- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2015, 2018, 2022
Every time I found something that light it turned out to be a face cloth or a hand towel. Mine still seems pretty heavy, though. Maybe it's the super-deluxe style!
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The one I saw on Amazon was 9.7 grams. Is that wrong?
Noooo not the Macabi
That was easily my favourite item of clothing, and I wore it constantly. Quick dry, comfy, quicker to convert to something shorter than pants. Could hitch it up while wading and use it as a change room.
Sounds about right to me.The one I saw on Amazon was 9.7 grams. Is that wrong?
Which Buen Camino App did you get?1.Walking poles not used. Also didn't use clothesline. And sleeping bag wasn't used as i decided to stay in pensiones half way through.
2. I did wish I had brought vaseline for my feet. Decided while packing not to take it--bad decision. Wish I had downloaded the "Buen Camino" app on my phone earlier. Great for distances and lodging.
Def agree with the towel!Glad I took a bigger towel the second time around, the first time I took one of those crazy little microfibre things not much bigger than a facecloth. And then could hardly get my clothes on as I was still so damp and they stuck to me. Bigger towel was worth it.
Had to buy a cheap knife for cutting bread cheese melon etc. Then we could have little picnic stops occasionally, or if the albergue had nothing we could still slice stuff. It was a bit cheap and nasty, should have taken one.
There were three of us, and we all shared the same books - one of them was a giant hardback! It was a great book and we were all addicted to it.Only ever took one in 1993, was helpful in respects at the start, though "useful" ? hmmmmm ... LOL ; anyway, someone else ended up carrying it instead, so all good.
If I can add a third question ?
3. What's the craziest thing you both carried and used and would recommend to others NOT to take ?
3) For me, it's hands down my multi-volume edition of Prousts's A la recherche du temps perdu that I lugged about with me through France and Spain in '94. (well except for volume 1 that I'd already finished before starting) Extremely happy to have had it, especially in those long & solitary days in France ; was personally very useful indeed ; but heck NO WAY would I recommend to ANYONE ELSE to carry such a thing on the Camino !!!
Got a link to where you can buy "Turkish towels" never heard of them? ThanksWhat is a turkish towel? I think I know what it is, but I might call it something else.
Amazon has lots of listing for Turkish towels.Got a link to where you can buy "Turkish towels" never heard of them? Thanks
Did you take your own poles or buy them there ? I find that interesting as they are most expensive in South Africa, I would not think of leaving them behind and as for our poor exchange rate you have to take as much as possible with.The last time I walked it, it was very warm weather and never rained once in 35 days. I had a poncho I never used. About day 25 I left it an albergue along with the cheap fleece pullover I brought and a small flashlight I had. I wish I hadn't brought any of them. Would have left my long hiking pants too, but I did need them for the flight home.
I wish I had brought a smaller backpack because by the time I got rid of items it had a lot of excess room in it. Got even emptier just before I flew home as I threw out the rubber flip flop sandals, remaining toiletries and even socks and underwear. Even left my trekking poles behind.
Two questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
we too experienced the flies on 1 day. Quite annoying till they left....swarmed the heads as we walked in JuneI never experienced the flies, what months are they around.?
Not so stupid....I too thought of the chain till my kids said :"MOM!!"A proper towel is important. I have tried the high-tech ones, but they're no good. Forget the weight, and allow yourself this little luxury.
The most stupid person I have experienced on The Camino, was this guy who carried a 750 grams (!) bicycle chain lock in order to lock his backpack to a chair or table, when he needed to leave it for a while, without understanding that for a thief, all that was needed was a knife to cut up the pack and take whatever he needed/wanted (dirty underwear, sour socks, etc.). He even carried the chain lock all the way back home and only then threw it away.
That stupid person was me on my first Camino.
Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from bad decisions.
Two questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
People told us to bring duct tape for blisters. Never used it. Flashlight. Never walked at night. Clothing. Over packed. About 2 weeks in I packed a box with my friend that weighed 10 lbs and we shipped it via Corrio to Santiago. I can’t remember everything in it but our packs got considerably lighter.
