Pics of packs

[nidarosa]

With all the advice and opinions on this forum about finding the right backpack, discussions on weight, volume, back system etc, we very rarely discuss the look of them. And of course looks really don't matter when it's on your back, but still ... we grow to love them, and our Camino friends recognise us by them, so I thought our hard working packs deserved their own photo thread.

In short: I would like to see pics of your packs! Before and after shots, with badges, shells and camino dust. Shiny new or with duct tape repairs, with or without socks hanging to dry. How did you personalise or customise yours, and why? Did you stitch, glue or iron your embellishments on? I am going to sew on my Forum patch and probably a few other things very soon, so give me inspiration!

Linda

 

[Perejil]

This sound like lots of fun

 

[wayfarer]

This is my pack (being carried by my wife, another story.)

 

[nidarosa]

This is a close-up of my Osprey Aura 50 in Baja Blue, an absolute find from Ebay after I found myself love, love, loving the Aura 35 on my 2012 Camino from StJPdP. For longer trips with more stuff I needed a bigger bag and found her. This pic was taken on the first day of our attempt at walking from Tønsberg/Tunsberg to Oslo in preparation for the St Olav's Way, note the cup of half a quarter bottle of champagne and wild strawberries fresh from the side of the track! The smiling sun is there to remind me of my friend Mette who died less than a year after we met on the Camino - a true smiler. My pack is also named after her.

 

[psheehan]

This is my 20 litre pack... I wear it on my front... I wore it for 2 weeks last year on Camino Frances and Camino Salvador... It contains everything I need for the Camino... I'll be carrying it again as I head off on the Camino Vadiniense next weekend.


Paul.

 

[supersullivan]

My backpack for the last 5 years, Lowe Alpine 45+10 capacity: 6 Western Way Marathons, 2 West Highland Ways, 1 Offa's Dyke Path, 2 Art O'Neill's, 1 Maamturk Challenge and 3 Caminos. Hoping I'll get a few years more out of it yet. This shot was taken at the seafront in Prestatyn, Wales when I finished the Offa's Dyke Path with an 11 hour, 24 mile ( 43 k ) day with about 4,200 feet ( 1,300 metre ) of climbing. Rarely was a cerveza so enjoyed.

 

[wayfarer]

I must talk to you about Offa's Dyke sometime, it looks interesting.

 

[gerardcarey]

I'll bet that glass was full when you started fiddling with your camera.
A Beer Bear. They can't be trusted.
Lose the Bear mate.

 

[nidarosa]

See, I am now struck with inspiration! Did some fine stitching tonight but now feel the need to attach a beer bear equivalent ... and also to walk the Offa's Dyke path once we've done the Coast Path ... Keep your pics coming!

 

[supersullivan]

Wayfarer, Offa's Dyke is fairly demanding, about 8,500 metres of climbing in about 175 miles, hardest thing to get used to was the number of villages you'd pass through that no longer had a village shop or pub, meant carrying about 13 kilos backpack weight with extra water/food plus the normal odds and ends but some glorious stretches with the Hatersall Ridge being foremost. PM me if you get to the stage of planning for it and I'll gladly help in any way I can.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Well - I've just upgraded from a 35L to 40L - a Mountain Warehouse brand. As with several other back-packs bought from MW, I find the stitching can be poor - but the capacity is great! And with quite a few zip pockets for those odds and ends, I find it excellent.
As you can see, there's also a separate large zip pocket at the base - ideal to keep the spare shoes in.
Of course, you can also see those vital accessories - the forum and national badges.
In fact, only this morning I changed my 'avatar' from a grumpy old man, to the new back-pack
But here's a larger version ....

Just six more day to go and I'm off on the Camino Ingles.
Buen camino!

 

[Mark Lee]

My pack the first day on the Camino Frances somewhere between St. Jean and Roncesvalles and on the last day in the plaza in Santiago.
Not the best pack for the task as it has no padded hip belt or frame for support (all the weight is on your shoulders), but it was all I could scrounge up where I was working overseas prior to starting my Camino.

 

[mspath]

....
In fact, only this morning I changed my 'avatar' from a grumpy old man, to the new back-pack
Just six more day to go and I'm off on the Camino Ingles.
Buen camino!

C'est très élégant!
Have a wonder filled and safe camino, Stephen.
I look forward to reading your new posts.

