To the small American girl with a large black rucksack

[Finisterre]

I saw you outside Roncesville at the end of March.

What were you thinking? It was huge!

I am sorry I didn't stop for longer, my companions wanted to press on and I just followed them. I should have thought more about you predicament, at least offered a shoulder to cry on. If I ever bump into you in Georgia or New York I shall buy you an ice cream as an apology.

 

[dazzamac]

Outside of Larrasoaña last year, I met two girls carrying about 20kgs each. They were backpacking and decided to walk the Camino on the spur of the moment after catching a bus from Pamplona to Zubiri. It was only the following morning when they started walking that they realised just how heavy their packs were and how difficult that was making the trail.

When I met them, they were struggling to stand, nevermind walk. I sent them into Larrasoaña in the hopes that they could get a bus/taxi back to Pamplona where they could shed some weight and continue. I never did see them again.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

On the Via de la Plata last year I met a small Spanish pilgrim with a rucksack so big I couldn't see him over the top of it ...he was limping...blisters, got infected, end of his camino.

Weight, weight, weight