Calling All Tent Trampers & Wannabes

[Chuck Cunningham]

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to bring my tent. Looking back now, I have no idea why I agonized so much over it. I have been going over the Cicerone Guide to Le Puy and they make tenting look like an excellent option on that particular trail. They make a lot of good points like there are many good camping areas with a lot of them along the river, you can stop almost anywhere when you are tired, even farmers along the way will let you pitch for a small fee, etc etc. I realize that I may miss out on some of the comraderie but I can stay in albergues from time to time for that or in case of inclement weather. I am excited now about getting going... amping would be putting it mildly. Now I am wondering about tenting along the Frances way from SJPP on west. Have any of you all done it? I would love to hear your experiences. I just weighed my ULA pack with air mattress, bag liner, down bag, etc and the total was 18 lbs. Very doable for me. I'm ready to lock and load, switch to full rock and roll and head out. LOL Thanks

 

[Rick M]

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to bring my tent. Looking back now, I have no idea why I agonized so much over it. I have been going over the Cicerone Guide to Le Puy and they make tenting look like an excellent option on that particular trail. They make a lot of good points like there are many good camping areas with a lot of them along the river, you can stop almost anywhere when you are tired, even farmers along the way will let you pitch for a small fee, etc etc. I realize that I may miss out on some of the comraderie but I can stay in albergues from time to time for that or in case of inclement weather. I am excited now about getting going... amping would be putting it mildly. Now I am wondering about tenting along the Frances way from SJPP on west. Have any of you all done it? I would love to hear your experiences. I just weighed my ULA pack with air mattress, bag liner, down bag, etc and the total was 18 lbs. Very doable for me. I'm ready to lock and load, switch to full rock and roll and head out. LOL Thanks

Hate to be Debbie Downer here, but the Frances is not a tenting kind of a thing. There are a scattering of campgrounds, but mostly you are on a busy trail passing through a mix of farms, private land, public land and towns. A significant chunk is along the side of a highway. When I walked it, I saw two tents the whole journey, am I'm not certain they were pilgrims. The Frances goes from village to village through a farming area mostly, with a couple of mountain passes thrown in for good exercise. It is not a wilderness hike. Most of the trail is well established and supported with services, so you will never need a tent. You will of course find a place to set up if you look around for a private spot (challenging on some stretches), but camping out is not the way of The Way. Where there's a will, there's a way of course, so if you are determined so be it.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

I have no idea of what you mean by "camping out is not the way of the Way" and really don't think I need to know lest I start some kind of philosophical, esoterical debate. That being said the Frances does NOT look conducive to camping. Like more hassle then it's worth i.e. too populated, too much private land, etc but if definitely a "Go" on the Le Puy route. I will probably be sending the tent home after a few days on the Frances but am looking forward to plenty of camping along the Le Puy route whether it's the "way of the Way or not." Camping seems to be encouraged in the Le Puy guidebook and the book gives you many advantages of tenting not the least of which is the many sites along a river. Now that's what I'm talking about.

 

[notion900]

Hey Chuck you could send the camping gear forward to Ivar, and then do another of your crazy bumming around in Europe adventures.

 

[Glenn Rowe]

I have no idea of what you mean by "camping out is not the way of the Way" and really don't think I need to know lest I start some kind of philosophical, esoterical debate.

But, you see, you've already started it. First, will you be walking the CF or not? If "yes", you would be well-served to leave your tent behind. If "no", let's talk about where you will be walking, okay? After all, the old engineering maxim is 'form follows function'. You can adapt and apply this to your particular situation.

-- Glenn

[Yep, I've got 30+ years of working with engineers, so I know how they think. You are reminding me of an engineer....]

