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I used 3 x icebreaker long sleeve 150 shirts. I used a clean shirt every day. I chose 150 as I walked late spring (cool in the mornings) and I wanted shirts that would survive frequent washing and rucksack rubbing. Note: They can leave the back of the neck exposed as they don’t have a collar so...
All the advice above re medical opinion + factor 1-2 rest days into your planning in case you need them.
Ice cubes from a local bar wrapped in a wet tea (drying) towel at the end of the day also brings relief. Tea towel weighs almost nothing, dries quickly in the outside of your pack.
I took 2 pairs of North Face zip-offs. They will soften up every time you wash them. Never use any fabric softener or tumble drier cloths. It stops them wicking moisture effectively.
Fit is a personal choice - I had a pair of 38” and a pair of 36”. On very hot days the baggier pair were cooler.
We walked at similar dates/times in 2022. Like you, I was hoping to do the Portugues this year in the May/June period, but have bumped it to 2025 as we have USA trip this year. Enjoy!
I walked from 2nd May in 2022. I booked 2-3 days ahead because a wanted a degree of certainty - but that’s me.
The last stretch from Sarria was chaos due to very large groups eg. 400 from one company doing fund raising week. This pushed the normal b&b and hotel users into using the hostels.
I...
I took the Express Bourricot option, shared with 5-6 others, made it very reasonable. My flight was delayed by 60’ and the EB team waited for us.
We were all starting the next day and met one or two from the taxi on the walk from SJPP and again at Refuge Orrison.
I started 2nd May in 2022. I had a very light down bag and a silk liner. I slept in the liner every night, most nights the bag was zipped open and draped over my feet. I could pull it up blanket style if it was chilly.
Walked from 2nd May 2022 from SJPP for 5.5 weeks. Merino long sleeved shirts, light padded down jacket (242g), lightweight waterproof jacket, zip-off trousers, merino underwear, wool socks. Had a set of light gloves and a beanie buried in my rucksack.
Had the odd cool morning when I started in...
I walked at age 60, 2 ops on one knee and 1 op on the other. I wore Salomon boots because I have always hiked in them and they suit my feet and gait. I saw a real mix from sandals to shoes to boots. Some people mixed it up - boots for the more challenging and rocky/stoney sections...
Not sure what the Keen sandals are like but my Keen Targhee (V2 & V3) boots are hellishly slippery on wet rocks and wet wood. I love them for dry weather. Check if the Newport H2 has a better sole in the wet.
Don’t forget to manage the extremities. Hands can get very cold even though the body feels warm. I walked early May and on the odd cool morning I wore gloves for the first 30-60 minutes until the sun had warmed the ambient air.
Agreed! I lost 10kg over 5 weeks of the Camino. Based on my start weight this would have allowed and extra 1 kg on my pack weight. Conversely, by the end I would have been carrying 1kg too much for my body weight.
At over 183cm tall and a fighting weight of 100 kg (all muscle 😂😂) I wear XL or...
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