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  1. M

    Poles in Ourense

    Thanks much.
  2. M

    Poles in Ourense

    Anyone know where to buy trekking poles in Ourense?
  3. M

    Walking the way with a 6year old

    Carrying a stroller or something like that would be a burden as great as schlepping the child himself. Knowing 6-yr-olds (I used to have three of them) they will walk when they want to and sometimes not. If and when the inevitable balking sets in make sure you have a card with the number of the...
  4. M

    Deodorant Preferences

    Ah, don't bother. Just take a nice bath at Lavacolla like the pilgrims of yore used to do, and then in Santiago try to get as close to the botafumeiro smoke as you can. Stick to tradition, pilgrim.
  5. M

    Using a Cell Phone in Portugal: Tips for Traveling Canadians

    We have T-Mobile mostly because of its international service. We don't do have to do anything, but as soon as we arrive in a foreign country we get a text message that says' "Welcome to (Spain, Greece, Thailand, etc)" and informs us that we have unlimited data and text there, while voice calls...
  6. M

    Issues with New Merrells for First Long Hike

    I have had better luck with Merrell than other brands, but you have to remember that there is no Merrell factory -- just like other manufacturers they get their shoes from contractors all over the map (usually in Asia). Even made to spec there are bound to be some variations. Back in the day I...
  7. M

    Hiking poles (please bear with me) need honest advice.

    75 y/o on our last walk this past October, and the old balance ain't what it used to be. But the main reason that I use poles is to help push myself up hills nordic-skiing style. I am pretty strong of arm but feeble of leg so taking 10-15 lbs or more carcass load off the legs by boosting myself...
  8. M

    Men's clothing recommendations

    I've never been a poncho guy, but I'm re-evaluating based on our last hike when I donned a Dollar Store throwaway on a rainy morning. My arms got wet (so what?) but the nice thing about a poncho is that it allows air circulation inside. I don't know about you but I tend to sweat quite a bit when...
  9. M

    Test and Assessment of Armaskin Socks as Blister Protection

    Now I'm no podiatrist -- treating stinky feet seems to me just a jot less unpleasant than proctology -- but I would posit that the problem of blisters is a matter of shoe choice, not of the socks in them. That is certainly the case for me. I tried a pair of expensive Asolo hiking boots and...
  10. M

    Cell service/SIM for northern route

    I second T-Mobile. Has worked for us without a hitch over most of the world, and certainly all over Europe. No need to change SIM cards, pay extra (except for voice calls), or even register for service -- a text msg just pops up when you cross borders telling you "welcome to (wherever)." I drove...
  11. M

    Is this a new type of shoe? “Hybrid hiker”

    Yup, better than a GPS any day. Just sit down, look into your sole (pun intended) and you will know which path to take. It's kind of freaky; reminds me of those signboards you see in shopping malls and trailheads, a map with an arrow that says "You are here." And they are always right! How do...
  12. M

    Mens or Unisex Sarong for walking in August

    My Thai wife informs me that the female version of the longyi in Thailand (called a pha-nung) sometimes has metal hooks to fasten it at the fold. So, sure, velcro might work very well on a male longyi. Just in case your haberdasher is either Burmese or Thai, here's the appropriate vocabulary: in...
  13. M

    Mens or Unisex Sarong for walking in August

    When living in upcountry Thailand I wore a pakkamah (wrap-around rectangle of cloth) regularly and in Burma wore a longyi (closed-tube sarong) around the house. I found both to be difficult to keep tied securely at the waist, and the longyi not particularly cool in hot weather since it is...
  14. M

    Are custom inserts worth it?

    I think that by the time a reader of this thread gets to this point it is pretty obvious to them that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. In general that's my observation on practically anything, from learning languages to choosing a mate. Nevertheless, let me share my sure-fire solution for...
  15. M

    Orthotics

    I'm in the same boat with regard to a service-related hearing deficit but I didn't know that the VA provides orthotic services as well. I've got plenty flat feet which have plagued me on log hikes. What did you tell them when you sought help?
  16. M

    Outdoor Gear, Backpacking Consumerism, and the Marketplace

    Yeah, this is one of my favorite hobby horses to ride (or beat when dead). I became a member of REI back in the late 70s when living in Bolivia and climbing in the Andes. It was one of the few sources (outside of Europe) for high-quality climbing gear -- ice axes, ropes, crampons, etc. -- and...
  17. M

    Who has packed the lightest pack?

    Whatever happened to drinking from the bottle? Dang, this Camino is getting too civilized! What's next...canape forks? LOL
  18. M

    Trekking Pole Suggestions

    I dunno. A pole is a pole is a pole. Early pilgrims used a stick. The only thing I look for is the ability to collapse or fold it (or them) sufficiently short to fit inside a pack.
  19. M

    Help! The walking pole makes me feel like the walking dead!

    Every time I see a statue or painting of a pilgrim from days of yore they always seem to have a pole or staff in hand. You can't go wrong following in the footsteps of the original pilgrims. That's the idea, isn't it?
  20. M

    Paying tribute to my boots, but is it time for a change?

    Another vote for the Merrell Moab Ventilators. I finally had to abandon mine after the last walk because of fraying in the lining and worn-down tread. But they served me well for many years and that model is still sold so I wasn't too heartbroken over the separation. I'll be getting another pair...

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