 

[Kanga]

Wild camping in Spain is illegal. People do it, of course, but if someone breaks the law they take the consequences. There are very few campsites along the Camino Frances, and getting permission from private landholders difficult, in practical terms - mostly people live in the villages and not on their small holdings. So to find someone to seek permission is not easy, and we encroach enough already on private land without adding insult to injury. I have seen a few tents along the Camino Frances but it is not something I'd want to see encouraged, particularly with the numbers now walking.
You could seek permission to put up your tent in the grounds of albergues, but if you did, and used their facilities, then they would probably have to count you as an occupant of a bed for the purposes of the authorities (they are licensed only for specific numbers). So you would be paying the same as someone who is sleeping inside.
We carried a tent all along the Norte and used it very, very few times. Eventually we packed it up and sent it on to Ivar in Santiago.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to bring my tent. Looking back now, I have no idea why I agonized so much over it. I have been going over the Cicerone Guide to Le Puy and they make tenting look like an excellent option on that particular trail. They make a lot of good points like there are many good camping areas with a lot of them along the river, you can stop almost anywhere when you are tired, even farmers along the way will let you pitch for a small fee, etc etc. I realize that I may miss out on some of the comraderie but I can stay in albergues from time to time for that or in case of inclement weather. I am excited now about getting going... amping would be putting it mildly. Now I am wondering about tenting along the Frances way from SJPP on west. Have any of you all done it? I would love to hear your experiences. I just weighed my ULA pack with air mattress, bag liner, down bag, etc and the total was 18 lbs. Very doable for me. I'm ready to lock and load, switch to full rock and roll and head out. LOL Thanks

Chuck, which ULA pack are you using?

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Chuck, which ULA pack are you using?

I have the Ohm 2.0 and love it. I have tried the Circuit and the small frameless one. They are all excellent for their intended purpose and for certain people. But the Ohm just "felt right" and it fits me good.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Wild camping in Spain is illegal. People do it, of course, but if someone breaks the law they take the consequences. There are very few campsites along the Camino Frances, and getting permission from private landholders difficult, in practical terms - mostly people live in the villages and not on their small holdings. So to find someone to seek permission is not easy, and we encroach enough already on private land without adding insult to injury. I have seen a few tents along the Camino Frances but it is not something I'd want to see encouraged, particularly with the numbers now walking.
You could seek permission to put up your tent in the grounds of albergues, but if you did, and used their facilities, then they would probably have to count you as an occupant of a bed for the purposes of the authorities (they are licensed only for specific numbers). So you would be paying the same as someone who is sleeping inside.
We carried a tent all along the Norte and used it very, very few times. Eventually we packed it up and sent it on to Ivar in Santiago.

Even though there are limited legal camp sites in Spain Ihave decided to bring my tent on that leg of my journey. I don't mind at all paying an albergue to use their grounds. I LOVE sleeping in a tent and love my privacy at night if at all possible. That still leaves many nights I will be staying inside mingling with the pilgrims, wouldn't want to miss that experience. Thanks for your input and knowledge. You are a valuable resource and I among others appreciate it.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

I have the Ohm 2.0 and love it. I have tried the Circuit and the small frameless one. They are all excellent for their intended purpose and for certain people. But the Ohm just "felt right" and it fits me good.

Not to beat a dead horse but Chris at ULA is excellent to deal with. Sue to my size he had to make some modifications to my pack which he did at no charge , almost immediately and shipped out within a day or two.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Hey Chuck you could send the camping gear forward to Ivar, and then do another of your crazy bumming around in Europe adventures.

Notion,
This is an excellent idea as I am planning on another crazy European tramp post Camino Hopefully a visit to the British Isles this time around .and this gives me the option to bail on the tent should I chose to and still have it available for further use. You rule.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to bring my tent. Looking back now, I have no idea why I agonized so much over it. I have been going over the Cicerone Guide to Le Puy and they make tenting look like an excellent option on that particular trail. They make a lot of good points like there are many good camping areas with a lot of them along the river, you can stop almost anywhere when you are tired, even farmers along the way will let you pitch for a small fee, etc etc. I realize that I may miss out on some of the comraderie but I can stay in albergues from time to time for that or in case of inclement weather. I am excited now about getting going... amping would be putting it mildly. Now I am wondering about tenting along the Frances way from SJPP on west. Have any of you all done it? I would love to hear your experiences. I just weighed my ULA pack with air mattress, bag liner, down bag, etc and the total was 18 lbs. Very doable for me. I'm ready to lock and load, switch to full rock and roll and head out. LOL Thanks

