Ultralight Backpacker

smj6

Siempre hay que ver el positivo

Time of past OR future Camino

Oct/Nov 2016 (Via Podensis/ Frances)
Oct 2018 (Via Francigena stage)

• Jul 8, 2014

• #1

An interesting blog on have to reduce your pack weight.
http://www.backpackingnorth.com/ultralight-makeover-overview/

S

 

xin loi

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Walked May 14, 2014 from St Jean France

starting to walk again August 25, 2016 --SJPDP to Finisterre

• Jul 8, 2014

• #2

Ultralite has it's place--where you MUST hump a ruck over tough terrain carrying food, water, and shelter . That is not the Camino! On the Camino, the smart people concerned about the weight in their pack, just toss their pack in a taxi. You do NOT get an extra Compostella for wearing a backpack. I walked from SJPDP with 12 kilos and did not think it was very heavy, especially given how easy it is to walk the Camino roads/trails.

Just went thru my pictures from doing the Camino last month and noticed that the majority of other hikers in my pictures are carrying very small day packs which means their packs/suitcases are on taxis. Also noticed I have a picture of the statue of a pilgrim in Asturga that is carrying a suitcase!

 

newfydog

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Pamplona-Santiago, Le Puy- Santiago, Prague- LePuy, Menton- Toulouse, Menton- Rome, Canterbury- Lausanne, Chemin Stevenson, Voie de Vezelay

• Jul 8, 2014

• #3

xin loi said:

I walked from SJPDP with 12 kilos .....

Just went thru my pictures from doing the Camino last month and noticed that the majority of other hikers in my pictures are carrying very small day packs which means their packs/suitcases are on taxis. !

Click to expand...

Or perhaps the majority of them have no need to haul 12 kilos of stuff out there.

 

xin loi

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Walked May 14, 2014 from St Jean France

starting to walk again August 25, 2016 --SJPDP to Finisterre

• Jul 8, 2014

• #4

If I go senile and there is a Next time I'm hauling more! Envious of the guys from OZ with immersion heaters to make coffee in morning instead of wasting 45 minutes getting coffee at some local café that does not even open until after 9 AM. Love the Koreans big ponchos and BIG down coats! And why do so many people bring their own favorite coffee cups?

 

taozenqi

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances: Sept/Oct (2014)

• Jul 8, 2014

• #5

smj6 said:

An interesting blog on have to reduce your pack weight.
http://www.backpackingnorth.com/ultralight-makeover-overview/
S

Click to expand...

Thanks for the link. Have not seen this one but familiar with a lot of the info from following the BP trips of Andrew Skurka and his methods. These people have hiked thousands of miles, frequently on just one of their trips, so learning from their experience is invaluable. Now, if we are only wise enough to practice what they preach.

 

taozenqi

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances: Sept/Oct (2014)

• Jul 9, 2014

• #6

Forgot to mention the book by A. Skurka. Much of the info was picked up through trial and error over the years, but found the breakdown of various clothing materials to be a good decision - making resource when packing.


The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide by Andrew Skurka

 

Last edited: Jul 10, 2014

hotelmedicis

Thousands of Kilometers Walked

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2001, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2017
VDLP 2013, 2018

• Jul 10, 2014

• #7

Walked Camino Frances with an 8 kg pack. The pack itself weighted 1.5 kilos, which I can reduce by half since my new pack only weights 750g. You really don't need very much, though I recommend (strongly) not to skimp on your sleep system (sleeping bag and air mattress) as I spend a dozen or so nights on the floors of monasteries because there were no beds left. You really don't need very much at all. Waterproofs, a lightweight change of clothing, toiletries and a sleeping system.

That's it.

 

obinjatoo

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2012 Dieppe, FR Bici CF.
2014 Ruta Vasco/CF/Primativo

• Jul 12, 2014

• #8

That all depends on your perspective. I like to be prepared and have options. The website mentioned had some wisdom. The most important being it's an individual and personal thing. I started slow when it came to reducing weight. I've been working on it for years. I will spare you the details but it's comfortable now. I can and will go just about anywhere and am prepared to sleep out in bad weather or good. The basic weight never really changes but I add or subtract depending on geography, time of year and conditions. Sometimes I get it right sometimes not so much. I can live with the consequences.