Fitpacking

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a beautiful barrier island in Georgia just 50 miles north of Jacksonville, FL boasting a wealth of natural attractions. Whether it's quiet coastal marshes, the Atlantic surf pounding undeveloped dunes, wild feral horses that roam the island, beachcoming for sand dollars or sharks teeth, grand live oak trees, armadillos scampering through saw palmettos, Victorian ruins from a bygone era, or glimpses of an occasional alligator, manatee or pod of dolphins, Cumberland Island is sure to please the senses. Get away from your frigid climate, explore a wild barrier island, and lose weight (or more accurately, improve body composition).

The Cumberland Island Fitpacking Trip will be from November 6-13, 2010. See the proposed itinerary

Cumberland Island is one of Fitpacking's easiest offerings and is highly recommended for beginners. Our route will traverse nearly all of backcountry trails of this primarily flat island. Although our daily mileages are not overly ambitious, carrying around a backpack all day, especially along the sandy beach can be difficult. However, on days we get into camp early, we'll head to the beach to beachcomb and enjoy the surf rolling in.

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. January temperatures average in the mid-70s, which is perfect for backpacking, but we might also experience blazing heat or even frost at night. The water temperature will probably be too cold for anything but wading, but overall, expect a warm respite.

Steve Silberberg, who lives in Hull, MA has many years of backpacking experience over a variety of terrains and guides most Fitpacking trips. He is a SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Certified Food Handler.

Bruce Cannon lives in Columbia, SC is a Wilderness Medicine certified Wilderness First Responder, a Leave No Trace Master Educator, and has been an outdoorsman his entire life. He has been a Boy Scout Leader for 20 years, is familiar with most flora and fauna especially in the South, and sings in the rain. This will be his first trip guiding with Fitpacking.

Here is a list of equipment we suggest you bring. The list is extensive and can seem daunting, but please don't let this deter you from the trip. We can provide many of the items for you to borrow or rent for a nominal fee if you let us know far enough ahead of the trip to bring them for you. Please feel free to discuss any items of question with us before the trip.

We don't believe in austere eating regimens. Backpacking is a rigorous, rewarding activity. You must feed your body in order for it perform. Your body will dictate that you eat often, so it's important to have fuel to feed it. Please check out the sample menus. This list is not comprehensive and may be altered or augmented. If you want to bring personal food, say a 5 pound chocolate cake, go for it. After carrying it over 40 miles, your body will reject the empty calories and prefer nutritious food.

$975 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Jacksonville, FL (JAX) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.

Covered expenses include 2 nights in a hotel, 7 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.

Cumberland Island National Seashore does NOT accept campsite reservations in advance. Sites are awarded on a first come, first served basis when we reach the Island. Therefore, we are advised to be prepared to hike as much as 10.5 miles the first day to reach our campsite. This is highly unlikely since our first night of camping is a Sunday night which is traditionally slow, as are all the other weeknights. Our itinerary is predicated on the ability to stay various campsites on particular nights, but you should be aware of the possibility that we may have to make last minute logistic changes. The 2009 trip did not deviate at all from the original plan due to campsite contention.