Thanks to all of you who have responded. So this is my "tentative plan".
I hike the Le Puy taking advantage of the many "legal" camping sites. Then, as I gather the CF has a handful of legal camping spots.... maybe 8 or so plus being able to pitch on the grounds of some albergues. So I am looking at possibly staying out legally perhaps a dozen or so times which is reason enough for me to carry my ultralight tent. I do not mind at all paying the albergues full price to stay on their grounds and will probably insist on it. That way I can do my domestic chores there, shower, visit with fellow pilgrims, enjoy communal meals but then slither back outside to the peace and quiet of my tent and not have to worry about "top bunk" draw, snoring, farting, belching and pilgrims banging around at ungodly early hours. Life is good even for scoundrels such as I.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Hey Chuck you could send the camping gear forward to Ivar, and then do another of your crazy bumming around in Europe adventures.

I just checked out Ivar's baggage storage site/link. His services are reasonable plus the delivery option is very nice. This IS good news.

 

[David]

Hi Chuck - you walked into an unexpected minefield didn't you!

Tent questions always bring out strong reactions. All the negative reactions tend to be from folk who don't tent and they do tend to go for the legalese way of answering .... those who tent are all for it - the independence, the sitting out watching the night sky, the waking early in a natural way feeling fresh ... putting one's gear together and checking that no litter or disturbance has been left behind ..
So - there are many refugios who are happy for you to tent on their grounds (sometimes you may see four or five tents at a refugio!) and many places along the Frances where one can quietly camp without damaging crops or causing a disturbance. I have met many tenting pilgrims - many with dogs - and they ALL were having a lovely time and were relaxed and happy .. no time constraints, no rushing to get to a town .. they just sort of ambled along in a relaxed manner.
I have met tenters who, when in a city, have camped in unexpected places, city parks, hidden by bushes, river banks - here's a thing - hang a scallop shell on the tent so they know you are a pilgrim.

Take your camping kit Chuck, enjoy your pilgrimage your way ... by the way .. pack weight and so on - have you thought of a hiking trailer? https://www.radicaldesign.com/walki...lking-trailers/wheelie-iv-traveller.html#tabs

I was thinking of one of these but they are expensive so am just starting a project to see if I can make my own.

I guess that you will wild camp as well as refugio garden camp but here is a list of the campsites I know of


### Espinal ###
Albergue Camping Urrobi
http://www.campingurrobi.com/
42.972884 , -1.351969
Not actually in Espinal — about halfway between Burguete and Espinal.

### Puente la Reina ###
Camping El Real
http://www.campingelreal.com/
42.670942 , -1.823392

### Estella ###
Camping Lizarra
http://www.campinglizarra.com/
42.657266 , -2.016331

### Logroño ###
Camping La Playa
http://www.campinglaplaya.com/
42.471087 , -2.454752

### Navarrete ###
Camping Navarrese
http://www.campingnavarrete.com/en/
42.416213 , -2.551772

### Nájera ###
Camping El Ruedo
I don't have much detail about this one in my database. It's located south of the Camino, just before you cross the river.

### Santo Domingo de la Calzada ###
Camping Bañares
http://www.campingbanares.es/
42.442598 , -2.916495

### Burgos ###
Camping Burgos
http://www.campingburgos.com/
42.341786 , -3.657522
This isn't actually in Burgos - it's a few km to the east of the downtown area, south of the Camino

### Castrojeriz ###
Albergue Camping Camino de Santiago
http://www.campingcamino.com/
42.291041 , -4.131703

### Carrión de los Condes ###
Camping El Edén
42.335627 , -4.604448

### Sahagún ###
Camping Pedro Ponce
42.370869 , -5.041860

### Mansilla de las Mulas ###
Apparently there is a campground called "Camping Elsa" but I don't have any details on it in my database.

