Eve Alexandra
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017 Astorga-SDC, April 2022 SJPP-Muxia
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I'm a little confused about pack weight. I know the 10% rule well. Every says it is *the number to follow.
Isn't 19 close to 18? You really don't need 18 pounds of stuff, but if you can comfortably carry it all day, feel free! You need to stop obsessing, be sensible, decide if you can carry that weight, and if the 1 pound makes any difference.*close to the 10% mark
I can understand the confusion. First, there is no 10% rule, although I do think it is a good rule of thumb for a summer camino for your bare pack weight to be less than 10% of your body weight. Bare weight is generally considered to be the weight without any consumables, ie food and water. So from what you have described, your bare pack weight is somewhere around 7 kg.I did a test of my pack weight a few weeks ago. I took it to the vet's office where they kindly weighed it for me as my home scale doesn't seem to want to register anything under 35 lbs.
10% of my ideal body weight is 18 lbs (I'm 6 ft tall).
It came it at 19 lbs..including 1.5 liters of water.
I'm traveling in March...I'm a little confused about pack weight. I know the 10% rule well. Every says it is *the number to follow.
I also read in a book (and once here buried in a thread I can no longer find) that up to 15% is more reasonable for a winter camino...middle of March being right on the edge of winter.
I've since bought and traded a few items. I added one of those Costco down quilts to my liner...another lb...and replaced the stupid fleece I hate with one that fits better (and probably weighs a bit more), and I am swapping out one of my hiking pants for a macabi skirt which has not yet arrived so idk what it weighs. I also swapped out my microfiber towel for a pare0 that weighs almost nothing.
I'll take it to the Vet's again, but if I'm *close to the 10% mark, am I doing well since it is end of winter? Or do I need to start tossing stuff and get it lower than 18-20 lbs?
I can understand the confusion. First, there is no 10% rule, although I do think it is a good rule of thumb for a summer camino for your bare pack weight to be less than 10% of your body weight. Bare weight is generally considered to be the weight without any consumables, ie food and water. So from what you have described, your bare pack weight is somewhere around 7 kg.
In spring and autumn, you might need to carry from 25% to 50% more, and in winter, it could be as much as double, depending on the conditions you expect to face. My experience in Apr was that I was able to achieve under 15% of my ideal walking weight as a bare pack weight.
I think a more reliable measure is to calculate your from the skin out (FSO) load, ie pack including consumables, clothing, footwear, poles, etc. As a rule of thumb, if your FSO load is less than 20% of your ideal walking weight, you should be able to walk in relative comfort. Above that, you will begin to slow down more quickly, etc.
In all of this, if you want to walk far, fast, or both, make sure the weight you carry is kept as low as you can.
I probably need to cut some clothes...It is hard to know what to bring when it could be quite warm...or freezing cold.
Remember that 2 thin layers are more versatile than 1 thick layer. On a cold day, put on all your clothes, and also rain gear is very good for insulation.I probably need to cut some clothes...It is hard to know what to bring when it could be quite warm...or freezing cold.
I did a test of my pack weight a few weeks ago. I took it to the vet's office where they kindly weighed it for me as my home scale doesn't seem to want to register anything under 35 lbs.
10% of my ideal body weight is 18 lbs (I'm 6 ft tall).
It came it at 19 lbs..including 1.5 liters of water.
I'm traveling in March...I'm a little confused about pack weight. I know the 10% rule well. Every says it is *the number to follow.
I also read in a book (and once here buried in a thread I can no longer find) that up to 15% is more reasonable for a winter camino...middle of March being right on the edge of winter.
I've since bought and traded a few items. I added one of those Costco down quilts to my liner...another lb...and replaced the stupid fleece I hate with one that fits better (and probably weighs a bit more), and I am swapping out one of my hiking pants for a macabi skirt which has not yet arrived so idk what it weighs. I also swapped out my microfiber towel for a pare0 that weighs almost nothing.
I'll take it to the Vet's again, but if I'm *close to the 10% mark, am I doing well since it is end of winter? Or do I need to start tossing stuff and get it lower than 18-20 lbs?
