Backpacking 101

Backpacking 101 / Introductory Trip and Shakedown
Moderate
Activity Leaders: Lorraine Thomas & Ayla Shove
The purpose of this trip is to give hikers that feel ready for a backpacking adventure, an opportunity to try out their gear on a real but “easy/moderate” backpacking overnight trip. You will have the chance to use your equipment, maybe for the first time, and see how you feel using it. You will have some guidance as to what you may or may not need to carry on your next trip, and check out other backpackers equipment.
Miles per day about 2.5 Total of about 5 miles.
We will have a short "shake-down" of packs before we leave to confirm everyone has what they will need and answer any questions ahead of the hike to camp. Once in camp, as a group or individually, we will have an opportunity to "lay it all out" to go over not only what you may/may not need. And sometimes more importantly, where things are best placed in your pack.

Campsite has shade, a couple of picnic tables and a fire pit/grill. Also, a water source to filter water.
You must arrive at 1 pm the meeting point- Gate One of Dupuis on SW Kanner Hwy. We will all then drive together to the parking spot which is 15-20 minutes on a dirt road ( make sure your car can handle a dirt road, may have pot holes).

The hike will begin promptly at 2:00 pm Saturday November 23 and will end as we exit on Sunday the 24 around 10 or 11 am. There is no entry fee into the park.
Please don’t be late. Check your route the day before and leave with plenty of time as cell service is spotty we will probably not be able to talk on the phone to get you to the Gate One meeting place. Also, there are usually not many people around to ask for directions.

Best route from my experience is to take the Bee Line Hwy (710), exit just before the town of Indiantown. Turn left on Kanner hwy (76). You will go under the BeeLine. Drive a few miles west (towards Lake Okeechobbe) and Gate One will be on the left. If you reach Gate 2,3,5 or Lake Okeechobee, you passed it. I don’t recommend going via Route 27 which is south of lake Okeechobee. Waze sometimes takes me that way, but it gets a bit confusing as I get close to Lake Okeechobee.
We will hike about 2.5 miles to the campsite on Saturday, and the same back to the car Sunday morning after breakfast and packing up. The hiking portion of the trip is quite easy and more about feeling how the pack weighs on our shoulders and hips. This is an opportunity to make some pack adjustments as we move.
- As rain is common this time of year, I would expect to encounter water on the trail. Please DO NOT bring any type of waterproof shoe or boot. A second pair of dry socks and camp shoes of some sort will be essential.
This early in the season, the temps are still pretty warm through the night. But please and eye on the weather and be prepared for rain and cooler temps.
There is NO water drop for this location. You will need to bring some water and also a water filtration system.
Minimum Hiking Gear List:
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping pad
Sleeping bag
Insect repellent
Flashlight
Whistle
Food for one dinner and one breakfast (we will be in campsite for both meals), so it is a good time to test out your trail cooking gear (stove, dish, fork, etc.) and dehydrated or other meal packs. However, you could always bring food that does not need to be cooked and thus cut out cookware/ stove/ etc.)
Snacks
Stove
Cookware
Eating utensils
Water filtration/ treatment
Rope to hang your food or raccoon proof container
Toilet paper and lightweight trowel to bury waste (there will be no outhouse/ privy). Zip lock bag (to take back your dirty toilet paper—-we strictly follow ‘leave no trace’ rules)

*If you do not own this equipment and you plan on buying, please remember to buy the lightest weight equipment you can afford. The more weight you have to carry, the harder it will be.
**Keep your gear to a bare minimum. Clothes worn day one should be worn second day. You may want to have a couple pairs of socks and maybe a change of underwear.
If you have any questions please let me know.

Also, please send me a private message via meetup if you sign up for this event, so that I know that you’re serious about assisting. If I don’t get a private message, I will assume that you didn’t read this and aren’t really committed/coming. Thanks.
Lorraine
Message through Meetup