Florida Paddlers & Trekkers

Saturday, February 4, 2017 8:00 AM

to Sunday, February 5, 2017, 2:00 PM

Gores Landing

13800 NE 98 St., Ft. McCoy, FL

Saturday morning: we will leave camp EARLY (9 am)to the Ocklawaha River. It's nearly a ten mile trip, with light current on a twisty, narrow river with excellent scenery. This requires us to do a shuttle from the put-in at Ray's Wayside Park to the take-out at Gores Landing.

We'll be primitive camping at Gores Landing Park. They have restrooms and non potable water. No reservations need to be done, availability of campsites is on a first come first served basis. Payments are based on the Honor System (there are envelopes at the entrance of the park where you deposit the camping fees), so......please bring cash.

Bring the usual: camping gear, lots of water, snacks, food, at least one bundle of firewood, bug repellent, sunscreen and the spirit of your choice.

I plan on and should need more more than 3-4 mail drops.

Many Items I will purchase locally, I should only have to mail drop items that I custom make like Dehydrated Vegs. and Pemmican.

I worked out carrying up to 7 days of food, around 5 Lbs. High density calories.

Maps Trail Guide, Pages.

So Far I have used existing gear, replaced some older gear an modified, and made some.

I'm continuing to tweak the gear list, trying to find where or if I can lower the weight even more. Yes I know I could make some reductions in my shelter. This would come at great expense, I also have some requirements like no creepy crawlers, so I need A tent. No treking poles I like a walking stick or Bo Staff, which will double for 1 of my flutes that I plan to carry.

I have replaced my 15 year ole Coleman Peak 1 weight 4 lbs with Winterial Bivy very close in design to the Peak 1 but a 1 person version, 1360 Grams.

Continuing to use my 12 year old well used Slumber-jack Super Guide 30F It's still very serviceable and remains warm when wet, My Kayaking Bag! I did replace my mummy bag liner.

This will be on going process.

I follow Ketogenic Diet (Fat Based). Should be much easier to maintain consistent diet when not at home.

I have a very healthy diet currently and will not be eating the standard crappy pasta / rice meals and definitely no Ramen noodles, TGHQ = Butane not going to eat my cooking fuel!

I will be dehydrating my veg's, Packing lots of Tuna Packs, Home made Pemmican, nuts, butter and coconut oil. I's much easier to get Fat Calories than Carb. calories!

Fat calories provide longer more sustained energy with no crash, High density calories.

In the Spring of 2017 I'm planning on hiking the Benton MacKaye
Trail.

This will be after my 66 birthday!

My Plan is to start at the middle Fontana Dam Area Hike North through the Smokes, then South on the Appalachian Trail to Springier Mountain
Back North to the starting point hike will be around 500 miles. Overview Map Below.

I feel this will be a good option as it will offer several options, If I should encounter any unforeseen problems.

I have reduced my pack weight to around 25 Lbs that is with all consumables and 7 days worth of food and snacks.

My base pack weight:Pack, Shelter, Sleep system and cooking is under 12 Lbs.