[Gocamino] [Santiagobis] Re: Camino

Sun May 3 01:59:00 PDT 2009

Thanks Robert, I will print out your helpful list. