Calling this Hike Off

To much road walking.  Looks like a series of day hikes that have been linked together by road walks.  That's just to rough on the feet.

That being said the trail s very well marked, even the roads.

Return weight is 218 pounds so I lost 9 pounds in five days.  Was eating 1150 calories a day, one 8oz bar of cheese(Cabots) and one Builder Bar.

I am gong to try to stick with eating that light, minimal carbs.

From the looks of things I will have to seriously start working out.  The first few days were a real shock.   I can't start off in the desert in that condition.  It looks like my body knows what to do, lose weight fast.  Gonna work hard to get down to 200 pounds before leaving.

Might go out and do a series of 4-5 day hikes.  Good way to shock the system.

Marshall Swamp

Best part of the days hike.  Other 2/3rds was road walk.  In the middle of nowhere for the night.

Horses

Ran into quite a few people on horseback yesterday. 

Note: When you encounter a horse on the trail make sure you speak or the horse will think your a monster and run off with hapless rider and all.

Learn something new everyday.

Land Bridge

Nothing to exciting.

I-75 Land Bridge

Nice cool morning, could have slept all day.

Little Stonehenge

Stephen Pruitt Memorial.  No idea who he is but was a cool memorial.

Much better day hiking, virtually all forest.  Water is an issue and good thing I brought the pump.

I am totally out of shape and intentionally keeping the calories low.  Did 13 miles today and am beat.

Saw a raccoon squirl but was to beat up to bother with a picture.  Les Stroud is the Man!

Morning Sun

A lot of critters running around last night including a growling big cat.  I suspect a Bobcat although this is Florida Panther country.
Anyway I am still alive and shooting for the 49th Street Campground.

Rainbow River

Very nice clear river.  You could see right to the bottom.  The town Dunnellon looked like a lot of fun.  Will have to hit it when I get this loop done.

Withalacoochee River

Did 17 miserably boring miles today and am now camped off CR484 near the Airport.

To much road and no legal places to camp.  Not fun.  Sporting a blister because had to hike way to far first day out.  Anyway will be in the Greenway tomorrow where camping is provided.

Chubby's Heading Out

Again.  I'm weighing in at 227 this morning.  With hiking clothes and shoes 231.  Pack is at 41 pounds with video equipment, 5 days food and 2 litters of water.  Total weight 272 pounds.

Gonna take it easy till I drop some of this tonnage.  Pack weight isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

It doesn't look like the blog is updating consistently to Facebook so if your interested in following this hike you might want to check the blog itself every few days.

Should be done with this in about a month.

Fire Starting Tip

Cotton balls soaked in vaseline make for a long slow burn.  Light weight and flammable.  Ran into a group on the AT who were using this technique to get their fires going.

Can also be helpful on those chaffed body parts.

Update on Permits

I called the Office of Greenway & Trails.  They said you do not require a permit but that the campsites that belong to them were pay sites, $22 a night.  They informed me that the Florida Trail Association maintains free campsites for their members only so I have now bitten the bullet and bought a membership.  It is illegal to camp on the Greenway outside of a designated campsite so no choice in this matter.

I also got to take a very close look at the other maps and at least one area is only open to FTA members and you must show your id. 

The other place it says Permits are required is the Green Swamp.  I might just play this as I go.  I am not sure these requirements are accurate and with the FTA card I figure I should be mostly ok.

Dope on Permits

Well it is a good thing I stopped to look at my map.  Apparently you require permits from several different entities for specific areas on this loop I want to do and the Ocala Greenway is one of them.  The permits are free but you need to get them.

I will call tomorrow for them.  It would have been nice if the Florida Trail Association mentioned that on their website.

Anyway, apparently much of the trail goes over private property as well.  I can't see how this is the case considering the number of homeless out on the trail around here but it isn't worth the risk.  In the mile and a half down the trial right here I passed a crime watch vehicle and a Florida Law Enforcement vehicle.

I better get the permit.

Permits?

WTF is a permit?  Coming back in.  Will update post shortly.

