My Packing List for the Camino


Packing for the Camino feels a bit daunting. I've done more research than I care to admit regarding what to bring and what to leave home. I've combed through other pilgrims' blogs and websites to learn about what items are considered essential and what items are deemed luxuries. I've calculated how many outfits to bring, what shoes to consider, and which cosmetics/toiletries I'll need.

I've done several practice runs over the last couple months of packing things in various quantities. Each practice run of packing results in shaving off weight by ditching this or that. It's been harder than I anticipated. I already consider myself to be a light packer; but this is another level of minimalism.

I have to carry everything I'll need for the Camino on my back. So packing light is essential and will make my experience more enjoyable and hopefully less painful at the end of each day. The load may not seem heavy in the morning but as the miles wear on, the pack will feel heavier and more burdensome.

I want to carry as little as possible but I'm learning that little things add up....and quickly. It will be interesting to see what items I'll decide to leave in my wake as I'm traversing through Spain.

I leave for the Camino in 3 weeks. I imagine I'll do a couple of more practice packing runs before I board the plane for Spain.




This is a detailed packing list of what I'm taking to date:


Clothing:
Keen Terradora waterproof mid-hiking boot
Keen Newport H2 Sandals
1 Bandana
REI sun hat
2 sports bras
2 pairs smartwool hiking socks (medium padding)
1 pair Thorlo padded no-show socks
2 REI shift shorts –wicking and built in liner
3 REI Balance crew-neck wicking running shirts
1 yoga pants for sleeping
1 t-shirt for sleeping
1 tanktop and 1 pair of shorts for exploring/eating out/sightseeing when not walking Camino
1 long sleeve shirt


Gear:
Deuter ACT Lite 45 + 10 women’s backpack
Trekking poles (collapsible)
Dueter Rain cover for pack
Adult Poncho
3 medium size carabiners
Sunglasses with eyewear retainer
Dueter Streamer 2.0 Dyration bladder
32 oz wide mouth Nalgene bottle
Nuun hydration tablets
Scrubba wash/dry bag
Laundry cord with 12 clips
Dr. Bronners 18 in 1 Hemp Pure Castile Soap (peppermint) 2oz (for laundry)
REI multi-towel mini size
Mini tripod
Passport
3 Kavu Goodie Pouch Travel set of bags (sm, med, lg –for toiletries and misc items)
2 gallon size ziplock bags
2 sandwich size ziplock bags
1 packet of tissues
1 prescription for Ciprofloxacin
Cell phone
Cell phone charger
1 outlet adapter and converter
Wallet (1 credit card, 1 debit card, cash, photo ID)
Lenovo 2 in 1 tablet/laptop
1 pilgrims passport
1 pocket sized Moleskine notebook/journal
Camino Guidebook by John Brierley

First Aid Kit:
2 rolls of moleskin
1 roll of sports tape
1 0.8 oz tube of foot glide
4 Compeed blister packs
1 Sewing kit (needle, safety pin, and 1 yard of thread)
8 band-aids
2 disposable alcohol prep pads
2 disposable triple antibiotic ointment packs
2 disposable antiseptic toweletts
1 pair of travel scissors
1 bottle of 24 tablet 200mg ibuprofen
1 ace bandage

Toiletries
1 tube of deodorant
Toothbrush
Travel size Toothpaste
1 travel razor
Dr. Bronners 18 in 1 Hemp Pure Castile Soap (peppermint) 2oz (for bathing)
1 GoToob of shampoo
1 GoToob of conditioner
1 GoToob of lotion
1 2 oz bottle of re-nu contact solution
1 contact lens case
1 hair brush







Total packed weight of backpack: 16 pounds. 

This fits the ideal weight I would like my pack to be - I didn't want to carry more than 17 pounds. Ideally though, I'd like to carry around 13-14 pounds - so I anticipate that I'll be leaving a few of these things at home.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ready or Not

Image
111km Starting point in Sarria, Spain I left the United States yesterday for Spain. The day before my flight, I got this overwhelming sense of panic and dread about this journey and just kept thinking, "What have I signed myself up for?" I couldn't shake the heavy weight in my chest or voice in my head that came with a sudden realization that I'm going across the world completely alone for an adventure I am not sure that I'm actually prepared for. Of course I'm well read and well studied for it. Of course I'm fully prepared in terms of equipment and gear. I have more than I need probably. But am I emotionally and mentally prepared for this? And more importantly, am I physically prepared for this? Five weeks ago, for no reason whatsoever, I fell while walking my dogs on a leisurely stroll around my neighborhood. I didn't trip or slip....I just toppled over while admiring a neighbor's beautiful Japanese Maple tree. Unfortunately, I severely...
Read more

What is the Camino?

Image
What is the Camino? The Camino de Santiago consists of a network of footpaths all across Western Europe that lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where the remains of the apostle Saint James are buried. His remains were discovered in 812 AD in Santiago de Compostela, though he was beheaded in 44 AD in Jerusalem when he became the first of the apostles to die a martyr. After his martyrdom, his body was taken to Spain to be buried at Santiago de Compostela. Since then, walking the Camino has become one of the world’s most popular pilgrimages, dating back to the Middle Ages. Under certain circumstances, the Catholic Church has encouraged pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela and would grant a plenary indulgence to those who made the journey (earning an indulgence allows you a special privilege to reduce the time that you would spend in purgatory after death.) There was a long period of time when the Camino was deserted and forgotten. No on...
Read more

VICTORIOUS!

Image
standing in front of the cathedral with my certificate of completion I made it to Santiago de Compostela! Today was a 12 mile walk into the city of Santiago. Yesterday I wasn't sure that I'd make it. I went to bed with a heavy heart and a lot weighing on my mind. But today I woke up renewed and refreshed and ready to face whatever came. I set out early and my knee was sore but not feeling as injured as it did yesterday. The morning was brisk and so I pulled on my sweatshirt and backpack, laced up my hiking boots, and headed for Santiago. I walked slow today and just tried to enjoy the moment. I was purposely in no rush to make it to Santiago. I wasn't sure how long my knee would hold up and so I wanted to treat it with a little kindness and love. I also wanted to soak in the moment because I knew my journey would end today and part of  me would be sad about that. Relieved, but sad. When I made it to Monte do Gozo just outside of Santiago, I felt very excit...
Read more