Greenhorn looking to tackle the Florida Trail!

Hi, i set a goal at the beginning of the month to get fully prepared to hike the Florida Trail this winter. I plan on starting at the Oasis Ranger Station in the Everglades, and make my way up from there. Been grabbing all the material and books I can on hiking, and visiting shops and speaking with sales associates there.

I just ordered the Warbonnet Blackbird XLC 1.7 Single Layer Hammock and paired with their Edge tarp, so that should come out a little over 2 pounds. Have a Jetblast Flash stove, with a long titanium spork so I'm covered there as well. Ordered the Sawyer Mini filter for water purification and will pair that with some Platapus pouches and/or a 3L water pouch with hose depending on my pack.

The last thing I am narrowing down, is my backpack....

I think the most important thing you are missing is: Do you like backpacking?

I would suggest renting some equipment and trying it out on an overnighter or weekend hike before you buy all of that fancy equipment.

Oh yeah BZH, I'm down in Sarasota, FL. There is a place called Myakka State Park 10 minutes from here, with 37,000 acres and 6 different primitive camp sites to choose from. I've already contacted them and arranged a time in early August to get out there and take a tour and ask any questions I may have. I'll be able to practice with all the equipment and practice set up and take downs each day and then planning a long hike around the grounds (sometimes in circles) to simulate the distances with that load on my back and then set up at a new site at the conclusion of each trek. It's a brilliant plan