On my first attempt, a trial week, I took extra layers from my clothes for charity shop/old stuff. As it got warmer I ditched things.I probably need to cut some clothes...It is hard to know what to bring when it could be quite warm...or freezing cold.
Anything that is in the pack "because maaaaybe you will need" probably could stay home. Take the things you are sure you will need and have credit card/cash with you. If you really miss something, stop on the next town and buy it.
But as people said before, organize a list and post on the forum, member will be able to help more specifically.
I'm a small person (1,58m, 52kg/115 pounds) and I did my Frances in Spanish Spring. Backpack was 5kg (11 pounds).
When my wife and I walked, unhurriedly by the way, we carried more than we absolutely needed, as what you really need is almost nothing except an ATM card, and even that is optional, as we saw people walking with pretty much nothing. Carry what you want, discard what you don't want and just enjoy the trip. We took over sixty days stopping wherever we wanted for a couple of days and our longest walk was about fourteen miles. So what, we walked slowly and turned around and looked behind us a lot. Some people measure their camino in how fast they did it. Others only walk a part at a time. Some people make connections. Some people are solitary, although that seems a bit difficult in a steady stream of hikers in September. And some people take cabs and busses for part of the way. Some are religious and some aren't. Just be yourself and adapt as you go. It's only a walk in the country, and city
Hi there
The 10% or 15% is a guideline, more importantly what can you carry? How good is your pack? What practice have you had with it?
We had Macpac packs from New Zealand with liberator harness this means weight is not on shoulders but on hips. Our packs were fitted to our back length and his worked for us when we walked last year in May and June. We are both mid 50's I am 5'8" and carried 13kgs easily although next time (hopefully 2018) I may lighten this or alter the contents slightly (one camino tells you what is important to preserve your own little happiness aura). My husband Paul is 6' 3" and carried 17 kgs and said he didn't even know it weighed this much. Practice walks can never be under-rated. Good luck #so envious
If an item can do 2 jobs it is good, eg longjohns and long sleeve vest for cold evenings double as pyjamas. I carry one complete set of clothes, wear the other. There is room in my pack for the fleece I am 'wearing' as well as the second one. I can wear both if needed.
If you look at your pack with these sort of ideas then you might find you can tweak the items 'needed' or 'just in case'.
I can carry that 10% - just - on a hot day, ie wearing minimum of clothes with the rest in the pack . Total weight including clothes worn and contents of pockets, small camera is approx 15%. It is just a guide as to where to aim and for what might be comfortable.
... I've got two bottles of sea to summit...one that is shampoo/conditioner and one that is body/clothes wash.
I have merino wool base layer, top and bottoms, and a merino wool jumper. Can be expensive but never get smelly, wash once a year. Special properties make them ideal for the c camino. Also following a friends good advice I have a large poncho that covers my bag and most of me. Plenty of places have washing and drying facilities. I am not taking a change of clothes. My friend did it from France in spring with 5k lo bag, including sleeping bag.Some of the extra weight I have is clothes. I chose rain pants and a rain jacket because with a fleece and a base layer I need it to double as snow gear in case it is cold in O Cebreiro. I have 2 complete outfits (bottoms/base layer bottom/base layer top/fleece)...but each one includes both a short and a long sleeved shirt...I might need to double them up...or just use one if it turns out to be sunny and mid 50s in Galicia. And I ....ummmm...run hot at night, and I cannot bear the thought of being sweaty at night and then walking in those same clothes. So I have some light weight sleeping clothes. But I may see if I can reduce the weight of those...I weighed them on my kitchen scale last night and it came to almost a lb.
I probably should mention that the idea of buying clothes in Spain is just terrifying to me. I am very tall. And I have a 36 inch inseam. It is extremely difficult to find clothes that fit properly.
