Alone all day in Big Cypress swamp

Alone all day in Big Cypress swamp | Florida Trail Day 2

Рет қаралды 45,595

Жыл бұрын

#florida #floridatrail #backpacking
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Пікірлер: 188

@drewgilmour3489 Жыл бұрын

Bears, Panthers , snakes and big Gattors, I love that place, I was the the District Ranger for that part of Big Cypress National Presserve

@veronicaBolanos-mc4fc Жыл бұрын

Jesus! How in the world is that fun? You are amazing Kelly, Id be in tears

@orion7741 Жыл бұрын

its hiking! hiking is never not fun. the worst conditions in the world and hiking would still be fun.

@jeremiah1528 Жыл бұрын

Don't be using my Kings name in vain Veronica.... It's disrespectful.

@LukeAndersson1 Жыл бұрын

Kelly, you are a machine! You put up with the hardest conditions with a smile, well maybe not smile, but still. While you are slogging in all that water are you seeing anything sketchy living in it like gators or snakes? Because it looks like the location for a spooky movie! Thanks for taking the extra effort to film it and take us along.

@torrencel.2662 Жыл бұрын

🤣😂 This is funny! You busting tail, thinking you're behind, but you're 4 & half miles ahead! Crazy how things can motivate us! They're thinking, "What is Kelly doing? She's really dragging butt today! Where the heck is she?" 😂🤣

@mitchelllandsea567 Жыл бұрын

I’m glad you like my picnic tables! I made them about four and a half years ago now :)

@pawpawmike7372 Жыл бұрын

The Florida Trail is tougher than its looks on paper. Dont get hung up on mileage while you are in the water, worry about a safe place to sleep. You are tough, girl, you got this. Keep smiling.

@ScottAHatfieldJr Жыл бұрын

Dang Kelly! You’re a champ! You dug deep! Just want to say you’re one of my favorite hiker KZfaqrs! Keep it up! You got this!

@FLAlocal Жыл бұрын

When you camp in FL, you always wake up to everything wet lol. Its just so dang humid. I just camped in Ocala National Forest with 52 as the high temp and 30 as the low. When I woke up the bottom of the tent and rainfly were still damp. Keep on trekkin' girl! Love watching your journey!

@SouthernHike Жыл бұрын

What a champ Kelly! Excited to follow along!

@fairoaks42 Жыл бұрын

Loved it! you had me laughing, gasping and feeling bad for you all in less than 20 mins. What a trooper! I may have waited to long to do this trail... my old ass would have fallen several times. LOL Happy Trails 🥾🥾🥾

@calex9398 Жыл бұрын

Geez😯 you my friend are a true trudger

@hikewithmike4673 Жыл бұрын

I love waking up on those foggy early Florida mornings you will see alot of that in Florida!.

@zakafx Жыл бұрын

that trail would absolutely piss me off right away lol, i dont know how you handle it so well. cheers to a new adventure!

@craig1lengyel Жыл бұрын

Those holes are like ankle breakers. Not good if you do get injured and need to be brought out. How......not sure. thanks for sharing. Beautiful morning!

@steveshea6148 Жыл бұрын

Central Florida is cool. First time I got down there I imagined what it was like before all the real estate development.....just endless nearly featureless sandy flats, grasslands, pine trees, lazy river bottoms and, of course swamps/ the Everglades.

@eeyore1197 Жыл бұрын

Just chatted with some FT folks while chilling at Hangcon last weekend. They're great people and they love their trail. Have a great time.

@zenlandzipline Жыл бұрын

They should really be hiking together. Within site or shouting distance at the least. Anything can happen out there. I’ve done plenty of solo hiking (I realize she’s not solo, but far enough away from her partners to sort of call it solo) in mountains and canyons, but the Everglades has its own dangers. I have spent a lot of time in the Glades. If you get off track from the path, you can get lost easily. This girl is a real trooper. That’s some tough hiking. Be safe. :)

@barefootchris640 Жыл бұрын

Great video Kelly, the Florida swamp can be some of the most unforgiven stuff to hike, awesome skills!

@nickhikesinthewoods6150 Жыл бұрын

I hiked in water like that at the Red River gorge looking for water falls lol it wears you out so fast but it is fun

@Elizabeth-pt4bv Жыл бұрын

Well done!! What a slog of a trail. So glad you're not alone. You did it and to an appropriate named camp site.

@KevinPhillips-xd7lr Жыл бұрын

You're amazing, and so inspiring! I know you've got this!

