What Count the Most : Your Passion for the Camino or the Carry Bag weight ?

[Walid Medawar]

Dears Pelegrinos / Pelegrinas

I always wonder when seeing all the posts about weight, don't the passion and love we put in the walks capable of overcoming the extra kilos ? ain't the anxiety of reaching Santiago and fulfilling our Camino capable of making us forget the long walks , the feet pain ect ,

To be honest , right now with all the tons of work I should finish before the Camino , and with few time for my physical preparation , I do still feel that since i'm driven by the passion of the Camino , I will do it no matter what , since no matter what will happen , whether I got injured , tired ect I will keep Going.
I even start to feel , that GOD make everything for a purpose , and for me to cultivate the fruit of my camino , I need to overcome my poor physical preparation.

Did anyone before faced the same situation ?

Buen camino

 

[waveprof]

Tell that to people who break their legs. Or try to carry the weight of three or four packs.

Sure, dedication and passion can help....can make you do better than someone else of the same physical shape with the same weight.......but I wouldn't go ignoring or discounting hardships either. Hardships aren't good to dwell on, but they are equally dangerous to ignore.

 

[Walid Medawar]

Hardships aren't good to dwell on, but they are equally dangerous to ignore.

Thanks you for your reply.Though Driven by My Passion I surely not ignoring any the hardship in My camino. I Just don't have much time to prepare as it should be , for my bag I'm not going for 15 Kilos , but yet for me it doesn't matter much whether it is 8.23 or 8.5 Kilos , yet My Bag won't be more than 8 Kilos. One reason of my Post as well , is to give myself more motivations as well ..

 

[Mark Lee]

There is an old expression..."work smarter, not harder". I suppose that could apply to walking the Camino or any other long distance walk or hike. Maybe the expression "pack smarter (lighter), not harder (heavier)" would be appropriate.

 

[Walid Medawar]

My pack Won't be More tha 8 KG

 

[Melensdad]

. . . yet for me it doesn't matter much whether it is 8.23 or 8.5 Kilos , yet My Bag won't be more than 8 Kilos. One reason of my Post as well , is to give myself more motivations as well ..

It wouldn't matter to 95% of the pilgrims if it was 8.23 or 8.5kg.

The key is to carry a comfortable weight, and what is comfortable in your living room is not necessarily going to be comfortable after 50, 100, or 250km.

I tend to put emphasis on the suspension system of the backpack. Some packs are designed to carry no more than 5kg, others are comfortable to carry with 15kg. Its all about the suspension system, the back panel, the way the pack fits to your body, etc. I carried about 12kg across England in May of this year and never really felt the weight. But my pack is designed to carry up to 20kg so loading only 10-12kg in that pack puts no real strain on the system. Take a different pack, one that is frameless, and put 10kg in it and I would have been miserable before lunch on the first day.

I also advocate "light hiking" boots or shoes. I prefer boots to keep debris, rocks, etc out of my shoes, but in any case I prefer light weight with good support. My boots are under 1kg for the pair. 1/2kg on you feet is roughly equal to 2.75kg on your back. So there are advantages to lighter footware too.

 

[november_moon]

There are people who really enjoy the small details. There are others who don't. It's just a different approach.

Realistically though, specifics like pack weight get talked about a lot more on this board than more nebulous things like passion and love for the simple reason that it is easier to talk about specifics. I think everybody who walks has a passion and love for the camino - why the heck else would we spend our precious free time doing it?

That said - do what you can to prevent injury though. You can press through if you are tired, but an injury could end your Camino.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I look at it what I think is reasonable make it as light as possible & comfortable, then toss if your body breaks down. The reality, if all you had was what you could wear including coat, as long as you have funds available you can easily get by.

To answer what I think you are asking, I would walk it with a loin cloth if that is all I had, just so I could do it.

In this world it seems the hard part are 2 issues:
Time
Funds

 

[Diggeratpctcd]

If you don't have the right pack weight u will have waning passion. I like it light. I'm gonna carry about 5lbs on Camino .

 

[fraluchi]

[...]I always wonder when seeing all the posts about Weight, don't the passion and Love we put in the Walks capable of overcoming the extra Kilos ? ain't the Anxiety of Reaching Santiago and fulfilling our Camino capable of Making us forget the Long walks , The Feet Pain ect ,

You'll find that out before you finish seven days of your walk. By then you'll be glad to send a box from the nearest Post Office with superfluous stuff in your pack to Santiago (Ivar's store can be recommended) and walk blister free the remainder of your pilgrimage.

