Florida Trail thruhike: Sleeping bag, shelter, socks

[Christine Thuermer]

I am planning a Florida Trail thruhike starting next January and have already done a lot of research about the FT. The trip reports I have read so far included lots of stories about freezing cold nights AND hot nights. Another popular topic is the difficulty of finding a camping spot in or wading through the Florida swamps.

Therefore I am right now deliberating which gear to take with me on the thruhike. These items are a special problem:

Sleeping bag: Being a gear head I have the choice of bringing my Western Mountaineering Summerlite, Ultralite, Versalite or Puma. I could also boost the sleeping bag with a WM VPL. Which would be your choice for a Florida Trail thruhike?

Shelter: My standard choice is my Tarptent Contrail, but after reading so much about swamps I am thinking of buying a hammock (which would also give me the chance of buying a new piece of equipment…). But seriously: Can you do extensive hiking in Florida with a tent or would you recommend a hammock?

Shoes & socks: I usually hike in Merrell or Keen trail runners and whatever socks are cheap. But facing so much wading through swamps I wonder whether I should invest in Seal Skinz. What would be your preferred footwear?

Thanks for any input!

Christine

[Sanad Toukhly]

I have hiked most of the Florida Trail in sections during all seasons. The only part of the Florida Trail I have yet to hike is the northern section past Tallahassee. I can probably give you some helpful input.

Sleeping Bag: IMO, all the bags you listed are way too warm for the Florida Trail. I've lived here for 12 years, and in my experience, it is rare for the weather to dip below 40 down here. I wouldn't get a bag rated below 40. If you are set on one of the bags you listed, then I suppose I would go with the Summerlite. However, I think you will find it is way too warm for most of the year in Florida. With the high humidity down here, it might make more sense to go with a synthetic bag, however, we are the sunshine state, so you will also never have a shortage of sunlight to dry out your down bag. I use a synthetic half bag rated for 50 degrees on the Florida trail, even in the winter time.

Shelter: IMO, a tarp is best suited for Florida's hot and humid conditions. The bug problem can be easily remedied with a Bug Bivy. The Contrail is OK, but for me, any enclosed shelter is too hot for Florida.

Shoes & socks: Personally, I hike barefoot or in sandals. When you choose a pair of shoes, forget about trying to keep your feet dry in a swamp, it's a lost cause. Get the most breathable shoes you can find. Once again, this is the sunshine state, and wet shoes can dry out in the Florida sun in no time. I strongly discourage you from getting waterproof shoes, as your feet will suffocate and you will be very uncomfortable.

Hope this helps, the Florida trail is great fun.

-Sid

[Christine Thuermer]

Sid,

thanks for the input. I had studied the temperature charts and realised that even in winter temperatures do not often drop below freezing in Florida. But trip reports (I have just finished Johnny Molloys book on his FT thruhike) usually mention freezing cold nights so I was getting confused.

I had also considered hiking in sandals – but what about bugs and nasty insects like leeches, not to mention snakes? No problem on sandals?

Christine

[Troy Ammons]

Long sorry…

I live in S Fl now but originally from Pensacola (IE N Fl.)

Snakes – well you should understand habits and habitats and keep your eyes open. In N Florida in the winter you wont see any.

They are cold blooded so, you will see more of them when warm and in the summer. When its cooler you might catch them sunning and warming up. Just learn the ones to look out for.

If its venomous snakes you are worried about, I would not want to be in running shoes either. About the only really safe thing like if you are a surveyor, timberman or other bush whacker is either snake boots or snake leg guards. Normal hiking you shouldnt have any problems, IMO, just keep your eyes open. That said that does not only apply to Florida. For instance you can run into rattlesnakes most anywhere in the lower 48 states.

In central and south florida the temps are very moderate in the winter and the weather is very nice. Beautiful starting in about mid Oct. Its sometimes brisk but never really cold cold. Coldest is usually in the low 40s, but it usually warms up fast the next day. Most of the time in S and central florida depending on where you are, in the winter the temps will be in the 50s or high 40s at night and 60s or 70s during the day. A 2-3 day cold streak is rare.

In north florida in mid winter Dec Jan Feb etc it can get very cold at night like in the 20s-30s, but that is usually a cold snap after a cold front comes through.

Sometimes it might be cold for a day or two then warm fast up especially during the day.

Just like any place else, but especially in Fl I dont think you can use just one bag throughout Fl for a thru. It just gets darn hot in Fl in the summer. Depending on when you start, lets say 100 days min to do the entire trail, you could actually do the entire thing through the winter months. If you start in the south in the end of the sumemr months and end up in N Florida in December, your temp range could vary from 100dF in the hottest mid days to say mid 20s at night in N Fla winter.

Personally I would have a very very light synthetic quilt in summer like maybe 3/8-1/2" loft.

Sometimes even that would be too hot, and probably a 40dF bag or quilt in the early spring or late fall. If in very N Florida in say Nov-Mar I would probably want at least a 30dF bag or quilt you could open up. A better option might be a couple of quilts you could layer with some cloths, IE like maybe a 40dF + a summer quilt to add 15dF for more versatility. Maybe a tyvek bivy too. That works fairly well for sleeping when its too hot for even a bag, but adds a few dF in winter, plus some additional moisture protection.

Never had a leech in all my years. Cant comment.

There are some nasty insects though in warmer weather. If you end up on some beaches here or there you might run into biting no seeums. There are biting flies of different sorts and there can be a lot of mosquitoes depending on where you are.

That said I thought the mosquitoes were bad in N Florida until I went hiking on the Snake River. Yikes, but they only come out for 30 an hour at dawn and dusk.

For a tent I would probably want a large net tent of some sort with a fly and very weather/water resistant.
Also take a net jacket or head net for insects when its really hot.

Take some DEET repelant

A tarp and bivy does not do it for me in hot buggy, snakey places but thats just me.
If there is a critter around I want him outside, not under my tarp.
As far as hanging, you might have some problems in some areas finding suitable trees. Okay in the north. Less far south.

If you decide to go to Flamingo (part of everglades national park) in the summer on the southern tip of florida, just take all the mosquito and bug gear you can carry.

That said, the winter down there it is really beautiful with flamingoes, pelecans, tons of alligators, florida crocs etc.

IMO winter is the time to hike in Florida but thats just me. THe weather is beautiful, very blue skies, not as buggy and it does not rain as much.

[Sanad Toukhly]

As Troy said, watch your step and you'll be fine. You won't have a problem with leeches unless you are wading through knee high swamp water, in which case, you can just scrape them off with a knife. If you have sweet blood, I suggest you wear a long sleeve shirt and pants, as the bugs down here are brutal.

I have to agree with Troy on hiking the Florida trail during the winter months, you will have a much more enjoyable experience, IMO.

I have been hiking in Florida with a tarp and bug bivy combo for a while, and I never had problems with critters getting into my bug bivy. Check out the MLD Bug Bivy, it would work great in Florida. A tarp will give you maximum ventilation and help keep you cool at night in Florida's weather. If you will be hiking it during the winter months, however, then the contrail should be fine.

[Christine Thuermer]

Just for clarification:

I want to do a straight thruhike of the Florida Trail. I will start early January in the South and hopefully finish early/mid March in the North/Panhandle.

So if I understand you correctly you recommend a very light sleeping bag even for that winter period. That means I would get away with the WM Summerlite (which has a rating down to 32 F) for the whole trip?

Christine

[Troy Ammons]

Maybe this will help.
Where are you going to start ??

Straight hike thru in early Jan, starting in S. Florida like at the big cypress natural preserve ??

At the south end of the trail in Jan expect temps in the mid to low 40s at their coldest. Average temps are more like 50-55-60dF at night 70s during the day

It is possible temps could get down to the mid 30s for a night or two, but usually only after a heavy cold front. That is rare and usually only last one night. Daytime temps after a cold front like that might be in the high 50's.