### Hospital de Órbigo ###
Has a municipal campground
42.466918 , -5.881251

### Monte del Gozo ###
Ciudad de Vacaciones Monte do Gozo
http://www.cvacaciones-montedogozo.com/EN/home.html
42.886806 , -8.493236
Note: The website doesn't mention camping, but it is available. Email them to inquire.

### Santiago de Compostela ###
Camping As Cancelas
http://www.campingascancelas.com/
42.889442 , -8.524195

Buen Camino!!!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Hi Chuck - you walked into an unexpected minefield didn't you!

Tent questions always bring out strong reactions. All the negative reactions tend to be from folk who don't tent and they do tend to go for the legalese way of answering .... those who tent are all for it - the independence, the sitting out watching the night sky, the waking early in a natural way feeling fresh ... putting one's gear together and checking that no litter or disturbance has been left behind ..
So - there are many refugios who are happy for you to tent on their grounds (sometimes you may see four or five tents at a refugio!) and many places along the Frances where one can quietly camp without damaging crops or causing a disturbance. I have met many tenting pilgrims - many with dogs - and they ALL were having a lovely time and were relaxed and happy .. no time constraints, no rushing to get to a town .. they just sort of ambled along in a relaxed manner.
I have met tenters who, when in a city, have camped in unexpected places, city parks, hidden by bushes, river banks - here's a thing - hang a scallop shell on the tent so they know you are a pilgrim.

Take your camping kit Chuck, enjoy your pilgrimage your way ... by the way .. pack weight and so on - have you thought of a hiking trailer? https://www.radicaldesign.com/walki...lking-trailers/wheelie-iv-traveller.html#tabs

I was thinking of one of these but they are expensive so am just starting a project to see if I can make my own.

I guess that you will wild camp as well as refugio garden camp but here is a list of the campsites I know of


### Espinal ###
Albergue Camping Urrobi
http://www.campingurrobi.com/
42.972884 , -1.351969
Not actually in Espinal — about halfway between Burguete and Espinal.

### Puente la Reina ###
Camping El Real
http://www.campingelreal.com/
42.670942 , -1.823392

### Estella ###
Camping Lizarra
http://www.campinglizarra.com/
42.657266 , -2.016331

### Logroño ###
Camping La Playa
http://www.campinglaplaya.com/
42.471087 , -2.454752

### Navarrete ###
Camping Navarrese
http://www.campingnavarrete.com/en/
42.416213 , -2.551772

### Nájera ###
Camping El Ruedo
I don't have much detail about this one in my database. It's located south of the Camino, just before you cross the river.

### Santo Domingo de la Calzada ###
Camping Bañares
http://www.campingbanares.es/
42.442598 , -2.916495

### Burgos ###
Camping Burgos
http://www.campingburgos.com/
42.341786 , -3.657522
This isn't actually in Burgos - it's a few km to the east of the downtown area, south of the Camino

### Castrojeriz ###
Albergue Camping Camino de Santiago
http://www.campingcamino.com/
42.291041 , -4.131703

### Carrión de los Condes ###
Camping El Edén
42.335627 , -4.604448

### Sahagún ###
Camping Pedro Ponce
42.370869 , -5.041860

### Mansilla de las Mulas ###
Apparently there is a campground called "Camping Elsa" but I don't have any details on it in my database.

### Hospital de Órbigo ###
Has a municipal campground
42.466918 , -5.881251

### Monte del Gozo ###
Ciudad de Vacaciones Monte do Gozo
http://www.cvacaciones-montedogozo.com/EN/home.html
42.886806 , -8.493236
Note: The website doesn't mention camping, but it is available. Email them to inquire.

### Santiago de Compostela ###
Camping As Cancelas
http://www.campingascancelas.com/
42.889442 , -8.524195

Buen Camino!!!