@MrDistill Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this. Yeh I’m taking an infinite zero on Florida hiking. Solidification of my view of the state of this state.

@wendypelaez9305 Жыл бұрын

Wow! I was huffing and puffing along with you. Another idea I had was to treat everyone to dinner at the restaurant just across the St Marks River. And, you will need to flag down a boat to take you across, but lots of boats go by. You probably already know this.

@dougsmith3353 Жыл бұрын

OMG Kelly! Those holes, some covered with water. Hope to make it out of that stretch in one piece!

@flowerpower1980 Жыл бұрын

Now wonder it’s called Thank God Island! Wow, don’t know how you’re doing that! Way to go! 💪🏻

@TooTall_hikes Жыл бұрын

I feel your agony. Sloshing thru the mud looks like a lot of fun. Teaches you allot about your body. And it looks like you're making good time as well. Even getting a good tan on your face. And yes I think that's an awesome name for that island.

@rumblechick73 Жыл бұрын

Well done! The only way to get thru that section is to just keep going. Now you know why they call it Thank God Island.

@leedanielson7452 Жыл бұрын

Good grief that hiking through the swamp looks tough!😳🐸🐝🐌🐍🐊🦩🦔

@rockercover Жыл бұрын

Trail looked like torture.

@donrobinson5540 Жыл бұрын

I keep telling myself,”That does NOT look like fun.” Good luck!

@pronetowander2153 Жыл бұрын

Nice job, Kelly nothing like playing in the mud you’ll be moving forward and having fun hope you have seen some wildlife good day.

@jimhenderson387 Жыл бұрын

I don't have a molecule in my body that envies what you're doing, but it's fun watching you deal with it!

@juliannecollie8766 Жыл бұрын

Girl I was so relieved when you said Tripod made it because I was scared for you not gonna lie. phew!

@hindsfeetonhighplaces Жыл бұрын

I've done a bit of the FT and commented about how fast I could hike because it was flat. But that flat mud and water would definitely slow you down!

@claramullen Жыл бұрын

Hey Kelly the swamp is no joke I don't know what is worse hiking through snow or the swamp.

@larrypeake7632 Жыл бұрын

Kelly YOU ROCKED IT!!!! I know that had to be a pain in the ass but you did it. BRAVO GIRL.

@johnmys5am Жыл бұрын

This may be your best vlog yet. Good luck!

@jamesadams2334 Жыл бұрын

Kelly, did that remind you of Vermont? My buddy Chicken Man hiked the AT in 2002. In 2003 he got hired as a trail crew foreman on the Florida Trail. A few years later I was asking him questions about it and he told me that when they finished the southern section, he told his boss that it was done, it was totally cleared and totally marked and that he was never going back there again. You looked really tired girl but you hiked strong, you did great! You got this! geek

@BootsAndPearls85 Жыл бұрын

I got a very clear sense as to why that camp is called "Thank God Island"! Beast Mode is ON! Stay safe out there!

@kellyhays23 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Amber!!!

@Fireship1 Жыл бұрын

My grandfather actually owned property in this area. He bought it back in the day for practically nothing. In the 2000s the state declared it a preserve and turned it into a park. Everyone who owned various parcels of land within were bought out by eminent domain. I think he only got a few thousand dollars for land he thought would be worth a fortune someday.

@frugalsquirrel1725 Жыл бұрын

That has to be worse than desert hiking. If you complete this, then the PTC will seem like a piece of cake in comparison.

@helenehendrikse9625 Жыл бұрын

Cheering for ya Kelly. Thanks for taking us along !!

@marysalmon2367 Жыл бұрын

I am so here for this adventure. Not gonna lie, I would be worried about snakes.. And bugs. And gators. And ......wait, are there leeches???

@katejohnson2403 Жыл бұрын

I live in Florida and we found a leech in our pool

@lloydlifestone7045 Жыл бұрын

This brought me protozoic vibes. Fascinating landscape. Great upload.

@vickifg13 Жыл бұрын

Bless your heart doing all that hard woke to get up to the boys and they were behind you.😊 Your a trooper for sure. God bless ya and Happy Hiking 🏕🥾💕

@juliezimmerman273 Жыл бұрын

Really enjoying following along!! Beautiful but tough! Best wishes!

@BackroadExploits Жыл бұрын

I can't even imagine how hard all that hiking must've been but I know one thing for sure, you gotta be in shape to do that! I've never been in mud that has so much pulling power as I have in Florida. Loving your video.