I have merino wool base layer, top and bottoms, and a merino wool jumper. Can be expensive but never get smelly, wash once a year. Special properties make them ideal for the c camino. Also following a friends good advice I have a large poncho that covers my bag and most of me. Plenty of places have washing and drying facilities. I am not taking a change of clothes. My friend did it from France in spring with 5th lo bag, including sleeping bag.
I began walking in April, and it was pretty chilly. I took only one fleece, as I always wore it over layers, so I didn't have to wash it often. And I wore it most days at the beginning of my walk. There were days I did wear almost everything in my clothes bag, and it was fine.
A favorite quote of mine from this forum (maybe it was from Mspath?) "We pack our fears".
My pack was about 12 lb and I still had stuff I didn't need. So I do agree, post your pack!
Buen Camino!
A pullover, also have a fleece for top layerWhat's a jumper?
A woolly pullover or button up top with long sleeves as @Verity says.What's a jumper?
I would at least leave the following items at home:
led teeny flashlight
head lamp
kindle + its charger - (if you have a smartphone, use the Kindle App for this)
body wash/laundry soap in one - use the shampoo/conditioner for everything
travel razor
1 ltweight wool sock (for night) - no need for night socks, just use the ones you are planning to wear next day
lt weight top for dinner - no need for extra dinner clothes
pj pants
Buen Camino, SY
Check out this weather website for weather along the Camino from past years during the time period you will be there: https://www.wunderground.com/I probably need to cut some clothes...It is hard to know what to bring when it could be quite warm...or freezing cold.
OK, here's the list. It is 8 kg...not counting the stuff I would be wearing/carrying
Not in the pack (assuming I'm wearing these)
Altra Lone Peak Mids 13.3 oz
Altra Gators 1.3 oz
poles
travel belt with the obvious
fleece
buff
1 bra/1 underwear
1 toe socks/1 smartwool socks
1 hiking pants
short sleeve base layer
base layer pants
long sleeve base layer top
Deuter ACT 35+10
Xero sandals 6 oz
safety pins
led teeny flashlight
head lamp
compeed/tape/a few pain reliever pills/script medicines/inhaler
rain cover
sleeping bag liner plus costco quilt
journal/pen
kindle
phone
plug converter/two charging cords
gloves
rain jacket
rain pants
sun hat
sunglasses/contacts
tp
ear plugs
pareo
moisturizer sunscreen sample size
shampoo/cond in one
body wash/laundry soap in one
travel razor/travel toothbrush/travel paste
1 bra
2 underwear
2 smart wool socks
2 toe socks
1 ltweight wool sock (for night)
vaseline travel size
macabi skirt
short sleeve baselayer
long sleeve baselayer
base layer pants
lt weight top for dinner
pj pants
Check out this weather website for weather along the Camino from past years during the time period you will be there: https://www.wunderground.com/
That way you will get somewhat of an idea what to expect.
Your pack list looks okay to me, and that Deuter backpack looks like a good choice. The only thing I would recommend dumping are the pj pants. No need for pj's in the albergues. If you get cold just wear your base layer pants to sleep in.
I would not take both extra hiking pants and macabi. I chose Macabi for evenings last time as the Macabi was great for after shower.
You have two base layer pants so I would leave single use sleep pants at home. Also you can sleep in one pair of your hiking socks and eliminate your sleep socks
One extra under pants is enuf for me.
I'd use a phone app for flashlight rather than a separate small light.
The long sleeve top for dinner should not be a dedicated item. I walk in my long sleeve button up camp shirt and it is also a "wrap" for evenings.
Just my 2 cents.....
Cherie
I've been tracking the weather in several places on my phone, and I also looked up the average times of sunrise/sunset and average temps for March as well. It could be snowy and bitterly cold in O Cebriero...and a week later it could be sunny and 50's in Galicia.
Yeah, no way to predict it. By looking up on that website the past weather for 2-3 years back in the various places on the Camino route, you can get an average idea what to expect. Not set in stone, mind you, but helps a little bit in planning.I've been tracking the weather in several places on my phone, and I also looked up the average times of sunrise/sunset and average temps for March as well. It could be snowy and bitterly cold in O Cebriero...and a week later it could be sunny and 50's in Galicia.
