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  1. Richard Smith

    Osprey Rucksack Belt Pocket Zips

    Recently bought an Osprey EXOS 48l for my daughter, it seems to be version 2 of the design and no longer has pockets on the hip belt (plus some cosmetic changes elsewhere). Still a great pack.
  2. Richard Smith

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    OK then, with 1 litre of water your pack will be 12kg. This is certainly doable. I did that (but I carried too much) and it was "less enjoyable" than if I had under 10kg and under 8 kg would have been better. Usual advice applies - start slow and steady, with conservative daily distances...
  3. Richard Smith

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    Pelikan, you will need a sleep mat under a sleeping bag if you tent, so if these amounted to (say) 1.1kg then that is 6kg so far. Can you assemble one set of spare clothes, rain gear, toothbrush etc under or equal to 5kg?
  4. Richard Smith

    To those who brought a tent: How do I keep the total weight down?

    How heavy is your tent?
  5. Richard Smith

    Would it be overkill to bring both a rain jacket and the Altus poncho in Oct/Nov?

    I started early September with a poncho, which was enough for rain, and a heavy fleece. I bought a softshell rain jacket in Burgos or Leon, because of the cold/wind. So I think take both if the weight is OK for you. We took 45 days SJPP to SdC so 2 months is a good time buffer, and if you finish...
  6. Richard Smith

    May-June Camino Frances - Rain Gear & Eating ware

    +1 Spork. I used it twice or so when we bought a picnic lunch ingredients in supermarket and ate in a park. These lunches were great! +1 knife. Used for picnic lunch and a few other times. OTOH I used the scissors almost everyday. +1 bottle opener. Yes, used. -1 Food storage container. I never...
  7. Richard Smith

    Pack Cover Failure

    I abandoned pack covers after a rainy walk in NZ, in my experience they do not keep the contents of your pack dry in heavy rain. Only a good pack liner will do this. Pack covers do somewhat keep your pack dry so it gets less heavy, but it is false economy for the amount of stuffing around, etc...
  8. Richard Smith

    Every kilo matters

    5 days in the Walls of Jerusalem, first time in this area. Have walked the Overland Track twice.
  9. Richard Smith

    Every kilo matters

    I am doing some training for a walk in Tassie a bit later on and have been doing my usual graduated start, currently with 2 x 1.5 litre jugs of weight-water plus whatever else I would take on a short day walk, which includes another 1 litre to drink. The other night I put the training pack on...
  10. Richard Smith

    Sleeping Bag?

    Love my sleeping bag but my wife did not use hers much (CF Sept-Oct). I sleep cold, she sleeps hot. SO - try before you go, adjust your bedroom or sleep on verandah to get the target temperature and see what works for you.
  11. Richard Smith

    Did you get tired of wearing same colours for weeks?

    By chance, almost all of my gear on a 45 day camino was dark blue / dark green / dark grey / black, my wife even commented that one set made me look like a school boy in uniform (and at 60+ I will take that as a compliment). And afterwards I really enjoyed putting on some new colours while...
  12. Richard Smith

    How much data do I need on an eSIM for the entire Camino Frances

    This is what I found.
  13. Richard Smith

    Hiking stick instead of walking poles

    When I was in Boy Scouts, we were told that the stave should be shoulder high or higher but not taller than the top of your head. It should not be too heavy but strong enough that you can place each end on a support and hang your body weight from the middle without the stave breaking. I like...
  14. Richard Smith

    Safe to send my sleeping bag?

    That would be me. Totally impressed that you never need one (seems like a good evolution trait so have lots of kids!)
  15. Richard Smith

    Rain jacket recommendations

    Poncho and shorts, no pack cover and no rain pants. I bought my poncho in the store more-or-less opposite the pilgrim office in SJPdP and cut off the elastic around the wrists for better ventilation.
  16. Richard Smith

    thin lightweight flip-flops?

    In 2016 I met a weather-worn French guy who was walking the CF only in flip flops. He said every year he walked the camino and spent 6 months in Thailand.
  17. Richard Smith

    Protecting backpack during flight and from rain

    Two different requirements. Protect backpack during luggage handling when flying - needs to be sturdy and with handles. Protect backpack from rain - needs to be light and waterproof.
  18. Richard Smith

    Men's Pants - There Can Be Only One

    Whatever pants/shorts you select - don't forget to ensure that waist band can be adjusted during the Camino. I use a belt but some pants have their own.
  19. Richard Smith

    Please bring a sleeping bag of some kind

    Pulling out a crossword or Sudoku puzzle works same way. Someone will pop over your shoulder with a word or number, just ask them where you are.
  20. Richard Smith

    Meltdown in San Sebastián!

    But in Spain they are called "chin", I had no idea what this meant when I went looking for a replacement wall plug for the one I left in Acebo, until a lovely council worker who was collecting the garbage showed me.

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