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Arn, I don't know what year you walked your first Camino, but mine was in 2015. I had so much knowledge gained from this forum that I do not believe I have really had to tweak a thing. In addition, my son had walked the Appalachian Trail prior, so between those two sources of information...all has been good.When I set out on my first Camino, I basically began with the hiking gear I used on the Appalachian Trail: Merrell hi-top Boots, sleeping bag, external pack, water purification system, rain jacket, walking sticks. By Pamplona it became obvious the Merrells had to go. My ankles were sore and feet developing blisters...I switched to a local sneaker (the name is Milano something). my sleeping bag was big and bulky...I ditched it in Burgos and bought a lightweight sleeping bag and lightweight jacket at Summit (cost nearly 300 euros, on sale). I mailed home the Merrells, water purification system and jacket. I also bought an Altus poncho.
Have you started out in a similar situation?
What did you convince yourself "you just had to take that...only to find out it was the wrong choice"?
I thru-hiked the AT in 1996 and my first Camino was 2008. The Forum, I believe, began in 2004. The Forum is LIGHT YEARS ahead of where it was then. Ivar's tenacity and stewardship results in what you and many find to be the most complete on line guide to the Camino.Arn, I don't know what year you walked your first Camino, but mine was in 2015. I had so much knowledge gained from this forum that I do not believe I have really had to tweak a thing. In addition, my son had walked the Appalachian Trail prior, so between those two sources of information...all has been good.
Believe it or not, I started out my first one with a portable Italian espresso machine plus a pound of coffee. The backpack weighing 11kg. In Leon, I had to buy a pair of trail-runners, but could not overcome to chuck my heavy boots away....carried espresso gear and boots (additional 1.6 kg) all the way to SdC. That was in 2013, both items were never used again since and rot in the cellar. But on my second Camino, I started with half the pack weight.When I set out on my first Camino, I basically began with the hiking gear I used on the Appalachian Trail: Merrell hi-top Boots, sleeping bag, external pack, water purification system, rain jacket, walking sticks. By Pamplona it became obvious the Merrells had to go. My ankles were sore and feet developing blisters...I switched to a local sneaker (the name is Milano something). my sleeping bag was big and bulky...I ditched it in Burgos and bought a lightweight sleeping bag and lightweight jacket at Summit (cost nearly 300 euros, on sale). I mailed home the Merrells, water purification system and jacket. I also bought an Altus poncho.
Have you started out in a similar situation?
What did you convince yourself "you just had to take that...only to find out it was the wrong choice"?
If it can be of any comfort to you, on my first Camino I carried a bicycle chain lock (3/4 kg.) all the way to SdC. Never used it, of course. The idea/concept was that I could lock my backpack to a chair/table/whatever, if I had to leave it for a while, not understanding that all a thief needed was a knife to cut it open and take what he/she needed. Today, the lock is somewhere at the garbage depot... And on the Camino, my backpack is never out of sight until in the albergue and all my valuables are with me...Believe it or not, I started out my first one with a portable Italian espresso machine plus a pound of coffee. The backpack weighing 11kg. In Leon, I had to buy a pair of trail-runners, but could not overcome to chuck my heavy boots away....carried espresso gear and boots (additional 1.6 kg) all the way to SdC. That was in 2013, both items were never used again since and rot in the cellar. But on my second Camino, I started with half the pack weight.
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Fantastic! Truly a Camino lesson well understood.Believe it or not, I started out my first one with a portable Italian espresso machine plus a pound of coffee. The backpack weighing 11kg. In Leon, I had to buy a pair of trail-runners, but could not overcome to chuck my heavy boots away....carried espresso gear and boots (additional 1.6 kg) all the way to SdC. That was in 2013, both items were never used again since and rot in the cellar. But on my second Camino, I started with half the pack weight.
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“...once with a moose is enough.”
Yeah, but then, in 2013, I was still much fitter and strong....at 68 Y.Fantastic! Truly a Camino lesson well understood.
Whilst the weight is extraordinary, the concept is still valid in my opinion. I wouldn’t personally leave a rucksack unattended in a cafe or bar in any big city in the UK without some means of securing if it some way - not expecting that to provide muck protection, but to make it just that bit more difficult and time consuming to remove.If it can be of any comfort to you, on my first Camino I carried a bicycle chain lock (3/4 kg.) all the way to SdC. The idea/concept was that I could lock my backpack to a chair/table/whatever, if I had to leave it for a while, not understanding that all a thief needed was a knive to cut it open and take what he/she needed. Today, the lock is somewhere at the garbage depot...
Wait,I don’t think anyone’s going to argue with that.
There are many ways to relieve you of your gear. Bus compartments being easiest. You put in your pack, board to get a good seat, the thief waits, you get settled, he lifts your pack. Solution, add your pack as driver is about to close the compartment. My pack is small enough to be a carry on.Whilst the weight is extraordinary, the concept is still valid in my opinion. I wouldn’t personally leave a rucksack unattended in a cafe or bar in any big city in the UK without some means of securing if it some way - not expecting that to provide muck protection, but to make it just that bit more difficult and time consuming to remove.
