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Hi- I am planning on walking CF beginning in SJPP on Apr 2. I have a couple of questions I need help on as I work on my packing plans.
1. I have poles I really like (REI telescoping 14 oz) but they will not fully fit inside my Osprey Manta 36. The top half of the foam grip would stick out of the zipper. I do not want to check my bag on the way there, although I don't mind checking on the return. Should I leave my poles at home and plan to buy some in SJPP?
2. For my warm insulating jacket, I would like to take my older Patagonia down jacket which weighs 11.4 oz. I have a newer one, so if I don't end up using this I could donate it (or just use it as a pillow). I also have a fleece which weighs 6.84 oz. It isn't quite as convenient in that it is a quarter zip instead of a full zip jacket and I wouldn't want to just donate it if I am not using it, but it does weigh less. Which would you recommend I take?
Right now it looks like my pack would be about 12.5 lb without water (not counting pole weight but assuming I took down jacket not fleece).
Thank you for any advice you can offer!
Andrea
1) As Davebugg said if you place your trek poles in the outside pocket and tie them together you should n0t have problems getting through security check.
On the other hand if you don't want to bring your own you could buy some trekking poles in SJ. Keep in mind you will pay around 30-35$ for some cheap trekking poles.
2) Regarding warm insulation in my opinion you need either a softshell + fleece or a down + fleece. The walks from SJ to Roncesvalles - Alto del Perdòn - Montes de Oca - Cruz de Hierro requires you to have a decent insulation during spring. I personally would wear a merino shirt + a fleece and a softshell on top for windy/chilly mornings or a rain jacket. It depends on you. If you are like me bring a fleece + rain and softshell. If you on the other hand just can't stand cold temperatures, bring a down jacket
My Lekki poles were placed into the long outside pocket on my Gossamer Gear pack. They were tied together, and I had no problem going through Seattle's (SeaTac) TSA security check. The Icelandair flight had no qualms about the poles being visible when I carried my pack on board. When I was in Paris and boarded a regional flight to Biarritz, no problem. HOWEVER... when returning via Madrid airport, the poles were not allowed to be carried on. So, take it from there
As to your jacket... have you thought about just taking a down vest instead? With a long sleeve shirt, it will provide more than adequate warmth, and save half the weight (mine weighs 4 oz). Combined with a windshell jacket or a rain jacket, the warmth will increase by an even greater margin.
Did you just check your bag on the return from Madrid then? That is what I am leaning towards. I don't have a down vest (although I am not opposed to buying one) but I am not sure it would keep me warm enough if it is really cold. I live in Minnesota and run outdoors unless it is below -25F, but I know that until I get my blood pumping and warmed up I can chill easily.
There is another option - you carry on your pack with most of your stuff, and just check a disposable bag/packaging that contains your poles and any sharps. If the poles are delayed or lost, which happens rarely but does happen, then you buy replacements in SJPP.I do not want to check my bag on the way there
I have been fortunate with carry-on poles. I too have a Patagonia light jacket but my last few Caminos I have worn a polifill coat. Layered with a merino undershirt a longsleeve shirt, and my rainjacket it has worked well. I will reserve the brand but I bought another today at Costco for $29 . My Patabonia is better but fragile and expensive. This jacket compresses, is warm and can be washed easily........ Ultreya... Willy/Utah/USADid you just check your bag on the return from Madrid then? That is what I am leaning towards. I don't have a down vest (although I am not opposed to buying one) but I am not sure it would keep me warm enough if it is really cold. I live in Minnesota and run outdoors unless it is below -25F, but I know that until I get my blood pumping and warmed up I can chill easily.
There is another option - you carry on your pack with most of your stuff, and just check a disposable bag/packaging that contains your poles and any sharps. If the poles are delayed or lost, which happens rarely but does happen, then you buy replacements in SJPP.
I would check the whole pack.What do you do for returning from Madrid? Do you buy a container somewhere for the poles return? Or check the whole backpack?
If your REI poles have traditional twist-expansion collar tighteners, loosen them pull the poles apart, completely separating the sections. When you lay the disconnected sections side by side, tip-to-tip, you will find the overall length significantly less. In my experience, my Leki poles got about 3 inches shorter overall after I separated them.
