HIGHLANDER - Adventure of a Lifetime

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

Temperatures from 32°F / 0°C to 59°F / 15°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.

Temperatures in North Lake Tahoe at the beginning of October are on average around 59° F (15° C) during the day but nights and early mornings are significantly colder. The temperature at night can drop down to 32° F (0° C). Weather is typically a cloudy sky with high chances of rain so bring well-made and durable all-weather hiking clothes suitable for layering.

Temperatures from 32°F / 0°C to 59°F / 15°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!

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN

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.

Pets

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

PACKING LIST FOR HIGHLANDER NORTH LAKE TAHOE

*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 (MI)

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

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BACKPACK

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN

PACKING LIST FOR HIGHLANDER NORTH LAKE TAHOE

BACKPACK

FOOD & DRINKS

COOKING

SLEEP SYSTEM

SHELTER

NAVIGATION

CLOTHES

LIGHT

HYGIENE & PROTECTION

PERSONAL ITEMS & GEAR

.css-17230ao{color:transparent;-webkit-text-stroke:1px #fbfcfd;}BECOME A PART OFTHE HIGHLANDER COMMUNITY!

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

BECOME A PART OF
THE HIGHLANDER COMMUNITY!