General questions

01

What do I receive when I complete HIGHLANDER?

If you complete any distance of HIGHLANDER successfully, you will receive a unique experience to remember every time you look up in the sky, lifetime friends, a hard-earned HIGHLANDER Title, Pin, Patch, and Certificate.

02

What is the cutoff time?

This is a backpacking adventure, not a race. 

HIGHLANDER Hercules Kalispell, Montana is from September 10 to 14, 2024.

HIGHLANDER Pegasus Kalispell, Montana is from September 12 to 14, 2024.

03

Will HIGHLANDER take place in the event of bad/inclement weather?

Yes.

REGISTRATIONS - CHECK-IN - START

01

How do I register?

To register for the event, complete the registration form on the event website and submit using the REGISTER NOW button. 

Payments are made online only using a debit or credit card. 

 Capacity is limited, make sure you don't miss your slot and register now for the Adventure of a Lifetime! 

02

How can I register as a team?

You can register as a team using Team registration 3+1:

  • Available from the Regular price category.
  • 3+1 means that the team of 4 is registered - 3 registrations are purchased and 1 is complimentary.
  • Choose a member of your team that will make the purchase of the whole group. Congratulations, you are now a Team Captain. During the purchase, you are asked to name the team and make a password.
  • You share the name and the password with the other 3 people in your team, that register as Team Members.
  • Team Members register with a price of €0 but need Team's name and password in order to register.
  • The maximum in 3+1 is 4 people. There can be less, but not more. In case of fewer people, the group is not entitled to the price deduction.

03

Transfer/Withdrawal/ Deferral process:

Please find all relevant information here.

04

Can someone else register for me?

No, all participants must come to Registration in person during open hours for the Registration Check-in and to personally sign the event waiver.

05

Is there a minimum age to participate?

Minors are permitted at the event with a parent/guardian. Please download the document attached below, complete the document with the necessary information and save it as a PDF. Once the parent/guardian is registered, please email the PDF to the organizer at usa@highlanderadventure.com and request further instructions on how to register a minor.

The minors' age limit differs by the format. Please check the age limit below.  

Consents for Minor to participate:

06

I have not received the confirmation e-mail – where can I find it?

The confirmation email is automatically sent after submitting the payment. Check your inbox and spam folders, and if confirmation is not found, please contact usa@highlanderadventure.com

07

How do I change my personal details (address, e-mail…)?

If this is your first time registering for an event on the Active.com platform, you will create an Active profile. Here you will have access to all registered events, and you can edit some of your personal details.

  • Log in to https://myevents.active.com.     
  • Scroll through the list of registered events 
  • Choose “Edit Registration Information” 
  • Make changes to custom questions etc.   
  • Save changes

If you need to change other information (such as an email address), please contact usa@highlanderadventure.com.

08

What is the onsite registration procedure?

All participants must register in person at the event before the start to collect the Participant´s Kit and food. We do not send out the Participant´s Kit by mail. You will also receive an email with Registration Check-in information one week before the event. 

09

Will you be providing transportation to the Check-in and/or Start?

HERCULES: There is no shuttle to the Check-in. There is organized an optional shuttle from Check-in to the Start but since there is parking by the Start, transport is with an additional fee.

PEGASUS: There is no shuttle to the Check-in, however all participants go from Check-in to the Start with our official shuttle (included in the registration fee).

For more information about the prices, shuttle hours and place - please see At the start section.

10

I will be staying in Montana after the event. Will HIGHLANDER provide transportation to my next destination after the event?

No. Any other transportation arrangements are your responsibility. 

WHAT TO BRING

01

What food is provided?

It depends on you and your body. For each participant, the Organizer will provide camping food, distributed at checkpoints. There is a specific field in the registration form that includes diet preferences. A vegan option will be available at all checkpoints. Vegetarian and gluten-free options, however, will not be available.

We all have unique eating habits and feel full at different rates so if you think you need additional food / have a special diet please bring it with you.

If you are participating with your dog please bear in mind dog food is not provided.

02

Can I bring my dog?

Of course! 

However take into consideration it might still be pretty hot and unless the dog is acclimated to the heat, overheating might be a challenge. For the same reason, please make sure the dog is well hydrated - you probably need to carry 1.5x to 2x your water amount for the two of you. 

The general rule for the K9 team for wilderness in hot weather is 1 liter (0.26 gallon) per 1-2 hours for the dog and his owner together.

There is no extra registration fee required but please note the dog food is your responsibility.

Dogs are allowed onboard transportation buses. Your dog must always be kept on a leash, even in the camping area where they must be taken outside of the camping area to relieve themselves. Dogs are not allowed inside any buildings including the dining hall. 

03

Can I bring my drone?

We are aware some of you might want to capture your Adventure of a Lifetime by using a drone, however, we have to point out that drones are, unfortunately, not allowed.

04

What type of clothing should I pack?

Temperatures in the Flathead National Forest in mid-September are between 59° F (15° C) and 50° F (10° C). Weather is typically a cloudy sky with high humidity and high chances of rain. To be safe, we recommend you prepare for all types of weather as well as you can. 

THE ROUTE

01

I have never hiked, but I feel physically ready. Can I register?

Of course! HIGHLANDER is not for professional hikers and mountaineers only. It welcomes nature lovers hungry for activity and adventure. HIGHLANDER is very safe and not overly challenging. A minimum of backpacking experience is required. We suggest starting a training plan in the months before the event.

02

How can I best prepare for HIGHLANDER Kalispell?

All participants should be physically prepared to tackle the route smoothly. We recommend 60-120 miles of light backpacking in the months before HIGHLANDER to prepare for the trail. Above all, you must be able to carry a heavy backpack (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 prior to the event.

Find more information on how to get ready here.

03

Is there cellular service on the course?

There is spotty coverage for most of the course.

04

How difficult is it to stay on the trail?

Most hiking trails in the Flathead National Forest are well-marked, but some short sections of the route have some less-traveled paths where you need to stay more aware of your bearings. It is important to follow markers and official hiking trails. Always keep a map on hand and follow the signposts to stay on course and arrive safely at your destination.

05

Do I have to stop at each checkpoint?

You have to collect all checkpoint stamps. Checkpoints are open at specific times. Note Hercules and Pegasus formats have different Checkpoint schedules. Staff will stamp your HIGHLANDER ID. Outside staff working hours (or similar), you will stamp your own ID. 

06

Do I have to set up my tent close to checkpoints?

Bivouacking is allowed only inside the designated bivouacking campgrounds.

07

Will you be designating sleeping areas?

Designated bivouacking sites are on the Checkpoints for each HIGHLANDER format or in close vicinity, and you are required to camp on these sites.

08

Can I sleep in mountain lodges or huts?

No. Sleeping is only permitted in tents and in sleeping bags which are mandatory HIGHLANDER gear for all participants. Mountain lodges and huts have limited space and could not accommodate all HIGHLANDER participants. Sleeping in a tent is a special experience and one of the best parts of a true backpacking adventure.

09

Are hiking poles a good idea?

A great idea!

10

What if I have gear trouble?

Checkpoint staff are trained for such cases. Feel free to consult them with any gear malfunction or similar issues.

11

Can I share my gear with other participants?

Yes. Participants sharing equipment must inform the organizing staff at Registration Check-in -Event week. Gear that can be shared includes the required tents, compasses, and first aid kits. Participants sharing the required gear must cross the finish line within a time difference of no more than 30 minutes from the first to the last group member.

12

Who do I contact in case of any questions?

Please contact the organizer at usa@highlanderadventure.com.

Hikers exercising

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HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE

245 Park Avenue, New York

info@highlanderadventure.com