Newer, lever-action locks work in a similar way. loosen the, then pull the segments apart, close the latches so you do not lose them.
I use largish postal rubber bands to lash all the sections together so all pieces arrive together.
If this reduction in length is enough to get them to fit your rucksack, wrap them in something so they go not snag anything else in your rucksack. I use bubble pack, saving the piece to use as a wet surface seat pad.
Repack you rucksack to the poles are in the center, more or less, surrounded by smaller and softer items. When you arrive, repack the bag.
With the poles, you are going to have to check the rucksack anyway. I use an inexpensive nylon laundry sack, obtained in my local dollar store, to protect the bag when checked. Buy some outlandish color so you bag is readily identifiable and no one is even tempted to purloin your bag.
Before checking your bag, be sure to remove EVERYTHING not easily replaceable on arrival. For me, that includes all documents, guide books, medications, nutritional supplements, electronics, spare eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses.
I carry these items onboard in a Sea to Summit 20-liter day pack that compresses to about he size of a tennis ball. On arrival, after I repack my rucksack, the S2S daypack becomes my "possibles bag." I use it on arrival in a town or village to buy groceries. It doubles as a day touring bag when I am on a rest day, a shopping bag, laundry bag, and expansion bag, for those very few days when I need extra carrying capacity.
I hope this helps.
My poles are like that but I have never tried to take them apart. I will do that. Do you need a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten them back up when you reassemble?
My poles are like that but I have never tried to take them apart. I will do that. Do you need a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten them back up when you reassemble?
The poles are technically not allowed on board planes in USA. They are supposed to be checked! I put them in a long nylon bag that is used for beach chairs then stuff newspapers around them till they are firmly protected and check them. The nylon weighs nothing and takes up very little room in my back back. I tape the end close with silver tape. Never had a problem.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/hiking-poles
If you get to the gate and the Poles are not allowed...then what!
Just another reason to allow plenty of time at the airport.1. If one has time, go back to the airline counter and check them as baggage.
2. If pressed for time with boarding, then leave them with the TSA agent.
Hi- I am planning on walking CF beginning in SJPP on Apr 2. I have a couple of questions I need help on as I work on my packing plans.
1. I have poles I really like (REI telescoping 14 oz) but they will not fully fit inside my Osprey Manta 36. The top half of the foam grip would stick out of the zipper. I do not want to check my bag on the way there, although I don't mind checking on the return. Should I leave my poles at home and plan to buy some in SJPP?
Take them just check them in a cardboard tube
2. For my warm insulating jacket, I would like to take my older Patagonia down jacket which weighs 11.4 oz. I have a newer one, so if I don't end up using this I could donate it (or just use it as a pillow). I also have a fleece which weighs 6.84 oz. It isn't quite as convenient in that it is a quarter zip instead of a full zip jacket and I wouldn't want to just donate it if I am not using it, but it does weigh less. Which would you recommend I take?
As long as you have a long sleeve wool shirt like a smartwool, a fleece, & a rain coat it will be all you need. Down will not keep you warm in very heavy rain eventually the rain coat will be overwhelmed. Especially if it rains for days.
Right now it looks like my pack would be about 12.5 lb without water (not counting pole weight but assuming I took down jacket not fleece).
Thank you for any advice you can offer!
Andrea
Here are a couple of YouTubes that may help. Most are related to maintenance, but they do show assembly/disassembly.
My poles are like that but I have never tried to take them apart. I will do that. Do you need a Phillips head screwdriver to tighten them back up when you reassemble?
No. The traditional twist collar fastener system uses a threaded bolt, around which the expansion collar moves up and down, expanding or contracting as it screws up or down.
Once apart, experiment and you will see. Tension between the collar bushing and the inside surface or the pole is what holds the system in place and ultimately, what holds the two segments in place.
No tools are needed.
Latching poles are similar, except there is no interior collar bushing or a threaded bolt. The latching system relies on tension from the latching mechanism to hold the pole segments in place. Over time, you MIGHT need a small Philips screwdriver to slightly tighten the latching mechanism. But most Swiss Army knives, or mini-pocket tools (e.g. Leatherman Style PS) have such a tool.
BTW, "davebugg's" video links above are OUTSTANDING! Watch them!
I hope this helps.
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