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  1. R

    Last minute decisons - fleece or puffer?

    Marmot fleece jacket most of the time when chilled, lightweight (no lining/insulation) Outdoor Research rain jacket with hood for rain and/or wind. Combine both with a merino long sleeved base layer on colder days. I did the CF in Sep/Oct 2021 and it was close to Zero C several mornings on the...
  2. R

    How to call a US cell number from the US (when the phone is in Spain)

    ATT does the same except calling and data are at the same speed/volume as my home plan. However, it’s capped at $100/month. That was worth it to me to avoid getting a Spanish SIM and number and making sure family members knew it, not to mention additional cost to them to call a Spanish number...
  3. R

    Chinese shops???

    Thanks Trecile. I stand corrected. It’s the rest of the Apple lineup still on Lightening (AirPods, some iPads) that I was thinking of that are expected to change eventually.
  4. R

    Chinese shops???

    Only those sold in EU countries, where it was mandated. In the rest of the world all iPhones still use the Lightening connector, but that is expected to change to USB-C eventually.
  5. R

    Chinese shops???

    Yes, and it’s just opposite a hiking store. I needed new batteries for my headlamp and the hiking store directed me across the street to “el chino”.
  6. R

    Boots?

    Three different generations of Altra Lone Peak trail runners for the CF (2021), CP (2022), and Via Podiensis (2023) averaging 25-38km/day. No blisters or any other foot problems. Oh, and Darn Tough socks.
  7. R

    A word of warning on trail runners or light weight shoes.

    I count myself fortunate that I've never had foot problems. I've done the CF, CP, and Via Podiensis (11 days Le Puy to Conques) in Altra Lone Peaks in standard configuration (i.e. no orthotics or insoles). For each Camino I used a newish pair, with a few hundred km of break-in on the Appalachian...
  8. R

    Meltdown in San Sebastián!

    I stopped in a hiking store in Sarria to replace some AAA batteries in my headlamp and the owner told me in Spanish that she didn’t carry them but that I could find them “en el chino por allá” across the street. She was, of course, correct and I found them there.
  9. R

    Headlamp question

    I used a black diamond spot with 3 AAA batteries on my CF last fall. Used it many mornings since sunrise isn’t until after 0800 that time of year and I enjoyed walking in the early hours. Leaving Triacastela, I missed the split due to road construction and inadvertently went via Samos (no...
  10. R

    How common are hiking shorts on men

    Same. Most of the men in my Camino family were European, and only one of two didn't wear shorts.
  11. R

    How do you secure your backpack from theft as checked luggage.

    I have an Osprey Exos 38L pack (previous generation) and saw several people on flights to, from, and within Spain with similarly sized packs as carry-on. I put mine in an Ikea Fraktal duffle (~$13USD for a 2-pack in 2019) since I had a pen knife and trekking poles. I also didn't need to worry...
  12. R

    Hiking Sandals only?

    I did my Camino with trail runners, so have no personal experience hiking with sandals. However, I met a 65 year old Italian gentleman who had switched from whatever shoes he was wearing (didn't see them) to sandals with socks for several days due to blisters. It's just my observation, but it...
  13. R

    "Wear one, wash one" or "wear one, wash one and spare one"

    I did the wear one, wash one, spare one on the CF this past Sept/Oct. Depending on weather and time of arrival, you may not be able to air dry clothes overnight. Some of these brands might be US specific, but I had a short-sleeved synthetic UnderArmour t-shirt, a long-sleeved light-weight...
  14. R

    Choosing Between Altra Olympus and Lone Peak for the Camino

    I finished the CF in October 2021 using the previous Lone Peak 4 model, and had ZERO blisters. Just got an email from REI this morning announcing a sale in the US for the Lone Peak 5. Normally $130USD, they are discounted to $96 with free shipping. My new pair for my next Camino are on their way!
  15. R

    Let's talk waist packs!

    I never use a waist pack in my daily life for all the reasons others have mentioned. However, on the Camino Frances in Sep/Oct I absolutely did, as did most of the people I met. I wanted to have quick access to a few items regardless of what I was wearing, both when carrying my pack during the...
  16. R

    E-Sim card

    I did the same, but I started off going to the at&t store. I left, and tried to make a call , and no service. I turned around and went back to the store and another agent helped me. He said I HAD to have another SIM in the slot for it to work. That sounded sketchy to me, but I already had...

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