A CF Packing List to Pull Apart

[Robo]

So what else are we supposed to do between Caminos? Play with packing lists is one thing.

So feel free to have a few shots at this one
For our North American cousins.......all weights are in Kg........sorry.
Though I have converted the overall weights at the bottom into pounds as well.

I should add a preamble.
We are walking the CF for St Jean starting April 25th .
Pat my wife feels the cold! A lot.... (She was 'designed' for tropical climates)
Do not suggest that Mr Bean is too heavy to take..............
He Ain't............he's my Camino Brother (#3 together)

It would be nice to shed a bit more pack weight though.

Oh, and Yes Pat's pack is kind of................light..........
As well as bad knees she has Plantaar Faciitis.
My injuries are a bit less painful, so I get to carry some of her gear

Some of the meds are prescription meds, as least here they are. But light anyway.
The other pain killers and anti inflam we go through a lot (under medical advice),
and will top up along the way.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

You could pull the stuffing out of Mr. Bean for starters.

 

[Ahhhs]

Looks pretty good.
I'd skip the Scrubba, coil, bug spray & head net, hair dryer, and take either a day pack OR a shopping bag.
But that's just me.
Oh, and maybe add a change of clothes for Mr. Bean.

 

[Robo]

Looks pretty good.
I'd skip the Scrubba, coil, bug spray & head net, hair dryer, and take either a day pack OR a shopping bag.
But that's just me.
Oh, and maybe add a change of clothes for Mr. Bean.

I never used the head net last time. So that can go.
Bug spray, maybe not. Bugs like to eat me alive for some reason. I have to use bug spray just going into the garden in the evenings! The Lavendar oil is also used to treat bug bites. (Mozzies mainly)
Hair Dryer? I'm with you. I'm in negotiations with my better half. She may cut her hair short for the trip.......
Scrubba, I might just use one of the dry sacks, I agree.
Day Pack v Shopping Bag needs some thought. The tiny day pack is good for shopping, but not really necessary. The Nylon shopping bag (we call them Cambodia Bags) is one of those really tough, square shaped laundry bags with a zip. If we need to ship gear forward, (due to injury) it's great for that. Very Tough.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[Camino Chrissy]

*I would skip the extra laces as newer footwear have very durable laces and are no longer made out of cotton.
*Pat only needs 2 bras.
*If Pat is bringing a long sleeve fleece and long sleeve merino top, she shouldn't need the hoodie. She can always add the rain jacket for more warmth if need be.
*I walked in April/May three times and encountered no bugs. I doubt you'd need the head net.

I never used, nor needed a bed liner, sock liners or vaseline.
All just my opinions...since you've asked.

 

[Ahhhs]

And tell Pat that she really doesn't need the hair dryer.
They are almost non-existent on the Camino.
That's what hats are for.

 

[RJM]

Umbrella and rain jackets and pants? Maybe eliminate the pants.
The hair dryer I would definitely eliminate.
The bug head net...never saw a need for one of those.
You are both bringing sleeping bags. Really no need for a liner, too. It just doesn't get that cold in the albergues in late April into May.

 

[Robo]

Umbrella and rain jackets and pants? Maybe eliminate the pants.
The hair dryer I would definitely eliminate.
The bug head net...never saw a need for one of those.
You are both bringing sleeping bags. Really no need for a liner, too. It just doesn't get that cold in the albergues in late April into May.

Thanks. Will be trimming the list.........

The rain jacket and pants are great, We could walk under a waterfall and not get wet!
The umbrellas are more for sun protection.
I would have given anything for one on my last CF.
I even tried to find a Shemagh in the dollar shops along the way.!

 

[Dave C.]

Email a copy of all of your papers (flights/bookings/passport/etc) to yourself. No need to carry paper copies. Not much weight, but just a hassle.

 

[HedaP]

Looks good to me. If you find you don’t need something you can always donate it or post it forward.
Are you in Sydney? Have you discovered the Daiso stores? There is one near Central station. They are fantastic for all the little bits and pieces (for instance nappy pins) which are generally well made, reliable and lightweight.
Pat is a lucky woman.
Buen camino to both of you.

 

[Jo Jo]

In addition to what has been mentioned above (hairdryer?), I would think about replacing the fleece with down. Look at Montebell. Fleece was great when it came out in the 90s. But down these days, the down jackets are so much warmer for less weight. Also maybe lose the mug (most alburgues have pots) and the umbrellas with good sun hats (and we also wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sun gloves) no need for umbrellas, and the wind on the CF is pretty steady, as evidenced by the windmills. But congrats on doing this right: weighing and writing down everything is key to making good decisions. Buen Camino.

