • warm clothes layer (MI)
  • base layer
  • underwear
  • rain shell
  • hiking socks
  • bandana / hat
  • camp shoes
  • gloves
LIGHT
  • headlamp / flashlight (MI) (RT-R)
  • extra batteries
  • tent light
HYGIENE & PROTECTION
  • toothbrush & biodegradable toothpaste
  • toilet paper - biodegradable
  • soap - biodegradable
  • light towel
  • lip balm (RT-S)
  • insect repellent (RT-S)
  • sunscreen (RT-S)
  • sunglasses
  • first aid kit (MI) (RT-S)
  • survival blanket (MI)
  • bear spray - see how to use it
PERSONAL ITEMS & GEAR
  • watch
  • duct tape (RT-S)
  • trekking poles (RT-R)
  • gaiters
  • knife
  • pen and paper
  • phone/camera
  • national ID card of passport
  • money
  • a copy of itinerary left with family or friends

Get your backpacking checklist here

Backpack checklist
Hikers exercising

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245 Park Avenue, New York

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HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE

245 Park Avenue, New York

info@highlanderadventure.com