Hi Everyone!
I'm working on packing for the
Camino Frances in mid-June... I've read (from multiple places) that I should aim for 10% of my body weight (before food and water). I feel that I've narrowed it down to the essentials, but I'm 59kg and can't get my pack below 8.5kg... does anyone have a suggested pack list I can look at? My backpack is 1.5kg and my sleeping bag is 700kg. Other than that, all I have are essential toiletries and clothes... any help would be very much appreciated!
Buen Camino!
-Sara
I'm about the same size as you, Sara, and I decided after packing for my second Camino, that the 10% rule wasn't going to work for me (it hadn't worked yet, and I'd been just fine with what I'd carried so far). So, I follow a 15% guideline instead.
As long as I'm at 9.5kg max (or 10kg by the end, with souvenirs and Cola Cao in my pack, before I fly home), I'm comfortable. That said, I'm getting ready for a second summer Camino now and I'm curious to find out how much less I can take than last time. I walked in June-July of 2012 and it was really hot compared to my two previous Sept.-Oct. trips. There was a heatwave when I was in Castrojeriz, and it was too hot to sleep in anything really! But I am always happy to have both my sleeping bag and liner. The night I was in Rabanal was so cold that the albergue had a roaring fire in the fireplace (in mid-July). And for me, having the sleeping bag is also protection against bed bugs and nice for general hygiene (eg. in albergues that don't have disposable mattress covers). Some other pilgrims would probably disagree. We're all individuals and there must be at least 500 possible packing lists out there!
One thing on your list that I wouldn't take is the shorts for sleeping. I took shorts last time and never wore them. I slept in my leggings for the next day (they're merino wool so they keep me cool when it's warm, in addition to keeping me warm when it's cool). Someone suggested not taking headphones, but mine have been invaluable to help me get to sleep in many albergues along the way -- I listen to drown out the snoring, until I'm on the verge of sleep, and then I drift off easily (I never use earplugs, don't need them). I am currently deciding what to do about extra footwear. I had flip-flops on my first and second Camino for the shower, but not on my last one. The Tevas are nice because they can be worn in the evening but can also be worn on the trail if you have blisters, for example (I have Keens for the same purpose). The Croc-style footwear suggestion can work for both applications. I'm looking for a pair of those right now, where I am overseas (mine are at home in Canada), and if I can find them in time I'll take them with me.
The only other thing I'd say is that hiking boots can be pretty hot on the Camino, especially in summer. I'm going in Adidas running shoes (I've worn those for every Camino so far; a new pair for each, of course!). You may find you want to be in your Tevas more often because of that.
Buen Camino!
Rachel