Winter is drier in the south, but you could still run into water you might have to do some wading on the south end everglades area. Still could run into a few mosquitoes too in the south if it is warm, but not even close to summer. The south end is almost in the tropics and is a part of the everglades. Thats where "Off" does its repellant testing.

Also not to alarm you and its not something to be worried about, but in south florida IE everglades a lot of S. American invasive species have moved in. One is the python IE a big freekin snake. They wont bother you though and are more afraid of you then visa versa. Another reason I like a tent. Probably more of a chance running into one in your back yard down here than on a hiking trail.

Once you hit solid 40-50s every night you wont see hardly any mosquitoes, snakes etc.

Its hard to say where, but at around Sebring there is usually a definate line where the temp drops. Its very apparent when driving. IE if a cold front blows through and its in the 50s at night down here, in Orlando it could be in the 40s.

Not much difference in the temps from Jan to the end of Feb or maybe early march. That just depends on where you are in the state.

As you move north obviously it will get colder. Once you hit around Gainsville or Lake city the temps due to your northern trek should be fairly constant for the rest of the trip, IE it wont get colder due to your location so much.

In addition to what I said above these numbers should be pretty close. All dF.

Miami Jan
Avg high 76
Avg low 60
Extreme high 88
Extreme low 35, more like 40-45 is more common for an extreme cold snap. You should see people down here when it hits 50dF. Out come the furs and down jackets!

Orlando Jan
Avg high 72
Avg low 50
Extreme high 87
Extreme low 20, 35 is probably a more common very cold snap

Gainsville Feb
Avg high 69
Avg low 46
Extreme high 91
Extreme low 18, 25-30 is probably more common cold snap. Closer to 30dF.

Tallahassee Feb
Avg high 67
Avg low 42
Extreme high 89
Extreme low 20
Probably more like 25-30dF is more common extreme cold snap

Pensacola Feb/mar
Avg high 70
Avg low 52
Extreme high 85
Extreme low 22, Probably 25-30-35 is more common

Starts warming up fast after march.

Be sure to make it to Fort Pickens. If nothing else by boat.

You sleeping bag sounds fine, you might be hot for the part of the trip. I had a Montbell #2 (25dF) and I could sleep with it drapped sideways in 70dF weather just fine.

Jan and Feb it should only rain when a cold front comes through. Should not be any heavy storm weather like we get during the hurricane season or dog days etc.

You probably should take some UL merino johns or silk long johns, and the other typical stuff, all synthetic, silk or wool.

An extra change of cloths especially in the big cypress in case you have to slog through knee deep water and get wet. Fast drying shoes of some sort and or maybe a spare pair of water shoes.

3-4 pairs total of light wool socks, wool gloves, wool beanie, insul synthetic jacket of some sort. A hood would be nice like a thermawrap jacket. Use that as an extender just in case you run into temps in the 20's

I have a down quilt I use most of the time in other areas, but in Fl I really prefer synthetic especially in the south. It is really humid down here at times, although the time of year you are going it is a lot drier.

Around Sebring and up especially in central florida when the cold fronts come through you can get extremely dense fog and its very common, like you cant see 10' in front and that just soaks everything. Its so dense its almost like a mist sometimes. It usually burns off after the sun comes up a bit.

If your down bag has a good DWR you should be fine or you could take a 1.25oz fabric weight tyvek bivy as extra protection.

Also a pack liner is a must.

[Sanad Toukhly]

Christine,
For me, yes, a WM Summerlite would be more than warm enough for the whole trip. However, I am a warm sleeper. I would find the Summerlite too hot for the majority of the trip. As I said before, I use a synthetic half quilt rated to 50 degrees, even in the winter months. For a thru hike, however, I would probably want a quilt rated to 40 degrees.

