m2m4christ
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Spring 2023
I’ve posted a few times in the last few days just to offer the few valuable tips that I’ve learned along the way so far. I’m not even sure I’ve ever formally introduced myself. I’m Melissa from Virginia and a mom of ten. I’m here with two of my sons and our Camino has not gone perfectly. But it’s still been an amazing adventure filled with unforgettable moments and some stretching ones. This community is amazing. Thank you for helping us along the way with sickness etc. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about this post for a while but honestly didn’t know if I could add anything new but being here has shown me how important sharing information and resources are. I thought I would share a few of my favorite gear things.
1) Somewhere I read to bring zip lock bags. So I did. The post that I read said bring more than you think you will need you will use them for anything and everything. They were right. Make sure you bring a stash of quart and gallon size zip lock bags. You will use them for everything from organization to storing food or liquid items or dirty laundry. We’ve used all of ours.
2) A down vest- I have loved mine on these cool days but I love wearing mine at home too. You can get a really light one but I brought my regular north face one and it’s almost always on my body. While the boys have to stop to take their jacket off or put it on I just wear my vest and stay comfortable heating up or cooling down.
3) A scarf that doubles as a hair towel after bathing.
4) A packable towel. Has been useful for so many things. Like I said earlier I’m a mom of 10 kids cleanliness is important but not just for bathing. If you want to sit somewhere and it’s slightly wet or dirty toss down the pack towel. One day my shoes were absolutely soaked. We stuffed the pack towel down. You can use it for a million things that I never thought of before this trip. It washes up and of course dries easily.
5) Bring a regular mask and N95. Even if you just need to run into the pharmacy to buy band aids you have to wear a mask before entering. If you in up in Burgos ER like we did an N95 is great to have. Nothing political just our genuine experience. We were glad to have packed one of each.
6) Duct tape. I researched, and I’ve hiked and even worked for the Appalachian trail conference. I never in a million years thought I would get blisters. Our friend is an expedition doctor and looked at our packs before leaving and said here is some duct tape. I half brought it to appease him. Lo and behold I had horrific blisters that had busted wide open after hiking Roncesvalles to Zubiri in the snow. The next day I put on antibiotic gel cut a gauze pad to fit over the blisters the duct taped the heck out of my heels. It kept me walking pain free. At night I pulled them off cleaned them and replaced them the next day. My blisters were protected and healed very quickly. When I began to run low I started looking around town for duct tape. Just bring it. It worked wonders over leukotape. There is another blister preventer made by KT that is also amazing. Once it goes on it is almost impossible to get off. That worked for me after my blister healed up but I still wanted light protection. It just works.
7) Nuun tablets with caffeine. I’ve loved my little stash of Nuun. Replaces electrolytes has vitamins and minerals and caffeine for extra boost in those early days. Also good if someone get sick and your not sure where else to find electrolytes.
8) oh the things I thought before coming on the Camino. Two pairs of underwear. Totally fine make at least one quick dry. But I was so glad I brought different types of socks fully padded smart wool, darn tough runners, even a thin liner sock. Remember this one thing- you are relying on your feet. Keep your pack light but socks are important I was glad I’ve had a variety. What I wouldn’t leave without, a thin liner sock. Works great to act as another barrier over duct tape and keep all that from moving.
9) What I wouldn’t bring again. Rain pants. For me they are too hot. I would bring a longer rain jacket and buy some calf snow gators. They are lighter faster to get on and off and not as hot.
That’s my list! Hope this helps someone.
1) Somewhere I read to bring zip lock bags. So I did. The post that I read said bring more than you think you will need you will use them for anything and everything. They were right. Make sure you bring a stash of quart and gallon size zip lock bags. You will use them for everything from organization to storing food or liquid items or dirty laundry. We’ve used all of ours.
2) A down vest- I have loved mine on these cool days but I love wearing mine at home too. You can get a really light one but I brought my regular north face one and it’s almost always on my body. While the boys have to stop to take their jacket off or put it on I just wear my vest and stay comfortable heating up or cooling down.
3) A scarf that doubles as a hair towel after bathing.
4) A packable towel. Has been useful for so many things. Like I said earlier I’m a mom of 10 kids cleanliness is important but not just for bathing. If you want to sit somewhere and it’s slightly wet or dirty toss down the pack towel. One day my shoes were absolutely soaked. We stuffed the pack towel down. You can use it for a million things that I never thought of before this trip. It washes up and of course dries easily.
5) Bring a regular mask and N95. Even if you just need to run into the pharmacy to buy band aids you have to wear a mask before entering. If you in up in Burgos ER like we did an N95 is great to have. Nothing political just our genuine experience. We were glad to have packed one of each.
6) Duct tape. I researched, and I’ve hiked and even worked for the Appalachian trail conference. I never in a million years thought I would get blisters. Our friend is an expedition doctor and looked at our packs before leaving and said here is some duct tape. I half brought it to appease him. Lo and behold I had horrific blisters that had busted wide open after hiking Roncesvalles to Zubiri in the snow. The next day I put on antibiotic gel cut a gauze pad to fit over the blisters the duct taped the heck out of my heels. It kept me walking pain free. At night I pulled them off cleaned them and replaced them the next day. My blisters were protected and healed very quickly. When I began to run low I started looking around town for duct tape. Just bring it. It worked wonders over leukotape. There is another blister preventer made by KT that is also amazing. Once it goes on it is almost impossible to get off. That worked for me after my blister healed up but I still wanted light protection. It just works.
7) Nuun tablets with caffeine. I’ve loved my little stash of Nuun. Replaces electrolytes has vitamins and minerals and caffeine for extra boost in those early days. Also good if someone get sick and your not sure where else to find electrolytes.
8) oh the things I thought before coming on the Camino. Two pairs of underwear. Totally fine make at least one quick dry. But I was so glad I brought different types of socks fully padded smart wool, darn tough runners, even a thin liner sock. Remember this one thing- you are relying on your feet. Keep your pack light but socks are important I was glad I’ve had a variety. What I wouldn’t leave without, a thin liner sock. Works great to act as another barrier over duct tape and keep all that from moving.
9) What I wouldn’t bring again. Rain pants. For me they are too hot. I would bring a longer rain jacket and buy some calf snow gators. They are lighter faster to get on and off and not as hot.
That’s my list! Hope this helps someone.
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