Meet: 5:45am @ Hecuba (Village Statue) on Saturday, September 20th

Return: 8pm September 21st

Member: $77 Non member: $101

Participant Driver (1): $34

Participant drivers will also have all gas reimbursed!

Activity: Backpacking, frolicking, stargazing

Difficulty: (8/10) Hard Distance: 12.4 miles / 20km Elevation: 3,800 ft / 1,150 m

Recommended Prior Experience: Lots of hiking recommended, backpacking experience welcome

Location of Trip: Silver Peak Wilderness

Native Land: Salinan

Pre-Trip Meeting: 7pm on September 18th @ 2647 Orchard Ave

Kick off the year with a wonderfully whimsical backpacking adventure in Big Sur with Alex and David! Come join us as we venture into the Lion’s Den (campground) in search of camaraderie and adventure. (Big) Sur-ly A Fun Time is the perfect opportunity for experienced hikers looking to make the leap into backpacking for the first time! This stunning out-and-back route will leave you breathless as we take in the California coast. The day will conclude with a gourmet meal prepared by Chef David, hailing from the food capital of Toronto where he spent five years researching ideal backcountry gastronomy, and Chef Alex who is one of the few who has pioneered the practice of fire potatoes (due to fire restrictions, they will be limited to gas stoves, no open fires, sadly). We will soak in the night sky free of Los Angeles light pollution before waking the next day to hike out and return to campus. This trip is sure to delight the mind, body, and soul and will leave you refreshed and ready to tackle the year!

Contact the Guides:

Alex Tang: atang460@usc.edu

David McQuillen Young: dmcquill@usc.edu

What to Bring:

• Capacity for 2L of water

• Backpacking pack (50L+) (can borrow from SCO)

• Sleeping bag (can borrow from SCO)

• Mess kit

• Warm clothes for night/to sleep in (low of 50° F, 10° C)

• Headlamp/flashlight

• Comfortable hiking shoes (comfort is the most important thing, hiking boots are great but running shoes will work too)

• Comfortable hiking clothes

• Socks

• Underwear

• Bug spray (do you like insect bites? I don’t..)

• Sunscreen

• Hat, sunglasses, etc

• Swim trunks and towel (swimming optional, it’s gonna be so cold)

• Mess kit (this just means a plate/bowl/tupperware and fork/spoon) (can be plastic)

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant etc)

• Medication

• Mess kit (Unironically one of the most important items. Please bring one.)

*REMINDER (overnights only) : if you do not have a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpacking pack, or other technical gear (non-clothing), do not panic, SC Outfitters has these items for you! Your guides will send out a gear-request form the week of your trip where you’ll let them know what gear you need!

Price of the trip includes (and we will provide):

• Snacks

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided when a trip occurs during meal-times

• Any technical gear required (ie. kayaks, snowshoes, snorkels, backpacking packs, sleeping bags, fishing rods, etc.)

• All group / shared gear (tents, stoves, bear cans, first aid kit, etc.)

• Any permits or campsite reservations needed

• Cost of gas reimbursed for participant drivers

• Amazing guides who love the outdoors and do this for free!
  

Please Review Our Cancellation and Refund Policy:

All SC Outfitters trips have a no-refund policy unless a substitute participant can be found. In the event your trip requires added reporting measures of participants (plane tickets, external providers, rental services, etc.) dropping the trip close to the date of the trip will not allow for the spot to be re-filled. See the details on trip pages for specific deadlines and reference our complete cancellation/refund policy here.

TRIP DIFFICULTY RATING SYSTEM

• Difficulty rating for trips

  • 1: No physical activity.

  • 2: Leisurely walk.

  • 3: 2-5 miles less than 1000 ft of total elevation gain on well maintained trails. About 2-3 hours continuous activity

  • 4: 4-6 miles, about 1000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. About 3 hours of continuous activity.

  • 5: 6-8 miles, about 1500ft of elevation gain on maintained trials. 4-5 hours continuous activity

  • 6: 8-10 miles, about 2000 ft of elevation gain, well maintained trails. 4-6 hours of continuous activity.

  • 7: 10-14 miles, over 2500 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 8: At high altitude. 12-16 total miles, over 3000 ft of elevation gain, variable trail conditions possible. Full day of continuous activity.

  • 9: Technical skills may be necessary. At high altitude with physical elevation gain. Scrambling over rocks likely involved.

  • 10: u gunna die

**If you have any questions or concerns about the physical activity, recommended prior experience, or gear needed on any kind of trip please contact the guides as soon as possible!!

This program is open to all eligible individuals. SC Outfitters operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

Individuals with disabilities who need accommodations to attend this event may contact the guides listed above on the trip page. We request that individuals requiring accommodations or auxiliary aids such as sign language interpreters and alternative format materials notify us at least 7 days prior to the event. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner.