Starting del Norte/Primitivo in 22 days

[Woorey]

Hello from a newbie and thanks for the great advice - sometimes I got answers to questions I hadn't even thought to ask!!
My biggest head-scratcher has been whether or not to take my trusty self-inflating mattress? I've put it on and off my pack 1/2 dozen times - if I take it on the off chance I'll need it twice in 5 or 6 weeks then I should leave it home right?
Thanks in advance,
Woorey

 

[Davey Boyd]

Hi Woorey! Welcome to the forum.

I think I can safely say you will not need the self-inflating mattress (unless are you planning to sleep outdoors)?

For somewhere comfy to sit while outdoors I take a small roll of bubble wrap, weighs nothing. But all indoor accommodation options have a mattress to sleep on.

Buen Camino
Davey

 

[Woorey]

Hi Woorey! Welcome to the forum.

I think I can safely say you will not need the self-inflating mattress (unless are you planning to sleep outdoors)?

For somewhere comfy to sit while outdoors I take a small roll of bubble wrap, weighs nothing. But all indoor accommodation options have a mattress to sleep on.

Buen Camino
Davey

Not sleeping outdoors, just thought if all beds were taken it'd be an option rather than walking on.
Thanks for the prompt reply - one less thing to fixate on.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Not sleeping outdoors, just thought if all beds were taken it'd be an option rather than walking on.
Thanks for the prompt reply - one less thing to fixate on.

No problem. Just to add, if the albergue is full you either will not be able to stay there or (as happened twice on my Primitivo last year) they put mattresses on the floor for us. However they were full because we were traveling at the busiest time of year - getting to Santiago for St. James day on July 25th. If in doubt book a day ahead.

Davey

 

[jsalt]

if I take it on the off chance I'll need it twice in 5 or 6 weeks then I should leave it home right?

Right

 

[Woorey]

Thanks Jill - I'll heed your lessons but hope to learn some of my own, just for the experience of course. I particularly like your references to your husband/family at home. I will also be leaving my family at home and am already getting unprompted hugs and words of encouragement from my young daughters - they inspire me already with their implicit confidence in my upcoming camino

 

[Mike Savage]

I have seen so many people carry sleeping pads on the Camino and never seen one used. I would leave it home if it were me.

Buen Camino!

 

[Woorey]

I have seen so many people carry sleeping pads on the Camino and never seen one used. I would leave it home if it were me.

Buen Camino!

Thanks Mike,
It's been relegated to the spare room and I feel much happier about my pack now that nothing is attached to the outside - it even looks lighter now.

 

[Former member 60103]

Hi Woorey,
Good luck on your Camino. By the looks of it I will be starting the Norte/Primitivo a day or two in your wake. I have just posted a pack list on the forum under "Norte pack list" if it is any help. A cut down foam camping mat will weigh next to nothing, is cheap enough to ditch if you don't want it but essential if you want to sleep on anything else other than a mattress. Plus if at any point you want to sit and enjoy the view, contemplate the meaning of life etc it will beat sitting on your rucksac or damp grass etc. Hope this helps, Buen Camino, maybe see you on the trail !

 

[Woorey]

Hi Woorey,
Good luck on your Camino. By the looks of it I will be starting the Norte/Primitivo a day or two in your wake. I have just posted a pack list on the forum under "Norte pack list" if it is any help. A cut down foam camping mat will weigh next to nothing, is cheap enough to ditch if you don't want it but essential if you want to sleep on anything else other than a mattress. Plus if at any point you want to sit and enjoy the view, contemplate the meaning of life etc it will beat sitting on your rucksac or damp grass etc. Hope this helps, Buen Camino, maybe see you on the trail !

Muchas gracias Don - I'm comfortable with my gear at the moment. Your list looks good, mine is similar but I go with a poncho that also fits over my pack. At this stage I don't plan on any long pants, never do take them actually, and the Adelaide Hills gets pretty cool mid-winter.
Maybe I should post my list?

 

[Davey Boyd]

Muchas gracias Don - I'm comfortable with my gear at the moment. Your list looks good, mine is similar but I go with a poncho that also fits over my pack. At this stage I don't plan on any long pants, never do take them actually, and the Adelaide Hills gets pretty cool mid-winter.
Maybe I should post my list?

Hi Woorey

Yes feel free to post your packing list. It may be worth piece of mind

Davey