So yes layering is the best option.
I will be walking appr. in the same period.
My layering is :
one short sleeved Merino
one long sleeved MErino
a thin fleece
a rain jacket. And trousers of course
Hopefully able to peel one or two layers off during the day.
All the base layer tops are made to fit so tight. I think I would be uncomfortable in public in them by themselves. That is why I planned for a rayon top for dinner times....what is everyone else wearing in the evenings?
This is exactly what I'm planning. Are you bringing two sets or one?
Oh I forgot to mention kindle. I'd leave that at home and use kindle app on phone.
Re head lamp....I didn't take mine and wished I had, so I can see where that could be helpful in March. My ideal leaving time is about 7:15. I went in Sept/Oct and 7:15 was plenty light in Sept but I found I had to wait until about 8:15 by mid October. Not so good.
KEEP THE HEADLAMP ... lol, you won't regret it !I finally decided that I'd rather get up early for the ability to walk slowly than to feel rushed. Plus someone sent me a gorgeous pic of sunrise and I got to thinking being up at sunrise would be lovely.
So the head lamp was a last minute purchase. It weights 4 oz including the batteries. I'm really hesitant to leave that at home, given I'm likely going to be taking a slow pace.
I finally decided that I'd rather get up early for the ability to walk slowly than to feel rushed. Plus someone sent me a gorgeous pic of sunrise and I got to thinking being up at sunrise would be lovely.
So the head lamp was a last minute purchase. It weights 4 oz including the batteries. I'm really hesitant to leave that at home, given I'm likely going to be taking a slow pace.
Rather similar, overall. A bit less clothes. I will look at that. I think I may just try to sleep in my merino bottom base layers and see how it goes. Maybe it won't be as awful as I imagine.
Did I list 2 pair of pants plus skirt? It is one of each, total.
The only clothes I ever carried on the Camino was the clothes I walked in, so I always just wore the "clean" set from my pack as the other set was hanging to dry outside, or if dry, already in my pack. I had no specific clothing for not walking times, dinner, etc.All the base layer tops are made to fit so tight. I think I would be uncomfortable in public in them by themselves. That is why I planned for a rayon top for dinner times....what is everyone else wearing in the evenings?
It really is not awful. Trust me you will be fine. Everyone will be looking at the guys in their speedos anyway...just kidding
The only clothes I ever carried on the Camino was the clothes I walked in, so I always just wore the "clean" set from my pack as the other set was hanging to dry outside, or if dry, already in my pack. I had no specific clothing for not walking times, dinner, etc.
Being that you are walking the Camino in early spring, I'd say you will be wearing your fleece top a lot in the evenings. I know I would that time of year.
Apparently you did not. My mistake and I apologize.
Hmmm...if I plan on wearing my fleece in a restaurant I won't feel quite so uncomfortable in a tight fitting merino shirt. Is it hot in restaurants there like it is here?
You will be comfortable in the fleece. Take into consideration that you will cool down after several hours of walking.
Temperatures in the restos are ok, not too hot or too cold imho.
Eve, March is my favorite time to walk...company if you want it and solitude if you don't.
And you're right: the weather can be all over the place. It can be warm and sunny one day and snowing the next. So layers are important. What those need to be depends on how you relate to cold, because early mornings in March can be very chilly.
Others have said what to leave behind from your list, so I don't need to say more about that. But I would definitely add something: a buff or a merino beanie to keep your head warm on those cold mornings.
Gloves should be merino or heavier wool; I found fleece to be useless.
With a buff you should be fine without the beanie. You'll definitely need the sun hat though, so that's a good call.I took off my beanie in favor of a sun hat.
I looked at my list and it was sort of vague between the pants and the base layers...prolly the confusion. I'm waiting on my macabi skirt to arrive. If I like it as much as I suspect I will, I'm knocking around the idea of buying another and dropping pants altogether. It looks more comfortable to me.
