Hey everyone!
I have somewhat lazily cobbled together my packing list for the
Camino Frances this January (2020) using this website:
https://lighterpack.com/r/cu1qgo
The information is obviously not complete––I don't know what my spork weighs and I'm not about to buy a scale to find out––but I think I've hit pretty much everything I'm planning on taking with some ballpark figures on weight. Factoring in all the unknown weights, I'm going to guess that this pack comes out to ~8.5 kilos.
Now, my questions:
1. Patagonia Nano-Air vs Patagonia Down Sweater. I have both of these jackets. The Down Sweater is relatively non-breathable down jacket; the Nano-Air is a breathable synthetic layer that I'll probably be paring with my Houdini when the wind really gets kicking. I'm leaning towards the Nano-Air because of how wet the camino could get and because I can't imagine doing anything active in the Down Sweater. However, I'm concerned if I have enough warmth for when I'm standing still. Does anyone here have expereince with either of these jackets in winter temps?
2. Beanie vs Hoods. Simple question: all my jackets have hoods; do I really need a beanie?
3. Rain Jacket + Rain Pants vs Poncho. I know, I know, this question again. Frankly, I never even considered a poncho until some friends with camino experience insisted that I needed one. However, they've done the camino in the summer; digging around on the interwebs gave me pause whether or not the poncho is the clear-cut winner for the winter. Does anyone here have experience with ponchos in wintertime that care to opine on this interminable topic?
4. Finally, tear my list apart. Anything I'm omitting? Anything that I shouldn't take? Keep in mind that I'm walking in the wintertime.
Thanks for the help everyone!
This is what I would choose:
For the Smartwool 250 longsleeved, I would replace with 2 Smartwool 150 longsleeved for better temperature control and layering. I would drop the short sleeved 150 Smartwool shirt.
I use running shorts, even during lowland winter snows. I wear the base layer (long john) bottoms underneath. At altitude with very low temps, it is base layer with a weather shell pant that is NOT waterproof.
THREE pair of socks. . . one to wear and two to carry.
IF you prefer a rain jacket (I much prefer a poncho), then drop the Houdini wind shell, it is a redundant choice as the rain jacket can be used as a windshell. But then, I also use a poncho as a windshell. At any rate, drop the Houdini. I have the Houdini and it is a great windshell, you just do not need two.
Far too many pants. Pick one. The lightest one. Then use base layers to add warmth if needed.
Rain kilt or skirt can be used rather than rain pants. It can save 7 ounces, and allow better breathability to keep you dry under load.
Prana shorts are a good short to wear. I prefer running shorts to walk/backpack in. It saves about 6 ounces.
The Mont Blanc gloves are a good choice. I've used both the Mountain Laurel Design mitts and zPacks mitts, and the Zpacks seem to fit and function slightly better. But unless the temps are going into the sub 20 F range, I find them too warm even in rain.
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa is a terrific backpack. I've used it during part of my thru hike on the PCT and the Colorado Trail, and on two Caminos. If not already purchased, look at the Gossamer Gear Silverback. It is still a capacious, though slightly smaller capacity bag, weighs a bit less, and I find the fit and feel even better than with my Mariposa.
Also, if you haven't already, replace the backpad panel with
the new version of the pad. It is significantly better at maintaining airflow and reducing back sweat build up.
As to the question of Nano Air vs down sweater, the two are designed to serve different functions. If worn when walking under load, either will get wet from condensation from sweat. Nowadays, down is treated with a hydrophobic coating so even wet, down will maintain loft and insulation. . . . but it is far more fragile and losses insulation when compressed by the backpack you will wear. Compression of the down's loft means loss of insulative capacity.
So unless I am attempting to summit a high altitude peak where heavy, duty down-filled parkas are the best choice, I do not wear down for warmth while under load.
For flexibility of temperature regulation and use and weight, this is my solution. . . .
I take a vest. You like Patagonia products, and the Nano Air vest is great choice, and lighter in weight than the Air Nano jacket. Paired with your long sleeved base layers, you will have all the warmth you need.
Below is a guide I wrote which may help inform your choice of clothing for your 'closet'
k in cooler weather.
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Layering clothing for temperature regulation and comfort is a biggie.
You never dress with the amount of clothing needed to keep you warm at the start of walking or hiking... you wear the amount of clothing needed to keep you warm 10 minutes after you start walking.
In cold weather, or even cool weather, one needs to do what is necessary to prevent overheating and sweat. That includes how fast a pace one is moving at in exerting energy, as well as how much clothing one is wearing, and how much air circulation one is able to maintain.
It does not take long, with any layering amount, to saturate clothing with sweat. THAT is when the danger of hypothermia, and at the very least a chilly discomfort will begin to take its toll. If saturation or wetness happens, the only recourse is to change into dry clothing. Since there is usually a limited amount of clothing carried in a backpack, it is essential to adopt strategies to control sweating.
Keep in mind that the material of your layers will also determine the effect to you from the above scenario. Focus on clothing made from merino wool or specialized synthetics. These will allow the garment to remain somewhat insulative even though saturated with sweat. Cottons and cotton blends are a menace and can accelerate a hypothermic condition.
Strategies include those mentioned above:
- Limit layers of clothing to only those needed when full exertion is going to be achieved. For those who can't suck it up for a few minutes, then wear only layers which can be quickly and easily removed. For instance, adding a poncho will add about a 15 degree F advantage to existing layers. It allows for good air circulation. As you warm up during the first 10 minutes of your walk, the poncho is easily removed and stashed into a side pocket of your pack.
- Move as slow as you need to, within reason, to keep perspiration to a minimum. This may also mean stopping to allow your body to cool down. Even with a single, lightweight layer, some folks walking under load will tend to over-heat. Keep monitoring yourself.
- Keep an insulative layer near at hand so that if you are wetting-out while walking, you can put it on quickly when you stop for a break. Keep it in an outside pocket or on top of the other contents in your pack. A light puffy jacket or mid-weight fleece or a down vest works well here. The key is to keep this layer dry and to use it as a last resort when at rest. If this strategy is needed, do not continue walking until you have been able to stop sweating and you can achieve some level of dryness to your clothes.
In the above scenario, you may actually become warmer by removing your saturated layers so that you only have on your dry insulative layer. Dig out a towel and dry off excess sweat as best you can. Wring out your other layers and let them start to dry. If you have a second shirt, put it on. Hang your wet things from your pack so that they can dry. After you have cooled down, and with your dry layer and your insulative layer on, walk slowly to avoid re-heating. You will make progress down the path, stay warm, while letting your wet layers become dry. The real goal at this point is to dry your layers, not achieve distance.
- Do not discount the amount of added warmth a light scarf or bandanna or a buff will bring as it insulates your neck. Wearing one can make wearing less layers very comfortable. It will also be a good first line of defense against over-heating and excess sweating by the ability to remove it, thus allowing the neck to act as a radiator in helping to shed body heat.
- Yes, the type of head gear worn makes a big difference in one's body's heat loss or retention. A hat that works well for sun is not going to be the best choice for cold weather. Wool is king, as it is far less impacted by sweat affecting its inuslative properties than most other materials. And even though wool weighs more than other types of insulation, you do not need a heavy cap of wool to keep you warm. Wool is also far more breathable than many materials which aids in heat control.
As with neck wear, a wool cap can be easily removed to assist with cooling the body to prevent overheating.
Much of the above is what I have used when mountain climbing at high altitudes. Patience and light, multiple layers is the key to preventing hypothermia when being active outdoors.
Feel free to send me a private message if you have other questions that you think I can help with.