@user-David-Alan Жыл бұрын

Your tenacity is amazing. Glad you made land before darkness settled in. I will only tell you this once because most people don't like directions. Most people hold their trekking poles incorrectly. This is only a suggestion and give it a try to see what its like. Put your hand up through the loop and come down with the straps and the pole in the palm of your hand. This will give you way more support when walking. I hope I explained it well enough to understand what to do. Stay well and be safe. You're the champ.

@superdave0002 Жыл бұрын

looks like fun.....considering most of the country is below 32 degrees

@mawacal Жыл бұрын

you are a brave soul! I grew up on the bayous of southeast louisiana and your hike is above my pay grade for sure. keep hiking

@librab103 5 ай бұрын

I was born and raised in Florida for 23 years and I never knew about this trail. I will be going back and watching your journey.

@aaalllen Жыл бұрын

Do your buddies have inReaches? Those separations would be worth the message costs. I like adding times the message was sent manually cause you never know how long those take to delivery.

@loriheiney5711 Жыл бұрын

I'm so proud of you Kelly for getting back on trail after everything u went on the last two trails

@bhclark6128 Жыл бұрын

Great video. I love that section of the trail.

@dougsneider722 Жыл бұрын

You’re killing it! You have such a great attitude. Great vlog.

@emilyguay1711 Жыл бұрын

This is the first series of FT hiking that I have seen and it's pretty awesome because it's so different from everything else. You are killing it with those swamp feet! 🤪

@timmonahanjustoutforawalk7331 Жыл бұрын

WOW, thats kayak action. aqua blazing. u kick butt though.

@PixieDuster1234 Жыл бұрын

Have to say "Nope" for me. But I'm very excited to sit with my nice dry feet cheering and following you. Stay safe looking forward to me. God speed

@maureenmukhlis2934 Жыл бұрын

Oh my !!!! I can’t even imagine how scared I would be!!! You are so BRAVE😳😳😳😳

@AbleHammer Жыл бұрын

Love it! I was thinking Type 2 fun and then you said Type 2 fun 😅. Now we know why it’s called THANK GOD ISLAND! 😂

@hallman321 Жыл бұрын

wow! Another awesome video. Thank you!

@ScottKent Жыл бұрын

I regret to inform you that Big Cypress is not the most difficult part of the trail...Bradwell Bay the section of swamp above Tate's Hell is the worst of all. Of course if the water table is too high, Bradwell Bay is completely unpassable and therefore it is considered optional and can be avoided. The good news is that Bradwell is only about 6 miles total but through the heart of it even a good hiker with their trail legs under them is lucky to make 1 mile per hour. But yeah, Big Cypress is a 3 day hike, not 2. If you need anything just ask, I'm in the Orlando area and I did the FT in 2021.

@Elizabethmoonlightchild Жыл бұрын

Girl you are a rock star! I'd have said F this way back 🤣 keep trekking honey you got this!

@davidkeith7087 Жыл бұрын

What scares me is not the gators, hurricanes or serial killers- It's Big python snakes! 😨 🤠

@RickINFJ Жыл бұрын

What an appropriately named island after trudging through the mire. It must have felt like you were wearing ankle weights on dry land after slogging for so long. Take care ✌️

@BafMilr052 Жыл бұрын

So impressed with you, Kelly!

@jimschlabachpeacefuloutdoo7327 Жыл бұрын

Mad respect. Tuff trail.

@jasonjones5213 Жыл бұрын

Wow! You're killing it.I'm afraid it would be killing me.Great video.

@westernslopefishing1993 Жыл бұрын

Listening to this episode across the room is very squishy haha

@hannahc3349 Жыл бұрын

You crushed it!!

@ervinslens Жыл бұрын

Absolutely stunning presentation my friend. These shots are so picturesque and beautiful! Camera composition is simply incredible 🔥🔥🔥

@bryanford1139 Жыл бұрын

Damn!! trial by FIRE - water......and, not the good kind either?!?!?! Heck-of-a-start to this one, keep on keepin' on 👍

@gentryaustin Жыл бұрын

Looks fun!

@michaelturner8010 Жыл бұрын

WOW, I'm impressed 😁

@loveliftadventure5864 Жыл бұрын

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 you handled that like a boss!!

@richardross7219 Жыл бұрын

I've followed many hikers and the one getting ahead of the others but thinking they are behind is very common. The water in your bag looks like it will plug your filter very quickly. My wife was from bayou country(LA). She said that mosquitoes got so bad in the 1960s that a group of cows were found dead. They had been sucked dry by mosquitoes. After that, the county instituted a spraying operation for each year. Be very careful of the little blood suckers. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick

@Golfpt62 Жыл бұрын

I would have been crying the whole way. Way to go!!!

