Gear for the Camino Ingles

[Drew1578]

I'll be setting off from Ferrol on May 5th and was wondering how much gear I needed to carry on my 5 day camino. As I start to get all my stuff together and deciding what gear to bring/not to bring, reading the forums, and watching videos regarding others who have walked to Santiago and what they have packed I'm starting to wonder how much of is required for the Camino Ingles.

It seems like 99% of the information out on the interwebs regarding packing for a camino is focused on the Camino Frances and since my walk will be just 5 days and I'm not staying in albergues like on the Frances, it seems like I can forgo, for example, a sleeping bag liner or a clothes line. Also the amount of soap, toothpaste, etc., I'll need to carry seems minimal as I can buy anything I need in Santiago.

I'll be in Santiago for 2 days before I head out to explore Avila, Segovia, Zaragoza, and Barcelona before heading home and therefore will not be carrying my backpack since I'll be traveling by plane and car so I'm not worried at that point how heavy my pack will be by then (I do plan on keeping my pack to about 10lbs/4.5kg while walking).

Also, as a side note, can you obtain the last stamp in Santiago itself? I read somewhere that the Cathedral will give the last stamp for the two stamp per day requirement - is this correct?

Thanks for any input - I'm just getting a bit anxious about this whole thing....
Drew

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi Drew . . .

The basic gear is the same for 31 days or 6 days. That applies to your plans regarding lodging as well. If you stay in accommodations, be it the Frances or the Ingles, which supplies bedding and toiletries, you do not need to take them if you do not want to. The primary things like your clothing, medications, sunscreen, water bottles or reservoir, knife, headlamp, charger, etc will stay the same.

You do not indicate that you need a list of clothing and gear, so I'll skip that part.

The two a day sello requirement on your last day of walking into SdC is fulfilled by getting a sello at the beginning of the day. You will receive the final stamp in the Pilgrim's Office when you present your Credencial for your Compostela. If you do not plan to get either a Compostela (religious or spiritual reason for walking) or an alternate completion certificate, then you do not need to worry about collecting sellos.

If you need any help with gear or clothing lists, feel free to send me a PM.

 

[trecile]

I would bring the same gear for two days or twenty+ days. However if I knew for sure that I'd be staying in private rooms with bedding and towels provided I'd leave out my sleep sack and towel.

 

[domigee]

Hi! I always pack the same whether I go for 5 days, 5 weeks or 5 months... Two sets of clothes (one to wear, one to wash), minimum of toiletries, first aid etc. (Enough to see me to the next farmacia).
In your case, if you know you won’t stay in albergues, you can forget the sleeping bag/sleeping liner. You can also leave behind the towel and soap, shampoo as those are usually available in hotels.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Ditto all of the above replies.
Your kit should be the same for all Caminos. Be it one day or 45 days.

How many times have I seen, or heard, people who were for sure going to stay in a hotel every night...that did not pan out. For one reason or the other, things did not work out. They were not ready for staying elsewhere.

Of course may be something extra if walking in the middle of winter. But overall the kit stays basically the same.

Especially take rain gear. Sleeping bag/liner.

Weather that time of the year can be almost anything. Especially some rainy days. Cool, to even cold, mornings and nights. Damp.

But I have seen dry, even hot, days in Ferrol end of April and getting into May.
Hey it is Galicia...expect anything.

Tourism of Galicia. Europe - Spain - Galicia. - GALICIA

Discover Galicia, your complete tourist guide. Cities, nature, hidden heritage, rivers and beaches await for you. All the information you need to plan your trip.

www.turismo.gal

I take light weight bag. Silk liner.
Also always have my hammock in the bag. Have slept outside many times before.
And light weight sleeping pad. Use it in hammock or on floor somewhere.
You can buy most everything you need on the Camino.

I have taken the exact same items on all of my walks.