My friend this is an awesome post. I will copy and take along the list
of campsites. Such good news! Now I am totally amped. The description you give about camping ring so true with my spirit and previous experioences. I don't know why some talk about hiking the camino "your way" yet show so much distain for tenters and do their best to discourage it. I know many mean well but I really don't think many of the negative responders took the time to really investigate the possibility of camping and shoot from the hip with limited knowledge. Looks like you gave me a list of 15 sites or so. I am so glad about this you have no idea. Have a good day my friend.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

My friend this is an awesome post. I will copy and take along the list
of campsites. Such good news! Now I am totally amped. The description you give about camping ring so true with my spirit and previous experioences. I don't know why some talk about hiking the camino "your way" yet show so much distain for tenters and do their best to discourage it. I know many mean well but I really don't think many of the negative responders took the time to really investigate the possibility of camping and shoot from the hip with limited knowledge. Looks like you gave me a list of 15 sites or so. I am so glad about this you have no idea. Have a good day my friend.

In response to your question about having ever tried a trailer. Yes I have and really didn't like it much. It was a hassle when I had to go through some streams, ditches, etc. Personally I found it much easier to just use what ultralight gear I could afford and carry it. My pack , tent, air mattress, down bag and bag liner comes in at just under 18 lbs which you really don't hardly notice the weight after a week or so of hiking. YMMV ( Your Mileage May Vary)

 

[David]

Cool - nice to get some genuine user feedback re trailers!!

By the way, the campsite at Puente la Reina ... you cross the medieval bridge at the end of town and go up the track opposite, only a hundred yards or so. It is a refugio and they also have a campsite but when you book in to the refugio they welcome you to camp in the garden - and here is the thing - it has a swimming pool!! (as well as great on-site pilgrim meals and a bar!!)

Buen Camino!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

If anyone is interested I got this down bag on ebay . You can get different fill weight. I got the 500gm one for $69.00 I have not field tested it yet but it seems substantial.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/23220886293...49&var=531419140374&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

If anyone is interested I got this down bag on ebay . You can get different fill weight. I got the 500gm one for $69.00 I have not field tested it yet but it seems substantial.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/232208862936?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=531419140374&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Hi Chuck - you walked into an unexpected minefield didn't you!

Tent questions always bring out strong reactions. All the negative reactions tend to be from folk who don't tent and they do tend to go for the legalese way of answering .... those who tent are all for it - the independence, the sitting out watching the night sky, the waking early in a natural way feeling fresh ... putting one's gear together and checking that no litter or disturbance has been left behind ..
So - there are many refugios who are happy for you to tent on their grounds (sometimes you may see four or five tents at a refugio!) and many places along the Frances where one can quietly camp without damaging crops or causing a disturbance. I have met many tenting pilgrims - many with dogs - and they ALL were having a lovely time and were relaxed and happy .. no time constraints, no rushing to get to a town .. they just sort of ambled along in a relaxed manner.
I have met tenters who, when in a city, have camped in unexpected places, city parks, hidden by bushes, river banks - here's a thing - hang a scallop shell on the tent so they know you are a pilgrim.

Take your camping kit Chuck, enjoy your pilgrimage your way ... by the way .. pack weight and so on - have you thought of a hiking trailer? https://www.radicaldesign.com/walki...lking-trailers/wheelie-iv-traveller.html#tabs

I was thinking of one of these but they are expensive so am just starting a project to see if I can make my own.

I guess that you will wild camp as well as refugio garden camp but here is a list of the campsites I know of


### Espinal ###
Albergue Camping Urrobi
http://www.campingurrobi.com/
42.972884 , -1.351969
Not actually in Espinal — about halfway between Burguete and Espinal.

### Puente la Reina ###
Camping El Real
http://www.campingelreal.com/
42.670942 , -1.823392

### Estella ###
Camping Lizarra
http://www.campinglizarra.com/
42.657266 , -2.016331

### Logroño ###
Camping La Playa
http://www.campinglaplaya.com/
42.471087 , -2.454752

### Navarrete ###
Camping Navarrese
http://www.campingnavarrete.com/en/
42.416213 , -2.551772

### Nájera ###
Camping El Ruedo
I don't have much detail about this one in my database. It's located south of the Camino, just before you cross the river.

