andres garcia jr
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2018
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Great city. Take time to see the Episcopal Palace. We did 6 weeks with two sets of walking clothes and something to wear at night. Spend good money on high quality clothes and shoes. Quality is more important than quantity. 480 miles and not one blister, but had great socks and high quality shoes. Most importantly dont be overwhelmed. The way is very well marked. Stores and lodging are frequent. Many walkers so you are rarely feeling alone. Use the quidebooks for information, but find your own comfortable daily walk distance. Dont feel compelled to follow segments as dictated by guidebooks. A smartphone with booking.com is your friend. Take the time to meet people. The people you will meet and share meals with in many respects ARE the Camino. Finally, when you have a particularly rough day, and you will, take the night and rest before making a decision. Everything is better the next morning. Buen Camino.Hello everyone! Me and my girlfriend will be doing our first camino this May 2018 starting from Astroga. Any tips for first timers? Like how big of a backpack to take? How many pairs of clothes? We've been reading books but honestly been a little overwhelmed with all the information. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
I'm first timing too! starting in April, i don't plan on taking much more than 3-4 sets of clothing, sleeping bag and some basic toiletries, bit of first aid and spare shoes. i'd probably take less but i'm continuing on through Portugal and back up the middle of Spain afterwards. I'm also taking a fairly large pack around 60ltr i think, but it will be mostly empty (i have a tendency to obtain things along the way thus the need for space ;P).
So probably not much help so mainly i'll just follow this tread
Great city. Take time to see the Episcopal Palace. We did 6 weeks with two sets of walking clothes and something to wear at night. Spend good money on high quality clothes and shoes. Quality is more important than quantity. 480 miles and not one blister, but had great socks and high quality shoes. Most importantly dont be overwhelmed. The way is very well marked. Stores and lodging are frequent. Many walkers so you are rarely feeling alone. Use the quidebooks for information, but find your own comfortable daily walk distance. Dont feel compelled to follow segments as dictated by guidebooks. A smartphone with booking.com is your friend. Take the time to meet people. The people you will meet and share meals with in many respects ARE the Camino. Finally, when you have a particularly rough day, and you will, take the night and rest before making a decision. Everything is better the next morning. Buen Camino.
Thanks for the response! We are taking a 60 liter osprey backpack. Thanks for the tip about the clothes i'm sure we were going to take more than 3 sets lol.
I wore thin Injinji sock liners (toe socks) with a good pair of Smartwool over top. Boots are Keen. Wife wore same sock combo with Salomon low top hiking shoes. International cell service was available but expensive, but WIFI was everywhere so could check at most towns, bars, albergues, hotels, etc. Boots must fit well and you should make sure they dont slip. Get fitted at some place like REI where you can see how they fit going both up slope and down. REI has very good boot return policy so you dont have to be afraid of spending. You can walk 100 miles in a set of boots and return them if they are wrong. Also agree with @HedaP on extra undies and socks. Had 3 sets of these along with the 2 sets of clothes. Also recommend Smartwool merino wool Tshirts. Expensive, but wick sweat, wash easily, dry fast and dont stink. Never paid $75 for a tshirt before but was very glad I had them.Thanks for the help we greatly appreciate it any recommendations on the shoes and socks? I had some boots i used for the Salkantay trek in Peru but did get blisters along the way. I'LL definitely not the episcopal palace. Cell phone service from the usa would be available in Spain?
I'm first timing too! starting in April, i don't plan on taking much more than 3-4 sets of clothing, sleeping bag and some basic toiletries, bit of first aid and spare shoes. i'd probably take less but i'm continuing on through Portugal and back up the middle of Spain afterwards. I'm also taking a fairly large pack around 60ltr i think, but it will be mostly empty (i have a tendency to obtain things along the way thus the need for space ;P).
So probably not much help so mainly i'll just follow this tread
Hello everyone! Me and my girlfriend will be doing our first camino this May 2018 starting from Astroga. Any tips for first timers? Like how big of a backpack to take? How many pairs of clothes? We've been reading books but honestly been a little overwhelmed with all the information. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Astorga is a beautiful place to start. One change of clothes and perhaps nightwear is sufficient. Like @trecile I pack an extra pair of socks and undies because they are handy for rainy days. I stay in albergues and always walk with a lightweight sleeping bag.
Buen camino
Edit: Realised I had put two changes of clothes when I really meant two walking outfits which would be one change of clothes. Sorry, I’ve amended my original post.