 

[VNwalking]

So...no rice cooker?

 

[Robo]

So...no rice cooker?

Don't you remember? It died........

Regardless, I think my pack is heavy enough without it.
In my Spanish lessons I am learning to ask for some plain rice

 

[HedaP]

In my Spanish lessons I am learning to ask for some plain rice

Good luck on that one. I once got very excited thinking I was finally going to get some plain rice with a meal. Turned out to be last night’s left over paella. Not my favourite meal when fresh (yep I know I’m odd so no comments needed) but to have it as a side dish for an already rich meat dish was way over the top.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Good luck on that one. I once got very excited thinking I was finally going to get some plain rice with a meal. Turned out to be last night’s left over paella. Not my favourite meal when fresh (yep I know I’m odd so no comments needed) but to have it as a side dish for an already rich meat dish was way over the top.

I'm with you on the paella, especially when an Italian pilgrim commented on it while we all were consuming a plateful at a communal dinner. He said most of the paellas on the Camino are sold commercially frozen in large bags. We probably were never really eating it "fresh". I normally love rice, so think I will add in a rice cooker next time.

 

[VNwalking]

Don't you remember? It died......

Sorry, Rob, I couldn't resist ribbing you. Besides, there are always second thoughts.

most of the paellas on the Camino are sold commercially frozen in large bags

Not at Casa Magica! Yum!
And to ne more helpful...if Pat gets cold, don't forget gloves.
Yes, forget the headnet and bag liners. And personally, I always find I've brought too many extras. So one spare pair of each kind of sock and undergarments should do you and save a bit of weight.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@VNwalking, Glad to hear that a few establishments make truly fresh paella.

 

[trecile]

Definitely skip the Scrubba. I used a 12 liter ultralight Osprey dry sack which weighs just 1.2 ounces/34 grams, vs the Scrubba at 5 ounces/142 grams. But I love using my umbrella for sun protection, so I would keep that.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Definitely skip the Scrubba. I used a 12 liter ultralight Osprey dry sack which weighs just 1.2 ounces/34 grams, vs the Scrubba at 5 ounces/142 grams. But I love using my umbrella for sun protection, so I would keep that.

I would have said to skip the scrubba, too, but didn't know what it was...(said sheepishly). I don't get why either item is necessary though, when all albergues have laundry tubs/sinks with running water and I rarely had to wait to use them. Please enlighten me on the reason.

 

[trecile]

I would have said to skip the scrubba, too, but didn't know what it was...(said sheepishly). I don't get why either item is necessary though, when all albergues have laundry tubs/sinks with running water and I rarely had to wait to use them. Please enlighten me on the reason.

It was just an easier way for me to wash my clothes. I placed everything in the dry bag as I was getting into the shower. Added soap and some warm shower water. Closed the bag and let my clothes soak as I showered. Then agitated the bag a bit before emptying it and rinsing the clothes. I even washed this way when staying in private rooms with my own bathroom sink.

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

Email a copy of all of your papers (flights/bookings/passport/etc) to yourself. No need to carry paper copies. Not much weight, but just a hassle.

Small disagreement: I don’t believe in relying on electronic documents alone (what if phone is dead or stolen?) and I do believe in keeping ample ID info with each pack/bag to help get it back to me if lost.

So in addition to emailing myself I print a single sheet of paper with passports, contact info, credit card customer service numbers, etc. and stash a copy in every bag. As you say, it’s not much weight.

I do it for domestic travel too - not just the camino!

 

[Prentiss Riddle]

@VNwalking, Glad to hear that a few establishments make truly fresh paella.

Rule of thumb: if the menu has pictures of several kinds of paella, it’s frozen. Often the pizza, too.

One of the things I love about Spanish food is that you can so often see it spread out at the bar and point at what you want. Sometimes even a lovely paella in the pot it was cooked in.

 

[Vanozza]

So what else are we supposed to do between Caminos? Play with packing lists is one thing.

So feel free to have a few shots at this one
For our North American cousins.......all weights are in Kg........sorry.
Though I have converted the overall weights at the bottom into pounds as well.

I should add a preamble.
We are walking the CF for St Jean starting April 25th .
Pat my wife feels the cold! A lot.... (She was 'designed' for tropical climates)
Do not suggest that Mr Bean is too heavy to take..............
He Ain't............he's my Camino Brother (#3 together)

It would be nice to shed a bit more pack weight though.

Oh, and Yes Pat's pack is kind of................light..........
As well as bad knees she has Plantaar Faciitis.
My injuries are a bit less painful, so I get to carry some of her gear

Some of the meds are prescription meds, as least here they are. But light anyway.
The other pain killers and anti inflam we go through a lot (under medical advice),
and will top up along the way.

