Climb for Heroes is this weekend!! Here is everything we think you need to know (probably more than you asked for, but we are nothing if not wordy)

Plan to arrive at 8401 Mt. Baldy Road, Mt. Baldy CA anytime between 7:00 am and 10:30 am. Parking is free and you will need a few moments to get your bib, your t-shirt, stow your swag (if you received an email about goodies you earned), grab a boxed water, and have a cup of coffee or a bite to eat. We also invite you to take a picture at the  Kilogear Photo Booth (and make sure you keep your Climb for Heroes map because there’s a QR code to scan for gear that gives back to THP!

We will release waves of people up the mountain between 8:00 and 10:00 am. After 10:30, we will be shutting our check-in down so that we can move up the mountain to see you at The Notch for the after party....read on.

As you hike up the mountain, you will receive coins at every camp. The coins are for keeps this year. You will not trade them in for swag at the end of the event. If you make the summit, you will receive an Eddie Bauer GOLD MEDAL!!! And be eligible for bragging rights at our “summiters only” photo station at The Notch.

At 2:00 pm, no matter where you are on the mountain (or how close to the summit you think you are), you will need to turn around. It gets dark at 5pm and hiking in cold, dark, and windy conditions can be dangerous and miserable. You will know it's 2:00pm because that's when the fighter jets will fly over and when our mountain safety staff directs you to start your descent. It's also when the tunes will start kicking into high gear at The Notch. And it's when you can order a beer, a soda, coffee, hot chocolate, or a burger (veggie too) and enjoy the beautiful views and bask in the glory of your hard work.

The chair lifts are open, and you are welcome to take that back down to your car or hike down the same way you came up. Please just be aware that it gets dark quickly. So if you are planning to hike down the trail, you might want to pack a headlamp for safety reasons.

THE WEATHER:

It is going to be a gorgeous day on Mt. Baldy. Highs in the 50s and lows (on the Summit) in the low 30s. You'll feel warm when you're moving and in the sun. It will be cold in the shade and in the morning during check-in, or as the sun dips below the mountain top. Layers are your friends. Gloves and a beanie are recommended for those of you going to the top. And your pups paws will need booties if they aren't snow ready. Please be a good dog owner and make sure your furry family is as prepared as you are.

AND the most important part of this email:
Come Thursday afternoon - WE ARE OFFICIALLY OFF THE GRID preparing Mt. Baldy for all of you. It's the best/worst thing about hosting an event on the mountain - NO CELL SERVICE. Please use this email and climbforheroes.org  to answer any questions you have between now and Saturday. Hopefully, we've answered everything!

We can't wait to see you on Veterans Day!

JJ, Tim, and Team THP

PS - Below is the information from the email we sent last Saturday (just in case you need some more reading material):

WHAT TO BRING:

• Cash for THP Swag and beer camp donations
• Credit Card (for an after-climb libation or delicious food at "The Notch" - they take cash too :)
• Layers!!  - Remember that your iPhone weather app will show temperatures in the Mt. Baldy village (4,000 ft elevation) however our basecamp is at 6,500 ft and the temperature will dip about 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet you climb - so layers are your friend since you're going from 6,500 ft to 10,064 feet!!

GENERAL GEAR LIST:

• A good pair of hiking boots/shoes
• Nalgene/eco-friendly water bottle or bladder/hose system and WATER! – remember we have Boxed Waterat base camp and you can fill your bottle at the "The Notch" but above 8000 feet, you will need to carry what you need.
• Trekking poles (if you so desire and we do recommend them)
• A good pair of hiking socks
• Sunblock
• Daypack
• Buff or bandana or scarf
• Beanie and/or sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Jacket and other layering
• Smartphone for pictures (you won't have cell or Wi-Fi service so your phone is the perfect pocket-sized camera to post and brag to friends later)
• Cash for THP Swag Shop and beer camp
• Credit card for the after-party at The Notch 
• Other possible essentials - first aid kit, pocket knife, Moleskin for blisters, energy bars, headlamp, lip salve. 

THP Medics will be stationed at every camp for emergencies