when is my bag too heavy

+@^^

Active Member

• Aug 12, 2011

• #1

ah yes, the vexed 10% of body weight urban legend
.
? who said this is the optimal weight
? who said a light pack is every pilgrims holy grail
? did the pilgrims of yore compare size
.
i have discovered 2 scientificly proven methods of determining when your backpack is too heavy
.
1) if you slip in the mud and "face-plant" into 2 inches of water, and you drown because you cant lift yourself up - then your pack is too heavy.
2) if you stumble and slip and fall over backwards, landing on your pack and unable to get upright, arms flaying, and the farmer finds you exhausted 3 days later - then your backpack is too heavy
.
i love the camino

 

methodist.pilgrim.98

R.I.P 2013

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés (2004.SJPP-SdC-Finisterre)(1998-2012 completed in sections). Norte (2006.122km) Inglés (2009)

• Aug 12, 2011

• #2

 

lynnejohn

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances(2005), VDLP(2007), Madrid(2009), Ingles(2009), Sur (2011), VDLP(2011)-partial, VDLP(2014)

• Aug 13, 2011

• #3

Another gem, tamtamplin!

Even if you don't publish your stuff, we are still keeping it in "Tamtamplin's Tips"!

 

ksam

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Via Francigena...2024

• Aug 13, 2011

• #4

These mental images will have me smiling the rest of the day!!

 

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:

• Aug 13, 2011

• #5

:lol:

Lekker boetie!!

did the pilgrims of yore compare size

Click to expand...

The whole idea that you have to carry a backpack is an urban legend started by a pilgrim fundamentalist group in the late 1970s as a way of making all future Camino pilgrims' lives a misery!!

Have you ever seen a drawing, picture, sculpture, stained glass window depiction anywhere of a pilgrim with a backpack?? I'm sure the excess of carrying half your belongings on your back would have been laughable, dangerous (robbers, bandits, highwaymen), and considered downright stupid by any self-respecting pilgrim in the middle ages.

If we modern-day pilgs really want to emulate our medieval counterparts we should carry a scrip - no more. It should be just big enough to carry your airticket home, your credit card, your credencial and a few euros.

 

P

pal

Member

• Aug 13, 2011

• #6

Thank goodness I saw this before leaving next week. I was trying to gain weight in order to carry the load...

 

jpflavin1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino 2024 unknown starting 4/1 from somewhere.

• Aug 13, 2011

• #7

Sil:

I like the idea of no backpack. That said, there would be some pretty ripe Pilgrims on the trail. I believe our predecessors put much less emphasis on Hygiene.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

daesdaemar

Camino-holic

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Ingles - twice

• Aug 13, 2011

• #8

It would be ever so much fun to walk the Camino without a backpack!!! I'll have to think on whether it is really possible :?:

 

methodist.pilgrim.98

R.I.P 2013

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés (2004.SJPP-SdC-Finisterre)(1998-2012 completed in sections). Norte (2006.122km) Inglés (2009)

• Aug 13, 2011

• #9

Medieval pilgrims took a scrip and staff. They were expected to leave a will and to have settled all debts. They would seek the blessing of the church before setting out.

Why do you think they swung the botafumerio in the Cathedral folks?

Smelly pilgrims. :shock:

 

grilly

Active Member

• Aug 13, 2011

• #10

I'm going to bring a more somber mood here.

Two or three years ago, I remember hearing of a pilgrim carrying too heavy a backpack -- and too high as well. Remember Castrojeriz, the long hill going to a sign saying Matajudios and then a long way down on to the Meseta basically? Well on that way down a pilgrim tripped and fell face first. His backpack bounced on his head and it hit a stone.
Bleak, I know.

 

J

juliaanderson

New Member

• Aug 23, 2011

• #11

The simple you go easy you live. :lol: just go camino without backpack

 

methodist.pilgrim.98

R.I.P 2013

Time of past OR future Camino

Francés (2004.SJPP-SdC-Finisterre)(1998-2012 completed in sections). Norte (2006.122km) Inglés (2009)

• Aug 23, 2011

• #12

Please let us know how you get on Julie.

 

Priscillian

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 1999, Aragones 2000, Desde Le Puy 2002, Portuguese 2009, hoping RDLP 2014

• Aug 24, 2011

• #13

I would have to say that your backpack is too heavy when you have things you don't need.
Now as one who famously took perfume on her caminos, I am probably the last one to talk, but you know we do so often take things "just in case". (Lydia Smith's Camino Documentary trailer has a great interview with one woman who lists all the things she seems to have come prepared for> including "nuclear war"!)
Chuck it out, give it away, send it home...
The Camino will provide. It always does.

http://www.pilgrimagetoheresy.blogspot.com

 

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Aug 24, 2011

• #14

Sil - that is such a good point about medieval images of pilgrims! I think the scrip could be quite a large shoulder bag that hung to one side of the waist ... but not sure :|

so what would they have carried? Purse, Bible, rosary, candle and tinder, simple food - bread, sausage and cheese?, repair kit - pretty standard in those days - , good knife, bowl, small first-aid kit - with ointments? , passport, letter of introduction in Latin .....

A spare shirt and leggings perhaps? Surely a towel?

Anyone know?

 

S

Sojourner47

Guest

• Aug 25, 2011

• #15

.........

 

Anniesantiago

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2006 to date: Over 21 Caminos. See signature line

• Aug 25, 2011

• #16

I can't help but think of a woman I saw on the Camino in 2003.
She wore a ring on each finger,
carried full make-up and hairspray,
and wore pantyhose under her shorts.
That night, we watched in disbelief as she did a full facial, with cleansing cream, toner, and night cream. Oh yes, and don't forget the perfume (which choked the life out of everyone who had to sleep there)
To dinner, she wore heels, so she was carrying those too.
I'd say her pack was most likely too heavy? :lol:

 

Portia1

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 2009, Portuguese 2012
Frances 2016, 2019

• Aug 25, 2011

• #17

Oh, Annie! You bring a memory in Leon to mind. I remember some young women around me opening up their packs and displaying not only make-up, lotions in bottles and jars, but hairdryers and curling irons! I was flabbergasted to say the least. My little hygiene baggie is a small tube of body lotion, soap, toothbrush and paste, half a handi-wipe for a wash cloth, and a travel size tooth floss (which can also double as thread). I don't even take a comb or brush--use my fingers to comb my wet hair.

 

nellpilgrim

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

SDC-Fisterra 08/Camino Frances SJPP to SDC 09/Nuremburg-SDC 11- ongoing

• Aug 25, 2011

• #18

Anniesantiago said:

I can't help but think of a woman I saw on the Camino in 2003.
She wore a ring on each finger, carried full make-up and hairspray, and wore pantyhose under her shorts.......To dinner, she wore heels, so she was carrying those too.
I'd say her pack was most likely too heavy? :lol:

Click to expand...

Good Grief high heels! The mere thought of pushing sore blistered feet into a pair of high heels-even Jimmy Choos-brings tears to my eyes....sounds like she'd be well up for this event on Croagh Patrick in a few weeks http://www.meetonthereek.ie/ it's a cross between a pilgrimage and speed dating :shock:

 

David

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

First one in 2005 from Moissac, France.

• Aug 25, 2011

• #19

I don't really know - I will ask my valet ..