My hiking pants are REI Sahara zipoff. The old style (I have a pair that are now 23 years old!) had deeper pockets but newer ones have shifted location and depth of pockets. I have found that putting my phone in the pocket drags down the pants to the point of being uncomfortable on that side...
Measure the frame from top to bottom. If it is over 22 inches and the total of all measurements is above the allowable for your airline you may have to check it. Even if you leave the lid empty. As for weight, if it fits well,I would not change unless you figure the $$ for a new backpack is...
Flies around farm animals are a given. I don't remember encountering any biting flies. Flies landing on my food are a different story as they can spread harmful bacteria. May be that the addition of screens on windows would solve the indoor fly issue.
Oh that would be so wonderful! I often bemoaned the lack of use (seemingly) of the lovely pipe organs in churches and cathedrals when I walked. Stayed over in Leon to attend part of a concert series but it turned out to be singing and chanting that session rather than the organ! 😟
I have fond memories of visiting that area some 20+ years ago. A bar/restaurant that had motorcycles for chairs. And Castle Chillon some distance south of there was a fabulous place worth touring. Lord Byron's 'The Prisoner of Chillon' being a personal favorite poem.
A banana in the morning and Aquarius once or twice a day. Maybe a small bottle to add electrolyte tabs to if you sweat a lot. I don't add anything to water I carry in my CamelBak to avoid bacterial/fungal growth.
I walked that route during my day of exploration of Fisterra from my pension that was already near the top of the hill. Only I walked a lower trail up from the beach on the backside first that ended up requiring quite a steep climb back to the actual marked trail. It definitely afforded...
I also grew up making homemade sauerkraut according to my German grandmother's recipe.
Shredded cabbage layered with salt into a huge crock. Pressed down until liquid covers it all and store in the root cellar for 3 weeks. Take it out, heat it to kill any critters and pack into sterilized...
As a clinical microbiologist, I know of no scientifically proven evidence that sauerkraut or kimchi can prevent illness caused by bacterial contamination in food. Best to use discretion in food choices. Changes in food and water and schedule can all cause stomach issues and viruses...
I bought seeds on Amazon and grow them in Maryland, USA. They are similar to shishito peppers which are more readily available both in the grocery store and as plants.
I like the Ranger Roll system but I can't imagine doing that everyday for each item on Camino. I do use a roll technique when packing into packing cubes for my backpack. Recently managed to get 7 outfits in cubes in my 35 liter Osprey Camino backpack for an Amazon cruise. Will use that...
I walked the CF late September to early November in zipoff pants from REI. I am also short and require petite sizes and not very many brands offer them. The weather was great. Started off quite warm but cooled nicely by early October. I was never cold in the pants as they are a nylon with a...
Totally agree - wearing street shoes into the shower is very unsanitary as well as inconsiderate of the next pilgrims to use that shower. A simple lightweight pair of non-slip flipflops solves the problem.
I carry passport, credit cards and large money in a money belt under my pants. A waist pack carries my phone, camera, credencial, laminated copy of passport and daily money. Both stay with me always.
I carried an Osprey Sirius 36 liter. Shorter and about your weight but those don't really factor into pack sizing. It's your torso measurement that tells you the size and the gear tells you the capacity. 36 liters carries up to 20 pounds which is more than most carry. Find an outdoor store...
Foot Glide + injini toe sock liners + Darn Tough - all CoolMax (no wool of any kind for me).
My recipe for over 10 years blister free hiking on the AT, local and the CF. Took me quite a while to figure out that sock fit was just as important as shoe fit to prevent blisters.
Gite Ultreia is a very nice place with no communal meal. Breakfast is provided but it's a come and go affair so no public speaking. I think Orisson was the only place we stayed where folks got up and introduced themselves even if the meal was communal.
Many posts recommend booking through Zubiri as the beginning stages can be a large group of pilgrims vying for a small number of rooms. Definitely book Roncesvalles if you plan to stay there so that you can take your time on the trek from Orisson. It's mostly downhill but that can still be a...
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