I wore thin Injinji sock liners (toe socks) with a good pair of Smartwool over top. Boots are Keen. Wife wore same sock combo with Salomon low top hiking shoes. International cell service was available but expensive, but WIFI was everywhere so could check at most towns, bars, albergues, hotels, etc. Boots must fit well and you should make sure they dont slip. Get fitted at some place like REI where you can see how they fit going both up slope and down. REI has very good boot return policy so you dont have to be afraid of spending. You can walk 100 miles in a set of boots and return them if they are wrong. Also agree with @HedaP on extra undies and socks. Had 3 sets of these along with the 2 sets of clothes. Also recommend Smartwool merino wool Tshirts. Expensive, but wick sweat, wash easily, dry fast and dont stink. Never paid $75 for a tshirt before but was very glad I had them.
Hi Andres, welcome to the forum!
As you are walking with your girlfriend, remember you can cut a lot of weight carrying just one unit of many things: one soap, one toothpaste, one comb, one bottle of sunscreen for you both to share.
Also, I always recommend people to take safety pins. The can be used in so many ways! For example, if my socks are still wet after washing, i pin them on the backpack and they dry while I walk. The safety pins were also good to hold a leg of my pants together, after ripping on the way.
I particularly think that a 60 liter pack is quite big (mine is 30L and my boyfriend 36L), but as long as you feel comfortable, go for it! In terms of clothes, I had in total (counting with the ones I was wearing):
3 tshirts (1 of them I used mostly as a pajama, but it was there in case it was needed to walk)
3 pairs of socks
3 underwear
1 trousers
1 shorts
1 cap
1 'puffy' jacket
Hope that helps. Have a great camino!
Most popular pack sizes seem to be in the 33l to 40l range. If walking in May you will not need a sleeping bag, a silk sleeping bag liner should be sufficient. If you are starting in Astorga give yourself half a day to visit the Bishop's palace, the chocolate museum and the Roman museum. Most people recommend 2 sets of clothes, I recommend 3 as trying to get clothes to dry on a wet day can be a challenge in some locations. Hopefully you will not encounter rain but you should always have rain gear with you.
Hello Andres, from a fellow Texan! There are several chapters of American Pilgrims on the Camino in Texas, perhaps even in your area. The American Pilgrims website has links to the local chapters. This forum is a superb resource but sometimes talking with experienced pilgrims in person can offer additional helpful information.
My husband and I completed our Camino from SJPdP to Santiago in October of 2017. The best advice we received (and unfortunately did not pay attention to!) was to pack your bag, and then discard 1/3 of what you had packed before leaving home. This proved to be true as we did not need all the extras that lists recommend. Everything you need is readily available along the way if you have forgotten something. We did take 3 quick dry t-shirts each and 2 shorts (for him) and 2 leggings (for me) -wear one and wash one, with an extra set for when clothes do not dry over night. On our next trip, the only extra clothing items we take will be 4 pairs of Smart Wool sox. (We found that quick dry fabrics and the Smart Wool sox did not hold body odors like other fabrics, and your Camino Friends will thank you for that!) We changed our sox mid day, and hung the used ones on our packs to dry out. Minimal blisters for both of us due to dry feet.
On another note - not equipment related - we flew out from Madrid to Amsterdam and noticed many of the suitcases and backpacks were heavily plastic wrapped. We could not figure out why at the time, but at check in, the airlines would not allow us to carry on our backpacks. Ours were not plastic wrapped, and when we got home we discovered that all of our headlamps, flashlights, and all of our phone and camera cords & re-chargers were gone. So...if you have to check your backpacks, be sure there are no valuables in them, and have them plastic wrapped before you leave them.
Have a wonderful trip!
Buen Camino!!
Lots of great advice about equipment, etc. My advice is about your relationship to each other. Have an honest discussion about what options you can live with if one gets injured, or doesn't enjoy walking the camino before you end up in that situation. My first camino, I was walking with a friend who announced after dinner one night that she was taking the bus the next day. It just came out of the blue. Over a couple of days, we had many discussions and eventually agreed on a new course of action so that we could see the highlights of the camino, and walk the last 100 km. You also need to consider whether you both like to get up early, or late, walk at the same pace, or walk separately and meet for lunch. Just more things to consider, when you are traveling with another person! Buen camino!