 

[t2andreo]

In my experience, the second issue, pack weight, can affect the former, quality of Camino experience, at least in most persons I've encountered. There are always exceptions. However, if you carry relatively less on your back, you can devote less energy and thought to that issue and concentrate more and better on living in the moment, all the way to Santiago. Now, if I can only learn to follow my own advice on my Caminos, I would be a much happier pilgrim...

I hope this helps.

 

[xin loi]

Everyone wonders how difficult it will be. It is a long walk, that is all. Don't underestimate yourself!

Walked with a couple from Romania last year who both carried 18 kilos. Many people told them they were carrying too much and they said the weight did not matter to them. Also walked with a couple from Mexico City who carried their large packs holding everything for 6 months in Europe and wearing street shoes.

Koreans carry BIG packs and never whine. Wait until you see one pull earmuffs out of a pack on a cold morning.

Our biggest surprise on the Camino last year was finding that a lot people who were weight fanatics were putting extra bags in taxis and were staying in hotels, not albergues.

And by the way, the best place to get rocks to add weight to your pack is going down the hill after the cross of iron. By that time, you are in good shape and you don't even notice any weight in your pack.

 

[MichaelB10398]

Dears Pelegrinos / Pelegrinas

I always wonder when seeing all the posts about Weight, don't the passion and Love we put in the Walks capable of overcoming the extra Kilos ? ain't the Anxiety of Reaching Santiago and fulfilling our Camino capable of Making us forget the Long walks , The Feet Pain ect ,

To Be Honest , Right now with all the Tons of work I should finish before the Camino , and With few time for my Physical preparation , I do still feel that since i'm Driven by the passion of the Camino , I will do it no matter what , Since No Matter what will Happen , whether I got injured , tired ect I will keep Going.
I Even start to feel , that GOD make everything for a purpose , and for me To cultivate the Fruit of my camino , I need to overcome my Poor Physical preparation.

Did Anyone before faced the same Situation ?

Buen camino

I appreciate and admire your passion for the Camino. It is a feeling that most pilgrims can relate to and understand.

On this forum we strive to increase the probability that every pilgrim will accomplish the Camino and not be stopped by anything that can be controlled. It is for this reason you will read advice about packing light, what shoes to wear, what clothes are best, etc. However, this is only advice or counsel. Each of us should realize that the Camino has been walked for hundreds of years and none of those pilgrims from yesteryear had anything similar to the equipment we use today. If one desires to walk the Camino they will walk it regardless of what happens.

Some still walk the Camino barefoot, but I don't advise it unless you are very comfortable walking barefoot prior attempting the Camino. Some walk it in sandals and have no problems. Others walk the Camino in heavy hiking boots. The main issue for each pilgrim is doing enough preparation so that they have the best chance to enjoy the Camino and remain healthy throughout the experience.

Prepare where you can, be prudent in your daily choices, and the Camino will provide the rest. She is a wonderful teacher if we listen to her.

Peace and may each day of your Camino find you in good health,

 

[Buz Radican]

Everyone wonders how difficult it will be. It is a long walk, that is all. Don't underestimate yourself!

Walked with a couple from Romania last year who both carried 18 kilos. Many people told them they were carrying too much and they said the weight did not matter to them. Also walked with a couple from Mexico City who carried their large packs holding everything for 6 months in Europe and wearing street shoes.

Koreans carry BIG packs and never whine. Wait until you see one pull earmuffs out of a pack on a cold morning.

Our biggest surprise on the Camino last year was finding that a lot people who were weight fanatics were putting extra bags in taxis and were staying in hotels, not albergues.

And by the way, the best place to get rocks to add weight to your pack is going down the hill after the cross of iron. By that time, you are in good shape and you don't even notice any weight in your pack.

Walked the CF 1 May - 5 June this year, 36 days, no rest days, no blisters, pack weight of 14.5 kilos, minimal pre Camino training, and I was six months past my 70th birthday. Both my hiking partner and I "donated" clothes via the five finger discount off drying racks, presumably to hikers with ultra light packs who decided they didn't take quite enough. Only thing I did took and did not use was my poncho.