@chrishaley877 Жыл бұрын

Looks rough… Hoping better trail conditions are in store for you.

@rbsepulveda6817 Жыл бұрын

If you get up around Lake City and need anything, I would be glad to help if possible, we can figure out in a bit how to contact. It is up near the Suwanee, after the Olustee forest. Last I checked there is no water in that 40 miles ( but hopefully they have changed that) You go girl, I live in florida but wont hike the FT, very very primative all the way. NOTE: you get over on the other side of Tally my daughter will try to help you out.

@jimmyjenkins9240 Жыл бұрын

While I know it is hard work to vlog as you slog, I really appreciate the work you are doing to bring this to us. I’m happy for you that Tripod and others showed up before bedtime.

@robertpapich Жыл бұрын

I used to camp about seven miles north of alligator alley and five miles west of snake road. Winter time we would spend a lot of time out there. Very tranquil

@GenXGranny Жыл бұрын

Stay safe out there! That looks like fun even though I have never hiked a day in my adult life, but its a bit scary at parts!

@laineym2005 Жыл бұрын

You are officially a beast! Wow! Followed you on the AT and PCT - and never seen you so exhausted - but you persisted! Wow again!

@florida-alaskasummer22driv62 Жыл бұрын

Everybody is so impressed with what you did on Day 2. Me too. It’s fun watching, because I’ve done some hiking and camping (not at your level though :.), and I can learn from you.

@robertl6819 Жыл бұрын

I'm thinking hip waiders from bass pro might be handy..... Glad your havin Fun!😎👍

@Alex-lc3yx Жыл бұрын

Bradwell bay is a whole nother level of swamp

@robertbarnes4 Жыл бұрын

Looks like hard work 😂 It will be till you hit Kissimmee Prairie. Great job!!

@robinhoward4204 Жыл бұрын

Here's one for you Kelly - Kokoda! This current trek should be good groundwork for that if you ever decide to take it on.

@stoicodysseys6352 Жыл бұрын

Way to hang tough. I am very impressed and proud of you

@brandonsanders9674 Жыл бұрын

That was some really tough hiking, great job Kelly!! I fricking hate mosquitoes 🦟! If I was God I would apologize for creating mosquitoes and give the whole world 🌎 ice cream 🍦🤔

@pamelalynn3767 Жыл бұрын

That looked so exhausting! You went a long way for those conditions.

@rosemarymcleod4074 Жыл бұрын

Wow you really have to be dedicated to hiking to do this trail. You are a super tuff young lady. Good luck and happy trails! Be safe in that swamp.

@jasonthomas51 Жыл бұрын

Kicking ass Kelly! Quick question, I’ve heard of doing it to prevent freezing but why is your shoulder water bottle upside down?!

@bettybarnett6994 Жыл бұрын

Enjoying seeing this different terrain. Please be careful of gators, bugs, etc. Think I will stay in the High Country of NC!

@bird.1980 Жыл бұрын

You'll be you got this part over first. Downhill from here....mostly

@floorticket Жыл бұрын

"Type-two fun right off the bat." I'm guessing type-three fun is to be avoided at all costs.

@nellers31 Жыл бұрын

I feel like a special kind of footwear is needed for the Florida Trail... Like water shoes/Crocs or something with special quick drying socks . lol I can't imagine the condition of your feet after being water logged all day. 😵‍💫 Pretty epic journey you're on though!

@sparkysystem Жыл бұрын

Awesome achievement

@richardross7219 Жыл бұрын

It looks like Daisy Hikes started on the FT about the same time as you. She has done the PCT and AT. You two might have some good conversations if you happen to meet up. Good Luck, Rick

@rumblechick73 Жыл бұрын

Daisy started in Key West so she's about 200 miles behind them.

@rumblechick73 Жыл бұрын

@S. M. I'm not sure what she has planned. Something was said about continuing on north after the FT, but I don't remember the exact plans.

@wendypelaez9305 Жыл бұрын

The most magical section of the Fl Trail besides the beach is the Cathedral of Palms. It’s as though you are hiking through a prehistoric forest.

@wendypelaez9305 Жыл бұрын

My name is Gay Wendy Pelaez Morgan and I shorten it depending on whether I’m on which social media I’m on, in case you are confused!

@allyssarea Жыл бұрын

Where is the cathedral of palms?

@wendypelaez9305 Жыл бұрын

@@allyssarea it’s after the St Marks Wildlife Refuge. Google.