Fitpacking

The 1400 mile long Florida National Scenic Trail runs all the way from the Everglades to Alabama. Largely unknown and rarely hiked, the trail is home to a panoply of wild (and not so wild) animals including deer, wild hogs, sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, bald eagles, alligators, great blue herons, turtles, egrets, ubiquitous cows, and even black bears. Follow through on your New Year's resolution, get away from your frigid climate, see a wild and seldom seen section of Florida, and lose weight (or more accurately, improve body composition).

Our route will take us almost 60 primarily flat miles through Ocala National Forest, which because of it's fine scenery and wild character, was the very first section of the Florida Trail that was protected. It is a fascinating amalagmation of Live Oak Hammocks, Pine Forests, scenic prairies, and many other interesting eco-systems. About midway through the trip, we will take a half-day canoe trip starting from crystal clear Juniper Springs, where year-round warm water temperatures encourage swimming. Don't be surprised to see an otter or alligator along the way!

The Florida Trail Fitpacking Trip will be from January 16-24, 2010. See the proposed itinerary. Most of the trail will be very flat, with occasional hills tossed in.

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Fortunately, January is a ideal time to hike in Central Florida. Days are temperate and nights are cool. Expect a few desultory bugs, but nothing compared to swarms during other seasons in Florida. Please come prepared for rain, an occasional cold night and the possibility of blazing heat. Midday temperatures during the January 2007 trip reached the 90s for a few days, but this, like cold weather is atypical.

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.

Jon Facemire is a SOLO Certified Wilderness First Responder from Lusby, MD who completed his Southbound thru-hike of the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail in October 2009. He spent 3 years leading trips at the University of Maryland and will be joining us as an assistant as this is his first Fitpacking trip.

Bree Gotsdiner, from Orlando, FL will also be joining us as an assitant for the first few days. She spent several years as a firefighter and attributes her top fitness level to backpacking.

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 60 miles, your body will reject the empty calories and prefer nutritious food.

$1000 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 Orlando, FL (MCO) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.

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

Depending upon weather conditions, the trail may be flooded in places. This may mean inch deep water or in rare conditions, ankle deep water. Similarly, if Florida is experiencing a drought, we may see wildfires and drinking water could be scarce or non-existent for many miles, thus obligating us to carry as over a gallon of water at times. But these are anomalies. As the trip approaches, we will have a much better idea of the conditions.