Request for packing list review

[Kate Mitchell]

Hello Camino forum,

I'm so grateful for this website - what a blessing for new pilgrims!

I'm starting the Camino Frances on May 25th from SJPP and am hoping that some veterans (or newbies!) could review my packing list. I'm 13o pounds, in good-not-great shape and interested in cutting this down -- it's my tendency to overprepare and worry that's led me to the Camino in the first place!

Any thoughts/reactions welcome. I don't have a scale yet so I'm not sure where I am on weight:

Equipment
- 1 36L backpack (Osprey Sirrus)
- 1 piece of dark cotton fabric 44 x 60 to use as towel/blanket for sitting on
- 1 small watch with alarm
- 1 mechanical pencil with extra lead
- 1 tiny (really!) waterproof journal
- 1 disposable camera (compromise with my mother, who insists on photos -- I don't want any electronics)
- 1 Sink stopper (?)
- 1 lightweight sleeping bag OR 1 liner OR both: I get terrible night sweats, so I want to be able to launder bedclothes. I'm worried about being too cold/unable to sleep outside if I have to without a sleeping bag, though)
- 1 pair Sunglasses
- 1 pillowcase
- 1 Travel wallet
- 1 extra shoe lace (double as clothesline in a pinch?)
- 1 eco shopping bag (rolls up to a little ball)
- 1 LED flashlight (size of chapstick)
- 1 super-small Swiss army knife (nail file, scissors, 2 blades)
- 1 Spork
- 1 camino guidebook (it's light!)

Clothing
- 1 pair of convertible pants
- 1 long sleeve shirt (wicking)
- 2 short sleeve shirts (wicking)
- 1 pair of running tights (can be worn solo or under pants)
- 2 pairs underwear
- 2 sports bras
- 2 pairs merino wool hiking socks
- 2 pairs sock liners
- 1 pair compression socks (?! - I wore these during marathon training and adored them after long runs. Are they worth the weight here after long days of walking?)
- 1 Ultralight windbreaker
- 1 Poncho (covers me and pack)
- 1 wide brimmed hat
- 1 buff
- 1 pair waterproof hiking shoes
- 1 pair crocs

Cosmetic/First Aid
- 1 Comb
- 1 3 oz. of shampoo/conditioner in one
- 4 hair ties
- 3 oz toothpaste
- 1 toothbrush
- 3 oz of Aquafor (like vaseline)
- 8 bandaids (second skin/compeed type)
- 2 small sheets of moleskin
- 1 needle and thread
- 2 safety pins
- 6 earplugs
- 10 tablets ibuprofen
- 1 mini roll-on deoderant
- 1 4 oz tube of sunscreen (I've got super fair skin)
- 1 pair glasses
- 3 pairs contacts (2 week kind)
- 3 oz contact solution
- 1 contact lens case
- few feet of dental floss

Thank you!

Buen Camino,
Kate

 

[natefaith]

Pretty thorough list, Kate! Is your towel real cotton? If so you may find it to be a pain to dry and to carry around when wet (cotton gets heavy and burdensome when wet). And is that 44x60 in inches, or cm? If in inches that would be pretty large - if you're looking for coverage you could find a larger sport/ microfiber, quick-drying towel instead.

I don't think you'll use the sink stopper - most sinks in Spain have their own stoppers attached, or the albergue/ hotel will have provided one for pilgrims.

You may also want to consider bringing a light fleece pullover or jacket with you as a layer of warmth for when you're in the mountains or for chilly evenings.

Of course, just my thoughts - take care and enjoy all the planning!
Faith

 

[SYates]

Looks really good! Here a few tweaks I would suggest:

- 1 piece of dark cotton fabric 44 x 60 to use as towel/blanket for sitting on - Like Nate said, is that inches or cm? Also a polyester/cotton mix will dry quicker, have a look in same Asian/China style dollar shop for a fabric like that.
- 1 Sink stopper (?) - I never take one, if there isn't a stopper, just use a sock ;-)
- 1 lightweight sleeping bag OR 1 liner OR both: I get terrible night sweats, so I want to be able to launder bedclothes. I'm worried about being too cold/unable to sleep outside if I have to without a sleeping bag, though) - if you sweat a lot, take both. Roughly how heavy are the both together?
- 1 pillowcase - leave at home and wrap your fabric around any suspicious pillow ;-)
- 1 extra shoe lace (double as clothesline in a pinch?) - just put new laces in shoes before setting out and leave at home, bring ~6 biggish safety pins instead to attach wet clothes to backpack and/or to use as clothes pegs/pins.
- 1 pair compression socks (?! - I wore these during marathon training and adored them after long runs. Are they worth the weight here after long days of walking?) - If you have good experience wearing them after exercise, take them!
- 8 bandaids (second skin/compeed type) - make sure you know how to use them the right way
- 1 needle and thread - PLEASE tell me that this is not for blister treatment!!!
- 2 safety pins - see above
- 1 mini roll-on deoderant - if you must, I never bother

Like I said, well thought out list! Buen Camino, SY

 

[C clearly]

I think the list looks good, and agree with the questions about the cotton fabric. It could be quite heavy, and you don't need anything that large to sit on. A big plastic garbage bag might be better for that. As a towel it is also big - I take a face cloth (10"X10") and a tea towel.

 

[MTtoCamino]

I would take an additional pair of wool socks

I see no walking poles on the list, I used them as drying poles. SY is on point about using your pack to dry items. As it can be very humid when it rains & nothing drys very quick like socks. She uses safety pins I used carabiners depends on if your pack has tie or strap points.
Buen Camino

 

[Kate Mitchell]

Pretty thorough list, Kate! Is your towel real cotton? If so you may find it to be a pain to dry and to carry around when wet (cotton gets heavy and burdensome when wet). And is that 44x60 in inches, or cm? If in inches that would be pretty large - if you're looking for coverage you could find a larger sport/ microfiber, quick-drying towel instead.

I don't think you'll use the sink stopper - most sinks in Spain have their own stoppers attached, or the albergue/ hotel will have provided one for pilgrims.

You may also want to consider bringing a light fleece pullover or jacket with you as a layer of warmth for when you're in the mountains or for chilly evenings.

Of course, just my thoughts - take care and enjoy all the planning!
Faith

Thank you Faith! This is all very helpful. I'll put in a fleece and after this thread have decided to use a thin yoga towel (not cotton), cut down to 24 x 44ish inches. Just enough to wrap around myself.

 

[Kate Mitchell]

Looks really good! Here a few tweaks I would suggest:

- 1 piece of dark cotton fabric 44 x 60 to use as towel/blanket for sitting on - Like Nate said, is that inches or cm? Also a polyester/cotton mix will dry quicker, have a look in same Asian/China style dollar shop for a fabric like that.
- 1 Sink stopper (?) - I never take one, if there isn't a stopper, just use a sock ;-)
- 1 lightweight sleeping bag OR 1 liner OR both: I get terrible night sweats, so I want to be able to launder bedclothes. I'm worried about being too cold/unable to sleep outside if I have to without a sleeping bag, though) - if you sweat a lot, take both. Roughly how heavy are the both together?
- 1 pillowcase - leave at home and wrap your fabric around any suspicious pillow ;-)
- 1 extra shoe lace (double as clothesline in a pinch?) - just put new laces in shoes before setting out and leave at home, bring ~6 biggish safety pins instead to attach wet clothes to backpack and/or to use as clothes pegs/pins.
- 1 pair compression socks (?! - I wore these during marathon training and adored them after long runs. Are they worth the weight here after long days of walking?) - If you have good experience wearing them after exercise, take them!
- 8 bandaids (second skin/compeed type) - make sure you know how to use them the right way
- 1 needle and thread - PLEASE tell me that this is not for blister treatment!!!
- 2 safety pins - see above
- 1 mini roll-on deoderant - if you must, I never bother

Like I said, well thought out list! Buen Camino, SY

Thank you SY! I took much advice from your book on what to bring - such a helpful resource. After the replies on this thread, I've decided to take a lightweight yoga towel cut to 24 x 44 ish inches and BOTH the sleeping bag and the liner. Together they are just under 3 lbs. Great call on the large safety pins for drying things on my pack -- I'll do that. And no, the needle and thread are for clothing or gear malfunctions.