I would recommend you consider a quilt instead of a bag. Preferably one that opens up completely flat. It would be more versatile than a bag, IMO.

[Troy Ammons]

I agree with the quilt comment. One that would open up completely with a drawstring foot box would be best for warmer weather.

My choice would be a…

A 40-45dF down inner quilt (10-12 oz) with a climashield 2.5 oz XP overquilt (another 12 oz) topper to extend the rating down to 30dF.

Supplement that with a tyvek bivy (6-7 oz) for another 5dF and a insul jacket witha hood. All that in a tent of some sort should be good down to 20dF and light.

Problem with a Florida thru hike is you are basically hiking from almost the tropics into a northern temperate zone with very wide swings in temperatures. It would be more constant temps going from North to south depending on the timing.

IE in miami in Jan you could actually have a nightime low of 75-80 if in the middle of an unusual warm streak or as low as 20dF in N florida in a severe cold snap in Feb.

60dF temp variation.

If you could deal with a closed footbox
A bpl 90 inside of a MLD 50 would probably work at a total weight of 26oz.

Of course you could make a couple of quilts too. Pretty easy really or Tim Marshall could build them.

Another option would be to build a flip bivy. IE use a 40dF bag or quilt, with a flip breathable bivy with insulation only on one side. On top for more warmth. Underneath for warmer weather.

[Craig Burton]

Troy has a lot of good insight on this one.

I've only dayhiked a handful of miles on the Florida Trail in Central Florida, but I've lived and traveled enough in many parts of Florida to know that you will experience great temperature fluctuations.

Probably most of your nights will be in the 50s and 60s, but you will also have plenty of nights in the 30s and 40s; and some occasional dips in to the 20s and possibly teens north of Ocala when cold snaps come about.

Personally, I would bring a 32 degree bag — preferably synthetic if I had a light enough one; but down wouldn't be a dealbreaker by any means. To me, I'm not uncomfortable sleeping in the 60s, and even 70s, in a 32 degree down bag with the zipper unzipped, so I can easily pack a bag for the safe side.

I've never used a hammock, but I could see one being very beneficial in Florida. If I had one, I would probably bring a hammock over a tarp/bivy or tent.

The Florida swamps are certainly unique, but for hiking purposes (as in the physical act of hiking — not camping), they aren't much different from other grassy watershed regions you encounter everywhere else; meaning you will encounter snakes, your feet will get wet, and you will get mud in your shoes, etc. So I would pack to your comfort level based on your past experience in wet regions.

Have a great trip.

[Christine Thuermer]

I think that the sleeping bag question is solved now. The FT is only part of a 1-2 year long trip for me, so I do not want to take too specific equipment (like a quilt) that I cannot use later on. I will therefore take the WM Summerlite – I don't mind it being too hot (better than too cold).

But I am still undecided about footwear. So far sandals and lightweight shoes with normal socks have been recommended. In a trailjournal I have read sealskinz were highly recommended for the swamps. Has anyone tried that or can give any input?

Thank you so much for all you info – it has been a great help!

Christine

[Thomas Burns]

>In a trailjournal I have read sealskinz were highly recommended for the swamps. Has anyone tried that or can give any input?

A quick search of the Internet reveals some startlingly negative reviews. They don't seem to work in deep-wading circumstances. They also have what i like to call the Goretex Problem. Once the water gets in, it can't get out.

I do a lot of hiking in wet conditions. IMO, you're better off with permeable "water shoes" of some type and quick-drying socks. Your feet are going to get wet. The question is, how long will they stay wet, and will your shoes and socks at least dry by morning.

Stargazer

[Troy Ammons]

I think sealskinz or some other breathable sock would be beneficial for some conditions, IE like if it rains for a few days and you have to walk through several inches of water which can happen down here. Or if you are going to keep on hiking in the rain. Combine that with quick drying shoes, IE non waterproof.

For knee deep water swampy slogging like in the big cypress etc, you would want a 2nd pair of water shoes just for that then change out to dry shoes, socks and cloths on the other side across. IE not wearing sealskinz in that situation.

