Sharing the best of Florida hiking
What have you learned the hard way?
My girlfriend and I wanted to check out the Tibet Butler Nature Preserve today since it is close to our house and reading bits about it online we found it has 4 miles of trails. Nice easy day hike before work later. Well when we got there we found out of the 4 miles of trails only the .8 mile trail was open. The rest were closed due to the rains recently. Not a problem since we didn't come that far but it got me thinking that what if we had traveled far to get there? Our 3rd hike ever a few weeks back was at Hal Scott and we were a good 5 miles from the parking area and came to a good size creek. We had not really planned to be walking through high water but didn't want to go back the way we came and see the same things again so we took off our shoes and went through the cold water. We had not packed a towel or anything to dry off since we did not plan to go through high water that day. Again nothing major but these little experiences are what we need to learn to avoid future annoyances. From this we learned to call the places we want to hike (if they have a number) to check if all the trails are open and the conditions. Also to have back up plans when we start doing longer travels to get to some other hikes around the state. We are just getting into hiking and learning everything we can from books and internet and such. Learning what items are best to pack (10 essentials) and what trails are good locally (south Orlando area). The point of this rambling is: We would like to know from more experienced hikers what were some lessons you learned the hard way or the best advice you've gotten that saved a ruined hike or day.
Tags: beginners, experience, hiking, tips
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bricky Way on -
I've learned the hard way not to hike too far or too fast, and to stop for rest breaks. Also, when outside Florida that the topo lines on a map really mean something.
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Permalink Reply by footTRAX on -
The one thing I learned from hiking in areas with hogs is to make noise when the trail is narrow and you see a lot of turned up ground. I love seeing wildlife, but nothings worst when you sneak up on one really close. They go crazy!
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Permalink Reply by footTRAX on
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I always carry a multi tool with me now. I was wearing flip flops one day and hiked about 4 miles and my flip flop broke. I used my multi tool and a piece of rope to fix it. Walking back in bare feet would have sucked...
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Permalink Reply by Dennis Frye on
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Excellent points. Our first hike was 8 miles, i was wearing new hiking shoes which the soles were great and padded but my ankles got blisters after about 4 miles from the back rubbing, which of course meant 4 miles back. My Achilles was bruised for weeks after. Needless to say i got rid of those new shoes after 1 hike. We also now pack better for the trip and take breaks more often and know our mileages we can do easily. That is a good point about the hogs as well since I'm sure my girlfriend would freak out if she came upon a few like that. Off to the Disney Wilderness Preserve in Poinciana today, and yes we called ahead to asked if the trails were open. =)
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Permalink Reply by lndwlkr on -
Pack Light, don't think like a camper and more like a hiker.
Some quotes I like, "The less you bring the more you'll find", "The farther you go, the less you carry", and "The less you have the happier you can be"
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We actually learned that after our first hike. We had the full backpack and all the trappings. Since then we have moved on to the fanny pack with bottle holders now. We just use the backpack for longer than 10 mile treks. We still enjoy the snack-as-you-hike method. So our fanny pack is basically snacks which we are munching on now at the disney wilderness preserve. Only 2.1 miles of trails tho because they said they don't have the budget or staff to maintain the longer ones. :(
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Permalink Reply by Chris on -
Hydrate or die. That is now my mantra. In the summer, I used to carry 3 litres of water for a dayhike and call it good. Well, last June I was on the FT with the usual no shade deal, and I wound up getting lost and going in the wrong direction. I was sweating profusely and ran out of water. I began to experience heat exhaustion, disorientation, and thought that I would go down for the count. This was one of the rare times that I wasn't hiking solo, so I had a patient partner who shared his water with me and got us both off the trail safely. Suffice it to say that he probably won't hike ever again with me ;)
Now, I carry a water filter and ordered a SteriPen for good measure. I have no problem topping off the water bladder whenever I feel my pack getting a little light. Rounding out that compliment is a good supply of electrolyte gel. When the heat/humidity is high, I'll suck down a gel every half-to-one hour. Water alone doesn't cut it.
Hydrate or die.
