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  1. kdespot

    What was left unused? What can be left behind?

    Another variable: the more you train, the more you'll be able to carry.
  2. kdespot

    App for tracking mileage/sharing photos?

    I've used Wikiloc for years and really like it.
  3. kdespot

    Help! Pack too heavy! — CF Sept & Oct — Senior Woman

    These hydration tubes are a life saver. Just connect it to a lightweight disposable water bottle that you refill until eventually you replace it. The bottle stays in your pack and the hose clips to a pack strap with the mouthpiece ready when you want it. Don't ditch the headlamp. You may not...
  4. kdespot

    Am I packing too much?

    VintageCowgirl, you have a very practical list. Of course you do, you are a horse woman (so am I). One common topic of conversation that's always guaranteed to be fun is that of "What was your guilty pleasure?" My luxury item was an electric coil that I used to boil water for coffee. Everyone...
  5. kdespot

    Am I packing too much?

    Oh, yes! I'm sure someone has mentioned this... you want to remember that you'll be carrying food. Always have snacks!
  6. kdespot

    Am I packing too much?

    Walking sandals are one of the best items you can choose to take, IMHO. I changed into my Keens 2/3 of the way through every day, along with a clean pair of socks, and didn't have a single blister from Saint Jean to Santiago. I also just bought one of those hoses that screws onto any bottle and...
  7. kdespot

    HELP! (Shoe advice) April 2020

    I learned this hilarious tip that actually worked really well. I rubber banded plastic bags just under my knees that covered my boots and they kept the water from going into my boots quite nicely for the 5-6 days that we got rained on. Disposable gaiters! You could put them under your pants if...
  8. kdespot

    Best packing practice - what to keep in easy* reach?

    Within 48 hours of setting off, you will know exactly what these items are... for you.
  9. kdespot

    August packing list - preparing for the Camino

    Great pack list! Also consider what you'll wear after you get to your destination each afternoon/evening. It will undoubtedly still be warm as you meander around the town that you're in, but you'll mostly be in the shade. After those many hours of walking in full clothing in the sun, a...
  10. kdespot

    St Jean Pied de Port - walking stick required?

    Just echoing the other pilgrim wisdom here... poles are nice for the long uphill climb through the pass, but you'll really appreciate them when you're very tired and you hit the downhill coming into Roncesvalles. Overall, poles are handy in several rocky spots coming out of the Pyrenees. Even on...
  11. kdespot

    What's In Your bag...hmmm

    Oh yeah, mspath, the electric water heating coil was my favorite! Minimal weight, and every morning a cup of joe or tea. Wouldn't dream of going without it!
  12. kdespot

    To Take Gear From Home Or Not.

    Lindsay, bring everything that you think you might want and are allowed to take on the flight. Yes, there is an outdoor equipment store in SJPP but it's small and may not have in stock the items that you need. The few cities that you'll pass through will have larger stores but they might not be...
  13. kdespot

    Electric Coil?

    You'll find them in well-stocked hardware stores in Spain. That's where I finally found one about halfway through my Camino.
  14. kdespot

    I'm a sandal convert!

    Of all the choices a pilgrim has for what goes in the pack, I can't imagine a better one than a pair of walking sandals. Mine were Keens, but it doesn't matter. Whichever works for you. I firmly believe that having sandals and a pair of walking shoes (mine were Merrills) is the reason that I did...
  15. kdespot

    help with packing list

    Good job packing, KJG. Yes, another pair of socks. Yes to the dress. If it's one you can walk in, even better! Day stuff and evening stuff is all the same. I'm a reader, too. Could you take a lightweight book and tear out the pages as you go, then replace it? León has a lovely English language...
  16. kdespot

    3 Quick packing questions

    1) Yes. Reasons stated above. 2) Yes. Poles are very advantageous to have and only MIGHT be available at your starting point. Even if they are, why give yourself one more thing to do when you are travel weary and there are much better things to do with your time? 3) Depends. The photos that I...
  17. kdespot

    Extra pair of boots?

    The best thing I did was bringing a pair of Keen sandals. Two-thirds of the way through each day I changed from my Merrill walkers into the Keens, changing socks, too. SJPdP to Santiago without one blister. It was so well worth the extra weight.
  18. kdespot

    Weight-ing to Start

    Just TRAIN! Then you can carry a lot more.
  19. kdespot

    Over-packer in denial: another packing list - leaving this week

    Kelleymac has some great advice here. I agree with her all around. With regard to the Swiss army knife, you won't get it on a flight in the U.S. Don't know about other countries. I listened to all the "don't carry a Brierly's guide" advice and was so sorry. It's not about the stages. There just...
  20. kdespot

    Need to take hairdryer ?

    One of the many glorious aspects about walking the Camino is learning how to let go of stuff like caring how you look. The whole beautification process becomes SO unimportant! I permanently let go of a bunch of it, even after returning, and wow! what a delight to have figured that out!

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