I was once checking into a hotel in central Rome. A woman was checking in at the adjacent desk when someone simply walked into the lobby, picked up the cases from either side of her and strode straight out. Nobody batted an eyelid.
I use a Mountain Warehouse cable lock at about 200g. It wouldn’t hold the real Henry the Dog away from his food at dinner time - but it looks fairly strong and if it causes anyone to think twice, that’s good.
Pretty much the same for me in 2016. I used everything in my pack, except my Kindle, which hasn't been on a Camino since the first one.Arn, I don't know what year you walked your first Camino, but mine was in 2015. I had so much knowledge gained from this forum that I do not believe I have really had to tweak a thing. In addition, my son had walked the Appalachian Trail prior, so between those two sources of information...all has been good.
By the time I did my first trek on the Camino in about 2014, I had already ditched much of my AT gear such as external frame pack and heavy sleeping bag. But my low cut Merells worked just fine. However, I did have to replace a too-light jacket with a warmer pile one in Leon. Adjusting on the fly seems to be the norm on the Camino.When I set out on my first Camino, I basically began with the hiking gear I used on the Appalachian Trail: Merrell hi-top Boots, sleeping bag, external pack, water purification system, rain jacket, walking sticks. By Pamplona it became obvious the Merrells had to go. My ankles were sore and feet developing blisters...I switched to a local sneaker (the name is Milano something). my sleeping bag was big and bulky...I ditched it in Burgos and bought a lightweight sleeping bag and lightweight jacket at Summit (cost nearly 300 euros, on sale). I mailed home the Merrells, water purification system and jacket. I also bought an Altus poncho.
Have you started out in a similar situation?
What did you convince yourself "you just had to take that...only to find out it was the wrong choice"?
Believe it or not, I started out my first one with a portable Italian espresso machine plus a pound of coffee. The backpack weighing 11kg. In Leon, I had to buy a pair of trail-runners, but could not overcome to chuck my heavy boots away....carried espresso gear and boots (additional 1.6 kg) all the way to SdC. That was in 2013, both items were never used again since and rot in the cellar. But on my second Camino, I started with half the pack weight.
Pepi, Love that so cute espresso machine! Thank goodness there is good coffee everywhere in Spain. I didn’t find any️ fountains on the Camino, yet!
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This brought back memories: After an exhausting climb up to Roncesvalles in my 2015 walk on the Fr. Camino, I left a beautiful $300 tent, a pair of gators, a heavy journal, extra clothes, and a few other items I can’t recall, which reduced my pack weight to about 30 lbs! For my much wiser walk on the Camino Portuguese in 2018, my full pack weighed in at just about 11 lbs.I still walk the camino routes in the same boots that I wear to the mountains. But the sleeping bag that I bought for my first camino proved to be too heavy and too warm for conditions in Spain, so I bought a lighter one for my second camino and have been using it ever since. However, this lighter sleeping bag has proved itself to not be warm enough for mountain use, even with all my clothes on underneath. So it's back to the heavier, warmer bag for this summer's mountain excursions, then the lighter one for autumn in Spain, if that camino proves possible.
Since it's not a wilderness walk, and there are stores in Spain it's pretty easy to adjustAdjusting on the fly seems to be the norm on the Camino.
I added a very lightweight (1.2 oz/34 gm) dry bag to my gear after my 1st Camino which serves the same purpose as a Scrubba for a lower cost in both money and weight. And it's really not much added weight because I carry other gear in the bag.One was a Scrubba Wash Bag, sold as essentially a small, portable, human-powered washing machine for travelers. I knew I was going to have to do laundry many times over the camino and taking a good tool for the job seems smart. As it turned out, I think I used it once towards the start of the trip. I generally preferred the laundry facilities in the albergues.
If you know you carry too much...that's half the battle. That said, now remove the "too much"!We learn through experience. Another item which I carried on my first camino, but not since, was a fairly light-weight pile vest: 250 g. And now I am struggling as to whether to leave behind a 170 g. long sleeved, high neck merino wool pullover. I don't think that I wore it much on previous caminos, but it is warm and comfortable and I don't have any other comparable long sleeved garment. On balance, I think that I shall take it this year, since it may be quite cold when I walk in the fall. But it is definitely something that I shall only need in the albergues, as I walk quite warm. Maybe because I always carry too much.
Unfortunately, "too much to carry" does not always mean "things that I don't need." Or feel that I need.If you know you carry too much...that's half the battle. That said, now remove the "too much"!
But it's so simple and easy: A set of clothes to wear, another to carry, plus rain gear and toiletry, that's all one needs, so just leave it at that when leaving home. Anything missing can be purchased on the way if really needed. (Once walking a few days, you'll think about buying any additional item 3 three times, a natural limiterUnfortunately, "too much to carry" does not always mean "things that I don't need." Or feel that I need.
