Day: January 17, 2017

Camino Tips: Equipment

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pack

Probably the most important thing to consider when preparing for the Camino is your pack. In assembling mine, I consulted the list of recommendations found in a companion book I had bought, as well as some other lists I found online. Here is a categorized list of everything I carried on my back along the Camino:

Walking Gear
Backpack (with rain sheet)
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trouser/pants covers
Hat (for sun/rain)
Sunglasses
Suntan lotion (SPF 30+)
Buff Headwear (great for keeping the sun off your neck)
Trainers/sneakers for exploring the town in the evenings (Optional)

Clothes
Long sleeve (quick-dry) tops x2
T-shirt (quick-dry) x1
Trousers which convert to shorts x2
Underwear x2
Socks x4
A pair of shorts to be used as pyjamas

Sleeping
Sleeping bag (liner)
Inflatable pillow

Washbag
Flip-flops for the shower
Toothpaste/Toothbrush/Floss
Nail clipper
Quick-drying towel

Laundry
Concentrated washing liquid
Scrubba (Optional, but very convenient and a great conversation starter)
Plastic Clothes Pegs

Other
First Aid Kit (Compeed, scissors, band-aids/plasters, tape)
Phone (and charger)
Camino Scallop Shell (Buy in St. Jean)
Camino Guide Book/Maps
$300 in Euros and an ATM card

I’ll be drawing particular attention to some of these items in subsequent posts.

Equipment | Before you leave home | On the road | Staying in Hostels

Camino Tips

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camino-sunrise

In a few days, I will be writing about my experience walking the Camino De Santiago, the pilgrimage route through Spain to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, but in the meantime I have some other Camino-related posts scheduled…

Before setting out on my trip, I spoke to several close friends who had previously walked the Camino, and I asked them for tips concerning my upcoming journey. Additionally, while I was on pilgrimage itself, I asked my fellow pilgrims what advice they would give to a friend who expressed interest in walking the Camino (aside from obvious response of “Don’t be crazy!”).

This week I will be sharing four blog posts which will be an aggregation of all the suggestions I would give to any would-be pilgrims. Each post will focus on one particular area:

1. Equipment

2. Before you leave home

3. On the road

4. Staying in Hostels

Quite a few of my friends are talking about walking the Camino this year, so hopefully this will give them a bit of a headstart…

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls

– Jeremiah 6:16