FL>Sept 28-30, 2018 Hidden Pond>7th Annual Summer's Last Gasp Hang trip report

**Floridahanger** · 10-01-2018, 08:01

Thanks for all of you that came out to play this past weekend. It was a great time.

Give us your pics and story of the weekend. I'll post a report later when I have more time.

**Floridahanger** · 10-01-2018, 08:04

Originally Posted by Life Scout

We had a good time. So good to see a bunch of old friends.

Good to see so much water in the pond. I've never seen it this high before. Hope it stays up so we can enjoy this spot for years to come.

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Very nice pics. It sure was beautiful there.

**O-Boy** · 10-01-2018, 08:12

Big thanks to Floridahanger for setting up the thread and keeping us advised. I enjoyed the weekend as usual, only about 3 Chigger bites, maybe a record for few bites for me! Thanks to Jason and Scott for advise their advise and suggestions on my upcoming FHT hike. And to Rey and Marlene for the hike and ride out yesterday morning!! And everyone else for the great conversation and stories!

**Cooloz91** · 10-01-2018, 09:17

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**richtorfla** · 10-01-2018, 12:12

Originally Posted by Cooloz91

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Cool! What was the buggies in front of you? And nice pic of a healthy rat snake!

**zukiguy** · 10-01-2018, 20:11

It was hot but the pond was GREAT!! My youngest and I can count our bug bites on one hand between us. My oldest one in typical fashion must have sat on an anthill. There's just not other way to explain it.

I did get an endorsement of the bridge vs the previous attempts getting my kids to hang in the gathered ends. There's still hope to get them off the ground for good one of these days. Thanks to the heat and the bugs we didn't get to hang out around the fire and socialize as much as I would have liked. However, even the worst weekend at Hidden Pond is better than sitting at home!!

**Cooloz91** · 10-02-2018, 07:03

Those were the rescue team attempting to pick up a seventeen year who was bitten by a pygmy rattlesnake. Quite a story

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**Floridahanger** · 10-02-2018, 09:31

Gravey, Rondo and I got there Thursday afternoon and there was a group camping here from a nearby church. On Friday they were off on their individual alone time when the teen stepped on some Spanish Moss with the pigmy under it. When he heard a squeak, he lifted his leg and that's when he was bit. Luckily it seems it was a warning bite and little venom was transferred. This was the rescue choppers first rescue after completing a new training course for rescues in the Ocala National Forest. They told me they saw my Blaze Orange hiking shirt from a far distance and came straight towards me. The teen will be ok.

I spent a wonderful time in the pond before the snake bite incident but had too much sun. I now know I got too much sun(red skin on Monday) and not enough fluids and was suffering from Heat Exhaustion the rest of Friday. I did hike out to the Hidden Pond Short trail in early afternoon to make sure the markings on the ground were still there. I went West past the first lake prairie and marked the trail from there back to the FT. Yep too much sun. Spent the rest of the stormy looking afternoon in my hammock until sunset. Tried to keep sipping Propel water to get rehydrated. Even with all that, yall are great and still had a good evening.

Sat was fun sitting around and catching up with great folk. I didn't gather any wood but Marlene and Rey dragged in some great stuff. The Sat fire was beautiful and we had some great convo and shared a lot of stories and adult beverages. Yes, Sugarlands was represented. And yall carry some great snacks, I must say.

Thanks for a great hang with a bunch of great folk. Until the next hang.

**Floridahanger** · 10-02-2018, 13:15

From Marlene.

Also, ask her about the fireside video. It looked pretty good on her phone as she was recording it.

Originally Posted by Marlene

Rey and I had a wonderful time. So nice to see old friends and new! It was my first time at Hidden Pond, but not my last. The water was wonderful... the company was better! Thanks for setting this hang up

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**Randonneur** · 10-02-2018, 15:27

Great Pictures! I had a nice relaxing time and only came home with one small tick on me. On Friday night I must have slept with my arm up against the bug net and the Florida State bird had a banquet of me. Good times.