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Me too.I am afraid that I have outgrown sentiment when it comes to what I feel I must carry on camino.
I carry blue goldstone which I bought on a Greek island (can't remember which one) in 2010. I don't really know what it is about this piece (which is actually man-made; copper flecks in glass)...maybe the smooth feel, the changing glitter patterns as you move it in the light...but there is something about this stone which compels me to carry it!What did you just have to carry?
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
In your pack, or your soul, that you choose to carry it is the key1. Button down shirt. Because sometimes i want to feel a little "better dressed". And its good when the sun is shining a lot.
2. My little swiss army knive with a corkscrew. Because sometimes you need to cut that cheese and open the bottle of wine.
They are 156g (1) and 35g (2).
edit: now that i read the OP in full: no, they are not located deep within my soul. They are just practical items i carry. Sorry for beeing german on you guys
@DuaneS...as you have found out...if you really want to carry something “extra” in your pack...you can eliminate something in your pack, or drop personal weight to accommodate that article.First time I walked I left my SLR camera at home. I was happy I did, because my feet were a mess for most of the journey and my backpack felt super heavy at the beginning. I recently printed out a lot of my photos from the camino frances and put them on the wall, and was a bit sad that the iPhone shots really didn't do them justice. So if I were to walk it again (more like *when* I walk it again), I'd bring my real camera this time. Now that I've done it once, I don't mind going a bit slower with a slightly heavier pack (and it may not be heavier, since I now know what is essential on the trail), and stopping a bit more to take photos deliberately to enjoy in the future. If it means losing 1.5 lbs of weight before I start so I can carry 1.5 lbs of camera, so be it.
Mr. Bean made me smile (though he doesn't look a jot like Rowan Atkinson...) but what I really admired was your backpack. It was right at the top of my wish list though, now that I've inherited @David's trailer, I think I'll have to make do with my old Talon.Indeed I am going over and over my packing list and weighing and re-weighing.
Though there is one 85 g load that seems to make it onto the front of my pack every time......
Mr Bean always joins me on Camino.
Mr. Bean made me smile (though he doesn't look a jot like Rowan Atkinson...) but what I really admired was your backpack. It was right at the top of my wish list though, now that I've inherited @David's trailer, I think I'll have to make do with my old Talon.
Thanks for the piccie.
Mary
@DuaneS...as you have found out...if you really want to carry something “extra” in your pack...you can eliminate something in your pack, or drop personal weight to accommodate that article.
Congratulations. I’ve shed 12kg of blubber during lockdown so far - my initial target was to negate my extravagant pack-weight of 9kg. You must feel much better ever day, never mind whilst on Camino.As I've already 'dropped' 18 kg in body weight.........
Can I put an extra 16 kgs in my pack?
As I've already 'dropped' 18 kg in body weight.........
Can I put an extra 16 kgs in my pack?
Congratulations. I’ve shed 12kg of blubber during lockdown so far - my initial target was to negate my extravagant pack-weight of 9kg. You must feel much better ever day, never mind whilst on Camino.
Wow, nice work. I assume you did this on the trail? so envious of your talent, well done. Better than a photograph could ever be,My tiny watercolor kit and sketchbook. View attachment 93676
Good work everyone - I'm on pseudo-lockdown in Spain and also working on shedding some pre=summer weight. Currently down about 15 lbs, hoping to drop another 15 lbs before the summer.Congratulations. I’ve shed 12kg of blubber during lockdown so far - my initial target was to negate my extravagant pack-weight of 9kg. You must feel much better ever day, never mind whilst on Camino.
Yes - I can go 100 kms on a cup of early morning coffee ! The electric coil was truly great!!!On my first camino for sentimental reasons I carried a beloved stuffed moose!!
Not full size but as bulky as a sleeping bag! The moose, known as Mo, shortened from Mousse au chocolat, was a large toy which long ago I gave to my father for his 90th birthday. After my father’s death Mo came back to me. In 2004 he traveled in a stuff sack deep within the pack. Although disguised as a ‘pillow’ he was in truth my silent confidante during that first challenging camino.
We both made it to Santiago but once with a moose is enough! Ever since Mo stayed on his shelf at home and we mentally 'tweeted' as I walked.
During the later 9 caminos I always carried an electric coil which when needed during winter walks was VERY useful!
For example November 2012 at 7 am in El Acebo it was lonely and VERY COLD while waiting for the safety of dawn to continue walking. No other pilgrims had shared the Meson albergue. The day before after a good and copious mountain meal in the bar/restaurant downstairs I had taken a welcome hot shower. The water pressure seemed okay but plunked in the middle of the loo floor a large full water bucket with dipper was a surprise. Was this a new decoration in the Japanese bath-house style? I should have known.
By 7 am there was no running, only dipped, water available in the dorm. Thus a very welcome HOT early morning tea was boiled with the invaluable electric coil (the only 'luxury' in my kit); that single cup tasted especially splendid waiting in the cold for the sunrise!
I have walked my two Caminos with camera in my hand for the entire distance. Never once did I regret it. The joy of seeing things, stopping to take the photo, going through said photos each afternoon, and now enjoying the memories during this time, all make me know my camera will travel in my hand on my next Camino.First time I walked I left my SLR camera at home. I was happy I did, because my feet were a mess for most of the journey and my backpack felt super heavy at the beginning. I recently printed out a lot of my photos from the camino frances and put them on the wall, and was a bit sad that the iPhone shots really didn't do them justice. So if I were to walk it again (more like *when* I walk it again), I'd bring my real camera this time. Now that I've done it once, I don't mind going a bit slower with a slightly heavier pack (and it may not be heavier, since I now know what is essential on the trail), and stopping a bit more to take photos deliberately to enjoy in the future. If it means losing 1.5 lbs of weight before I start so I can carry 1.5 lbs of camera, so be it.
I've always found a small/travel size sewing kit combined with mini-essentials first aid kit came in very handy for impromptu repairs of buttons, pockets, seams; plus the needle could be sterilised to burst a blister if necessary. (I can hear some howls of disapproval of that last application). My mini first aid kit was basically silk tape for feet and toes, a couple of plasters and a small container of vaseline. I had included Compeed initially, but didn't find it particularly useful, so that was eventually subsituted for a small container of talcum powder by the time I reached Astorga.We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
My 2 light weight cotton sarongs. They were table clothes and something to sit on when picnicking along The Way, draped over head and shoulders for the scorcher days, wraps for getting out of shower, and most importantly privacy curtains on the bunk at night. If you choose the right fabric they can be easily hand washed and hung to dry. Wouldn’t leave home without them.We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
I think this is really well done! Although, I have done some pencil and ink drawings, but not to your standard, I have taken to collecting rubbings as I travel unique places. Most recent rubbings being during my visit to the Holy Land in 2019. You have given me an idea for another Thread.My tiny watercolor kit and sketchbook. View attachment 93676
Wonderful, I carry tiny hearts and leave along the Camino path or give them to locals or pilgrims when I feel it’s right.We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
Imaging a picture of you in tutu has made my morningI'll be taking up ballet soon
If you do that it's being a "glutton" for punishment.As I've already 'dropped' 16 kg in body weight.........
Can I put an extra 16 kgs in my pack?
My previous partner (deceased) was a Catholic priest- yes, really. I carried his rosary beads with me.We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
Bless you both!My previous partner (deceased) was a Catholic priest- yes, really. I carried his rosary beads with me.
Thank you xBless you both!
As I've already 'dropped' 16 kg in body weight.........
Blimey Robo!
I seem to remember you were having a hard time losing weight ... that’s brilliant!!!
Well done!!!
My Flip FlopsWe speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
Flip flops are a basic necessity in life...right after single malt whisky.I wouldn't walk again without my flip flops.
How do you like your Montbell umbrella? Which model is it?I always take an umbrella!
I use a big reflective model for sun protection on hot, exposed Caminos.
First photo taken on the Camino Mozarabe from Almeria in Jan 2020.
Or a lighter-weight model if only used for occasional countryside rain.
Second photo taken on the Vezelay Camino in Oct 2020.
View attachment 93704 View attachment 93705
How do you like your Montbell umbrella? Which model is it?
You have emboldened me! My phone!I know this makes me sound so shallow... But where ever I go...
oh yes... that tooYou have emboldened me! My phone!
Your answer, @wayfarer, is my answer. I have thought the exact same thing every time I look at this thread.Pretty much everything I packed, thats why I packed it.
There was one thing that I absolutely couldn't have managed without and that was my heart meds, it would have been a short Camino otherwise.Your answer, @wayfarer, is my answer. I have thought the exact same thing every time I look at this thread.
oh goodness... I forgot meds... lipstick was the thing that sprang into my mind... what terrible priorities I haveThere was one thing that I absolutely couldn't have managed without and that was my heart meds, it would have been a short Camino otherwise.
I have no requirement for heart meds. My daughter sez I don’t have one!There was one thing that I absolutely couldn't have managed without and that was my heart meds, it would have been a short Camino otherwise.
I dislike microfiber towels and and so always take a flannel cotton infant towel recommended by @Anniesantiago. They are very lightweight, super absorbent for their size, and perfect for me.I always carry a full sized cotton towel on my caminos.
I hope that you don't use that light while people are trying to sleep.. I can even use it to read at night in my bunk in an albergue.
We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
I always read with the blanket over my head -I hope that you don't use that light while people are trying to sleep.
Margaret I also had a little electrical coil. I had purchased it in Rome when there in the holy year of 1975 as a gift for my mother and she used it every morning for her first cuppa up in her bedroom to save her having to go downstairs. After her death in 1991 it returned to me and I loved it and used it on Caminos. It was only about 10cms long, but finally some wire came loose, and no one will solder it for me because it no longer meets the standards required today. Any ones I see for sale now are about three times as big and 4 times as heavy.On my first camino for sentimental reasons I carried a beloved stuffed moose!!
Not full size but as bulky as a sleeping bag! The moose, known as Mo, shortened from Mousse au chocolat, was a large toy which long ago I gave to my father for his 90th birthday. After my father’s death Mo came back to me. In 2004 he traveled in a stuff sack deep within the pack. Although disguised as a ‘pillow’ he was in truth my silent confidante during that first challenging camino.
We both made it to Santiago but once with a moose is enough! Ever since Mo stayed on his shelf at home and we mentally 'tweeted' as I walked.
During the later 9 caminos I always carried an electric coil which when needed during winter walks was VERY useful!
For example November 2012 at 7 am in El Acebo it was lonely and VERY COLD while waiting for the safety of dawn to continue walking. No other pilgrims had shared the Meson albergue. The day before after a good and copious mountain meal in the bar/restaurant downstairs I had taken a welcome hot shower. The water pressure seemed okay but plunked in the middle of the loo floor a large full water bucket with dipper was a surprise. Was this a new decoration in the Japanese bath-house style? I should have known.
By 7 am there was no running, only dipped, water available in the dorm. Thus a very welcome HOT early morning tea was boiled with the invaluable electric coil (the only 'luxury' in my kit); that single cup tasted especially splendid waiting in the cold for the sunrise!
MaybeVASELINE, do I need to explain?
Although I haven't walked the Camino yet as my 2020 plans were cancelled I plan on carrying a small cross that a young girl whittled and made along with a prayer she wrote for me 30 years ago. I don't remember much about the little girl other than she was very sweet, caring, loving, and unselfish.We speak about keeping our pack light, eliminating the "nice to haves" and then, the night before departure, unpacking and again removing the "might needs." All that said, I am sure there is one item: a keepsake, picture or going away gift you must accept and in your pack it goes. On my first Camino, I carried a number of prayer cards for my recently deceased cousin killed in a terrible accident. I placed them in Churches, at many of the shrines along the Way and behind a confessional in the Cathedral of Santiago. What did you just have to carry?
I saw one pilgrim carrying one of those ceramic Nordic Elves determined to leave it at the Cruz de Ferro. Alas, he grew so attached to the Elf he took it back home.
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
It makes you happy! Reason enough!You have emboldened me! My phone!
Got pictures?I bring woolen yarn and wooden (soundless) knitting needles... to knit a self designed sweater in lots of shades of nice colors while walking. I knit when I walk, when rather flat and no rain/snow, during breakfast, lunch and in the evenings. So relaxing and nice - (and for those of you who think I miss lots of the scenery while knitting; I actually even more focused while knitting - as I knit without looking at it) - and it is also a fantastic door-opener to chat with elder local women on the camino.
Yes, in this thread - first post and a post Aug.17th shows a few walking and knitting projects:Got pictures?
Well, no, but, aside from udder butter as a youth, Vas...keeps my hands soft to the point the only callus is on my pointer finger.VASELINE, do I need to explain?
Wonderful, I carry tiny hearts and leave along the Camino path or give them to locals or pilgrims when I feel it’s right.
Except that losing weight means our pack has to be lighter, in keeping with the 10% of body weight rule, right?Blimey Robo!
I seem to remember you were having a hard time losing weight ... that’s brilliant!!!
Well done!!!
Green means "go".This green knit cap my grandmother had on her head when she moved on in 1993.
Goes, it, on every camino; currently rests on nightstand shelf ready to go as soon as possible.
