[Gocamino] [saintjames] Re: July 25th, 2009

[Robert Spenger]

Deborah,

Thanks for that response. My own message, of course, was all just  
about my speculations, so it was interesting to read a first hand  
report from someone who had actually used pack transport. I didn't get  
into the problem of being locked into a particular schedule because  
your luggage has gone on ahead, but it was definitely an item that I  
considered to be one more negative aspect of using pack transport. It  
doesn't leave you with any options. There is a certain feeling of  
freedom that I get from knowing that I have every thing I need with  
me. I remember experiencing this feeling many years ago when I was  
into wilderness backpacking and it felt good to re-experience that  
when I was on the roads in Europe.

Bob S.

On Aug 2, 2009, at 7:01 AM, deb berman wrote:

Hi,
I found Bob's analysis of having the backpack with at all times most  
interesting--- and wanted to add something about the advantages and  
disadvantages pack-carrying versus pack transport.
On my first Camino I tried both--- carrying my pack at all times as  
well as sending it ahead. For most of the Camino, my daughter and I  
always had our packs with us. It wasn't until towards the end, when my  
sister joined us, that I arranged for pack transport. My sister was  
almost seventy years old and had some health issues---the cardiac  
thing was the one that worried us the most. Also she had done little  
or nothing to train for the walk because she was determined to think  
it was just that, a simple walk.

When she joined us, we purchased some tiny day packs---kid's school  
bags really---and carried only the essentials---food, water, rain  
gear, maps, journal, personal papers, cell phone.
Even though we plotted a much less strenuous course for my sister in  
terms of mileage, we still managed to overestimate her capabilities.  
However, because our packs had been sent ahead, we felt committed to  
the pre-planned mileage. We could see my sister was overdoing things,  
stubbornly trying to be a good sport. Towards the end of each day we  
would pass possible options for lodging and wish we had our packs with  
us. Instead, we pushed on, to wherever the packs had been delivered.
Eventually my sister collapsed on the trail and had to be rushed to a  
hospital. She's fine now, except for the fact that she still feels  
guilty for "ruining" our Camino---which she didn't, but try and  
convince her of that!

For my daughter and me, after carrying the packs for weeks, it was a  
pleasant change to walk without the weight. We felt much lighter of  
course. But the trade off was frustration, of not having the freedom  
to stop and go as needed or as we pleased. Anyway, if we had kept our  
packs with us, we could have adjusted our mileage, stopping sooner  
each day, and perhaps accommodating my sister's needs better. Despite  
good planning, the human body can be unpredictable.
Of course the key factors are to listen carefully to what the body  
needs each day and carry the lightest pack load possible!
Buen Camino to all,
Deborah