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I don’t wear shorts - ever! Long sleeves mostly, which I roll up occasionally. Therefore very little sun screen needed. Can’t make myself wear gloves, so after finishing the camino de invierno just now my hands look awful inspite of the 50 sunscreen.
Back to the umbrella question, for years I have used the Euroschirm handsfree version which is fairly heavy - will try the Gossamer Gear version which davebug pointed out to me - see above. As to windy conditions I have doubled the attachments of the umbrella to the pack shoulder straps. Worked...
After this most interesting discussion, does anybody use a hands-free umbrella? I wear an ultralite rain/wind jacket (by Enlightened Equipment - very expensive), gaiters and my handsfree umbrella the attachments of which I have reinforced(?) so I can use it in quite strong winds. And of course...
Re problems with lack of public toilets for women or men, I have received this from Brazil. However I cannot operate the Google translator.
https://mantiex.com.br/shit_tube/
At last someone mentions the umbrella!
And I have always worn long pants and longsleeved shirts made of very thin polyester fabric, both very losefitting. I think whatever you wear it only protects you from direct sun light, reducing the heat somewhat, but it will be hot nevertheless. Which is...
Why should it be bad etiquette? You “work” the drysack (which is now a wetsack of course with your clothes and soapy water) with your feet while you shower. You do not shower longer than usual thereby not using more water and electricity. Thereby not keeping anybody waiting to use the shower...
@trecile does something similar with a stuff sack. Puts in soap, water, clothes and lets it soak while she showers. Later rinses and then the laundry is ready to wring out and dry.“ - thus not keeping a washbasin occupied. I works beautifully.
I akways use a handsfree umbrella, even in fairly windy conditions. An umbrella of course does not protect your feet, but here at last someone, sometwo have mentioned gaiters. I use goretex boots plus kneehigh gaiters. No special socks, just the thin kneesocks I use at home. Works for me…
I had been wearing the same two brightly coloured checkered shirts for almost 5 months since walking from home. So obviously they were looking quite faded. Somewhere on the Norte (Cartavio?) I noticed how bright the colours looked in the morning sun as my shirt was hanging inside out to dry. I...
My box does take up some room in my pack, but either it contains food or my underwear, socks etc. And its lid has a lip to catch juicy drips - probably, certainly, not as nice a lip as your plate, but it serves the purpose.
Re cutting board, I carry a rectangular plastic box big/high enough to take a tomato, some fruit and any other food which risks being squashed in my pack and use the lid as a cutting board and plate.
I have cut up a high vis vest, part of which I will adapt to go over my pack and part to "shield" my front and thus make me "highly" visible to oncoming traffic.
After the coil I inherited from my father(!) finally gave up, I tried several and the smallest sturdy immersion heater I found was Lewis N. Clark for international use with European adapter. Have had it for several years now and use it with a hard plastic mug without any problems. Tried to take...
I use gaiters a lot to prevent rain getting into my boots. Have looked up Yak trax - but it seems to me they just stop you from slipping on icy roads and don’t stop your feet getting wet.
I do not like the microfiber towels, no matter what size. I prefer the "packtowls" which are a non-woven fabric. They do not feel particularly nice, but you can wring them out(?) and use them again - they become absorbant again immediately. Use the smallest size...
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