Maybe not a bad choice. Many women walk in them and love them. I love them for travel (flights, train, auto) but feared I would get tripped up in all that fabric, were I to hike in one. I am a fanatic about pockets and having recently lost weight making my favorite hiking pants too large, opted to cut one of my (gulp) four Macabi's off to knee length. I LOVE this new freedom. I don't need a belt and I don't have to undo the drawstring for a quick stop, which is a big plus when in a hurry. For my daily walks, I am wearing a base layer under. Taking a light weight pair of biking shorts for when the temp gets too warm for the base layer. (Added that item when I found that adjusting my pack sometimes resulted in hiking up the skirt).
I just replied on the altus poncho/rainpants thread about skirts and raingear...I don't take pants and love the freedom of walking in a skirt.I looked at my list and it was sort of vague between the pants and the base layers...prolly the confusion. I'm waiting on my macabi skirt to arrive. If I like it as much as I suspect I will, I'm knocking around the idea of buying another and dropping pants altogether. It looks more comfortable to me.
With a buff you should be fine without the beanie. You'll definitely need the sun hat though, so that's a good call.
Those gloves sound great; just test them to make sure they work if it's wet.
I didn't have a head lamp planned. But then I realize I may need to start at 6:30 ish to walk 20-25 km when there are less daylight hours. I plan on walking slowly. I'll be there before and after daylight savings. Sunrise is 7:30 and then almost 8:30 am. Still no headlamp?
I just replied on the altus poncho/rainpants thread about skirts and raingear...I don't take pants and love the freedom of walking in a skirt.
Very strong wind can be interesting but fortunately it doesn't happen so much.
[Edit: I take nylon undies that go down the thigh a bit to use on cold days...if you have those, yes, ditch the bike shorts]
I never take one and I am a slow walker also, at least at the beginning ;-) In many places/big towns you can start early as there are street lamps, in smaller places I always wait until there is enough light and I am anyway not a morning person. In March you have appr. 11 hours of daylight, see f.e. here http://www.timebie.com/sun/burgoses.php
11 hours are normally enough to walk 20-25 km ;-) Buen Camino, SY
Oh goodness! It just dawned on me! Rain pants are dumb if I'm in a skirt! Do I just not worry about the bottom then?
You can save almost half a pound by cutting the width of your Costco comforter to the same width as your silk liner. Then tuck it inside the liner when you sleep. I would sew two lines of stitching about a quarter inch apart then cut down the middle of them to avoid allowing too much down out. Then sew seam binding along the raw edge.
I used a 7 ounce down blanket that was about the width of my silk liner, and it was perfect tucked inside.
OK, so we take our fears with us, right? My other fear is that Im going to be an utter failure at long distance walking. The worst I can imagine is 8 hours for 20 km...assuming lots of stops to rest. If I leave at 8, I'm not arriving till after siesta time, and I'm worried about having enough time to shower/eat/get to mass, or even just rest before bed...
What if 25 km takes me 10 hours! Sigh...
I'm not terribly out of shape. Just average. I can walk 5 km in an hour easily on flat ground at home. But I never do long distance walking. I've been doing 5-6 miles on and off with no trouble, and once or twice did 8 miles . Then one day I ventured out and walked 10 miles in 3.5 hours. And man was I sore. I have since learned that was too fast and I didn't take any breaks. Still, it scared me....
I put my rain pants under my skirt just like the base layer. Not trying to make a fashion statement. Pants keep the water from my boots and serve as wind break.
Yes, just on top of me. Not necessary underneath.So it was one layer of down quilt inside the liner, instead of 2? Am I following you right?
I ordered the slim skirt and I am quite tall, so I think the length won't be nearly as awkward on me as it is on some. I could easily see myself using that sort of funky capri pant option with merino base layer under it...or my other set which is underarmor cold gear for the snowy days. I'm guessing I won't need a pair of bike shorts in March. Is that unwise? Hmmmm...now that I think about it, if it were 50 degrees I might prefer that...and they could double as sleep shorts!
Yes, just on top of me. Not necessary underneath.
