James van Hemert
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino de Frances April 2022
In the year of planning for my Frances Camino pilgrimage I read the many threads on this forum and carefully curated and gathered my gear. I considered this and that, weighed everything, tossed some things out, changed things out, and finally, at 8.3 kilos I was ready to walk out the door and begin.
Equipment win #1 Shock corded Gatorade bottle
For hydration I decided on a simple reusable one liter water bottle. I attached it to my backpack strap using two lengths of shock cord. The idea was posted here
I expected to be changing out the water bottle as it wore out, but the bottle I started with lasted the entire trip --all 6 weeks! I dropped it many times and it just kept going. I tried another brand of bottle along the way and it didn't last nearly as well. So, Gatorade is your friend.
Equipment win #2 Cheerios towel
I spent a lot of time figuring out what would be the best towel to take. One morning as I ate a bowl of Cheerios I saw an offer: capture two proof of purchase codes and receive one free towel. I bought another Cheerios box and, like back in the days of my youth, waited for the swag to arrive in the mail. A tiny package arrived a few weeks later and contained a large and bright yellow and green towel with images of a canoe and a hiker and assorted outdoor activities. It measures 27 by 58 inches ( 69 by 148 cms) weiighs 193 grams, and is 100% polyester. Amazingly, it was quite absorbent, dried quickly, and worked well as a hanging privacy curtain for a lower bunk bed. So, folks, keep an eye out for a future General Mills Cheerios towel offer, or look for an inexpensive towel of similar dimensions and material. Cost: two boxes of cereal, approximately $10 CDN.
Equipment win #1 Shock corded Gatorade bottle
For hydration I decided on a simple reusable one liter water bottle. I attached it to my backpack strap using two lengths of shock cord. The idea was posted here
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/carry-water-bottles-on-front-of-pack-how-to.34569/
Total cost: $4 CDN, inclusive of the first drink of Gatorade.I expected to be changing out the water bottle as it wore out, but the bottle I started with lasted the entire trip --all 6 weeks! I dropped it many times and it just kept going. I tried another brand of bottle along the way and it didn't last nearly as well. So, Gatorade is your friend.
Equipment win #2 Cheerios towel
I spent a lot of time figuring out what would be the best towel to take. One morning as I ate a bowl of Cheerios I saw an offer: capture two proof of purchase codes and receive one free towel. I bought another Cheerios box and, like back in the days of my youth, waited for the swag to arrive in the mail. A tiny package arrived a few weeks later and contained a large and bright yellow and green towel with images of a canoe and a hiker and assorted outdoor activities. It measures 27 by 58 inches ( 69 by 148 cms) weiighs 193 grams, and is 100% polyester. Amazingly, it was quite absorbent, dried quickly, and worked well as a hanging privacy curtain for a lower bunk bed. So, folks, keep an eye out for a future General Mills Cheerios towel offer, or look for an inexpensive towel of similar dimensions and material. Cost: two boxes of cereal, approximately $10 CDN.
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