- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF 2013, CF from Lourdes 2015, CP Porto 2022
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Thanks @davebugg. Phil and I have also participated in similar Stand downs. Good opportunities for Vets of all economic circumstances to meet and help each other.Thanks, Don for pointing out this need.
I do support the Veteran's center in our area as a volunteer, and help coordinate a twice yearly, three day event for all veterans. These events feature inventories of new, military surplus items like trousers, boots, socks, blankets, thermal underwear, sleeping bags, jackets, and MRE's. We heavily advertise through available public interest announcement avenues on radio and newspaper, and with flyers at locations that homeless veterans hang out at.
During the event we also have a dental clinic staffed with local volunteer dentists and dental hygienists who can treat simple issues and will do in office scheduling for more complicated issues gratis. There is a 'mess hall' type buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner during the event. We bring in VA counselors to help those who need to get into the VA system. There are also other resource booths for alcohol and drug treatment options and booths staffed by members from our homeless ministry shelters that highlight the availability of clean shelter, food, clothing, and basic work/employment orientation and help.
Our center is a day-space for those needing a place to go during the day and there are volunteer psychologists that can be scheduled to come in for mental health counseling. All volunteers are trained in suicide prevention counseling if such a situation arises.
For those who have the inclination, keep this Center in your prayers. This is not a solicitation, so please do not ask how to make a contribution, it will not be accepted. But please locate the nearest such charity to your home, for Veterans or the homeless, verify the quality of their charity, then donate as you are able.
Do you just ditch the memories of mountains climbed, streams forded, and prepare for new memories
No, I never ditch those memories, although sometimes they seem to escape anyway.Do you just ditch the memories of mountains climbed, streams forded, and prepare for new memories (doesn't everyone anthropomorphize their equipment??). Do you never give up on your equipment? Do you pass it along - how?
In order:Do you never give up on your equipment? Do you pass it along - how?
What do you keep and how do you de-clutter your camping closet?
I too wear everything until it is unwearable. I think it is because I know it will be comfortable and do a great job in serving the purpose for why I bought it in the first place. Except of course when I walked a camino and had a bad cold and a young pilgrim offered to do some of my laundry. Huge mistake as he washed everything in hot water and must have kept things in the dryer for a few hours! They were unwearable after that. I still brought them home and my wife brought it to the church to give to someone.No, I never ditch those memories, although sometimes they seem to escape anyway.But I don't anthropomorphize my equipment. In fact, I prefer not to become sentimental about things. (I have my fair share of sentimental items, but outdoor equipment is not among them.)
I take pleasure when I can "wear out" a piece of equipment or clothing until it is no longer functional - it tells me that it was a worthwhile acquisition. Then I might remove parts such as zippers or buckles that might be useful in the future, and discard the rest. If the item still is usable, and I might want it in the future, I would keep it. If not it goes to a used clothing box. It is a constant struggle to balance just-in-case items against storage space.
When I was on the Camino, I had to catch a flight back home from Pamplona. I stayed at Albergue Catedral the night before. I took my hiking poles with me on the train from Santiago to Pamplona and arriving at the albergue, I asked : "Would anyone like a free pair of hiking sticks?" You bet I had takers... I have always wondered why no on has started a small business at Pamplona airport buying and selling scissors, hiking sticks etc from departing and arriving pilgrims...I've gotten a wonderful response on the thread, "New Equipment Providers?" here on the forum. I've found lots of new places to find wonderful, modern equipment for my next Camino.
But now I have another question. What do you do with your "old" equipment? If you have items that have not worn out, do you just replace them and keep an ongoing collection? Do you sell them? Give them away?
I am slowly creating a collection of items that were useful to me, but over time I realize I don't need them anymore. They are probably still useful to someone, just not to me. Do you just ditch the memories of mountains climbed, streams forded, and prepare for new memories (doesn't everyone anthropomorphize their equipment??). Do you never give up on your equipment? Do you pass it along - how?
What do you keep and how do you de-clutter your camping closet?
You could take photos of what you want to remember and then sell, loan, donate, or otherwise give away what you no longer need. Some hiking forums have selling sites, REI (at least in our area) invites members to sell their gently used items. You can donate to Scouts groups, regional parks that take newbies hiking or backpacking. We have left somethings at donation boxes while on the Camino and left such things as our Swiss Army knife with a cabbie.I will post them on Craig's List
Donate them to a youth club
Sell them at garage sales
Give them to Goodwill or other charity.
Pass them down to friends/family.
Some selected gear I will keep because it can be used in situations that will tend to be unusually hard on the more expensive stuff. . like leaving the trails to bushwhack a cross-country mountain route through snaggy things that want to rip and tear things, and rock scree that is highly abrasive. These items also are what I will loan to someone.