### Santo Domingo de la Calzada ###
Camping Bañares
http://www.campingbanares.es/
42.442598 , -2.916495

### Burgos ###
Camping Burgos
http://www.campingburgos.com/
42.341786 , -3.657522
This isn't actually in Burgos - it's a few km to the east of the downtown area, south of the Camino

### Castrojeriz ###
Albergue Camping Camino de Santiago
http://www.campingcamino.com/
42.291041 , -4.131703

### Carrión de los Condes ###
Camping El Edén
42.335627 , -4.604448

### Sahagún ###
Camping Pedro Ponce
42.370869 , -5.041860

### Mansilla de las Mulas ###
Apparently there is a campground called "Camping Elsa" but I don't have any details on it in my database.

### Hospital de Órbigo ###
Has a municipal campground
42.466918 , -5.881251

### Monte del Gozo ###
Ciudad de Vacaciones Monte do Gozo
http://www.cvacaciones-montedogozo.com/EN/home.html
42.886806 , -8.493236
Note: The website doesn't mention camping, but it is available. Email them to inquire.

### Santiago de Compostela ###
Camping As Cancelas
http://www.campingascancelas.com/
42.889442 , -8.524195

Buen Camino!!!

"Hi Chuck - you walked into an unexpected minefield didn't you!"Yes I certainly did however it wasn't unexpected. I have been on this list long enough to know don my flak vest mmediately after posting. But ya gotta take the bitters with the sweets and thanks to people like you the good outweighs the bad and I glean a ton of good info.

 

[David]

Just a note on camping in cities - nowadays just about all of our EU cities have refugees and asylum seekers living rough .. now, most of them are good people but there are a few one needs to be wary of, and desperate and penniless men can do desperate things - so take care in the cities .. better to walk through and back into the countryside I think.

As for those 'against' tenting - we all have our points of view and their viewpoints about the law are true - it is illegal to camp within a certain distance of a campsite, for instance, and random camping can get one into trouble as it can in any country ... but on Camino there is a more relaxed attitude and they don't expect you to be there the next day - set up late, leave early, taking all rubbish - what can go wrong?

There are places ... a huge bird sanctuary and lake just before Logrono where tenters stay ... plenty of specifically built rest areas for pilgrims with benches and water and grass. After Carrion de los Condes you walk for about nine miles along the Roman road - you can see the cobbles, is rather marvellous! - and along there there are two water points (last time I was there neither were working) and the land they are on is part of the Camino but set back slightly, both are great for tenting - so you will find many acceptable places to tent and I think you will never even have to think about asking a farmer for permission. Enjoy!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Just a note on camping in cities - nowadays just about all of our cities have refugees and asylum seekers living rough .. now, most of them are good people but there are a few one needs to be wary of, and desperate and penniless men can do desperate things - so take care in the cities .. better to walk through and back into the countryside I think.

Good advice. Thank you. Thought you would like the following thread and blog that was passed on to me by a forum member, bless her heart. I found it very inspiring.
thread and blog: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...y-nov-2015-with-a-2-yr-old.38755/#post-421941
http://www.bodhi-on-the-way.blogspot.com/

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Cool - nice to get some genuine user feedback re trailers!!

By the way, the campsite at Puente la Reina ... you cross the medieval bridge at the end of town and go up the track opposite, only a hundred yards or so. It is a refugio and they also have a campsite but when you book in to the refugio they welcome you to camp in the garden - and here is the thing - it has a swimming pool!! (as well as great on-site pilgrim meals and a bar!!)

Buen Camino!

Sounds tough but I'll get used to it!!!

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Chuck, which ULA pack are you using?