There was absolutely nothing I wished I had taken because everything you might need is available along the way. I replaced my sticks in Longoria. I purchased sunscreen, buffs, better wicking shirts all along the way. Pack light! When I go back next year I think I will take far less. My best things I took: my silk sleeping bag, my micro towel (large) and my light weight pjs for sleeping. Everyone has things they don’t want to go without.. for me, I need to get undressed and sleep in pjs for a good nights rest. I found no need for a regular sleeping bag as every place had blankets if it was cold.
I did not use my small tablet and because my hydration bladder broke on seconds I fid not use thst..found my water bottle to be much better anywayTwo questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
I bought trekking poles there. Just standard, telescoping aluminium variety. I think they were approximately 20 euro a pair. They worked great for me. I find that I don't need an expensive, latest and greatest set, as the inexpensive set does what they're designed to do just fine and if they get lost or pinched by a fellow pilgrim, no big deal. They assist me in walking more efficiently and take some shock off of my knees. I left mine in Santiago as I just did not feel like dealing with the possible hassle of bringing them back home, but I suppose you could try and if you do have problems, just leave them at the airport.Did you take your own poles or buy them there ? I find that interesting as they are most expensive in South Africa, I would not think of leaving them behind and as for our poor exchange rate you have to take as much as possible with.
I’m new to the world of Caminos AND sarongs. What is the best fabric for a lightweight but not too sheer sarong? And where’s a good place to shop for one?A thin sarong does the trick, weighs less than 100 gr (or close)
A larger hat... mountaneering sandalsTwo questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
A physical book... and a large camera
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
Have a search on the Internet for 'cotton sarongs', I think mine came from Amazon and it is ... cotton. It only cost a few pounds.I’m new to the world of Caminos AND sarongs. What is the best fabric for a lightweight but not too sheer sarong? And where’s a good place to shop for one?
I better send mine back to Amazon thenTurns out you can rent bowling balls and bowling shoes in Spain. Total waste of time to pack them.
A larger hat... mountaneering sandals
Hmmm. I've done a fair amount of mountaineering and have never heard of mountaineering sandals. What exactly are they?
I like this idea. Just a question, if there are bedbugs and you use the sarong as a sheet, aren't you just bringing them with you?Have a search on the Internet for 'cotton sarongs', I think mine came from Amazon and it is ... cotton. It only cost a few pounds.
I have only used it as a sarong over a swimsuit, the rest of the time it is an extra towel or a sheet or a shawl to cover shoulders in church....Very easy to wash and it dries quickly.
It will be no different from wearing clothes to bed. (Which I do recommend.) Or leaving your backpack exposed on the floor.I like this idea. Just a question, if there are bedbugs and you use the sarong as a sheet, aren't you just bringing them with you?
Fear.. turned that into adrenaline for first three days. And wish I had brought more confidence that I was always going to make itTwo questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
I think a light weight sleeping bag and or rei sleep liner is essential for all albuergues where the floor is the surface. Plus it is your own stuff- known bacterium.Never used my Swiss Army knife, bathing suit, or extra plastic bag to be used for transporting my pack on the plane.
Wished for a fitted sheet for the beds so I could unzip my sleeping bag and use it as a blanket.
Fear was a factor for me then. I did make it . I was in good shape but I did still get monster blisters so less with keen hiking back closed sandals.(need orthodics) . Wore those exclusively even tho carried tennis shoes. But even the keens need to be broken in prior. (Socks used)Fear.. turned that into adrenaline for first three days. And wish I had brought more confidence that I was always going to make it
Sorry to hear about your blisters. I too had keens....the socks were very important. If I wore the wrong ones, definitely hot spots showed up. I learned the thickness was very important to avoid blisters.Fear was a factor for me then. I did make it . I was in good shape but I did still get monster blisters so less with keen hiking back closed sandals.(need orthodics) . Wore those exclusively even tho carried tennis shoes. But even the keens need to be broken in prior. (Socks used)
1. My first Camino I brought eye cream that I Didn't even touch it for the whole time. And 2 more t-shirts can Stay home as well.Two questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
1) too big emergency kit,1. My first Camino I brought eye cream that I Didn't even touch it for the whole time. And 2 more t-shirts can Stay home as well.
2. None.
Headlight, sleeping bag, knee braces, couple of pairs of socks that were too big, bottle of arnica, aluminum tape, over supply of bandaid. There is more but I am not remembering all of it. None of it weighed anything, but all together it was too much.Two questions:
1. What did you bring on the Camino that you wound up not using?
2. What did you wish you had taken with you?
1. A compass. Next time it will stay home. A second water bottle. I only needed it for a couple stretches. Next time I will get an extra bottled water for those longer stretches. Sunglasses. Since I was walking west, I rarely had the sun in my eyes.
2. A lightweight Smartwool sweater. I bought a second fleece in Burgos. I also wish I had brought a second set of legs for my convertible pants. I only brought one set of legs for the two pair of shorts. When it got cold, I really could have used the second set of legs while my first pair were in the washing machine.
Where did you get the toiletry bag?1. After four Caminos, I pretty much use everything I pack now, but there are still refinements to be made... For #5 in October:
- I’ll ditch the silk pillowcase and convert my double silk liner to a 3/4 size and a matching long pillowcase.
- Also ditching the battery powered headlamp for a beanie with USB powered LED headlamp built in.
- Skipping a full size journal for a 48 page one I’ve custom designed from a website online.
- Probably skipping rain pants. - my autumn Caminos have been very largely dry - but not bathers (i’ve swum in Belorado, Leon, Astorga, Barbadelo and Ourense and will likely add Urbaniz, El Acebo and Santiago this time. Plus which, with the towel (see below) useful attire on laundry day.)
2. Wishes...
- On #4, I didn’t take cold and flu tablets and should have. Got a bad cold in Paris and never quite got the right thing from the local farmacias.
- I often wish I had a pocket-knife but can never carry it on the plane; this time I’ll cave and buy one in SJPP..
- this year I might splurge with a lightweight mini hair brush rather than just a comb.
3: best learnings:
- I wish I’d heard about Turkish towels earlier: 150-odd grams for a full sized bath towel (sarong/scarf/privacy curtain for bunk/picnic blanket) is weight worth carrying.
- small, super light toiletry bag with inbuilt hook suitable for hanging over railing or door...dry things stay dry
- theraband / spiky ball: both are great for stretching and releasing muscle soreness, and take up very little weight.
Kathmandu adventure store in australia.Where did you get the toiletry bag?
I used to work in a building where a Kathmandu store was on the bottom floor. So tempting....Kathmandu adventure store in australia.
All the times I've walked the Camino I experienced annoying very small flies or what some call gnats once. For a short section while walking. May or may not be worth carrying insect repellent with you for 800 kilometers as you may never encounter them. I encountered them in August, but don't even remember what section of the Camino it was on.
Great list! Just ordered a theraband, had forgotten all about those! We heading out Sept, Oct on CF. Did you find a small, down jacket useful on your trips?1. After four Caminos, I pretty much use everything I pack now, but there are still refinements to be made... For #5 in October:
- I’ll ditch the silk pillowcase and convert my double silk liner to a 3/4 size and a matching long pillowcase.
- Also ditching the battery powered headlamp for a beanie with USB powered LED headlamp built in.
- Skipping a full size journal for a 48 page one I’ve custom designed from a website online.
- Probably skipping rain pants. - my autumn Caminos have been very largely dry - but not bathers (i’ve swum in Belorado, Leon, Astorga, Barbadelo and Ourense and will likely add Urbaniz, El Acebo and Santiago this time. Plus which, with the towel (see below) useful attire on laundry day.)
2. Wishes...
- On #4, I didn’t take cold and flu tablets and should have. Got a bad cold in Paris and never quite got the right thing from the local farmacias.
- I often wish I had a pocket-knife but can never carry it on the plane; this time I’ll cave and buy one in SJPP..
- this year I might splurge with a lightweight mini hair brush rather than just a comb.
3: best learnings:
- I wish I’d heard about Turkish towels earlier: 150-odd grams for a full sized bath towel (sarong/scarf/privacy curtain for bunk/picnic blanket) is weight worth carrying.
- small, super light toiletry bag with inbuilt hook suitable for hanging over railing or door...dry things stay dry
- theraband / spiky ball: both are great for stretching and releasing muscle soreness, and take up very little weight.
I really do...if it’s lightweight, you’ll use it in the evenings and maybe early mornings as the autumn sets in...I recall a very cold and foggy morning out of Ponferrada in mid October when I was very glad of mine. That said, a good merino hoodie also does the trick...Great list! Just ordered a theraband, had forgotten all about those! We heading out Sept, Oct on CF. Did you find a small, down jacket useful on your trips?
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