 

[gracethepilgrim]

I hesitate to weigh in on the ‘weight’ debate. So I won’t. But, in saying that, I have never weighed my pack or any of the contents. I sensibly train with it full and if I have no issues, then it’s fine. So for me, my emotional attention takes priority. Buen Camino

 

[Mark Lee]

Walked the CF 1 May - 5 June this year, 36 days, no rest days, no blisters, pack weight of 14.5 kilos, minimal pre Camino training, and I was six months past my 70th birthday. Both my hiking partner and I "donated" clothes via the five finger discount off drying racks, presumably to hikers with ultra light packs who decided they didn't take quite enough. Only thing I did took and did not use was my poncho.

Thirty pound pack? Dude, what were you hauling in that thing? I can't think of thirty pounds of stuff I'd need (or want) to walk the Camino Frances. Were ya'll sleeping outdoors every night and hauling tents?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Pack weight.

 

[MichaelSG]

Thirty pound pack? Dude, what were you hauling in that thing? I can't think of thirty pounds of stuff I'd need (or want) to walk the Camino Frances. Were ya'll sleeping outdoors every night and hauling tents?

A 70 year old pilgrim isn't a "dude"; he is a "sir" and I bet his answer to your question is "I carried what I wanted to carry".

 

[nathanael]

A 70 year old pilgrim isn't a "dude"; he is a "sir" and I bet his answer to your question is "I carried what I wanted to carry".

Amen brother, a 70 yr. old deserves to be called Sir in doing the Camino. I'm one of them. Buen Camino

 

[Mark Lee]

A 70 year old pilgrim isn't a "dude"; he is a "sir" and I bet his answer to your question is "I carried what I wanted to carry".

Lighten up.....dude.

 

[Buz Radican]

Thirty pound pack? Dude, what were you hauling in that thing? I can't think of thirty pounds of stuff I'd need (or want) to walk the Camino Frances. Were ya'll sleeping outdoors every night and hauling tents?

I was carrying "the usual suspects". No tent, no air mattress, no stove with fuel, no multiple days of food. Did that last year on the AT and the C&O Canal with a pack that weighed about 45 pounds. This year's pack weight was 3.5 lbs empty, a 19 oz lightweight sleeping bag with silk liner, poncho, rain jacket and rain paints (which I used), one pair of convertible trousers, two spare light weight wool tee shirts, wool socks (one pair stolen), charger for the iPod and mini iPad, a liter of water, couple of oranges (heavy little suckers). Had a couple of warmer clothes since the night / early morning temps were in the 30's for the first three weeks or so. The one thing most people don't have that I carried was an Osprey bag for shipping my pack on the airplane, which weighed 12 oz. God willing and the creek don't rise I will do it again in Oct. 2016 for my 72nd birthday.

 

[Tincatinker]

The 1911 UK Census produced the renowned (though possibly apocryphal) publication "The Population of Britain Broken Down By Sex And Age". Is there scope for a thread on "Pilgrims Broken Down By Desire Or Pack-Weight ".

I suspect most pilgrims undertake the Camino out of passion, out of desire to walk to Santiago and offer homage to his bones. I doubt many undertake this journey out of desire to see how many kilograms of useless sh'te they can manage to haul all that way. I firmly believe that many pilgrims fail to reach their desired destination because they over-burden themselves, walk too fast, too far. Therefore the discussions on this forum on pack weight, socks, boots and water-bottles are part of the passion of the Camino. We who made it to the Pilgrim's Gate; we who fell upon the way; we who still aspire to triumph or disaster will share everything we have learnt or failed to learn so that the next pilgrim through the gate can get a little closer.

Buen Camino @Walid Medawar , may your passion carry you over hills your legs would not.

 

[don88]

On my Sarria to Santiago pilgrimage in May, my pack was 12 pounds or about 5.5 kilo. The only item I will leave home next time is my windbreaker jacket. I will use my poncho next time instead.

 

[nathanael]

On my Sarria to Santiago pilgrimage in May, my pack was 12 pounds or about 5.5 kilo. The only item I will leave home next time is my windbreaker jacket. I will use my poncho next time instead.

good idea there is always places you can purchase extras. light is good to start.

