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🥾 Equipment and Clothes
Pre pack dry run
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[QUOTE="t2andreo, post: 197634, member: 25553"] Last year, I just winged it. I assumed it would not matter. WEIGHT MATTERS! All those pesky single digit and double digit gram and ounce counts do add up faster than you think. Here is a good process for reducing carry weight reasonably. [LIST=1] [*]Lay everything out that you think you are going to place in your rucksack or in your pockets - on a bed, a flat section of floor - whatever. [*]Then "eye-ball" everything, examining each item to see if there is anything you can do to shave the weight even a gram. [*]Remove packaging and even stuff sacks where possible. [*]Use rubber bands to hold something rolled. [*]Combine like items in to a single, larger stuff sack, or ziploc bag. Fewer sacks = less weight. [*]Plan to carry multiple smaller volume water bottles (500 ml seems to be the "sweet spot." You can shift multiple bottles about your person to distribute weight better. [*]Once you complete the hands-on, eye-ball test, WEIGH EVERYTHING using a digital food or postal scale. Make a list of items and weights. [*]Evaluate your results with a view towards taking less of an item that can be bought / replenished enroute, eliminating something that only has one possible use (everything should be multi-use), or thoughtfully reconsider the likelihood that you will actually "need" something you were planning to "need." This later category might include: [/LIST] [LIST] [*][LIST] [*]Protective devices / weapons - pepper spray, mace, brass knuckles, baseball bats, long knives, batons, samurai swords, etc. Spain is far safer than a big city in the US - at night. If you are carrying hiking poles or a pilgrim staff this is better at fending off any attack anyway. Besides, it AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN...chill folks...:confused: [*]Water bladder - mine weighed 11 ounces when empty - sold it after my first Camino. Use free 500 ml bottles instead. I carry 4: electrolyte fruit drink (1), instant coffee (1), plain water (2). I carry electrolyte tabs for me or anyone else who needs a pickup during the day. Drop in a 500 ml bottle of plain water, shake and drink. [*]Water purification systems - too heavy. If you are neurotic about this bring tablets. Potable water is not a issue, except maybe for 1-2 days west of Carrion de los Condes. [*]Tent, tarp tent, ground sheet, stake out lines, stakes etc. Only take this stuff if you PLAN to camp out. Otherwise, it is dead weight. N.B. I choose to carry an SOL "Escape" bivvy sack as my ONE just-in-case item. But I do so more for a first aid event for an injured pilgrim rather than the outside chance I may have to bivvy overnight. [*]Cooking gear, camp stoves, etc. - NOT needed. Bring a spork, Opinel or Swiss Army knife, and MAYBE a camping mug - max. Some folks swear by having an immersion heater so they can brew a cuppa in the morning. I "go commando," putting Nescafe or Starbucks (if I have any) instant coffee singles into hot water from the tap in one of my water bottles. DO NOT forget a cork screw if you drink wine - you WILL need that item...;) [*]More than 3 changes of underwear / lingerie, socks, and shirt. Everyone is different, but if you do wash your shirt, socks and undies every day, three sets is more than enough. Some folks cut that to two.:eek: Last year, there was even a small group of folks who were running the Camino. Their entire kit was: standard loose nylon running shorts, a shirt, a hat, shoes and socks, one small fanny pack with one change of socks and a wind shirt, two small water bottles and one Buff. The Buff sufficed as headgear, and personal towel. THAT WAS IT! I have heard of "going commando" but that was ridiculous. [*]All paper books other than one Camino guide. Even most of these books are too heavy. But they are usually worth the schlep. If you use a smart phone or small tablet, iPod Touch, etc. get e-books. Some folks keep daily journals. That is fine and a god thing. Just be aware there is always a weight trade-off. [*]Arrange all your electronics so you only need one charger, one cable, and one plug adapter. My iPod Touch uses the Apple Lightning connector and my mobile uses a micro-USB connector. I found a lightweight micro-USB cord that uses a standard 5W Apple charger and a Apple Lightning to micro-USB converter. The charger, adapter plug, cable and lightning adapter weigh a total of only 61 grams or 2.2 ounces in a ziploc bag! [*]Extra shoes - unless you have a very unique situation, most folks wear their hiking boots all day, then switch to flip-flops, Crocs, or lightweight casual sandals. Ideally this spare pair should be able to wear into and from a shower. Anything heavier is a waste. Last year, I had boots, sandals and flip-flops. The flip flops weighed 11 ounces. This year, they are OUT. Consider that most if not all albergues make you park your hiking boots at the front reception. You will need "something" else to walk about inside. [/LIST] [/LIST] Clearly, I could go on and on. But you get the idea. Carry on...;) NOTE: There are some extreme pilgrims who cut toothbrush handles and remove clothing labels in an almost neurotic zeal to eliminated every last gram of "dead weight." I am not in this camp. I hope this helps. [/QUOTE]
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