Back in April, I mentioned wanting to walk the Camino de Santiago across Spain. So I calmly sat myself down a few nights ago, checked the bus schedules, bought my tickets, and…
I leave tonight!
I’m antsy, excited, nervous, and all sorts of happy. Today I’ve spent most of my time packing, reading through forums, and looking at maps. The guidebook I’ll save for the 13 hour bus ride north.
Items for the Camino:
1 straw hat, 1 cotton cap. 1 pair sunglasses.
2 pairs socks. 3 pairs underwear. 2 sports bras.
1 pair jeans cotton-spandex pants. (Much lighter and easier to wash than the jeans).
1 pair lightweight capris, 1 pair shorts.
2 cotton long-sleeves, 1 t-shirt, 1 sleeveless.
1 lightweight polyester-fleece jacket.
1 poncho (in case of rain – likely in the region of Galicia).
1 microfiber towel.
1 head-scarf.
2-3 liters of water.
1 pair hiking boots.
1 pair flip flops.
Foot care (band-aids, ointments).
Point-and-shoot camera, cell phone, Kindle, and respective chargers.
Notebook and pen.
A small flashlight.
Basic toiletries (mostly travel-sized), small tube of sunscreen, and EARPLUGS!
I’ll already be wearing some of the clothing on the list when I leave, so I’ve put those items aside and have rolled everything else up to fit in my backpack.
Total weight (water bottle included): 7 kg (less than 16 lbs).
As for the route, I’ll no longer be starting in Roncesvalles. Instead, I’ll begin in Astorga, a town west of León, and will walk the 272 km (170 miles) to Santiago from there. It’ll be a 10-14 day hike depending on whether I decide to continue on to Finisterre (the “Land’s End”) after I’ve reached Santiago.
Click for a larger view!
Here are a few good sites if you’d like to know more about the Camino de Santiago:
http://elcaminodesantiago.tumblr.com/ (beautiful photos)
http://followthecamino.com/community/ (great guide)
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/ (great forums)
http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/frances/ (in Spanish)
272km? That’s admirable. I wonder if I’d be able to do it. Anyway, best of luck on your journey. It’s often these trips that are defining moments in our lives, that we can look back on years from now with fond memories :)
this post is very funny sis lol. looking forward to your update.. and yes, you are ORGANIZED!
best of luck – can’t wait to hear/read about it. good for you!
Good luck and have a great time! Sounds fun! Looking forwar to your updates :)
That is really impressive, I’m such an over-packer! Have fun, can’t wait to hear about it when you get back!
Good luck with your walk. I´d love to give it a try sometime – have you been going on long hikes as practice? :)
How on earth can you fit all of the stuff on the first pic into such a tiny backpack?!? Looking forward to hear your stories and see your pics!!
NOTHING wrong with being organized ! Especially when doing something as horrid as a back packing trip….
I walked from St Jean to Burgos (12 days) in June. I was the best experience of my life and I met amazing friends from all over the world along “the way”. I plan to finish next summer. You will love it. Change your socks halfway through the day. Bring safety pins to pin them to your pack as you walk in case they don’t fully dry when you wash them. Also, buy Compeed for blisters. Anytime I felt a hot spot developing I put a compeed bandage on. Stayed on for days and I didn’t get any blisters! Best thing I brought…. my iPhone… downloaded a white noise app. I NEVER heard any of the roncadores! BUEN CAMINO!!
Good Luck and safe journey I look forward to your return I am also thinking about going, you are an inspiration to me.
I’m so excited for you. You’ve been talking about the Camino for a while and glad to see if happening for you.
Hold up- 170 miles in 10 -14 days? That’s a lot of walking, chica! Damn girl. : )
Love your photo of everything you packed- great to be organized and to pack so light. Despite all my travels, I’m still not a great packer (or so I think).
Enjoy yourself. Take it easy. What a grand time for reflection and seeing the beauty of Northern Spain.
Look forward to updates and hearing all about it!
Buen camino! Great work getting your back pack down to 7kgs, you’ll be grateful you did. I look forward to reading about your Camino, hearing about other people doing it makes me want to do the Camino again!
I really want to do this so can’t wait to hear how it went.
Wow! That is amazing news. So happy for you. Be safe and I cannot wait to hear how it goes for you. Incredible experience for sure.
Awesome. I’ve wanted to do that ever since I came to Spain over two years ago! Can’t wait to hear how it went.