BTW I have taken notice of your "Combat Medic" badge. That is quite a calling my friend. Thank you for your service. Proud Viet vet here 1966-67 Patrol Squadron Four Skinny Dragons.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

In response to your question about having ever tried a trailer. Yes I have and really didn't like it much. It was a hassle when I had to go through some streams, ditches, etc. Personally I found it much easier to just use what ultralight gear I could afford and carry it. My pack , tent, air mattress, down bag and bag liner comes in at just under 18 lbs which you really don't hardly notice the weight after a week or so of hiking. YMMV ( Your Mileage May Vary)

BTW When I was tramping thru Spain the trailer was a huge inconvenience when trying to use public transportation esp. getting on and off the crowded buses. There! Have you had enough yet !!! j/k

 

[notion900]

Notion,
I am planning on another crazy European tramp post Camino Hopefully a visit to the British Isles this time around

Look me up - send a PM on the forum and it triggers an email.

 

[Kanga]

We spent quite a few days at Camping As Cancelas in Santiago itself. It is in the suburbs, but there is a bus (and not a long walk to the main bus station). It is quite luxurious (with pool), and a cheap alternative to accommodation in the centre. I've almost gotten over having my bra and nickers being pinched off the clothes line hanging beside our tent.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

We spent quite a few days at Camping As Cancelas in Santiago itself. It is in the suburbs, but there is a bus (and not a long walk to the main bus station). It is quite luxurious (with pool), and a cheap alternative to accommodation in the centre. I've almost gotten over having my bra and nickers being pinched off the clothes line hanging beside our tent.

I see that rumors of the bra and knicker thief are not exaggerated fabrications. I should be okay as I try not to go drag in foreign countries.

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

I see that rumors of the bra and knicker thief are not exaggerated fabrications. I should be okay as I try not to go drag in foreign countries.

BTW Thanks for the camping heads up. Sounds like a great stay.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

BTW I have taken notice of your "Combat Medic" badge. That is quite a calling my friend. Thank you for your service. Proud Viet vet here 1966-67 Patrol Squadron Four Skinny Dragons.

Thanks.... kudos to you as well, brother. I was a Dustoff medic attached to the 57th Med Detachment, Air Ambulance. Then when assigned back to Germany, was with the 2/421st Air Ambulance out of Schweinfurt.... "Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere".

I agree that Chris is terrific to work with. I've been to the ULA manufacturing location/headquarters/office in Logan, UT. several times and worked with Chris on some modifications to my packs from ULA. He is as gracious and patient and accommodating in person as he is on the phone. He is very young looking, yet he swears that he isn't a youngster .

Thanks for the feedback on the Ohm. The one thing that I love about ULA packs, aside from their comfort and extremely light weight, is the fact that I just forget about the fact that I am wearing one while backpacking or hiking. They just FIT so darn well.

Oh, and I am also bring my tent and plan to do a fair bit of outdoor sleeping. Between my ZPacks tent, my Enlightened Equipment quilt-bag, and my air mattress, I am below 3 pounds of bedroom kit. My base weight is about 11 pounds (1.4 kg and 4.9 kg respectively). Including my tent is not an issue to me, especially when I compare my base weight to some of the others I read about

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

Thanks.... kudos to you as well, brother. I was a Dustoff medic attached to the 57th Med Detachment, Air Ambulance. Then when assigned back to Germany, was with the 2/421st Air Ambulance out of Schweinfurt.... "Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere".

I agree that Chris is terrific to work with. I've been to the ULA manufacturing location/headquarters/office in Logan, UT. several times and worked with Chris on some modifications to my packs from ULA. He is as gracious and patient and accommodating in person as he is on the phone. He is very young looking, yet he swears that he isn't a youngster .

Thanks for the feedback on the Ohm. The one thing that I love about ULA packs, aside from their comfort and extremely light weight, is the fact that I just forget about the fact that I am wearing one while backpacking or hiking. They just FIT so darn well.