Pre Hike Status

Heading out in a few hours. 

Current Body Weight 227 Pounds.

I am always amazed at how much weight I lose hiking. 

Not bringing video equipment at this time.  Concealed Carry permit did not come in yet so can't risk losing the video camera to bandits.  As it is I am taking a rather large risk.  There are a lot of homeless living in the woods down here.  Mostly people down on their luck but there are also a lot of outlaw and serial killer types.  If I disappear I guess you know what happened.  That or I am Alligator Crap! :)

Pack with food and water is about 35.  I can probably get away with carrying less water as long as there are potable water sources available so will try to get away with carrying only two quarts/litters.  That will put me at 31 pounds which is good.  Also that weight will drop as I eat up the food I am carrying.  This is after all a get in shape hike.

Well, wish me luck.  I will try to post pictures from my Droid like I did for the Appalachian Trail.  No hostels on this trail that I am aware of so battery power might become an issue.  Going to try to stop at a motel once a week to clean up and charge batteries.

Fully Loaded Pack

With camera gear, 5 days of food and 1 gallon of water the pack as shown is exactly 40 pounds.  Without the above items it is 23 pounds.

Gear

 

 

Gear List:
25' 550 Para Cord
50' 550 Para Cord

Sleeping Pad

Sleeping Bag
GoLite Pinnacle Rucksack
1 Military Waterproof Bag
6 AAA Bateries
1 Bic Lighter
1 Metal Striker(Fire Started)
2 Immodium Tablets
1 Small Nail Clipper
1 Knife Sharpener
1 Marble(Don't Ask)
Bug Spray
Headlamp
Leatherman
1 Pair Sunglasses
Duct Tape
Travel Toothbrush
Travel toothpaste
1 1/2 oz Biodegradable Camp Soap
1 pack Wet Ones
Toilet Tissue
Trowel
2 Trekking Poles
1 Pair (RED) Crocs
1 C- Clamp
Florida Trail Data Book
Florida Trail Maps
Journal & Pen
Cell Phone and Charger
Katadyn Water Filter
Gold Panning Kit(For the PCT)
Mad Bomber Cold Weather Hat
1 Pair Mechanic's Gloves
1 pair Camp Shorts
1 Thermal Underwear Pants
1 Thermal Underwear Shirt
3 pair wool socks
1 Mora Knife
1 Blaze Orange Ball Cap
2 pair Hiking Pants
1 Tea Shirt
1 Army Surplus Poncho
11 Light Weight Tent Pegs
1 North Face Cold Weather Jacket
1 Fleece Jacket
1 Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt

1 Video Camera
1 Plastic Ammo Can
1 Tripod
1 remote control for video Camera
1 Charger (Video Camera)
1 Sandisk Flash Memory 64 Gigs
1 Spare Video Camera Battery

1 Food Storage Bag
10 8oz Cabots Cheese Bars
12 Cliff Builder Bars

2 Quart Camelback Water Bladder
2 One Litter Water Bottles

9 Military Poncho Survival Shelter Confirguations

9 Military Poncho Survival Shelter Confirguations: How To Set Up A Military Poncho Shelter

Found this site just in time.  Some good ideas.

Florida Trail Map

I am heading out Sunday to hike the Center Circle on this map around Orlando. 

Poncho Shelter for Florida National Scenic Trail

Getting ready to head out on the Florida National Scenic Trail for about a month.  I am going to do the East and West Central Trails which make a circle in central Florida meeting in the north in the Ocala National Forest and in the south just below Orlando.  Looks like a round trip of approximately 423 miles. 

I figure this is a great way to get in shape for the PCT(Pacific Crest Trail), work out the mechanics of carrying video equipment, and making sure my foot is up to taking the stress.  If the foot goes out I'd rather have it happen here than three thousand miles away.

This is my first crack at making a video with the camera.  The camera I have is pretty good, makes AVCHD videos.  Had to download a program to convert to AVI for the post.  Hopefully my film making skills will improve over the next month.  I really want to be able to come off the PCT with a quality product.  Stay tuned!