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The Big Backpack Myth

sillydoll

Veteran Member
Time of past OR future Camino
2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:
I feel really sorry for our modern day walking pilgrims. Unlike their medieval counterparts who left their material baggage at home and carried only the barest of necessities, today’s pilgrims feel compelled to shower at the end of each day and wash their clothes which means that they have to take a change of clothing as well as laundry wash, pegs and a wash line! They also take extra shoes and socks or sandals, waterproof rain gear, fleece jackets and sleeping bags. They carry toiletries, medicines and a first aid kit. Many have a computer, tablet or smart phone with internet access and GPS. Most pilgrims have a camera and need chargers for their equipment. To carry all of this stuff they need to have a backpack.

Not only do they have to endure the weight of heavy backpacks they often have a smaller bag around their waist to carry other modern conveniences like credit cards, money cards and cash, important documents like their passport, return air ticket, guide books and itineraries. As a result, they often suffer tendinitis, stress fractures, blisters and back ache and, in some cases, have to cut short their pilgrimage.

The worst thing about all of this is that pilgrims have been led to believe that this is a normal part of the pilgrimage tradition and that without their full backpacks they will be judged as less than worthy, un-authentic pilgrims, or will have a less meaningful Camino. (Cyclists and those on horseback are exempt from this guilt trip as they don't have to carry backpacks.) Medieval pilgrims would have been amazed to see today's pilgrims slogging across the Camino with huge packs on their backs!

More .....

http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2012/09/t ... -myth.html
 
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I'm not tempted to return to the simplicity of no bag. I've become addicted to hot and cold running water, soap etc
In medieval times washes were infrequent and baths almost non-existent I believe, they weren't going to miss not having one. It may be unauthentic but I'll stick to carrying a change of clothes and some toiletries, I'll pass on the modern technology
Sue
 
We have shoeless pilgrims, and one proposed using a Scottevest with everything in its pockets. Who is volunteering to go with no pack (a baggage service does not count)?
 
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falcon269 said:
... Who is volunteering to go with no pack (a baggage service does not count)?
Click to expand...
This seems to misconstrue the line of argument and conclusion of the linked blog post, which I think is well worth taking the time to read. As I read it, Sil is arguing that the critical issue is not how one's baggage gets to SdC, but that the individual does so, and does so within both the spirit and some simple rules. She argues that there is no historical basis for thinking that the spirit of the Camino includes carrying one's own possessions, however few or many they might be.

In that context, a baggage service clearly would count.

Regards,
 
OK Sil, let's cut the Botafumeiro at Santiago Cathedral
 
Awe, shucks! Why can't we have it all?
 
Train on the 4-day Catalina Camino
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
I am on the camino now and am totally amazed at the number of pilgrims here struggling with backpacks andfeelingtheymust carryit all or will judged as unworthy.
I have chosen to notkillmyself and use a baggage service and feel fine at the end of the day while too many others look like dead meat unable to enjoy any commaradie. They are limping,have blisters, and tendinitis. But they say thy must schlep it all or they're just not real pilgrims.

Yep, each to their own. Thanks sil for a great post and thanks for recommending a baggage service. Inexpensive and works like a charm. Oops I think it's cocktail hour now! And i still have plenty of energy to enjoy it.

Ps it is very busy here And all accommodations in zubiri inc hotels were full sending pilgrims many miles away to other locations. It does pay to have a reservation.
 
There is a big fiesta in Pamplona and then the grape harvest festival will start on the 15th and will last until the 22nd September. Every village for miles will be booked up.
Its a busy time in Navarra!
 

Wow...how times change. We used to see the odd post looking down at those able bodied folk who used backpack taxis. It seemed to change the past months with the new "norm" being using a taxi instead of carrying one's own pack.
Now it appears that we have turned a complete corner and there are posts looking down at people who are actually carrying their own pack.
Lots of change lately.
 
Train on the 4-day Catalina Camino
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
I don't think anyone looks down on pilgrims carrying packs. Only very heavy packs and those who think that there is some sort of merit in carrying a heavy pack. I always carry a pack - but I don't always carry everything I've brought on the Camino in the pack. Some days my pack might weigh only 3kg and I send the excess stuff ahead. As I say in my blog, I do not walk for a reward.
 
I'm 5ft 10'' weigh around 140lbs most of the time and carry around 14lb of kit ( most of the time). That is one change of everything, one set of waterproofing, first-aid, wash kit and "handy things" box, sleeping bag in the chill.

I've done "medieval": no change of anything, no spares, no "usefuls". I stank and I winced and I wished.