Oh, and I am also bring my tent and plan to do a fair bit of outdoor sleeping. Between my ZPacks tent, my Enlightened Equipment quilt-bag, and my air mattress, I am below 3 pounds of bedroom kit. My base weight is about 11 pounds (1.4 kg and 4.9 kg respectively). Including my tent is not an issue to me, especially when I compare my base weight to some of the others I read about

That sounds like an excellent list of gear. I went with a Lightheart Gear Duo mainly because I like to take my dog along while camping in the US. It about 2.3 lbs so a lot heavier than yours. I think EE quilts are the best. I didn't feel like pringing for one right now for my European Vacation. But your pack weight is to be envied. When are you leaving and what route are you taking? What ULA do you have? Zpacks makes a cuben pack but I haven't heard much good about them... seem from some users that they are not too rugged.

 

[Glenn Rowe]

... by the way .. pack weight and so on - have you thought of a hiking trailer? https://www.radicaldesign.com/walki...lking-trailers/wheelie-iv-traveller.html#tabs

David,

Thanks very much for that link. I've been looking for this product for a long time -- ever since I saw a video about a man who has walked all thru the USA with one!

I have bookmarked the site for future reference and use. Thanks again!

 

[trecile]

If anyone is interested I got this down bag on ebay . You can get different fill weight. I got the 500gm one for $69.00 I have not field tested it yet but it seems substantial.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/232208862936?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=531419140374&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

There's also a bag available from the same company on Amazon with goose down.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XCSUPMA/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Chuck Cunningham]

That sounds like an excellent list of gear. I went with a Lightheart Gear Duo mainly because I like to take my dog along while camping in the US. It about 2.3 lbs so a lot heavier than yours. I think EE quilts are the best. I didn't feel like pringing for one right now for my European Vacation. But your pack weight is to be envied. When are you leaving and what route are you taking? What ULA do you have? Zpacks makes a cuben pack but I haven't heard much good about them... seem from some users that they are not too rugged.

Come to think of it I did look into an EE quilt but it was going to take like 4-5 weeks at the time to receive which would cut it dangerously close to my departure time but I will definitely get one before my next great adventure. I had Jacks'r'rbetter quilt with the horizontal baffles and the down shifted real bad. I had to shake it back into place several times a night to stay comfortable. You don't have that problem with the EE due to the vertical baffling.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Come to think of it I did look into an EE quilt but it was going to take like 4-5 weeks at the time to receive which would cut it dangerously close to my departure time but I will definitely get one before my next great adventure. I had Jacks'r'rbetter quilt with the horizontal baffles and the down shifted real bad. I had to shake it back into place several times a night to stay comfortable. You don't have that problem with the EE due to the vertical baffling.

Yeah, the advance ordering time can be problematic, but EE is trying to increase their production and having more on-the-shelf commonly ordered quilts-bags for quick purchase. The thing I like about the cottage industry small manufacturers, like Enlightened Equipment and ULA, is the fact that I can customize what I want. Of course, the downside to that is the lengthier wait to receive an order.

It sounds like your kit is a good one, too. After the thousands of miles of wilderness backpacking, where resupply points might be 14 days away and you need to make sure every ounce of base-weight counts so that you can carry more weight in food, cooking gear and food, paring away at my base weight for the Camino was pretty straight forward. I just kept in mind that I will be surrounded frequently each day with stores, eating establishments, and refreshment points

 

[Deleted member 67185]

That sounds like an excellent list of gear. I went with a Lightheart Gear Duo mainly because I like to take my dog along while camping in the US. It about 2.3 lbs so a lot heavier than yours. I think EE quilts are the best. I didn't feel like pringing for one right now for my European Vacation. But your pack weight is to be envied. When are you leaving and what route are you taking? What ULA do you have? Zpacks makes a cuben pack but I haven't heard much good about them... seem from some users that they are not too rugged.

I'll start from St Jean Pied de Port and following the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela. I'm planning on starting the last week of September. I own both the Catalyst and Circuit, but I'm strongly considering the purchase of the Ohm. I'll be passing thru Logan, Ut later this month, so I'll stop in and have Chris fit me with one and see how it feels with a 20 pound load. If it feels good with 20 pounds, it'll be great with 14 pounds (base-weight + snack food + water).