 

[natefaith]

Welcome to the Forum, Kate (forgot to say that before)! May 25 is coming up - so exciting!
Take care,
Faith

 

[SYates]

... a lightweight yoga towel cut to 24 x 44 ish inches and BOTH the sleeping bag and the liner. Together they are just under 3 lbs. Great call on the large safety pins for drying things on my pack -- I'll do that. And no, the needle and thread are for clothing or gear malfunctions.

Sounds very good, seems you are good to go. Have a wonderful and blesséd Camino, SY

Oh, ultralight adjustment - dental floss doubles as a sewing thread. Really only saves a gram or less but I thought I mention it

 

[CowboyJoe]

Hello Camino forum,

I'm so grateful for this website - what a blessing for new pilgrims!

I'm starting the Camino Frances on May 25th from SJPP and am hoping that some veterans (or newbies!) could review my packing list. I'm 13o pounds, in good-not-great shape and interested in cutting this down -- it's my tendency to overprepare and worry that's led me to the Camino in the first place!

Any thoughts/reactions welcome. I don't have a scale yet so I'm not sure where I am on weight:

Equipment
- 1 36L backpack (Osprey Sirrus)
- 1 piece of dark cotton fabric 44 x 60 to use as towel/blanket for sitting on
- 1 small watch with alarm
- 1 mechanical pencil with extra lead
- 1 tiny (really!) waterproof journal
- 1 disposable camera (compromise with my mother, who insists on photos -- I don't want any electronics)
- 1 Sink stopper (?)
- 1 lightweight sleeping bag OR 1 liner OR both: I get terrible night sweats, so I want to be able to launder bedclothes. I'm worried about being too cold/unable to sleep outside if I have to without a sleeping bag, though)
- 1 pair Sunglasses
- 1 pillowcase
- 1 Travel wallet
- 1 extra shoe lace (double as clothesline in a pinch?)
- 1 eco shopping bag (rolls up to a little ball)
- 1 LED flashlight (size of chapstick)
- 1 super-small Swiss army knife (nail file, scissors, 2 blades)
- 1 Spork
- 1 camino guidebook (it's light!)

Clothing
- 1 pair of convertible pants
- 1 long sleeve shirt (wicking)
- 2 short sleeve shirts (wicking)
- 1 pair of running tights (can be worn solo or under pants)
- 2 pairs underwear
- 2 sports bras
- 2 pairs merino wool hiking socks
- 2 pairs sock liners
- 1 pair compression socks (?! - I wore these during marathon training and adored them after long runs. Are they worth the weight here after long days of walking?)
- 1 Ultralight windbreaker
- 1 Poncho (covers me and pack)
- 1 wide brimmed hat
- 1 buff
- 1 pair waterproof hiking shoes
- 1 pair crocs

Cosmetic/First Aid
- 1 Comb
- 1 3 oz. of shampoo/conditioner in one
- 4 hair ties
- 3 oz toothpaste
- 1 toothbrush
- 3 oz of Aquafor (like vaseline)
- 8 bandaids (second skin/compeed type)
- 2 small sheets of moleskin
- 1 needle and thread
- 2 safety pins
- 6 earplugs
- 10 tablets ibuprofen
- 1 mini roll-on deoderant
- 1 4 oz tube of sunscreen (I've got super fair skin)
- 1 pair glasses
- 3 pairs contacts (2 week kind)
- 3 oz contact solution
- 1 contact lens case
- few feet of dental floss

Thank you!

Buen Camino,
Kate

Hi Kate: Curious: How much does it weigh?

 

[Kate Mitchell]

Hi Kate: Curious: How much does it weigh?

Hi Joe! I'm not finished yet, but coming in around 13 lbs

 

[CowboyJoe]

Hi Joe! I'm not finished yet.
How do you do it? I can't get mine to between 16-18 and I'm taking nothing (counting 2.2 lbs for 1L of water). And I may throw in my ultralight tent, so that would bring me to right at 20lbs. But it's a far cry less than the 60lbs, I've lugged on backpacking trips! Looks like I'll be a day behind you--getting to SJPDP on the 26th!

 

[scruffy1]

Two small edits, (1) a small pocket knife for sure but one which also has an all important corkscrew!!! (2) I average well over 500(!) photographs -people places scenery and memories on each of my Caminos. one disposable camera? No way! Time to reboot and think again

 

[camster]

Be sure to tell us in the mean time, or when you come back what worked and what didn't!
Buen Camino!