Main idea being to keep you feet dry all the time just like any place else.

BTW there are varying reviews on sealskinz. Some not so good.

[Mark Verber]

I used sealskinz for a few years in cold, rainy conditions. They sometimes kept my feet dry… often didn't. When they got wet inside they wouldn't dry in the field. The thing they were good at was keeping my feet clean and protected which could be useful. Honestly though if think either rocky goretex oversock if you are shooting for stay dry, or neoprene sock if you are trying to protect you feet and/or you are in water that is higher than ankle high would be better choices.

I haven't hiked the swamps along the FT. When I been places with a lot of water and/or muck I have found water oriented shoes has been best (quick drying with mesh for drainage). I have used sandals… but I have cut my feet several times… I like a bit more protection. In just water I have typically worn thin socks. In muck I like wearing no socks provided the shoe fills well enough not to give me blisters. My current favorite are vibram fivefingers which aren't for everyone. Salomon makes so very applicable shoes. Trailrunners which have mesh uppers can also work.

–Mark

[Sandy Lewis]

I grew up in Florida and hiked before there was a Florida Trail. My advice is to use a three part sleep system and a hammock/tarp system. A three part sleep system lets you mix and match items to suit the actual weather, not the expected weather. For instance, I use a Marmot Pounder rated for 50 degree weather, plus a silk liner, plus an inexpensive emergency bivvy bag. If it is very cold I might wear all my clothing layers and all three parts of the sleep system. If it is very hot, I might sleep in the silk liner alone to wick away sweat. I really like the Hennessy Hammock and use the ultralite with an extra large tarp. It has an integrated bug net in the hammock and mosquitos can't get through the material you lay on. I'm planning a thru-hike of the Florida Trail starting in early January 2011 and would really like to join a group hike if anyone knows of one. My plans are also to complete the Florida Trail and begin the Appalachian Trail in mid-March of 2011.

[Anonymous]

Live in Pensacola, have hiked/camped Florida trail mainly in northwest Florida.. If a winter trip would look at a 45-50 degree bag or quilt from the Everglades to say the Ocala NF, then maybee swap to 30-35 degree bag/quilt.. In NW and north Florida in winter( mid Dec.-mid Feb.) you can have very cold weather, but pretty warm. In South Fl. mild at coolest, up to 100 degrees in winter.. I would bring plenty of DEET..Check yourself for tics EVERY DAY!!! Your Contrail would work, I use a TT Rainbow. I wear low top running shoes.. You can easily hike 3 MPH in Florida terrain, unless walking long stretches of water filled trail, like in Bradwell Bay area of Appalachiacola NF below Tallahassee.

The only time I would consider the FT is winter. Yes definitely go to Fort Pickens. Last month I did a section of FT on Econfina Creek above Panama City, beautiful! It snowed briefly, temps were 29-30, was glad I brought my Marmot Hydrogen. .. Get the FT guide, and all the maps..Good luck.

[Christine Thuermer]

Thanks for all the input, but I have now almost finished the whole Florida Trail thruhike – only 4 more days to go.
This year was a very bad year for the FT due to record cold and flooding, but I still managed to hike the whole trail.

Here is my recommendation for future FT hikers:

Sleeping bag: Definitely bring a 20 degree bag! I brought my WM Ultralight and really needed it. It was below freezing many nights and I would have been lost with a colder sleeping bag.

Shelter: I brought my Contrail and it worked pretty well, but was not perfect. I would not recommend a hammock, as there are a lot of areas on the FT where there are no trees. In hindsight I would recommend a freestanding tent, as there are many campsites with no shelter against the wind and a more stable tent would have been helpful.

Shoes: I wore my usual Keen Trail runner and socks. I had wet feet almost every day, but that is normal on the FT. At least my shoe/sock combination dries out pretty quickly.

Hope that helps future FT hikers,

Christine

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