You might consider taking a Sleeping Mask. The Sun is still shining well into the evening, and you won't be bothered by the blinding light from a Pilgrims Headlamp searching for the Bathroom during the night(Bring a small flashlight for this), or the very early risers getting ready to leave in the morning. I found a simple pair of flip-flops/rubber sandals very useful when not wearing your hiking boots, and especially to be worn in the Alburgue showers! Buen Camino!Hello everyone! Me and my girlfriend will be doing our first camino this May 2018 starting from Astroga. Any tips for first timers? Like how big of a backpack to take? How many pairs of clothes? We've been reading books but honestly been a little overwhelmed with all the information. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Small, manageable and light. 2 changes of clothes, tech everything - stuff that will wash and dry very quickly. Layers - you'll be cold if it is wet or in the mornings and hot in the afternoons. Anything you need you can buy on the way. You don't need any cool camping gear. Just water and clean clothes. Take 3 pairs of socks and underwear. I like my own sleeping bag and I have a featherweight. A lot of people get by without them. I use my clothes bag for a pillow. Spray everything (everything) down with Permethrin a couple of days before you go. Paying close attention to seams. Seriously though - everything. A tiny ipod for when you cannot stand to hear your feet tromping on the road for even one more second. Sticks. I wouldn't dream of Camino without them. I have really good ones that fold down to pack size so I can travel with them. And gloves. If it is windy/wet/cold and you're using sticks your hands will get cold. Face wipes. I get a lot of mole skin and cut it to size and keep it handy. Mole skin will cover any blister and it will stay on for a day or two without mess. I have never found any in Europe. I have a really nice folding knife that I have needed every time I have been on Camino. Great for cutting food and what not. Needle and thread for the bad blisters if they come up. Be spartan - be brave! Remember, this is not the wilderness. You're going in and out of towns and cities that are accustomed to dealing with the needs of peregrinos!Hello everyone! Me and my girlfriend will be doing our first camino this May 2018 starting from Astroga. Any tips for first timers? Like how big of a backpack to take? How many pairs of clothes? We've been reading books but honestly been a little overwhelmed with all the information. Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Snacks might include nuts, fruit, cheese, chorizo, bread, chocolate, yogurt, etc.
My daughter's tip for any trip "take twice as much money and half as much kit" - that way if you forgot something you can pick it up on the Way.
Am coaching a friend in the ways of the Camino (her first will be this year). She too has a 60l pack and wondered if it would be big enough. My comment that she could always sleep in it if she couldn't find a bed didn't go down too well.
40L + 2 changes of clothes + travel umbrella = a happy Pilgrim.
Good luck, see you in Santiago in May!
I use my clothes bag for a pillow.
I get a lot of mole skin and cut it to size and keep it handy. Mole skin will cover any blister and it will stay on for a day or two without mess. I have never found any in Europe.
Where does one get their backpack plastic wrapped? Agree, will likely not be able to carry on our packs.My husband and I completed our Camino from SJPdP to Santiago in October of 2017. The best advice we received (and unfortunately did not pay attention to!) was to pack your bag, and then discard 1/3 of what you had packed before leaving home. This proved to be true as we did not need all the extras that lists recommend. Everything you need is readily available along the way if you have forgotten something. We did take 3 quick dry t-shirts each and 2 shorts (for him) and 2 leggings (for me) -wear one and wash one, with an extra set for when clothes do not dry over night. On our next trip, the only extra clothing items we take will be 4 pairs of Smart Wool sox. (We found that quick dry fabrics and the Smart Wool sox did not hold body odors like other fabrics, and your Camino Friends will thank you for that!) We changed our sox mid day, and hung the used ones on our packs to dry out. Minimal blisters for both of us due to dry feet.
On another note - not equipment related - we flew out from Madrid to Amsterdam and noticed many of the suitcases and backpacks were heavily plastic wrapped. We could not figure out why at the time, but at check in, the airlines would not allow us to carry on our backpacks. Ours were not plastic wrapped, and when we got home we discovered that all of our headlamps, flashlights, and all of our phone and camera cords & re-chargers were gone. So...if you have to check your backpacks, be sure there are no valuables in them, and have them plastic wrapped before you leave them.
Have a wonderful trip!
Buen Camino!!
Thank you. I'm south of Houston and I'll be contacting the local group.Hello Andres, from a fellow Texan! There are several chapters of American Pilgrims on the Camino in Texas, perhaps even in your area. The American Pilgrims website has links to the local chapters. This forum is a superb resource but sometimes talking with experienced pilgrims in person can offer additional helpful information.
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