I seriously doubt you'll be a failure, Eve!Still, it scared me....
I'm walking from mid April to last part of May so I am preparing for warmer temps. Also not taking anything else. No other hiking pants and no other Macabi.
One skirt plus base layer total? What if it tears or something?
One skirt plus base layer total? What if it tears or something?
No what if's, but as a matter of practicality there are my base layer and bike shorts (both if necessary) between me and the world. Don't worry; I have no intention of subjecting the world to my 70 year old scrawny rear.
... My other fear is that Im going to be an utter failure at long distance walking. The worst I can imagine is 8 hours for 20 km...assuming lots of stops to rest. If I leave at 8, I'm not arriving till after siesta time, and I'm worried about having enough time to shower/eat/get to mass, or even just rest before bed...
What if 25 km takes me 10 hours! Sigh...
I'm not terribly out of shape. Just average. I can walk 5 km in an hour easily on flat ground at home. But I never do long distance walking. I've been doing 5-6 miles on and off with no trouble, and once or twice did 8 miles . Then one day I ventured out and walked 10 miles in 3.5 hours. And man was I sore. I have since learned that was too fast and I didn't take any breaks. Still, it scared me....
The trick is to start slowly ;-) Don't rush your speed! Many of us, me included, have never done any long distance hiking before our first Camino and we still made it!. Buen Camino, SY
That's my plan. But does start slowly mean to make my first days shorter, or just walk slower? Or both? Dumb question I know, but I have not seen an answer to this on the fb groups I'm on at all.
lol. 70? Oh my gosh, from your pick I thought you were at least 20 years younger. Hiking must be good for keeping one young.
That said I don't think I can bring myself to bring less than 2 bottoms, total. I'm not quite there yet.
In my case both. Just start the day with a bit of stretching and then start walking slowly until you have warmed up. Also helps to prevent injuries. But really, try to not to over-think things, it all will fall into place once you are on the way. More than 250,000 pilgrims arrived last year in Santiago, if they made it, why shouldn't you make it? BC SY
I dropped 1 lb with some of your suggestions. The rest I'm going to wait until a few bits arrive (like seeing if I want to cut down my Costco quilt)...and adding in a lightweight pair of bike shorts for both sleeping and walking under my skirt if the weather is nice...and looking into dropping some of the soaps...And I read in Packing Tips about dropping contacts (mine are dailies)...I may do that if I can get a lightweight pair of prescription sunglasses to switch back and forth....
Not going without my kindle, y'all. I have all these lovely images in my head of reading under a tree when I rest. And my camino guide is on kindle too. I am too old to read for enjoyment on my phone.
Not wanting to burst your bubble but without distance walking experience, being tired after a 10 mile walk and a >15 mi goal for day after day, there won't be much reading for enjoyment.
Or resting under a tree I fear...might be too cold for that so early in the year..
All the base layer tops are made to fit so tight. I think I would be uncomfortable in public in them by themselves. That is why I planned for a rayon top for dinner times....what is everyone else wearing in the evenings?
I looked at my list and it was sort of vague between the pants and the base layers...prolly the confusion. I'm waiting on my macabi skirt to arrive. If I like it as much as I suspect I will, I'm knocking around the idea of buying another and dropping pants altogether. It looks more comfortable to me.
I've got a buff. I'm planning on wearing it every day. Figuring it'll cover my ears and keep the hair out of my face and if its super windy I'll use it to cover the lower half of my face......
I took off my beanie in favor of a sun hat. But I've no clue which will be more likely to be necessary in March. And I didn't want to bring both...
Quite a read this has becomeI just wanted to mention an issue not many have. I would get very cold at the end of the day until I found food, so my fleece coat & rain jacket combined were a godsend. Even in 80 degrees. I finally just started getting food between 1300 & dinner. But I needed my fleece coat. I walked the beginning of April until the first week in May to Finnesterre. If I planned a March stroll I would add a light cardigan sweater.
KEEP THE HEADLAMP ... lol, you won't regret it !
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