Thank you for this excellent and well-thought-out packing list in spreadsheet format. I will be modeling my list after yours. Buen camino!

 

[peregrina2000]

Email a copy of all of your papers (flights/bookings/passport/etc) to yourself. No need to carry paper copies. Not much weight, but just a hassle.

The only caution I would add to that is that sending personal information via email is not a secure way to send things. I have done that myself, and my tech guys have told me that was not a good idea. Flights and bookings, ok, but not passports, credit card numbers, etc.

 

[peregrina2000]

@VNwalking, Glad to hear that a few establishments make truly fresh paella.

If you want to horrify a Spaniard, suggest eating paella at dinner time. Any place that serves it at dinner is either serving leftover lunch paella or the frozen stuff, and my guess is that it is almost always the latter, because I don't think paella ages well. I'm not suggesting you shouldn't eat it, and I think many pilgrims don't really care if it's frozen or not if it tastes good.

 

[jsalt]

So feel free to have a few shots at this one

OK!

Pat needs only 2 bras, 1 wearing and 1 spare. She cannot possibly wear 3 bras at once (can she?).

She has 4 x items as pants: 1 x hiking pants, 1 x spare hiking pants, 1 x rainpants and 1 x longjohns. Again, she cannot possibly wear them all at once (can she?).
Ditch either the longjohns or the spare hiking pants.
(She needs 1 x hikingpants, 1 x rain pants (but I wouldn’t bother with those in Spring, Summer or Autumn– only in winter), and 1 x casual pants that can be used as casual wear in the evenings and/or for sleeping in.)

And get that lazy Mr Bean to carry something. He needs to earn his keep.
Jill

 

[jungleboy]

I'm with you on the paella, especially when an Italian pilgrim commented on it while we all were consuming a plateful at a communal dinner. He said most of the paellas on the Camino are sold commercially frozen in large bags. We probably were never really eating it "fresh".

Yes, he's right. When you see the ubiquitous Paellador sign (e.g. as below), it's frozen. There's also often similar pasta and pizza signs and those are frozen too.

 

[Robo]

In addition to what has been mentioned above (hairdryer?), I would think about replacing the fleece with down. Look at Montebell. Fleece was great when it came out in the 90s. But down these days, the down jackets are so much warmer for less weight. Also maybe lose the mug (most alburgues have pots) and the umbrellas with good sun hats (and we also wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sun gloves) no need for umbrellas, and the wind on the CF is pretty steady, as evidenced by the windmills. But congrats on doing this right: weighing and writing down everything is key to making good decisions. Buen Camino.

We use the fleece as a middle layer just for added warmth.
The rain jacket gives wind and rain protection.

Do the down jackets perform the same purpose?
They look more like an outer layer ?

Thanks for the list feedback

Oh, the cup and coil are for noodles, eggs....... we use that everywhere

 

[C clearly]

Do the down jackets perform the same purpose? They look more like an outer layer ?

No, a down jacket is better as an inner layer. I like a sleeveless version, somewhat like this one, which is less bulky and hot that a full jacket. It is a very useful and compact item to take for travel anywhere. I don't use it while walking (but could, in an emergency, under my rain jacket) but love it in the evenings and even at night.

 

[Ewald Schmidt]

Where do I get a Oz passport? I save all my documents in my Dropbox Public File as well, easy to get to in case of an emergency.
Buen Camino!

 

[Robo]

Where do I get a Oz passport?

Marry an Ozzie

 

[Susan M Fron]

And tell Pat that she really doesn't need the hair dryer.
They are almost non-existent on the Camino.
That's what hats are for.

I'm letting my hair grow so I can put it up.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Marry an Ozzie

I'm off topic Robo, but I really like your new avatar!

 

[Robo]

OK!

Pat needs only 2 bras, 1 wearing and 1 spare. She cannot possibly wear 3 bras at once (can she?).

She has 4 x items as pants: 1 x hiking pants, 1 x spare hiking pants, 1 x rainpants and 1 x longjohns. Again, she cannot possibly wear them all at once (can she?).
Ditch either the longjohns or the spare hiking pants.
(She needs 1 x hikingpants, 1 x rain pants (but I wouldn’t bother with those in Spring, Summer or Autumn– only in winter), and 1 x casual pants that can be used as casual wear in the evenings and/or for sleeping in.)

And get that lazy Mr Bean to carry something. He needs to earn his keep.
Jill

'Long Johns' are underwear
Light thermal layer...

And you would be surprised what she can wear!
On a cold morning, there will be long johns for warmth, hiking pants and then rain pants for wind protection!
More layers up top.
Yes............this lady really does feel the cold