Many good packing list posted on this forum.
USE your pack, shoes, clothing, all items before you travel/walk. Make sure you have the right items, amount, weight etc.

Your ten lbs sounds a little light for that time of the year.

You will need rain gear of some sort.

Be prepared....than be sorry. Worse case...cold/wet makes for a bad day/night.

Enjoy your post walk days in Spain. Not knocking where you want to go after your Camino.
But, I would pick Donostia/Sebastian over Barcelona. And a few other places too.

Best of San Sebastian, Spain – Top Things to Do

Tourism guide for San Sebastian featuring the top things to do & see: beaches, walk along La Concha Beach promenade, eat pintxos in the old town & much more.

www.euskoguide.com

Most important: enjoy.

Blessings

 

[Drew1578]

Ditto all of the above replies.
Especially take rain gear. Sleeping bag/liner.

I take light weight bag. Silk liner.
Also always have my hammock in the bag. Have slept outside many times before.
And light weight sleeping pad. Use it in hammock or on floor somewhere.
You can buy most everything you need on the Camino.

I have taken the exact same items on all of my walks.

Many good packing list posted on this forum.
USE your pack, shoes, clothing, all items before you travel/walk. Make sure you have the right items, amount, weight etc.

Your ten lbs sounds a little light for that time of the year.

You will need rain gear of some sort.

Be prepared....than be sorry. Worse case...cold/wet makes for a bad day/night.

Thanks - I have both a rain jacket and a poncho I'm taking but I do need some rain pants for sure.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Thanks - I have both a rain jacket and a poncho I'm taking but I do need some rain pants for sure.

Hi, Drew. . .
If you don't mind my asking, why both poncho and rain jacket? Even on my thru hikes on the PCT and the Colorado Trail and on my Caminos I only took my poncho.

As an aside, I hike and backpack wearing shorts. If it rains, my poncho mostly keeps the rain off my legs, but even if it doesn't I just dry them off when I get to a stopping point. If the rain or the weather is too chilly, I just put a pair of base-layer bottoms on under my shorts. Even if the get wet, my legs stay warm and they dry out quickly when I'm done for the day.

Just a thought.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

Thanks - I have both a rain jacket and a poncho I'm taking but I do need some rain pants for sure.

Some like the ponchos. I hate them.
IMHO I woud not take both poncho and rain jacket/pants.
I prefer rain jacket and rain pants.

I finally broke down and got the super lightweight, very breathable, rain set. Pants and jacket from REI. Costly yes. Worth it? Yes! Made by Outdoor Research.

One of the most important items ALWAYS take: SOL emergency blanket. Light weight. Packs small. Good insurance to have just in case.
Also wool watch cap, wool gloves and neck gaiter (Moreno Wool).

These are my standard back up items no matter how traveling. Be it bus, boat, walking, etc. That standard set will protect you.

 

[domigee]

Thanks - I have both a rain jacket and a poncho I'm taking but I do need some rain pants for sure.

Just my opinion for what it’s worth.... No need for both a poncho and a rain jacket. Either one will do.

 

[musicman]

You don’t need a head torch,blanket,sleeping bag,liner.
Check the weather - I use the Weather.es App. Free. - to decide on rainwear .
Poncho or pants,not both.
I have walked the Ingles( going again in September).
I am the Ensuitepilgrim so onlybuse small hotels like yourself !
It’s a great,little Camino - no problems with two Sellos a day.
Buen Camino.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

You don’t need a head torch,. . . .

I used my tiny, 1 ounce, headlamp frequently on Camino whenever I started out prior to sunrise. Mine also has a pulsing red light setting which I used whenever I walked close to oncoming traffic.

What I NEVER EVER EVER did, was use it in an alburgue.

 

[trecile]

I used my tiny, 1 ounce, headlamp

Petzl E+Lite? That's what I have

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Petzl E+Lite? That's what I have

Yup, that's the one

 

[Drew1578]

Hi Drew . . .