Them old time pilgrims had little choice: at least those lacking servants, escorts, mules etc were likely short on optional comforts. The majority on the Camino(s) these days have, perhaps, too much choice. The freedom God gave Adam.

I can never look down on a pilgrim who has chosen their own road, nor look up to one who exhibits discrimination. I and thee may be but two among thousands but our road and our burden are unique.
 
In all the time I've spent on this marvellous forum, I have never seen a thread or even a read a comment recommending a heavy pack. While I've carried too much in the past, and seen others carry a lot, nobody has ever exhorted anyone to do so. Even on the trail, all the advice and urging has been to the contrary. While I think Sil's linked blog entry is great, full of sound advice and opinion, I have to say I'm just not aware of pressure to have a big pack.

In fact, I do still like a large pack, but not one that's heavy with contents. I find the weight of what is put in a pack is more crucial than the weight of the pack itself. A full size with plush harness is more comfortable to me, and gives me options if I want to carry food etc for a while. A pack that's too small can swing, bulge or distribute badly, though I appreciate that some compact arrangements are excellent. Also, some people love to go minimal and find the effort of shaving and reducing interesting. That's the kind of thing I've never found interesting, just as I find no interest in speed, efficiency of movement, timing albergue arrivals etc. It's fine to have an interest in all that, of course.

To be honest, if I had to go like a medieval pilgrim I wouldn't go at all. Of course, Sil was not proposing a return to the past, just some thought to the past, and the variety of ways people used to travel. I'm pleased to see her recommending the odd baggage service - wonderful things, and jobs for the locals. I hope to try one out some day.

As to affecting a few medievalisms to achieve some pilgrim cred...I'd feel rather silly getting on that big jet afterwards.
 
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Sil..
.I was responding to the post I quoted, in particular to:...."while too many others look like dead meat unable to enjoy any commaradie. They are limping,have blisters, and tendinitis. But they say thy must schlep it all or they're just not real pilgrims."....

My post is a comment on how the attitudes have changed in recent time.
 
The adjective 'Big' in the title of the post is describing the word 'Myth' rather than the word backpack!

Robertt is correct in saying that this Forum always recommends that pilgrims carry the lightest possible load - and I am an ultralight junkie.
Although it's hasn't been an issue, there have been the occasional disparaging posts comparing pack sizes, especially with regards to pilgrims carrying only daypacks. And, there are those, like Falcon, who feel that if a pilgrim decides to carry a light pack and send some stuff ahead, they should not have a bed in an albergue, leaving it instead to those who have exhausted themselves carrying all their possessions on their backs."

In her book 'Pilgrim Stories' Nancy Frey writes: "The pack can represent the 'self' and the weight one carries in life, or, for a devout Spanish Catholic, the cross and the weight of one's sins." The pack contents become the metaphorical baggage one carries in life. I suspect that the medieval pilgrim was so weighed down with his perceived guilt of sin that he didn't need to add to the weight he carried in his heart by carrying 10kg on his back!

This is a post-1980's concept. Before the Camino (as we know it) was reanimated, and before refugios were established, the few pilgrims that followed the old pilgrimage paths (GG King, Starkie, Mullins et el) went by car, bus, on horseback or donkeys, staying in hotels, inns or with friendly locals. They didn't carry backpacks because it wasn't necessary to do so.

The purpose of this post is to say to those who don't want to carry all their possessions on their backs for 10 days or 30 days - don't let anyone make you feel guilty about it. Don't let anyone make you feel inferior or less worthy as a pilgrim because you send some of your stuff ahead.
You know what your intention is and what is in your heart.
 
A problem for me initially was that I came from a background of Aussie bush walking, cycling, canoing etc. I was in the habit of taking kitchen sinks because that's what you need to do where there are no shops and accommodation. One shock for me was that, decades on, I could no longer adapt to the weight, whereas, in young days, after three weeks one hardly noticed weight.

I'm so slow and unfocused that I don't need to reduce weight fanatically on Camino...but I certainly need to carry a lot less each time. This is why I love the idea of luggage services. I also like the idea of organised groups. I'm happy walking alone and improvising friendships (daily, since all overtake me), however, many who are uncertain, shy or lacking the lingo can get a good start through such a group. Somebody over seventy can find support for a huge adventure at a time of life when most feel all adventure is far behind them.

It's as rational to look down on those using extra services as it is for elderly people to demand that the young and fit vacate the low bunks for them. (In fact, if I was young, I think I'd want to do that. I never feel less a pilgrim than when I'm competing for the best position or the hottest water.)

