Camino Planning

 

Six! Six weeks only until I embark on my "pilgrimage" to Santiago de Compostela and the countdown is on to get ready! Flights are booked, accommodation at our arrival and starting points are booked (Lisbon and Porto) ....... now the focus is on gathering what I need to bring and .... of course training.

As you can see in the photo above, I already have some things gathered. According to experienced pilgrims the less you bring the better. There are dozens of websites offering "packing lists" so I guess you have to check them out and decide for yourself what items you can live without and what ones you are willing lug on your back.

So, quick dry and light weight clothing are in order. I have already done the "hand wash and hang to dry" routine for my two T shirts (one, Cabela's quick dri and one from H&M ... because I liked the style!) ..... they both dried in 7 or 8 hours in a cool basement laundry room. The merino wool socks that I am taking dried easily overnight in the same conditions after they were rolled in my microfiber towel to take the excess moisture out.

Speaking of socks.

All I've been hearing about is how important good socks are for hiking (especially the Camino). Smartwool, Icebreaker etc, with merino wool are highly recommended. I saw a package of 4 pair of merino wool socks at Costco for $15.99 .... and I thought "they can't be very good for that price"! However, after attending a seminar of "Camino Pilgrims" who had a foot specialist give a presentation, he highly recommended the Costco socks! Since then I've read some very positive reviews about them and have worn them myself and love them. (I still plan to take a Smartwool pair as well, however.)

Below are two good links with packing list suggestions. I actually posted a question on "Bitesize Travel", written by a woman from Nova Scotia, and she got right back to me with an answer!

The Ultimate Camino Packing List

Bitesize Travel Packing List

Carrying a Backpack

As part of my "training" I've been walking. of course, but also walking with my backpack. The pack I have is from MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop) and it weighs 1.3kg. I've been filling it with some weight, up to about 8 pounds and walking with it. At first it was easy and I didn't mind it at all. But the next day I could really feel it in my back! So now my mission is to figure out how to adjust it properly and continue to get my back conditioned and used to carrying the load (you can see why it's important to pack lightly!)

Below is a great link to a sight with tips on how to "condition" yourself for hiking with a backpack. The PDF called "Daily Dozen" (about the middle of the page) has some great exercises for your back.

Conditioning for Hiking

So ..... onward and forward in the next six weeks!

 Bom Camino! ( Portuguese for "good way/road")