I have to say that I do maintain a rather large storage area that has shelving and lockers specific to types of gear or clothing to be stored. Since a lot of this stuff is what the manufacturers have allowed me to keep after gear testing, there is quite a number of items that are in very good to excellent condition. I am pondering whether to try and auction off some of this stuff to give the money to a worthy cause, like the Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela.
You could take photos of what you want to remember and then sell, loan, donate, or otherwise give away what you no longer need. Some hiking forums have selling sites, REI (at least in our area) invites members to sell their gently used items. You can donate to Scouts groups, regional parks that take newbies hiking or backpacking. We have left somethings at donation boxes while on the Camino and left such things as our Swiss Army knife with a cabbie.
Also, if it all goes to custard one day let’s meet at Dave’s place.I will post them on Craig's List
Donate them to a youth club
Sell them at garage sales
Give them to Goodwill or other charity.
Pass them down to friends/family.
Some selected gear I will keep because it can be used in situations that will tend to be unusually hard on the more expensive stuff. . like leaving the trails to bushwhack a cross-country mountain route through snaggy things that want to rip and tear things, and rock scree that is highly abrasive. These items also are what I will loan to someone.
I have to say that I do maintain a rather large storage area that has shelving and lockers specific to types of gear or clothing to be stored. Since a lot of this stuff is what the manufacturers have allowed me to keep after gear testing, there is quite a number of items that are in very good to excellent condition. I am pondering whether to try and auction off some of this stuff to give the money to a worthy cause, like the Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela.
I belong to a hiking/ bushwalking group so still use boots, poles and backpack. I didn't take "special" clothes when I walked, just ordinary every day stuff which has either worn out or I'm still wearing.I've gotten a wonderful response on the thread, "New Equipment Providers?" here on the forum. I've found lots of new places to find wonderful, modern equipment for my next Camino.
But now I have another question. What do you do with your "old" equipment? If you have items that have not worn out, do you just replace them and keep an ongoing collection? Do you sell them? Give them away?
I am slowly creating a collection of items that were useful to me, but over time I realize I don't need them anymore. They are probably still useful to someone, just not to me. Do you just ditch the memories of mountains climbed, streams forded, and prepare for new memories (doesn't everyone anthropomorphize their equipment??). Do you never give up on your equipment? Do you pass it along - how?
What do you keep and how do you de-clutter your camping closet?
We have Stand Down here in San Diego that does amazing stuff for veterans both homeless and those who are suffering or just down and out.Thanks, Don for pointing out this need.
I do support the Veteran's center in our area as a volunteer, and help coordinate a twice yearly, three day event for all veterans. These events feature inventories of new, military surplus items like trousers, boots, socks, blankets, thermal underwear, sleeping bags, jackets, and MRE's. We heavily advertise through available public interest announcement avenues on radio and newspaper, and with flyers at locations that homeless veterans hang out at.
During the event we also have a dental clinic staffed with local volunteer dentists and dental hygienists who can treat simple issues and will do in office scheduling for more complicated issues gratis. There is a 'mess hall' type buffet for breakfast lunch and dinner during the event. We bring in VA counselors to help those who need to get into the VA system. There are also other resource booths for alcohol and drug treatment options and booths staffed by members from our homeless ministry shelters that highlight the availability of clean shelter, food, clothing, and basic work/employment orientation and help.
Our center is a day-space for those needing a place to go during the day and there are volunteer psychologists that can be scheduled to come in for mental health counseling. All volunteers are trained in suicide prevention counseling if such a situation arises.
For those who have the inclination, keep this Center in your prayers. This is not a solicitation, so please do not ask how to make a contribution, it will not be accepted. But please locate the nearest such charity to your home, for Veterans or the homeless, verify the quality of their charity, then donate as you are able.
I am a member of American Pilgrims on the Camino, APOC, our equipment is returning with others this year. We have also responded to needs posted here on the Forum. Our packs has been on 15 Caminos and they return with great energy. Having hosted at Pilgrim House we have seen beautiful equipment donated preparing others for their Caminos.I've gotten a wonderful response on the thread, "New Equipment Providers?" here on the forum. I've found lots of new places to find wonderful, modern equipment for my next Camino.
But now I have another question. What do you do with your "old" equipment? If you have items that have not worn out, do you just replace them and keep an ongoing collection? Do you sell them? Give them away?
I am slowly creating a collection of items that were useful to me, but over time I realize I don't need them anymore. They are probably still useful to someone, just not to me. Do you just ditch the memories of mountains climbed, streams forded, and prepare for new memories (doesn't everyone anthropomorphize their equipment??). Do you never give up on your equipment? Do you pass it along - how?
What do you keep and how do you de-clutter your camping closet?
So good it was worth Rick posting it again...and it's not really off topic on this thread.I remember you posted that in “Not serious”!!!
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