Kilted backpacking trip

[Matty Ross]

Thank you Iain Robb
I lived in Florida when I was a lad, then moved to Washington and Utah as an adult where I have hiked alot. I have often thought about returning to Florida to see places I camped as a young scout, and wondered what it would be like to hike down there.

[tundramanq]

Good news about the Elkommando - the response I got from Mtn Hardwear:
Response (Mike) 02/01/2012 08:52 AM
Hi Charles,

Thanks for contacting us. No need to worry, the Elkommando Kilt will be making its triumphant return to the MHW product line in the upcoming Spring '12 season. It will be available exclusively through www.mountainhardwear.com and REI. The S'12 season officially launches Feb 15, so keep your eyes peeled.

Regards,

Mike

[Iain Robb]

That is good news. Wonder if they're making any changes. I can't imagine any that would be an improvement, except perhaps a dark khaki or stone color.

[tundramanq]

That would be neat, an excuse for me to buy another kilt-- Aarg

[Woodsman]

Wore my Elkommando on a Pennsylvania backpacking trip this past October with temps in the 50's. It felt great backpacking in this kilt. Just a little chilly at night when temps dropped and I wasn't walking.
I will be in Florida end of April. Any hiking trails around Orlando? Can you recommend any websites with Florida hiking trails? I may have to pack my ELKK.

[Iain Robb]

Wore my Elkommando on a Pennsylvania backpacking trip this past October with temps in the 50's. It felt great backpacking in this kilt. Just a little chilly at night when temps dropped and I wasn't walking.
I will be in Florida end of April. Any hiking trails around Orlando? Can you recommend any websites with Florida hiking trails? I may have to pack my ELKK.

The Florida Trail Association has info and maps and more on trails all over the state:

http://www.floridatrail.org/

One of the most highly recommended backpacking trips in Florida is just a little north of Orlando, on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest. I thought it was nice, but I prefer the Richloam tract of the Withlacoochie State Forest, or Myakka.

[gpmeakin]

Great pics.
Kilted hiking is the best.
Is that a Gregory pack you've got there?
I love my Miwok.

[Iain Robb]

Great pics.
Kilted hiking is the best.
Is that a Gregory pack you've got there?
I love my Miwok.

Yep, it's a Z30. Managed to fit everything I needed for five days into that, and it was very full. I should have left behind at least one of the two lenses I lugged along. I used only my 24mm the whole time, but I also took the equivalent of an 80mm macro and a 200mm.

[tundramanq]

Lian, I am jealous. I can't carry more than about 30 pounds of pack and stuff and I live in a desert where water toting is a must. The feet and knees won't take it any more. So I just day hike around my camp.
I do wish Olympus would make a digital back or body for all my awesome OM lenses and make it a lot cheaper to use my 1970s OM-1. Everyting is light except my non Olympus 500mm that is like carrying a brick. But with it you have to have a tripod, so it just dose moon and star shots etc. from camp.

[Iain Robb]

Lian, I am jealous. I can't carry more than about 30 pounds of pack and stuff and I live in a desert where water toting is a must. The feet and knees won't take it any more. So I just day hike around my camp.
I do wish Olympus would make a digital back or body for all my awesome OM lenses and make it a lot cheaper to use my 1970s OM-1. Everyting is light except my non Olympus 500mm that is like carrying a brick. But with it you have to have a tripod, so it just dose moon and star shots etc. from camp.

Well, I have a Sony NEX-5 digital body (compact camera, APS-C sensor) that, with an adapter, takes all my old Nikon 35mm lenses. This trip I took the 16mm Sony lens I got with the camera (equivalent of a 24mm lens), a Nikon adapter, a 55mm Nikkor "Micro" and a 135mm Nikkor. That's one big reason I got the camera -- I didn't need to buy a bunch of new lenses.

You can get adapters for Olympus OM lenses as well.