One demographic that does need some nagging are those wonderful Catholic Korean ladies who seem to walk in the cold months at the same time as me. Even I am prepared to train a little and check gear, pack size etc before going on Camino. Not those Korean ladies. Someone please speak to them! (I can't. Bad example.)
 
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Make no mistake, there is an attitude against the pack transport services. If you read albergue reviews on the Eroski site, you will see regular complaints about pilgrims that take beds after their backpacks arrive in a taxi (in Spanish, so us Chrome for translation service). The Melide albergue, for example, has more comments on pilgrims using baggage transport than on the quality of the renovate facility (which seems to lack kitchen equipment).

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/albergue-de-melide

People being people, it is unrealistic to expect some of them not to be resentful of pilgrims who do not carry their backpack. They have worked hard; you may worked less hard. There is no reason to be affected by their attitude, but expect them to have it. If you honestly cannot handle the critical stares, then carry your pack!
 
Its a tricky situation Falcon, and a dangerous one, trying to determine who has 'worked' the hardest on the Camino.

Some pilgrims are resentful because they started in Le Puy, St Jean or wherever, and others 'only' started in Burgos, Astorga or Sarria; and then these 'new' pilgrims start taking 'their' beds!

If a pilgrim chooses to walk a more strenuous route on a stage, with or without their pack, should they expect special treatment because they 'worked' harder than those who took the lower route?

Perhaps the pilgrims who sent their packs ahead and only carried a daypack have walked a longer distance? Some albergues in Galicia won't accept pilgrims who haven't walked at least 20km but if I have walked 30km or 40km, should I expect preferential treatment?

Should pilgrims who accept Jesus Jato's offer to send their packs to O Cebreiro be denied a bed because others declined? Should the less fit be given special consideration because they have worked harder than the fit pilgrim. Where do all these criteria end?

Pilgrims are pilgrims are pilgrims. A big backpack or a smaller daypack or no pack at all: 100km, 200km, 500km or more, doesn't make the pilgrim.

As I said in my post, the Pilgrim's Office doesn't concern itself with backpacks as long as you walk, ride the required distance you will earn a Compostela - if you want one.
 
trying to determine who has 'worked' the hardest on the Camino
Click to expand...
It is clear in the minds of the prejudiced -- their minds are made up, and their resentment firmly held. Don't be surprised or defensive about it. They are as entitled to their feelings as any of the rest of us. Sip a cup of camomile tea, and do not be bothered by them.
 
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So why waste a lot of hot air on people having their luggage sent ahead? It's THEIR Camino, and it's within the rules.
Click to expand...
That is true of private albergues and hostales, but many of the municipal and parochial albergues do not accept pilgrims who do not carry their backpack, or bicyclists who use a chase vehicle. From the Credential:
Organised groups with a support vehicle or on bicycles are asked to find alternative accommodation from the pilgrim albergues.
Click to expand...
It is interesting that some are finding the clicking of trekking poles more irritating than packless pilgrims taking the last bed in an albergue!
 
Sadly, as the Camino becomes more commercial and traditional albergues start charging, the number of albergues serviced by volunteers trained by Hospitalers Voluntarios (Spanish Federation) has diminished.
The latest to start charging was the albergue Madres Benedictinas in Leon which now charges €5 so volunteer hospitaleros are not offered this albergue anymore.
The traditional, donativo albergues are:
Arres (Aragones)
Parroquial de Estella
Villamayor de Manjardin
Parroquial de Viana
Parroquial de Logrono
Najera
Sto Domingo de la Calzada
Grañon
Villalcazar de Sirga
Sahagun Madres Benedictinas
Bercianos del Real Camino
El Burgo Ranero
Parroquial de Foncebadon
Parroquial de El Acebo
Ponferrada
Samos (monastic)
VIA DE LA PLATA
Alcuescar
Salamanca

(There might be others not on the HOSVOL list such as those run by Confraternities like Miraz and Gaucelmo in Rabanal.)
 
Sometimes I think we fall in to the trap of justifying or defending what "we" think is the "correct" Camino instead of just letting people walk their own Camino and not over thinking the whole thing. Some people want to carry heavy packs for their own reasons and struggle for awhile and then lighten their load as they learn or they choose to continue to walk with a heavy pack. Some people send everything on to the next stop and stay in 5 star hotels. Some get a little tired and take a bus for several legs. Some even use a car and stop periodically to get stamps on the last 100 km so that they can show a passport that meets the criteria, and then stretch the truth about having walked the last 100km. Frankly, as long as people feel comfortable with their definition, I could care less; they are the ones who will have to be honest with themselves as to whether it worked for them. As the Camino Frances gets more commercialized, we may someday not even recognize what we consider as a "traditional" Camino. I think it is best just to do "our" own Camino as we define it and not even get wrapped up in a discussion of what is appropriate and what is frowned upon. By the way, having been in the beginning, an opinionated pilgrim who stressed out at others' view of the appropriate Camino that did not match mine, I found it much more liberating and less stressful, to chill out and accept everyone's individual view of an appropriate Camino, and just be happy that I am doing it my way.
 