Carpe Diem,

Margaret Meredith

 

[JennyH94]

Hi Linda -

If you're thinking about a 'mascot' for your pack, check out the cute yellow monkey, named 'Jacqueline', from Rachel Thompson's totally fantastic Camino video clip:

Cheers!

 

[Peadarmac]

View attachment 9748

With all the advice and opinions on this forum about finding the right backpack, discussions on weight, volume, back system etc, we very rarely discuss the look of them. And of course looks really don't matter when it's on your back, but still ... we grow to love them, and our Camino friends recognise us by them, so I thought our hard working packs deserved their own photo thread.

In short: I would like to see pics of your packs! Before and after shots, with badges, shells and camino dust. Shiny new or with duct tape repairs, with or without socks hanging to dry. How did you personalise or customise yours, and why? Did you stitch, glue or iron your embellishments on? I am going to sew on my Forum patch and probably a few other things very soon, so give me inspiration!

Linda

Here's a photo of my rucksack taken on praia de Langostertia with Finisterre in the background.We had become very close friends by this stage !!!!!

The boots came off and I had a very welcome and refreshing paddle before continuing the last few short kms into Finisterre

Rgds,

Peadar

 

[drvnsmiln]

Hi Linda -

If you're thinking about a 'mascot' for your pack, check out the cute yellow monkey, named 'Jacqueline', from Rachel Thompson's totally fantastic Camino video clip:

Cheers!

Did anyone else notice the Camino Buff on the table near the end?
Great images... I can't wait!!!

 

[AMDG56]

In fact, only this morning I changed my 'avatar' from a grumpy old man, to the new back-pack
I have been wondering how to get an " avatar" or picture to go with the name.
How is it done please?

 

[nidarosa]

If you move the cursor to hover over your user name on the right hand side of the dark blue menu line at the top of the page, you will get a list of options, one of them, near the bottom on the left hand column, will be Avatar. Click on that and you will get a small box opening, the Avatar Editor. You can upload your profile picture there.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

If you move the cursor to hover over your user name on the right hand side of the dark blue menu line at the top of the page, you will get a list of options, one of them, near the bottom on the left hand column, will be Avatar. Click on that and you will get a small box opening, the Avatar Editor. You can upload your profile picture there.

Thanks for answering, Nidarosa. Saved me working out again how I'd done it - in the end it was very simple.
Off on the Ingles in four days - see you did it in 2009. Hope you enjoyed it ...
Buen camino, amigo!

 

[nidarosa]

I did enjoy it - it was my first and 'test' Camino, testing my kit and my fitness and resolve. Had a great time, will never forget the Chinese warrior and the dinosaur combo ... you will see what I mean when you get there Buen Camino!

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

This is my pack (being carried by my wife, another story.)

View attachment 9675

When she is not carrying your pack do you think that she might carry mine for a bit on the Camino?

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Finally had some decent weather so I was able to spray my pack and some of the clothes with Permithrin. Once it dried, I loaded up my pack and weighed it. After tossing out my favorite Beer Stein, two bags of Fritos and a can of boiled peanuts I was able to get it down to 21 Lbs.--- 8 sleeps before "I'm leaving on a jet plane".

Ed

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Forgot to mention that my pack is an Osprey Kestral 48 Liter pack.....

 

[BCRockies]

Just a sixty dollar pack from Costco

 

[wayfarer]

When she is not carrying your pack do you think that she might carry mine for a bit on the Camino?

You can always ask.

 

[nidarosa]

@wayfarer and HalfDomeOrBust - I like that you have name badges with your forum user names on! I think I might try to get one of those. Do people recognise you from those names?

 

[wayfarer]

@wayfarer and HalfDomeOrBust - I like that you have name badges with your forum user names on! I think I might try to get one of those. Do people recognise you from those names?

I only put mine on this year with the purpose of meeting fellow forum members but unfortunately I had to turn back after only five kms due to chest pains so I never found out if it would work or not. Next time.

 

[nidarosa]

So sorry to hear that, hope you are feeling better and that you can get back to try again soon. If I should see you along the way somewhere I will buy you a drink!

 

[JennyH94]

Did anyone else notice the Camino Buff on the table near the end?
Great images... I can't wait!!!

Hi drvnsmiln - golly you're observant! Top spotting! 'Glad you liked the clip - it's my absolute favourite Camino clip! It really captures the spirit of the Camino. Something else that appears in Rachel's video is our wonderful Forum friend Wayfarer's avatar ... around the 11 second mark. 'Hope all is going really, really well for you Wayfarer - all the very best to you and Jane.
Cheers - Jenny

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

@wayfarer and HalfDomeOrBust - I like that you have name badges with your forum user names on! I think I might try to get one of those. Do people recognise you from those names?