As for recommendations: One thing that I have always maintained is a decent set of survival skills. I carry a personal survival kit (on my person); know how to use it and what is around me to start a fire, make a debris shelter, self-administer first aid, etc. You must develop a mindset of self sufficiency and operate within your comfort zone. Know what the "Basic 10" are and keep them with you whenever you are afield.
In closing, I am not the sparky buck that I once was. For when all else fails, if cell phones won't work and I'm in dire straits, I'm considering a PLB or a SPOT2 unit.
Get out there and have fun.
Chris
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We have been wondering if its even worth hiking in the summer heat but we will buy a couple bottles with filters and the tablets. We have a single 2 liter bladder we both share with 2 16oz bottles but sound like that won't be enough for us both in summer hikes. I didn't think about the electrolyte gels so that is a very good idea. Where can I find some info on survival/outdoor skills classes for us both? We will be getting into camping at some point so need to learn some of the basics when we start doing overnight trips.
Chris said:Hydrate or die. That is now my mantra. In the summer, I used to carry 3 litres of water for a dayhike and call it good. Well, last June I was on the FT with the usual no shade deal, and I wound up getting lost and going in the wrong direction. I was sweating profusely and ran out of water. I began to experience heat exhaustion, disorientation, and thought that I would go down for the count... Now, I carry a water filter and ordered a SteriPen for good measure. I have no problem topping off the water bladder whenever I feel my pack getting a little light. Rounding out that compliment is a good supply of electrolyte gel. When the heat/humidity is high, I'll suck down a gel every half-to-one hour. Water alone doesn't cut it.
As for recommendations: One thing that I have always maintained is a decent set of survival skills. I carry a personal survival kit (on my person); know how to use it and what is around me to start a fire, make a debris shelter, self-administer first aid, etc. You must develop a mindset of self sufficiency and operate within your comfort zone. Know what the "Basic 10" are and keep them with you whenever you are afield.
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Permalink Reply by Barbara Bowen on -
I like this advice. I need to adhear to it!
lndwlkr said:Pack Light, don't think like a camper and more like a hiker.
Some quotes I like, "The less you bring the more you'll find", "The farther you go, the less you carry", and "The less you have the happier you can be"
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Permalink Reply by Mikeal on -
Hiking in the summer here is not without it's challenges. It can be uncomfortable and even dangerous if you are not prepared. Having said that, the hunters are gone, the wildlife is more visable and things are in bloom. You really feel as if you have the whole world to yourself.
I carry 5 liters of water and Gatoraid powder summer or winter. I also carry a water filter and backup tablets. Dehydration is #1 on my list of things that are dangerous about hiking here.
Dennis Frye said:We have been wondering if its even worth hiking in the summer heat but we will buy a couple bottles with filters and the tablets. We have a single 2 liter bladder we both share with 2 16oz bottles but sound like that won't be enough for us both in summer hikes. I didn't think about the electrolyte gels so that is a very good idea. Where can I find some info on survival/outdoor skills classes for us both? We will be getting into camping at some point so need to learn some of the basics when we start doing overnight trips.
Chris said:Hydrate or die. That is now my mantra. In the summer, I used to carry 3 litres of water for a dayhike and call it good. Well, last June I was on the FT with the usual no shade deal, and I wound up getting lost and going in the wrong direction. I was sweating profusely and ran out of water. I began to experience heat exhaustion, disorientation, and thought that I would go down for the count... Now, I carry a water filter and ordered a SteriPen for good measure. I have no problem topping off the water bladder whenever I feel my pack getting a little light. Rounding out that compliment is a good supply of electrolyte gel. When the heat/humidity is high, I'll suck down a gel every half-to-one hour. Water alone doesn't cut it.
As for recommendations: One thing that I have always maintained is a decent set of survival skills. I carry a personal survival kit (on my person); know how to use it and what is around me to start a fire, make a debris shelter, self-administer first aid, etc. You must develop a mindset of self sufficiency and operate within your comfort zone. Know what the "Basic 10" are and keep them with you whenever you are afield.
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