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How much is the baggage service? And how does it work exactly?
 
It works very well. You can call Jacotrans, or Camino Facil, or if you are in Galicia Xacotrans or any of the other services. They have envelopes at the reception of most private albergues. You put your €7 in the envelope and write on it where you want it to be taken, call them to collect your bag and have it in the reception by 8am. It will be delivered to your chosen place by 2pm the next day.
 
Train on the 4-day Catalina Camino
Train for your next Camino on California's Santa Catalina Island March 16-19
I've noticed that as I grow older, things that used to bother me don't matter as much.
I'm beginning to focus on things that are really important and let the small stuff slide.
Of course, that's not always the case.. but more and more it is.

The very first time I walked the Camino (I've said this before) I was shocked and even angry at pilgrims who were carrying tiny little daypacks. In fact, when I go through my photos of that trip, I have more than a couple of photos of people with tiny packs, my BIG pack next to tiny packs in line, and even a taxi outside Astorga full of packs where people were walking up to Astorga, picking up their packs and walking in. I was HORRIFIED and sooooooooo judgmental.

Then, a couple of Caminos later, I took a couple of groups.
We hired bag transport and stayed in booked lodging.
I have to say that I enjoyed that Camino so much more!
I was not exhausted at the end of the day.

And I chuckled when people asked me (judgmentally), "Where's your backpack???!!"

In my groups were "normal looking" people who had knee injuries, back injuries,
and other reasons it was impossible to carry their own pack.
But their burning to walk to Santiago was no less than my own on my first Camino.
The transport companies made a pilgrimage possible that would have been otherwise impossible.

And because I have an "invisible disability" myself,
I realized that there is no way to tell by looking at a pilgrim whether or not they are strong enough to even carry their pack.

I know there are people who COULD carry their pack but choose transport.
I know that sometimes people show up after a long day carrying their bags only to find no room in the inn.
But I don't believe that is the norm.

I think MOST of the time, if a person has the cash to book transport,
they probably are also booking a private room at least most of the time.

Now I do the Camino both ways.
On the VDLP, I carry my pack.
But I have to say, once I am up on the Frances, it is a pleasure to discard it and walk freely.

So as the years have passed, I've loosened up.
I don't care.

It would be nice if people would just walk their own Camino and not concern themselves with how others are making the trek.
But I"m still judgmental about certain things - plastic bag rattling, searchlights in my eyes, and late cell-phone talkers.
And I do realize that if someone else's decision adversely affects your Camino (i.e., not finding a bed) then it can impact your judgment greatly.

But honestly, there's just nothing you can do about it.

So instead, maybe we should change things we can… like picking up bags of trash along The Way.
Like carrying out our toilet paper.
Or like spending some time mopping up an albergue that needs attention.

Ok.. I'm rambling… I need more coffee..
 
I'll be walking the Camino with my pack and one of the major reasons why is that if I need to stop walking early, I will have it with me and I won't push myself to injury just to get to my pack. I have learned a lot on this forum, and going to make very effort to pack it sensibly.

Kris
 

I agree to a large extent with only a one exception. When someone asks, "What kind of backpack should I buy?" the only answer on here should be, "Go get fitted by an expert." Answers like, "Buy a backpack that matches your shoes so you will look cute in pictures" should be flagged by everyone.
 
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
RobertS26 said:
the only answer on here should be, "Go get fitted by an expert." A.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.

The only thing I'd add is there a myth that lighter is always better. Hip belt,padded straps plus all the other goodies all add weight. Giving up everything gets you a lighter pack but it comes with other costs.

Some times I wonder if people are trail running
 
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I keep seeing people criticise people with large packs, which is making me feel like I'm going to be judged and ridiculed. I have a large pack, I can't afford to buy a smaller one for one trip and I love mine. I'm used to having to cart everything around with me. I've also been hiking since I was a child. There are a lot of comments about large packs equally packing too much, but maybe people should give others the benefit of the doubt that they know exactly how much to pack. Mine is able to be quite condensed if I'm carrying less, and with all my gear it's about half full. I hope others will be more concerned with their own pilgrimage than with whether they agree with my pack size or not.
 
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