 

[Manu]

Dears Pelegrinos / Pelegrinas

I always wonder when seeing all the posts about Weight, don't the passion and Love we put in the Walks capable of overcoming the extra Kilos ? ain't the Anxiety of Reaching Santiago and fulfilling our Camino capable of Making us forget the Long walks , The Feet Pain ect ,

To Be Honest , Right now with all the Tons of work I should finish before the Camino , and With few time for my Physical preparation , I do still feel that since i'm Driven by the passion of the Camino , I will do it no matter what , Since No Matter what will Happen , whether I got injured , tired ect I will keep Going.
I Even start to feel , that GOD make everything for a purpose , and for me To cultivate the Fruit of my camino , I need to overcome my Poor Physical preparation.

Did Anyone before faced the same Situation ?

Buen camino

I walked with NO weight (Jacotrans) during my 10 stage Camino last May. I'm 65 and reasonably fit but no special preparation. I carried my 8 kg backpack on the first stage (Ponferrada/Villafranca). The weight was no bother but the perspiration in my back from carrying a backpack was. When advised of using the several transport services I noticed that whenever I go hiking in the Andes I always try to secure mule transport for an easier trek. Why not the Camino? I enjoyed the added comfort immensely. Besides the idea is to keep your body free from injury as much as possible.

Buen Camino

 

[mikevasey]

You'll find that out before you finish seven days of your walk. By then you'll be glad to send a box from the nearest Post Office with superfluous stuff in your pack to Santiago (Ivar's store can be recommended) and walk blister free the remainder of your pilgrimage.

. I am a superfluous stuff type of guy, what usually sorts me out is several days of walking with a heavyish backpack, then any attachments to clothing, books, toiletries, electrical which are not necessary is finally weakened and I head off to the correos for one of their environmentally verde boxes and the off it goes to await my return. Its better to see that your attachments are just that before you set off, but I can never quite do it and always find an excuse( reason) to go with them.

 

[fraluchi]

[...]whenever I go hiking in the Andes I always try to secure mule transport for an easier trek. Why not the Camino? I enjoyed the added comfort immensely. Besides the idea is to keep your body free from injury as much as possible.

That makes sense, though I'll keep "hauling" my 9 kg backpack (which should be 7 kg) because I keep on walking (at 77) every day in my retirement. In Costa Rica they call this "Pura Vida"

 

[whariwharangi]

Dears Pelegrinos / Pelegrinas

I always wonder when seeing all the posts about Weight, don't the passion and Love we put in the Walks capable of overcoming the extra Kilos ? ain't the Anxiety of Reaching Santiago and fulfilling our Camino capable of Making us forget the Long walks , The Feet Pain ect ,

To Be Honest , Right now with all the Tons of work I should finish before the Camino , and With few time for my Physical preparation , I do still feel that since i'm Driven by the passion of the Camino , I will do it no matter what , Since No Matter what will Happen , whether I got injured , tired ect I will keep Going.
I Even start to feel , that GOD make everything for a purpose , and for me To cultivate the Fruit of my camino , I need to overcome my Poor Physical preparation.

Did Anyone before faced the same Situation ?

Buen camino

If you're heart is pure and your pack is too heavy ... you're screwed.

Your body will become inured to the physical demands of it provided you give it a chance to do so before you injure yourself. Which means not carrying a pack loaded with junk you don't need.

Advice: if you suffer injury - stop walking till the injury is healed. Even if that means going home and perhaps coming another time.

 

[Kanga]

Can we all avoid unnecessary capital letters please? Justified occasionally as the first letter in a word (signifying a title). When a whole word or sentence is in capitals it is shouting. I understand people like to emphasise strongly held opinions, but there are other ways.

And no slanging matches please.

 

[William Marques]

I have removed the capitalisation.

 

[AJ]

Mine is usually about 13kg plus water and food. I have done this for nearly 16,000 camino km. I am 60 y.o. The weight police can get ?¿·3**.

 

[peregrina2000]

I agree that some people go a bit wild on this weight issue. I have never been too successful in getting my pack below 8 or 9 kilos before water and food. It was never a problem. That is, till this year, when I injured one of my knees. I made it fine into Santiago but it was pretty sore for the last week or so, particularly on the descents. My PT says it was a combination of weight and overuse (I did a lot of 40+km days, a new thing for me in all these years of caminos).

So, what to do? I already use two hiking sticks. I already have cushy silicone orthotics. Seems like the only things left to make life more pleasant for my knees is to reduce the weight in my pack, and to bring my daily kms back down to the 30s range, at least that's all I can think of.

