April 23, 2024 – Redmond WA, morning:
And now it starts to become real as we decide what to bring and what stays behind. David has started with what he would bring backpacking and added a few things, Siri has started with what she would normally bring and subtractedd things.
There are several great resources for those working to pack light, one of those was from https://wayfaringviews.com/walking-the-camino-de-santiago-solo/ where it gave great advice on the number of outfits to bring “one to wear, one to wash, one for spare” which is probably the most number one actually needs. Many even skip the spare since you can wash clothes every night either by hand or many places have washer/dryers.
We have spent the last several months working to perfect our minimalist gear list. How many shirts do you need? Do I need a rain jacket or poncho or both? Should I bring my own hiking poles or buy them there? How much does this weigh? How much space does this take?
Whew! It can be all-consuming as you work to take off a few ounces and then you just throw in the cribbage board and cards which is at least a whopping 8 ounces (!)
In the end, we seem to have settled on these bags and key things.
2 day packs (20 and 32 L, red and black) – water, rain gear, a change of clothes (just in case), toiletries, meds & first aid kit, and electronics (adapter and extra batteries.) We will wear a hat, light puffy jacket, short sleeves, zip-off pants (David) or leggings (Siri) and good sturdy (and broken in) boots.
1 pack to send forward (40 L – gray) – with our other clothes, lightweight sleeping bags and liner (just in case we need our own bedding), swim suits (a few places actually have pools!), pajamas, and a few other items.
+1 duffle bag (green) just for the plane to hold our hiking poles and the “just in case” bag if we bring more stuff back. (I am reminded that this is a holy AND commercial adventure). Once we land it will fold up into the gray bag.
This is just the first draft, be sure to check in to see the actual pictures of what really makes it on the plane. I know I have that habit of adding that ‘just one more thing’ before I leave.
And yes, you can send your luggage forward. We will send the gray bag each morning by 8 am and it will arrive by 3 pm to our next stop. We have 19 different luggage transfers already scheduled for about $8 a day. A bargain we think. There are at least three main companies and we have chosen TopSantiago.com since they were able to do our whole trip from Porto to Santiago and then onto Fisterre. It is worth saving your back and allowing us to focus on the walk and not the weight. Many pilgrims actually do carry all of their gear each day, which also allows you to be a bit more flexible on where you could stop each day.
At the same time, we are reminded that Kings and Queens have done this as well, like King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1486 and I am sure they did not carry their own 40L Osprey backpack.
So, as we begin our own pilgrimage, we will be following in the footsteps of royalty…and taking their lead on how to pack.
Siri and David Adventures 