Items mailed or left behind

[Jo Jo]

There are plenty of posts on equipment to take. What I would appreciate is a list of items pilgrims took that they ultimately either mailed to Santiago or just left behind. In other words, what not to take. Thanks in advance. We start walking july 3.

Thank you,
Jo Jo

 

[wayfarer]

I brought a small lightweight tent but posted it home from St. Jean due to wet weather and a bad forecast.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Sleeping bags, heavy jackets, and sleeping mats are regularly left behind or mailed home. Extra cosmetics/toiletries are regularly abandoned. You see hair dryers and small backpacks/fanny packs in donation boxes, too.

 

[Mark Lee]

I think I abandoned more stuff than I finished with.....

 

[Stellere]

I mailed forward my light down jacket and my camera. I didn't regret mailing forward my camera - it was a last-minute impulsive addition to my pack. My phone was plenty good enough for my needs. My down jacket I *did* regret mailing forward. There were several evenings when I would have been happy to have it.

Altogether, the camera and the jacket weighed about 500 grams. I probably wouldn't have bothered sending them at all, but my dad was sending a package, and I figured that I may as well lighten my load a bit.

 

[CaminoKris2013]

Even though I did skim a lot to fit in my 28l pack, I am hoping that after walking this much that I can get rid of some clothes I hope that will be to big .


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[Say Simba]

There are plenty of posts on equipment to take. What I would appreciate is a list of items pilgrims took that they ultimately either mailed to Santiago or just left behind. In other words, what not to take. Thanks in advance. We start walking july 3.

Thank you,
Jo Jo

1 Spanish language book and one extra rain repellant pants that were too big anyway left at albergue in Orisson after the first day.
1 Adidas running pants left somewhere long the trail.
1 extra pair of short pants.
1 cotton "Go Army" t-shirt left at Estrella albergue.
1 pair Merrill Mid hiking shoes traded for a bigger pair of Guachoa low-top hiking shoes at Estrella.
1 regular size toothbrush, traded in for a half-size toothbrush I got complimentary of a hotel stay.
1 can of shaving gel traded in for a tube of the same, but lighter.
Some other stuff I just can't remember, cause I now remember it wasn't important, so I dropped it.

 

[Metropolly]

I've sent home a Goretex jacket, spare fleece, spare shirt, stinky polyester hiking tops, spare trousers, spare socks, underwired sports bra, maps once I was off the page, make-up, bulky wash-bag, heavy nightshirt. Gave away a large and heavy backpack and heavy single walking pole. Bought along the way: Ziploc bags, lightweight cotton nightshirt, shorts, light cotton T-shirt, light trail shoes, light pair of walking poles, smaller backpack!

 

[camino-david]

On my first Camino, I took a rain jacket AND a poncho. After only 3 days I gave the poncho to another pilgrim, and didn't regret it once. A lesson in never taking 'just in case' items.

 

[JanetEllen]

On my first Camino, I took a rain jacket AND a poncho. After only 3 days I gave the poncho to another pilgrim, and didn't regret it once. A lesson in never taking 'just in case' items.

That's interesting. I am going this Sept/Oct and have been packing and re-packing. I thought he poncho would serve a double purpose as a bug-proof sheet under my sleeping bag. Do you think this is necessary? I would much rather just bring my rain jacket only.

 

[Carol06]

I dumped my headlamp. Stupid thing thar never shone where I wanted it to. And not user friendly for fellow pilgrims. And my merino boxer underwear. It was only suitable foe nuns doing penance. Fortunately I had some very lightweight knickers that I could use instead.

 

[Perejil]

What happens to all the equipment left behind?
Especially in Santiago. There must be lots of equipment that people don't bring back and is still useful.
Someone should set up an exchange store at the beginning and end of the trail, so pilgrims can buy supplies at the beginning of the trail and donate them at the end. HaHa

 

[Metropolly]

That's interesting. I am going this Sept/Oct and have been packing and re-packing. I thought he poncho would serve a double purpose as a bug-proof sheet under my sleeping bag. Do you think this is necessary? I would much rather just bring my rain jacket only.

Either one is fine. My own preference is poncho not jacket, but if you already feel more comfortable about the idea of bringing a jacket, then that's probably the right choice for you. Anyway if you change your mind you can pick up a cheap poncho on the way and sent your jacket home - it's harder to pick up a cheap Goretex jacket along the way

 

[Metropolly]

What happens to all the equipment left behind?
Especially in Santiago. There must be lots of equipment that people don't bring back and is still useful.
Someone should set up an exchange store at the beginning and end of the trail, so pilgrims can buy supplies at the beginning of the trail and donate them at the end. HaHa

There are now 'clothes banks' along the roads where you can donate unwanted stuff - I think it's then given to the needy. But always wash your unwanted items and make sure they are bedbug-free before donating them; let's not give the needy any further problems

 

[Al the optimist]

Just realised I inadvertently (obviously) left my phone charger in Carrion along with an external battery.

 

[Kanga]

Just realised I inadvertently (obviously) left my phone charger in Carrion along with an external battery.

Al, oh dear. No posts from you for a few days?

 

[unadara]

There is a box of those chargers on the Camino...my daughter bought a great 2 pin plug 3 way usb charger in the chinese bazaar, she left it with me after my pleading, i left it on the bed 2 days later, oh well, camera charger and battery left in Villafrance first camino, chinese phone charger blew out fuses in a hotel (not mine!) and phone, adaptors, etc all get a bit of a pain...but I did like to be able to post messages on blog as there are NO pcs (computers) anywhere-except in Zafra!

 

[Al the optimist]

Al, oh dear. No posts from you for a few days?

Only 2 days from Leon. Will see what I cam do then to continue making your life a misery.