@trecile may I ask you what brand of detergent strips you use? The ones I have seen so far say that they are not suitable for wool, but I use merino wool tops and woolen socks. And I seem to remember from former posts that you walk in a merino dress. So what product has worked for you?Since it's not a wilderness walk, and there are stores in Spain it's pretty easy to adjust
I added a very lightweight (1.2 oz/34 gm) dry bag to my gear after my 1st Camino which serves the same purpose as a Scrubba for a lower cost in both money and weight. And it's really not much added weight because I carry other gear in the bag.
My dirty clothes go in as I get into the shower. While the water is warming up I fill the bag with water and add a half a laundry detergent strip. Then I leave it aside to soak while I shower and dress. After my shower I shake the bag a bit to agitate it before emptying everything into the laundry sink where I rinse my clothes, which come out cleaner after their long soaking time than when I only used the albergue laundry sinks.
I use Breezeo strips, though there are others like them. 1/2 strip for each wash. Yes, I usually wear a merino wool dress on the Camino, and there is no problem using these strips with wool.@trecile may I ask you what brand of detergent strips you use? The ones I have seen so far say that they are not suitable for wool, but I use merino wool tops and woolen socks. And I seem to remember from former posts that you walk in a merino dress. So what product has worked for you?
You know what? I could almost manage with just that, if I stayed only in hotels, where towels and bedding were provided and someone else did my laundry, especially in a warmer season. I must try it someday, when I have a lot more money than I do now. I might not even need my own toiletries.But it's so simple and easy: A set of clothes to wear, another to carry, plus rain gear and toiletry, that's all one needs, so just leave it at that when leaving home. Anything missing can be purchased on the way if really needed. (Once walking a few days, you'll think about buying any additional item 3 three times, a natural limiter)
BC
Of course. But those two "sets of clothes" need to include the various layers that can be mixed and matched for various conditions while walking and while not. I walk in early spring or late fall when there might be any weather from blazing sun to snow, and I chill easily. Further, you often cannot buy medicines and clothes at exactly the time the need becomes apparent!A set of clothes to wear, another to carry, plus rain gear and toiletry, that's all one needs... Anything missing can be purchased on the way if really needed.
@Albertagirl, @C clearly, I was referring to walking a man's summer Camino; sorry ladiesYou know what? I could almost manage with just that, if I stayed only in hotels, where towels and bedding were provided and someone else did my laundry, especially in a warmer season. I must try it someday, when I have a lot more money than I do now. I might not even need my own toiletries.
@pepi@Albertagirl, @C clearly, I was referring to walking a man's summer Camino; sorry ladies
And yes, keeping the pack light is easier when staying in rooms with a bath either at albergues or small pensions, hotels. (my usual CF budget is a bit less than €70/day.) Sorry again, wasn't thinking.
What I said (and I think Albertagirl, too) applied equally to men and women.I was referring to walking a man's summer Camino; sorry ladies
Thank you, @trecile . Unfortunately, Breezeo strips are not available in Germany.I use Breezeo strips, though there are others like them. 1/2 strip for each wash. Yes, I usually wear a merino wool dress on the Camino, and there is no problem using these strips with wool.
As a totally unexperienced hiker in Spain I took what I had, added some of the pieces I learned from this forum and the gear they adviced me at my hiking store. More than half of the salesmen did walk a Camino before.Have you started out in a similar situation?
What did you convince yourself "you just had to take that...only to find out it was the wrong choice"?
Some men like to take showers and do laundry in the summer caminos, too. Perhaps especially in the summer.@Albertagirl, @C clearly, I was referring to walking a man's summer Camino; sorry ladies
And yes, keeping the pack light is easier when staying in rooms with a bath either at albergues or small pensions, hotels. (my usual CF budget is a bit less than €70/day.) Sorry again, wasn't thinking.
Tru Earth website says that it can be used on wool, if special care is taken.Thank you, @trecile . Unfortunately, Breezeo strips are not available in Germany.
Maybe I'll just try one of the products I can get here (Magic Leaves or Tru Earth – officially not suited for wool or silk) on an older merino shirt and see what happens. I mean, what could happen?
Thank you for that!Tru Earth website says that it can be used on wool, if special care is taken.
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Great idea!Since it's not a wilderness walk, and there are stores in Spain it's pretty easy to adjust
I added a very lightweight (1.2 oz/34 gm) dry bag to my gear after my 1st Camino which serves the same purpose as a Scrubba for a lower cost in both money and weight. And it's really not much added weight because I carry other gear in the bag.
My dirty clothes go in as I get into the shower. While the water is warming up I fill the bag with water and add a half a laundry detergent strip. Then I leave it aside to soak while I shower and dress. After my shower I shake the bag a bit to agitate it before emptying everything into the laundry sink where I rinse my clothes, which come out cleaner after their long soaking time than when I only used the albergue laundry sinks.
The knowledge gained by walking is the hardest part of the camino. In every aspect.First camino - 65+ litre pack, good leather (heavy) boots, 4kg sleeping bag, 3 layer Goretex long jacket, waterproof overpants, 3 litre platypus type hydration system. All wrong choices!
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