StFina
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF, June 2012
CF, July 2012
CF, September 2016
Camino Primitivo, May 2017, followed by Camino Frances, late May, 2017
After three past Caminos, I have managed to get everything I need to bring down to 2.2 kilos, (4.3 pounds), not including my pack for my upcoming May 29th 2017 Camino Frances. I have found in the past that you don't need even a fraction of what you think. I especially hate getting home after a Camino and unpacking things I never used. Rule of thumb, if I am not absolutely positive I am going to use it and need it, the item stays home. Here is the breakdown:
- Several weeks ago, I started using shave cream, bar soap toothpaste and the like, measuring out exactly how much I need for my trip. I add another 5% for spillage, and only take that much, nothing else. I use Dr. Bronner's bar soap for hair, body and clothes washing. I wash three or four items each day now to make sure I am getting an accurate assessment of future soap use as well. I take on disposable razor with one spare head.
- For meds, I take a few Imodium and ibuprofen tablets in a small plastic bag. Pharmacies are readily available if something should go awry.
- Bring one and wear one. Wear one pair of socks, bring one. Same holds true for shirts and other garments. I only bring one pair of ultra-light hiking pants. I wear one pair of light shorts, and a pair of nylon gym shorts to sleep in.
- I took a postage scale to the local REI store and actually weighed the ultralight long pants, socks and shorts, buying the lightest pairs I could find.
- Silk is your best friend. I bring two long sleeve silk shirts, 2 ounces each. When layered underneath a superlight rain parka, I can stay warm down to about 32 F. I have been walking daily with this outfit in the Northeast US at temperatures as low as 20 F in rain and snow with no problems keeping warm. I also bring a pair of silk long underwear, about 3 ounces.
- I use rain chaps under my parka. Only 4 ounces for the pair, and they keep my legs dry if it rains. My parka is ultralight Gortex, 7 ounces.
- No stuff sacks, only large ziplock bags.
- I take labels of everything to save weight, whether it be clothes or any other item.
- I copied my Camino guidebook, compressed the pages and have the entire book on four sheets of paper. Copy maintained in my IPhone as well.
- No electronics outside of my IPhone, cable and superlight USB charger.
- I scrutinize every ounce. If I have three toothbrushes, I will weigh all three and take the lightest one, drilling holes in the handle to save weight.
- I have comfortable very light walking shoes that I have used on past Caminos with no problems or blisters. I don't take a second pair of shoes. I found out that in the past, I normally stayed in my walking shoes even after arriving at the albergue.
- Normally, I only take a silk sleep sack soaked in pemrethrin for night time, 3 ounces. I have relied on blankets from the albergues in the past. Leaving May 29th, I should be OK. If not, I have an 11 ounce down blanket that I can also take.
I scrutinize everything for weight. Anything that might not be used stays behind. People may laugh, but I am that guy who pulls into the albergue with the incredibly tiny backpack and doesn't suffer any worse for the wear. I used method this on my September, 2016 Camino and it simply worked flawlessly. The only wildcard is water. I buy a 2 liter bottle upon arrival from a local market or bar, and simply fill it up each time I find a fountain.
The excitement never dulls. Three months to go and I am as excited as the first time. See everyone soon.
- Several weeks ago, I started using shave cream, bar soap toothpaste and the like, measuring out exactly how much I need for my trip. I add another 5% for spillage, and only take that much, nothing else. I use Dr. Bronner's bar soap for hair, body and clothes washing. I wash three or four items each day now to make sure I am getting an accurate assessment of future soap use as well. I take on disposable razor with one spare head.
- For meds, I take a few Imodium and ibuprofen tablets in a small plastic bag. Pharmacies are readily available if something should go awry.
- Bring one and wear one. Wear one pair of socks, bring one. Same holds true for shirts and other garments. I only bring one pair of ultra-light hiking pants. I wear one pair of light shorts, and a pair of nylon gym shorts to sleep in.
- I took a postage scale to the local REI store and actually weighed the ultralight long pants, socks and shorts, buying the lightest pairs I could find.
- Silk is your best friend. I bring two long sleeve silk shirts, 2 ounces each. When layered underneath a superlight rain parka, I can stay warm down to about 32 F. I have been walking daily with this outfit in the Northeast US at temperatures as low as 20 F in rain and snow with no problems keeping warm. I also bring a pair of silk long underwear, about 3 ounces.
- I use rain chaps under my parka. Only 4 ounces for the pair, and they keep my legs dry if it rains. My parka is ultralight Gortex, 7 ounces.
- No stuff sacks, only large ziplock bags.
- I take labels of everything to save weight, whether it be clothes or any other item.
- I copied my Camino guidebook, compressed the pages and have the entire book on four sheets of paper. Copy maintained in my IPhone as well.
- No electronics outside of my IPhone, cable and superlight USB charger.
- I scrutinize every ounce. If I have three toothbrushes, I will weigh all three and take the lightest one, drilling holes in the handle to save weight.
- I have comfortable very light walking shoes that I have used on past Caminos with no problems or blisters. I don't take a second pair of shoes. I found out that in the past, I normally stayed in my walking shoes even after arriving at the albergue.
- Normally, I only take a silk sleep sack soaked in pemrethrin for night time, 3 ounces. I have relied on blankets from the albergues in the past. Leaving May 29th, I should be OK. If not, I have an 11 ounce down blanket that I can also take.
I scrutinize everything for weight. Anything that might not be used stays behind. People may laugh, but I am that guy who pulls into the albergue with the incredibly tiny backpack and doesn't suffer any worse for the wear. I used method this on my September, 2016 Camino and it simply worked flawlessly. The only wildcard is water. I buy a 2 liter bottle upon arrival from a local market or bar, and simply fill it up each time I find a fountain.
The excitement never dulls. Three months to go and I am as excited as the first time. See everyone soon.