I agree. EssentialThe largest Chocolate Bar I can carry and an Emergency Wine Bottle Opener, and rather boring but essential..water
A suggestion, there are folks on the Camino that realize valuables are in packs. Maybe you should consider keeping valuables on your person.Whilst they aren't deep inside my rucksack and regrettably, they don't last all the way to the end "Maynard's wine gums"! They keep me going when the times get tough. The rest of my pack is just the normal requirements although my money is deep inside my rucksack apart from a few euros for my daily tortilla de patatas.
To...tu funny!I'll be taking up ballet soon
Tss, I stopped eating and I have only lost 4 kgs! I guess I must do it for longer, nah, make that...for ever!I found the secret. Stop eating!
Oh you brought back memoriesI always carry a full sized cotton towel on my caminos. I'm a large person and really appreciate being able to dry off properly after a shower. I tried one of those fancy micro towels once but hated it! I love the feel of the cotton and it can act as a blanket in the colder caminos. I also use it as a privacy curtain in the refuges.
inOh you brought back memoriesI walked with a lovely pilgrim who carried very little (no rain gear! ) in a tiny backpack.... But he did have a VERY large bathsize fluffy towel - white! Still makes me chuckle.
Yes, I did suffer from ‘towel envy’
I am not stupid, it didn’t last long!Priorities...priorities! No rain gear is reckless. A big fluffy towel senseless.
Should he use it to block the rain, it's added weight is detrimental to his ability to move along. Also, it will likely not dry any time soon. May I humbly suggest you find something else to envy.
in
Now, open your pack and your mind and reveal that special item carried deep inside your pack and possible your soul.
I find my dog Raider likes my pillow cases. Makes him settle when traveling. Guess it has my scent! You will not finding me carrying his mat for the same purpose!A pillow case from home. Keeps me grounded, keeps me 'home'.
As a now pensioned Special Police Officer (Environmental Crimes Task Force) and Director of the largest Multi-Jurisdictional SWATEX in the mid-Atlantic states, my heart is with and goes out to all in the thin blue line.View attachment 94033
The one thing I carried that was special to me was a stack of laminated Thin Blue Line flags. On each line was the name of a law enforcement officer who had died in the line of duty. Several were known to me, others were requested by former law enforcement colleagues of mine. I also carried a laminated flag attached to my pack, explaining "la linea delgada azul" to those who asked.
When I arrived at the Cathedral of St. James, I made a beeline for the candles, lighting one for each of the 15 officers named on the flag. As I lit each candle, I would name the officer for whom it was for, and lay the laminated flag down on the candle stand behind the candles.. Soon I had 15 lit candles and 15 flags.
I kept track of which flag went with which candle, so when I returned to the US, I wrote on the back of the flag for whom it was in honor of, with a snippet of the journey. I then sent these flags to the survivors of the officers (or in a couple of cases, to the departments).
The flags were carried both deep in my pack and deep in my soul.
Except that losing weight means our pack has to be lighter, in keeping with the 10% of body weight rule, right?
Don't leave home without it!☺My tiny watercolor kit and sketchbook. View attachment 93676
The 10% rule isn't a rule at all. When in the Marines, slim, muscled and trim, I weighted in at 175 lbs/79kg. My field pack, without ammo and rifle was about 70 lbs/31kg. Yet, by the “rule” I should carry a 17 lb/7.9kg pack. The ideal weight is always going to be determined by the requirements of the trip, not by some magical ratio to your body weight, no matter how you measure it. Going into combat where you carry everything you “may need” is different from the Camino where the “may needs” are removed. All else being equal, the least weight you can get away with is best.Ah ... I’m not the only one who’s wondered about this?
I agree. A fit 120 pound woman can probably carry more weight than an unfit 150 pound woman of the same height.The 10% rule isn't a rule at all. When in the Marines, slim, muscled and trim, I weighted in at 175 lbs/79kg. My field pack, without ammo and rifle was about 70 lbs/31kg. Yet, by the “rule” I should carry a 17 lb/7.9kg pack. The ideal weight is always going to be determined by the requirements of the trip, not by some magical ratio to your body weight, no matter how you measure it. Going into combat where you carry everything you “may need” is different from the Camino where the “may needs” are removed. All else being equal, the least weight you can get away with is best.
If you start your Camino weighing 200lbs/97kg and you lose 10lbs/4.5kg of body fat your muscles are strengthened and although you started with a pack weighing under 20lbs/9kg the only thing you should add to your pack is a six-pack of cerveza. As you walk you remain refreshed and urinate away the extra weight.
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