When on the AT or Florida Trail other hikers did as word as to who is thru hiking reaches far and wide up and down the trail. This will be my first Camino so I guess we will find out!!
Have a great day and Buen Camino.
Ed

 

[xin loi]

Ever see those little cloth flags sold in airport stores? Last year I counted 56 different flags sewed on a backpack being carried by a guy from Norway. He said he was carrying everything he owned in the world.

 

[WildPlace]

I love my pack, not least because it's purple, a colour that i'm rather fond of - it's a Berghaus Freeflow Ladies, 30+6 litres and it will camino with me again this year

Picture taken last September on the Camino Frances

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

I love my pack, not least because it's purple, a colour that i'm rather fond of - it's a Berghaus Freeflow Ladies, 30+6 litres and it will camino with me again this year

Picture taken last September on the Camino Frances

Nice. Very Nice!!!

 

[WildPlace]

Thanks!

 

[nidarosa]

After Osprey very kindly replaced my faulty Aura with a perfect (and perfectly silent) one, it took about five minutes before she was packed, weighed, personalised and ready to go!

 

[Dutch]

If you have instagram, #caminobackpacks

 

[BeatriceKarjalainen]

Mine before leaving home.

 

[clearskiescamino]

here is mine

 

[Kiwi-family]

forum patch, flag, embroidered shell from first camino, real shell from home for this one, a bell from a fellow pilgrim jingling away, the purple Salvador scarf, charity: water container, crocheted kiwi, and massive advertising banner....I could have shed half a kilo if I'd left these sentimental bits behind!!!!
The girls' bags weighed about 2kg and the boys' about 5 with food.

 

[GreatDane]

Far left = Mammut Crea Light 40L, center = Lowe Alpine Airzone 33+10 with kit ready to pack, far right = Lowe packed. Lowe will be up for sale tomorrow. I've decided to take the Mammut!

 

[tyrrek]

Here's mine relaxing outside a bar in O Cebreiro on my first Camino. It's a
Berghaus Freeflow 35+8 and has also been with me on all my Caminos since.

 

[Pscarmen]

If you have instagram, #caminobackpacks

Just checked it out. Wow...some amazing pics. Th

forum patch, flag, embroidered shell from first camino, real shell from home for this one, a bell from a fellow pilgrim jingling away, the purple Salvador scarf, charity: water container, crocheted kiwi, and massive advertising banner....I could have shed half a kilo if I'd left these sentimental bits behind!!!!
The girls' bags weighed about 2kg and the boys' about 5 with food.

How can I get a Forum patch???

 

[Kerstinh47]

Gregory Jade 34L, unintended clothesline at times...

 

[JennyH94]

Just checked it out. Wow...some amazing pics. Th


How can I get a Forum patch???

Hi Pscarmen - this is how to get your Forum patch ... if you scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on "Home" at the bottom right hand side, when the Home page comes up you'll see a large ad for the Forum Store on the top right hand corner ... click on that and all the products will come up. The Forum patch is fantastic! You'll love it!
Cheers - Jenny

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Here is my sadly departed Osprey Stratros 36 enjoying a bit of a rest on its last camino. Somewhere between Deba and Ziortza on the Camino del Norte.

 

[Pscarmen]

Hi Pscarmen - this is how to get your Forum patch ... if you scroll down to the bottom of this page and click on "Home" at the bottom right hand side, when the Home page comes up you'll see a large ad for the Forum Store on the top right hand corner ... click on that and all the products will come up. The Forum patch is fantastic! You'll love it!
Cheers - Jenny

Thanks Jenny....can't wait!

 

[jmcarp]

OK, here's my 'before' and 'after' backpack photos. The 'before' shows my Osprey Kestrel 38 on my bedroom floor, all packed and ready to go the next day. The 'after' shot was not really 'after' since it was taken at the Casa de Dioses a few km before Astorga, but you get the idea what a severely pilgrimized pack can look like on the Camino.

Before

• jmcarp
• Feb 28, 2015
• 3

Before

• jmcarp
• Feb 28, 2015
• 3

After

• jmcarp
• Feb 28, 2015
• 5

After

• jmcarp
• Feb 28, 2015
• 5

 

[jmcarp]

Sorry, I don't know what caused the double post of the photos. Mea culpa.