Kit for camino??

[Oceanroc7]

this is the final list of kit I will be taking (and wearing) to Peublo de Sanabria on Monday 6th August.
Why oh why does it still weigh 7.7 kg!!!

I guess the handbag is a luxury and the phone weight loads too.

 

[lizlane]

Your backpack itself probably weighs at least 3kg! Safe travels!

 

[Kitsambler]

You've both made excellent points: containers can have significant weight, and looking for lighter-weight alternatives can really pay off. Watch out for packs and sacks made with heavy-weight material or having unnecessary zippers and other fasteners. Have you weighed your backpack? Can you substitute a compressible daypack for the purse?

There are two other major culprits when battling weight:
- Paper. This is the heaviest substance known to man. Can you do your print-outs back-to-back? Can you minimize your books?
- Liquids. Water, and anything containing water, is heavy. Can you substitute dry versions for any of your toiletries?

 

[Oceanroc7]

Thanks for the tips.

My pack is an Osprey Kestrel 68 and weighs in 1.47 kg including waterproof cover. I have already got a lighter one in the past 12 months but am reluctant to get one too light as they can become almost fragile when they get ultra-light.
I have cut off loads of unnecessary straps, and shortened others.

You are so right about the weight of paper - I have just bought the Kindle version of Gerard Kelly's guide to the Camino Sanabres and so that is on my HTC phone. Much better than taking a guide book with me!

My phone is now my camera, map, guidebook, GPS (if necessary) translation guide and (of course) phone.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Fragile is OK.

The Camino is not a rock scramble, heavy brush, or cliff-lift activity. All the ultralite packs are adequate on the issue of strength.

 

[Kitsambler]

I am fond of the osprey packs myself, but a 68L model is overkill. My first walk, I used an Osprey Kestrel 48. Very comfortable unless it was a hot day, and roomy. Second walk, I downsized to an Osprey Kestrel 38L. Still comfortable unless it was hot, but a snug fit on the gear. Both the Kestrels suffer from putting the water bladder in the small of my back, so there is no airflow there. So the third walk, I took the Osprey Exos 46, which is the lightest of the three, has the water bladder sleeve inside - preserving the airflow across my back. I strongly recommend the Exos 46. Unlike the Kestrel models, it is not adjustable for torso length, so be sure to get measured and check the sizing. It is a very sturdy pack, surviving all sorts of mistreatment.

 

[LTfit]

I have got this packing business down to a science I think. Here is my pack and kit which I took this past July and on 2 previous Caminos in July (SJPdP-Fisterra and Sevilla-Zamora). It weighed in at 5,5 kg without water:

The poncho and camera stayed on the bottom of my pack (on the Via de la Plata last year I didn't even take a poncho). And this year I had an iphone with me and ended up taking pictures with that instead of my camera. Will ditch the camera next year.

I am truely a minimalist: 2 of everything (t-shirts, capri leggings, socks and underwear) + skirt and fleece. Toiletries include an all-in-one liquid soap. Not sure how much my pack weighs but it is an Osprey Aura 35L which was more than big enough - even had extra space.

Look forward to hearing about your travels as I plan on doing the stretch Zamora to Santiago via the Camino Sanabrés July 2013.

Cheers,
LT

 

[Oceanroc7]

Wow LT! That is some serious lightweight stuff and walking with 5.5 kg sounds superb.
It means you must be able to easily carry the required water (at least 2 litres I reckon on some days) without killing your knees.

I got my husband to vet my kit and have thrown out my bodywarmer and long-sleeved T-shirt and exchanged my thick buff for a thin one. I will also ditch the gloves and am thinking of going without waterproof trousers, although part of me still thinks I might need them in Galicia even in August.
The trousers only weigh 90 g so I will probably take them...

I am vain enough to want hair shampoo but that will also wash my clothes and body.
I wear contact lenses so lens solution and also glasses are a must as a back-up.

Thanks for your photo and wish me luck!!
Rachel

 

[LTfit]

Never take trousers but then again I have had great luck with weather - sunny, warm (and hot) days. My fleece was used in the morning and within an hour was pealed off. I also never encountered a drop of rain, even in Galicia.

Water is never an issue along the Francés as there are fountains everywhere and frequent towns, 2 500 ml bottles were always sufficient. The Via de la Plata from Sevilla was TOTALLY another story! I carried a 2L platypus in addition to my bottles and drank every drop. My body used it all as I never had to stop along the way...When I arrived I drank more and even with that my urine was always orange!

As you are starting in Pueblo de Sanabria I assume that you will be ok. The towns are closer together along the Sanabrés and the weather is cooler north of Salamanca.

How exciting for you - good luck and of course...buen camino !

 

[Pieces]

looks like you are weighing what you wear ?

if not you have one pair of shoes too many...

I a down to 4,2 kg including sleeping bag and backpack which is 1,5 kg together

 

[LTfit]

That is quite an accomplishment Pieces, especially considering you have a sleeping bag (I had a silk liner). Pray tell...

 

[Pieces]

lightweight gear, only the necessary...