Is carrying your own backpack a thing of the past?

[Robo]

I would like to see two things happen on the Camino.

1. All Pilgrims to be weighed at the start and end of each day, like a truck going across a weigh bridge, to ensure they are carrying at least 8kg. Children 8-18 5 kg minimum and those under 8 zero.
2. All Pilgrim statues along the way to be 'fixed' so as to more accurately reflect 'reality' by having a large back pack welded to their backs.

 

[Beeman]

Our modern hobby seems to be monitoring the behavior of others! What others do is of little interest to me. I am going to walk the primitive in august,and will be carrying my pack,because that is what I want to do. What others do,is what THEY wish to do. Enjoy the journey,all of us.

 

[Travelite]

There is no need for a "heavy" packpack, although that is of course relative. Browse through the forum, and you'll see that it is certainly possible to transport bags and it is not so hard to plan stops ahead.

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I broke my wrist in a fall(2nd day into my very first Camino-started SJPDP - in September this year) just as I sighted the river you cross into Reconcesvalles. Doctor advised against carrying backpack for at least two weeks. I hated the idea of having to transport the item daily. Not for any of the reasons mentioned on forum but because of the cost. I was on Camino on a very tight budget and 5 euros(it costs 5 euros from Pamplona on, until just before Sarria, I think, where you can transport for 3 euros) added to my daily lodgings was pretty heavy. I started carrying my backpack again from Sarria which was a dreadful mistake as the walk is quite tough, my wrist very painful and it was raining too. I only realized I was just one of five Pilgrims carrying a backpack out of a crowd of fifty when we were well into the second climb for that day. Oh, yes, I have walked right past a town where my bag was to be delivered if I felt strong enough to continue. On two occasions had to pay the extra cost of delivery to my Albergue of choice.