The basic gear is the same for 31 days or 6 days. That applies to your plans regarding lodging as well. If you stay in accommodations, be it the Frances or the Ingles, which supplies bedding and toiletries, you do not need to take them if you do not want to. The primary things like your clothing, medications, sunscreen, water bottles or reservoir, knife, headlamp, charger, etc will stay the same.

You do not indicate that you need a list of clothing and gear, so I'll skip that part.

The two a day sello requirement on your last day of walking into SdC is fulfilled by getting a sello at the beginning of the day. You will receive the final stamp in the Pilgrim's Office when you present your Credencial for your Compostela. If you do not plan to get either a Compostela (religious or spiritual reason for walking) or an alternate completion certificate, then you do not need to worry about collecting sellos.

If you need any help with gear or clothing lists, feel free to send me a PM.

Thanks for your advice. I figured I could forgo the toiletries other than what I might need during the day. I'm guessing my clothing list might be different than those walking the Frances in summer as I know I'll get some rain during my camino in Galicia. I just couldn't figure out if the Pilgrim's Office would give me the last stamp required.

 

[Drew1578]

I would bring the same gear for two days or twenty+ days. However if I knew for sure that I'd be staying in private rooms with bedding and towels provided I'd leave out my sleep sack and towel.

Thanks - I won't plan on purchasing the sleep sack or towel.

 

[Drew1578]

Hi, Drew. . .
If you don't mind my asking, why both poncho and rain jacket? Even on my thru hikes on the PCT and the Colorado Trail and on my Caminos I only took my poncho.

As an aside, I hike and backpack wearing shorts. If it rains, my poncho mostly keeps the rain off my legs, but even if it doesn't I just dry them off when I get to a stopping point. If the rain or the weather is too chilly, I just put a pair of base-layer bottoms on under my shorts. Even if the get wet, my legs stay warm and they dry out quickly when I'm done for the day.

Just a thought.

I looked at the poncho I have and it's really not as long as I thought so I'll stick with the rain jacket and I'll pick up some rain pants.

 

[Drew1578]

Some like the ponchos. I hate them.
IMHO I woud not take both poncho and rain jacket/pants.
I prefer rain jacket and rain pants.

I finally broke down and got the super lightweight, very breathable, rain set. Pants and jacket from REI. Costly yes. Worth it? Yes! Made by Outdoor Research.

One of the most important items ALWAYS take: SOL emergency blanket. Light weight. Packs small. Good insurance to have just in case.
Also wool watch cap, wool gloves and neck gaiter (Moreno Wool).

These are my standard back up items no matter how traveling. Be it bus, boat, walking, etc. That standard set will protect you.

Martyseville - I'm going to go with the rain jacket/pants. I have a jacket but I'll look into REI for pants. I have a SmartWool pullover I'll take (I've been wearing it lately here in SoCal as it's been more nippy than usually) and I did plan on taking a Buff along with gloves - all pretty lightweight. I forgot about an emergency blanket - thanks.

 

[Drew1578]

You don’t need a head torch,blanket,sleeping bag,liner.
Check the weather - I use the Weather.es App. Free. - to decide on rainwear .
Poncho or pants,not both.
I have walked the Ingles( going again in September).
I am the Ensuitepilgrim so onlybuse small hotels like yourself !
It’s a great,little Camino - no problems with two Sellos a day.
Buen Camino.

Thanks Musicman - I don't really have time right now for a longer Camino and the Ingles sounds intriguing - I didn't want to walk a hugely popular route on my first Camino and I could use some solitude right now in my life. That said I also wanted to be relatively comfortable at night (comes with age I guess) so I wanted to stay in small hotels if possible. I was concerned though about the 2 sellos a day on the Ingles - thanks for the info.
Cheers.

 

[Drew1578]

Ditto all of the above replies.
Your kit should be the same for all Caminos. Be it one day or 45 days.