All you young-uns out there are probably less likely to have these kind of issues, seems to be inevitable for people in my age cohort!

 

[Kanga]

On the Norte this year, with tent and associated extra stuff, I was carrying about 12 kilos. That's about five kilos more than I normally carry. The balance pockets on the front of my pack (with heavy stuff, like water) helped stop me from feeling unbalanced. It was fine, as long as I did not jump any puddles.

The physical advantage of a heavy pack, provided it does no permanent damage, is that it does strengthen core muscles.

Still, next time I'm going light. I don't see any relationship between pack weight and spirituality.

 

[Tia Valeria]

.................

Still, next time I'm going light. I don't see any relationship between pack weight and spirituality.

We have steadily had to lighten our packs. Determination to complete our Camino 'outweighed' carrying too heavy a pack. This year we were carrying more than we would have liked at times (water and food) - maybe 500gms extra and it showed. Happy pack weights for us are 6kg and 8kg including food and water. On a couple of days we quite literally prayed for one anothers feet to be OK as extra weight and hard surfaces were causing problems. Packing light does make sense, and does not mean any less passion for the Camino.

@peregrina2000 - we ditched the sleeping bags this time, stopped taking liners previously (this is walking in May) so need all private albergues etc with bedding provided. That drops the weight dramatically, unless you have anything else heavy that you know you can leave behind. We only walk maximum of 20kms and this year 15kms felt like enough after the coastal paving. Our feet have just about recovered, our passion and determination got us there.

 

[naplesdon]

Thirty pound pack? Dude, what were you hauling in that thing? I can't think of thirty pounds of stuff I'd need (or want) to walk the Camino Frances. Were ya'll sleeping outdoors every night and hauling tents?

I agree with Mark. If I carried everything I own including a kitchen sink it would not weigh that much. It's time to simplify your life "dude."

 

[David]

Walid, a good post. I think it is about intent. What is the intention of the walker? If it is pilgrimage then there is an inner dialogue that will carry the pilgrim through adversity; if it is a long walk then the walker will drop out if it gets hard.

So - go on your pilgrimage and do not be concerned - though, there is nothing wrong with good preparation.

The Arab Muslims have a saying "trust in God, but tie up your camel" - says it all

Buen Camino Walid.

 

[Walid Medawar]

Dear Pelegrinos and Pelegrinas ,

I made it . With Heart full of desire of Santiago and with a 7 Kilo Pack , I walked the distance with so much endurance and resilience.
I have taken all the precautions from cream to great socks to great boots , but yet i my only problems during the Camino was the Blisters , but yet , I was able to continue every day walking 25 KM with Blisters, reach my Albergue , get rest and start over again
Summarizing the Camino is best by comparing it to life: "If you set a goal for your life, no matter what pain u feel, u will reach it with Joy".
You learn that quitting something because of Physical Pain says a lot about your Lack of Faith. Have faith in your Road, Love it, Be it and you will reach your Goal. And in the End it is a road to reconcile with yourself .

Did my bag Hurt me : Only when I Thought in it .

Once again I would like to thanks everyone who participated in This Post. I couldn't understand Much of what you said till i saw my first arrow, till I met the first pilgrim , till I notice from far the Tip top of Santiago and smelled the Botafumeiro .

I feel the need to go back on the road , I feel the need to feep that unique kind of peace again "

Am i a Better person now ? too soon to judge , but for sure I'm a better person when it come to Judging my Thoughts and be patient in my decisions.

My camino might need more than this to write about , Hope one day i will be able to do it.

At the end one funny thing for me : the hardest thing for me after Santiago was leaving my wood stick which i collected on the road ,,, i felt so attached to it ...

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...t-pain-u-feel-u-will-reach-it-with-joy.35593/

 

[David]

Well done Walid - you obviously had a wonderful pilgrimage!

Buen Camino brother.

 

[movinmaggie]

Amen brother, a 70 yr. old deserves to be called Sir in doing the Camino. I'm one of them. Buen Camino

What is a soon- to- be 80-year old lady called? Please don't say Madame:>)

 

[David]

Sister (or if you are in Asia - Mother)

 

[movinmaggie]

Sister (or if you are in Asia - Mother)

Actually 'Sister' is how my kids in India (where I volunteer) refer to me. If you are a male volunteer, you are Uncle...