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  1. CaroleH

    My buff has been so necessary!

    No @Anniesantiago you didn’t dream it… I have my 2010 or 11 camino buff with me again on the Invierno. Love it and all its uses. Thanks for all the ideas @Rav
  2. CaroleH

    Anyone using a Drone?

    Mindblowing! Drones on the camino! Not only would I be very annoyed by such an intrusion, I'd be scared... and would probably report it to the policia. But then, I'm still using paper maps...
  3. CaroleH

    Questions about “foot bag” for this year

    Buen camino Laurie. Your route plans sound wonderful. I'm envious. Good luck with the blister issue. I always use Betadine, always get blisters, never infection, but in light of what everyone has posted above, I'm now wondering.... Perhaps Jackie's suggestion, sterilising with Betadine, then...
  4. CaroleH

    Smart Packing and Unexpected Backpack Items

    Ah yes, the muslin towels/squares... light as a feather... dry in 10mins... the best for light travel. Thanks Gitti.
  5. CaroleH

    Altus Poncho Observations

    Yes, I'm interested in knowing more about trekking umbrellas. Will visit that site. It's a pity the Altus is labelled as a poncho because it's not, it is a raincoat with sleeves. 'formerly' I'm guessing yours is the same.
  6. CaroleH

    Altus Poncho Observations

    So many threads over the years about Altus! We've used ours for years of camino walking and wouldn't go with out them. Labelled 'poncho' Altus is actually a raincoat with sleeves and is definitely multi functional, and IS excellent on windy days or for warmth on cold days. It is rather weighty...
  7. CaroleH

    Buff brand vs knock off?

    So many uses for a buff on camino and I'd never go without one again. Bought mine a few years ago but the Buff brand was too tight for my head. Maybe there are more options now. I like the sound of your merino wool buff, C clearly.
  8. CaroleH

    How many pairs of shoes??

    Wow! Camino fashion! Why not? It's whatever works for each. I've tried just boots and thongs, boots and crocs. Crocs aggravate my blisters. The last few years it's been Keen shoes or boots, hiking sandals and a very light pair of thongs/flip-flops. The sandals are great to walk in at times and...
  9. CaroleH

    Sock liner question

    I've tried everything, different footwear, vaseline, 1000 mile no-blister guarantee socks, powder, etc and always wear sock liners under hiking socks, but I still get a blister or two every camino, appearing about day 3. A strip of thin plaster around the instep and heel helps. Maybe longer...
  10. CaroleH

    Rain, rain stay away from my stuff...

    The Altus covers you, your pack, your legs. Just not the feet/boots. You don't need all those internal dry packs, nor the waterproof trousers, nor a separate pack cover. Overall, a winner. IMHO. We've used Altus, well and truly tested, and the only thing to get wet, our feet. You'll soon learn...
  11. CaroleH

    Altus poncho versatility?

    Yes, we've used Altus on three caminos and I wouldn't think of anything else. It is a bit weighty but so very versatile. We've walked in hours of rain, our packs and us stayed dry. Feet and boots didn't. As others have said above, Altus is not a poncho, it has sleeves, even though it's named...
  12. CaroleH

    another newbie packing list - would love critiques!

    For the first 2 caminos I took a cotton sarong/pareo bought on holiday in Thailand, too heavy, but now have a lighter weight cotton, longish, wrap skirt with a tie in same fabic. I probably bought it on holiday somewhere, but any piece of light weight cotton or non static fabric would do it...
  13. CaroleH

    another newbie packing list - would love critiques!

    Looking good Stelrey. Multi purpose is the way to go and lots of fun to see just how inventive you can be. A few thoughts backing others. . . Altus.. the best for me, heavy yes, but can't recommend enough, doubles up for warmth, in wind or on a bed, use to make shade. Sarong ... the most...
  14. CaroleH

    Blister-free socks - or your money back!

    Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but I have very mixed feelings about the 1000 MILE Fusion Socks. Maybe they have improved since 2010-11 when I bought mine, but I used them for the VdlP in 2011 with less than perfect results. I still got blisters, same as ever, so their guarantee was worthless...
  15. CaroleH

    Raincoat-Poncho

    Missed a lot of the recent input but will once again give a thumbs up for Altus. Tested in lots of rain and heavy winds, I'd never take anything else on camino. It's not a poncho, tis a raincoat with sleeves and a back extension to cover your pack. I wish Altus would not call it a poncho . ...
  16. CaroleH

    Hiking Shoes, or Hiking Boots?

    Oh Tim, thwarted again, that's rotten luck. Keep at it, letting your knee heel first, of course and you will get there eventually, maybe to cycle rather than walk a camino, and it will be worth the wait. You'll be an expert on boots and shoes! Meanwhile enjoy the camino of life at home...
  17. CaroleH

    Raincoat-Poncho

    Such a shame the old Altus is no longer available, can't understand that, when it was such a good product. The best. Maybe a sign of the times..... We'd better treat ours with TLC now and make it last a few more years. Good luck everyone in your search.
  18. CaroleH

    Which season sleeping bag?(or liner)

    Hi Cailinnua, Last year for my fourth and longest camino on the VdlP, I was determined to cut back on weight, to get my total, including pack and water, to below 8kg. So, I got an Aarn Body pack (32ltr) and a One Planet down sleeping bag. Not sure of the Season rating, but it's about 5...
  19. CaroleH

    Most effective way to wash clothes

    We have a mangle in our antique shop (same as one in Br David's pic with the 2 kids)...... maybe I can get my 'servant' to carry it!! Sister in law in England still uses the "clothes airer" / hoisted to ceiling wrack, over her Rayburn (slow combustion stove). Think ours was a Carmichael on...
  20. CaroleH

    Most effective way to wash clothes

    What happened to 3 minute showers (or even 5?) and water conservation? I totally agree with All those who say 'please don't wash your clothes in the shower'.... for all of the given reasons, plus the need to conserve water. A small basin of water, using the plug you carry, can be used to...

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