How many times have I seen, or heard, people who were for sure going to stay in a hotel every night...that did not pan out. For one reason or the other, things did not work out. They were not ready for staying elsewhere.

Of course may be something extra if walking in the middle of winter. But overall the kit stays basically the same.

Especially take rain gear. Sleeping bag/liner.

Weather that time of the year can be almost anything. Especially some rainy days. Cool, to even cold, mornings and nights. Damp.

But I have seen dry, even hot, days in Ferrol end of April and getting into May.
Hey it is Galicia...expect anything.

Tourism of Galicia. Europe - Spain - Galicia. - GALICIA

Discover Galicia, your complete tourist guide. Cities, nature, hidden heritage, rivers and beaches await for you. All the information you need to plan your trip.

www.turismo.gal

I take light weight bag. Silk liner.
Also always have my hammock in the bag. Have slept outside many times before.
And light weight sleeping pad. Use it in hammock or on floor somewhere.
You can buy most everything you need on the Camino.

I have taken the exact same items on all of my walks.

Many good packing list posted on this forum.
USE your pack, shoes, clothing, all items before you travel/walk. Make sure you have the right items, amount, weight etc.

Your ten lbs sounds a little light for that time of the year.

You will need rain gear of some sort.

Be prepared....than be sorry. Worse case...cold/wet makes for a bad day/night.

Enjoy your post walk days in Spain. Not knocking where you want to go after your Camino.
But, I would pick Donostia/Sebastian over Barcelona. And a few other places too.

Best of San Sebastian, Spain – Top Things to Do

Tourism guide for San Sebastian featuring the top things to do & see: beaches, walk along La Concha Beach promenade, eat pintxos in the old town & much more.

www.euskoguide.com

Most important: enjoy.

Blessings

Thank you for all the advice. There is so much help and support from everyone on this forum.
I decided to hit up Barcelona only because I fly into and out of Barcelona and I've never been there plus I'm a big Gaudi fan. After Santiago I'll be stopping in Avila, Segovia, Zaragosa, then on to Barcelona for 2 days - I figure 2 days is long enough since I'll be traveling solo (I'll be sightseeing and not going out to any bars, etc.).
I'm trying to be as prepared as I can....

 

[Drew1578]

Hi Drew . . .

The basic gear is the same for 31 days or 6 days. That applies to your plans regarding lodging as well. If you stay in accommodations, be it the Frances or the Ingles, which supplies bedding and toiletries, you do not need to take them if you do not want to. The primary things like your clothing, medications, sunscreen, water bottles or reservoir, knife, headlamp, charger, etc will stay the same.

You do not indicate that you need a list of clothing and gear, so I'll skip that part.

The two a day sello requirement on your last day of walking into SdC is fulfilled by getting a sello at the beginning of the day. You will receive the final stamp in the Pilgrim's Office when you present your Credencial for your Compostela. If you do not plan to get either a Compostela (religious or spiritual reason for walking) or an alternate completion certificate, then you do not need to worry about collecting sellos.

If you need any help with gear or clothing lists, feel free to send me a PM.

Dave - on a side note, someone tagged your recipe for the Tarta de Santiago so I made it this past Sunday.
Incredible! Everyone loved it. I'm looking forward to trying some in Spain just to see how they hold up against your recipe. And it was so simple. Thanks!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Dave - on a side note, someone tagged your recipe for the Tarta de Santiago so I made it this past Sunday.
Incredible! Everyone loved it. I'm looking forward to trying some in Spain just to see how they hold up against your recipe. And it was so simple. Thanks!View attachment 52598

What I discovered in Spain is that paella and Tarta de Santiago are either good or bad, very little in between. In touristy places, the spots catering to tourists rather than locals will have pre-packaged, previously frozen, production line versions of these dishes that are nothing like fresh made or baked. So, be careful For Tarta, I have found better success with craft bakeries in Galicia than elsewhere.