I've been playing around with this today.
Here is my list.
I have put down things I haven't bought yet, but can fill out when I get them and put my tent and ground cover but put the number at zero so I can use this as the base for other trips. You can also mark what you are wearing vs. carrying.
Hopefully, this will help me keep the weight down.
http://lighterpack.com/r/ctw09s
Lisa
Hello Lisa,
Which Camino are you walking in Sept/October? Seems to me you are preparing for the Adirondaks.
I have walked the
Camino Frances in May, then again in September and October, and again in May. The worst in terms of cold was last May: record cold for the area at that time of the year. Ended up buying gloves and a sleeping bag, which I had never needed before. This time I am planing on el Camino del Norte, at the same time you are going to walk.
I may be wrong, but you seem concerned about this Camino, and really you shouldn't. It will all take care of itself. A shop near where I live, and caters to Camino walkers, has a moto regarding Camino packing: "First you start with what is usefull, then we look at what is necessary. In the end you find yourself with what is essential and, in reality, that is plenty.'
Down seems very bulky to me, and a sleeping bag not necessary. Until this spring I never needed a sleeping bag, even in the fall, all I used is a sleeping bag liner (with bed bug repelent mind you!). In your total weight you have the tent at 0, yet the website says it's 6 pounds 13 ounces (packed weight). You are thinking of taking 2 sleep mats which adds up. Since you will pay the hostel for showering, if you want to sleep outdoors, where possible, bring a hamock and sleep inside the rest of the time. Many sleep outdoors in September/October and are fine with their liner only.
Your poles sound quite extraordinary, with shock absorbers, but they are heavy: 552 g. What about some that are not shock absorbing. Mine are 100g and probably less expensive than the ones you are considering.
I would increase the weight of toiletteries, and even 1st aid kit. Consider the weight of a small jar or tube of vaseline for your feet, some meds, shampoo/soap, deodorant.
As for arm warmers, why not just get a light long sleeve shirt you will not mind wearing at dinner time, or visiting a church during a service? You are thinking about adding a jacket, down vetst, shawl, and sweater on top of the arm warmers? That is a lot. Yet you only bring a single pair of pants, and no change of clothes while the ones you wore today are drying overnight. And the kanteen. Get a Camel bag so you are carrying that weight on your back so it doesn't have you crooked (been there, done that. After 20K I could not put a foot in from of the other, because I had not been straight, balanced, all day).
I would suggest to look at spending less on the top trend items and bring things you will need: two bottoms (pants you can roll up, or long skirts), two short sleeve shirts, one long sleeve shirt, a light fleece sweater (LLBean has great ones) that zip all the way down. 2 pairs of socks, or 4 if they are thin and you like to double up. A hat. Perhaps something for bedtime unless you want to wear what you'll be wearing in the morning. A sleeping bag liner, I also have a thin airplane-like blanket (
http://www.4imprint.ca/search/blanket/product/C119173/PGA-Tour-Sideline-Blanket). I would bring a pillowcase, or something to cover what ever pillow you may be given - they are not washed daily!
Also, don't forget that camping in Spain is not permitted, so you would have to be able to pitch your tent within the Albergue's grounds, and not all of them have land around the building. In fact very few do. I am assuming that as a pilgrim obiding by national laws are part of your ethics.
The Camino is really simple and is about simplicity, about getting back to the essential. And wouldn't you know it, you don't need much to make it, nor fancy fabrics and elite sports equipement. And an extra pound or two on your back will not break you, if you listen to your body and don't turn the Camino into a race to Santiago. This being said, it is important to be comfortable.
I am not a "thin" person, far from it. I walk my 25 km a day on the Camino with 8kg on my back. You don't see me rushing to arrive by noon, nor wake everyone up at 5 am to get up and race out. I am passed by youngsters who aim to do 30+ km a day, who tell me I can push myself. And wouldn't you know it, I end up passing them as they get blisters, tendonitis and stress fractures and have to go home early, paying a fee to change their flight back home...
I hope this walk is all you have ever wanted it to be.
Buen camino!
