To connect with the community be sure to also check out the Facebook group

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

Temperatures from 2°C to 18°C

To fully enjoy HIGHLANDER, we strongly advise you to prepare physically beforehand. We recommend you backpack (hike with a pack on) min. 20km per week in the 2 months before the event, and feel comfortable hiking 20km in one session by 4 weeks out.

During your physical preparation, don't forget to test the gear too!

Autumn climate at Mt Hotham should be ideal hiking weather. Cool mornings and warm days without excessive heat. However mountain weather can be unpredictable, and you should prepare for highs up to 18 and lows to 2 degrees as the HIGHLANDER course will take you up to 1865m.

Note - The checklist for other formats differs from the one-day Lyra format.

Temperatures from 2°C to 18°C

Get your backpacking checklist here

Backpack checklist

BACKPACK

The backpack you will be carrying will likely be heavy. Start training with 8 - 10kg and increase gradually to 15 - 20kg. For Lyra format, we suggest a maximum of 10kg.

HIGHLANDER backpack

BACKPACK

The backpack you will be carrying will likely be heavy. Start training with 8 - 10kg and increase gradually to 15 - 20kg. For Lyra format, we suggest a maximum of 10kg.

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 and base layers) for its quick-drying, anti-fungal, and anti-odor properties.

A fully packed backpack, excluding food and water, should not weigh over 17kg (for Lyra 10kg). The lighter, the better!

< 17kg

The lighter, the better!

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW WHEN ON THE MOUNTAIN

Highlander travel informations

Weather

Expect cool mornings, sunny days and colder nights.

In April the Alpine National Park averages 10.8 days of rain, so although rain is unlikely it's definitely possible. You should bring rain and dry weather clothing, including a cap or a hat, thermal gloves if you are susceptible to the cold, cold-weather long-sleeve t-shirt (preferably merino), 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. Isobutane fuel canisters for cooking meals will be provided by HIGHLANDER.

Navigation

To find your way around, you must know how to read gpx maps and use a compass  as well as a GPS navigation tool that you may use alongside the compass.

For Pegasus, and Orion a special physical map will be provided by the Organizer.

Safety

For your safety, all participants must have a first aid kit during our events. All first aid kits must include a snake bandage, and you need to know how to use it.

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 not allowed in Australian national parks and so cannot be on course.

PACKING LIST FOR HIGHLANDER MT HOTHAM - for Lyra download the Checklist

*Items marked with (MANDATORY) are MANDATORY ITEMS.

BACKPACK
  • backpack (40-60L)
  • backpack liner/cover
  • dry bags (2-5L)
  • ziplock bags
  • rubbish bag (provided by organizer) (MANDATORY)
FOOD & DRINKS
  • camping food divided by days (provided by organizer)
  • snacks
  • start water 4L (MANDATORY)
  • hydration bladder/water bottles (volume 4L) + water (MANDATORY)
  • water purification filter/drops/tabs (MANDATORY)
COOKING
  • backpacking stove (MANDATORY)/ultralight backpacking canister stove
  • cookware & cutlery (MANDATORY)
  • matches or lighter
  • biodegradable hand sanitizer or soap
SLEEP SYSTEM
  • sleeping bag / bivouac sack (MANDATORY)
  • sleeping bag liner
  • sleeping mat / bivouac sack with integrated sleeping mat (MANDATORY)
  • pillow
SHELTER
  • tent/bivouac sack (MANDATORY)
NAVIGATION
  • map and trail instructions (provided by the organizer)
  • map cover (provided by the organizer)
  • compass (MANDATORY)
  • GPS device
  • mobile phone with navigation app
CLOTHES
  • warm mid-layer (MANDATORY)
  • base layer
  • underwear
  • rain shell
  • hiking socks
  • bandana / hat
  • camp shoes
  • gloves
LIGHT
  • headlamp / flashlight (MANDATORY)
  • back up light
  • extra batteries
HYGIENE & PROTECTION
  • toothbrush & biodegradable toothpaste
  • toilet paper - biodegradable
  • soap - biodegradable
  • light towel
  • lip balm
  • insect repellent
  • sunscreen
  • sunglasses
  • first aid kit inc. snake bandage (MANDATORY)
  • survival blanket (MANDATORY)
PERSONAL ITEMS & GEAR
  • watch
  • paracord
  • trekking poles
  • gaiters
  • knife
  • pen and paper
  • phone/camera
  • ID
  • a copy of itinerary left with family or friends

Get your backpacking checklist here

Backpack checklist
Hikers exercising

BECOME A PART OF
THE HIGHLANDER COMMUNITY!

Get the latest info about events, discounts, and educational content.

Read about all things encompassed in the Adventure of a Lifetime!

HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE

245 Park Avenue, New York

info@highlanderadventure.com

Terms of ServicePrivacy PolicyFAQContact

HIGHLANDER ADVENTURE

245 Park Avenue, New York

info@highlanderadventure.com