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  1. tploomis

    Smart Packing and Unexpected Backpack Items

    At my weight a square piece of bubble wrap to sit on might let out some loud pops at inopportune times!
  2. tploomis

    My kit list

    Don't forget the sunscreen.
  3. tploomis

    Hiking poles recommendation.

    This is something I love about this forum -- strong opinions on all sides of equipment issues. I would just repeat that the things you see as disadvantages of Black Diamond Z poles are what I like: light weight, compact size when collapsed, no tightening mechanisms at joints to malfunction...
  4. tploomis

    Hiking poles recommendation.

    I am 5'7" and my Black Diamond carbon fiber Z poles are 110 cm. My wife is 5'1" and uses 100 cm. poles. 120 cm. seems too long for 5'6". Do you have experience with trekking poles? If you do and like a longer pole, then by all means that would be appropriate for you. But I think the arm at a...
  5. tploomis

    No really, how do I optimize my pack?

    My reaction to this packing list is that it is pretty good at trimming weight, but there is room for more trimming. I notice that you are calculating two liters of water, where I found one liter sufficient for all parts of the walk except a day or two in the Meseta. There are water sources all...
  6. tploomis

    How many pairs of shoes??

    I used Solomon trail runners to hike and very lightweight Teva "flip flops" for evenings and the shower. These flip-flops have good arch support and are extremely comfortable, although it would be a good idea to adjust to flip-flops prior to the Camino, because they do require some toughening of...
  7. tploomis

    Vasque Hiking Boots

    Between my friends and myself, we have had three pairs of Vasque boots delaminate, duct tape being the only thing to keep us from walking barefoot back to the trailhead. We do live in a tropical climate, and the heat might have something to do with this.
  8. tploomis

    Advice on gaiters please

    Gaiters-- didn't have them; didn't need them.
  9. tploomis

    How did you or will you pack your backpack?

    Down sleeping bag at bottom of pack compressed with compression sack and in a ziplock bag to ensure waterproofness. Clothing in second ziplock bag next to sleeping bag at bottom of pack, each clothing item rolled up tightly to minimize wrinkles and for compactness. Third ziplock bag for dirty...
  10. tploomis

    advice on trekking poles please

    I had a friend who tried convincing the TSA official he needed his poles for walking. The official wouldn't accept that and instead arranged for a wheelchair transport. Ironically, we were all headed off for a backpacking trip!
  11. tploomis

    Typical... just when you thought you had it all figured out...

    I've decided my footwear problems (and other problems as well), which are an ongoing struggle, can all be boiled down to a Samuel Beckett quote, "There's man all over for you, blaming on his boots the faults of his feet." I started considering this possibility after I was trying on some shoes...
  12. tploomis

    Lighter windbreaker type coat vs. warmer goretex type coat

    Is cost a concern here? The solution you are suggesting is cheap but likely to be uncomfortable, especially if you wait on the Camino to purchase your poncho (waterproof layer). When the rain clouds start rolling in, there is not likely to be a cheap poncho available (or maybe you'll get lucky)...
  13. tploomis

    Backpack and waist (lumbar) pack

    You can carry as much or as little as you like. For me, 10 percent of body weight is way too much and as a rule of thumb gives way too much leeway to include unnecessary items that are of doubtful use. From my point of view most of the weight in a pack is anxiety weight, e.g. "what if this...
  14. tploomis

    My packing list for Spring/Summer 2015

    Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen--- protect yourself from the sun. You can buy sunscreen in Spain, but you might need to take out a second mortgage on your house to afford it. It wasn't clear, but are you planning to buy an Altus poncho in Spain? Personally I would pass on the Altus, although I...
  15. tploomis

    Another newbie packing list… Comments please.

    Need toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, sunscreen. No need for the hoodie or shorts. I think trekking poles are worth it. Otherwise I commend you on the austerity of your gear.
  16. tploomis

    Hiking poles recommendation.

    Black Diamond carbon fibre Z poles are the best trekking poles I've used of many brands, including Leki, Komperdell, and REI. They are extremely lightweight, they fold into a very compact package for stowage in a pack or suitcase, they are strong, and they do not have adjustable length, which is...
  17. tploomis

    What DO men put in their backpacks?

    My first Camino my pack weighed 15 pounds (6.8 kilograms), and I agree that was way too heavy. I will never do that again. The pack itself weighed 3.5 pounds -- ridiculous. I've since purchased a pack weighing 1.5 pounds that is completely waterproof and I can dispense with the pack cover, too...
  18. tploomis

    Wood Hiking Sticks/Poles Bring or Buy upon arrival?

    Hard to argue with that price!
  19. tploomis

    Wood Hiking Sticks/Poles Bring or Buy upon arrival?

    I've used trekking poles for the last 15 years and used aluminum Komperdell poles for the Camino. I believe trekking poles have added 10 to 15 years to my hiking longevity because of the shock absorption they provide for knees, hips, and ankles. The advantage of trekking poles is their wrist...
  20. tploomis

    A metaphor for life

    Thank goodness when we're young we're strong enough to carry all that extra weight, and when we're too old and too weak to do it, we've figured out how to pare it all down. And too, I've gone through some re-soling in my life!

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