[Gocamino] [Santiagobis] Re: Camino

[Robert Spenger]

Jack,

I have already done the 114 km from Sarria to SdeC twice before — at  
the end of much longer trips. (I got lost both times on the last 4  
km.) As far as weight is concerned, I've got it down to about 25  
pounds, about the same as last year. That includes clothes, because  
you are carrying them after all. The clothes  weigh about five pounds  
and there are 2-3 pounds of stuff that will be in my pockets rather  
than in the pack. So say 17-18. But then I often start the day with  
3.3 pounds  of water (1.5 l) added and up to five pounds of food, so  
that can bring the actual pack weight to up to over 25 pounds. In  
Galicia I will probably be getting by with less water than that.

The big ticket items are:
The pack, 2.3#. There are lighter ones available, I know, but I need a  
waist strap — my back can't handle the full pack weight for very long  
before it starts protesting and a hip pack alone is just too small to  
hold even my bare essentials.
My low cut shoes at 2.2# (note: I have never worn heavy boots, but my  
ordinary shoes seem to be rather heavy.)
A pair of canes at 1.3# total — a lot lighter than the heavy wooden  
walking sticks that I have used in the past and much less likely to  
collapse like the lightweight trekking poles that I have used a couple  
of times. Also the canes should be more effective for coping with the  
incapacities of this ancient bag of bones and I have hopes that I can  
take them as carryon which would not be true of other walking aids.
The hump back full length rain coat is 0.9#.
A pair of convertible pants at 0.8#s.
A pair of crocs, 0.8#. These seem like a luxury, but most albergues  
nowadays require shoe or boot removal, so the crocs save the socks.
Down vest and stuff sack for same, 0.7#. An essential when you don't  
have a sleeping bag.
Laundry kit — clothes pins, cords, sink stopper, net bag, soap,  
plastic S-hook, 0.7#.
Two shirts, 1.3#.
Windbreaker, 0.5#.
Spare pants — just the shorts from another pair of convertible pants  
to use when washing the regular pair, 0.5#
Other clothes, both wear and spare - 3 sets t-shirts and briefs, 2  
heavy pair of walking socks, and six pair of very lightweight inner  
socks (about 1 oz. per pair), broad brim hat, neckerchief, and  
waterproof stuff bag for clothes total of about 2.0#.
Camera and 3 sets of power cells for the camera, 0.8#
Sleep sack (liner) with stuff sack, 0.4# (I don't bring a sleeping bag  
per se, just the liner and wear all my other stuff when the albergue  
does not have blankets — yeah, there are a few.
30 day supply of medicinals, 1.1#. A lot less than I had to carry on  
my long term trips.
Precautions against geriatric plumbing failure, 0.7#
Bag of first aid supplies and emergency space blanket, 0.7#
Toilet and shower kits, includes hairbrush, shaver, and 3 sets of  
power cells for the shaver, 1.6#
Lots of paper goods that come to a lot of weight, but too numerous to  
detail and I haven't done a total — Spanish/English dictionary, copies  
of last 120km of MMDD, Aeroguia, and Jakobsweg, passport, copies of  
passport and credit/debit cards in case of losses, copies of  
reservation confirmations, copy of travel insurance document, copy of  
essential pages of camera manual, Moleskine notebook for diary and  
accounts, kleenex packets, the two pilgrim credentials, etc.
Then there are lots of miscellaneous items in the less than 3 oz.  
range and they do add up, but if you really want to cut weight it is  
in the big ticket items like those listed above.
Just a couple of days to go now. I have all the junk assembled. Now  
the chore is to get it all organized, sorted, and packed. This  
includes what I need for the long trip to LAX, a couple of overnight  
stays there and the drive back.

Bob S.

On May 2, 2009, at 5:23 AM, jackdegroot at yahoo.com wrote:
  However, if you intend to walk from Sarria to Santiago, then only  
copy the final 111 kms.

Gr.Jck.

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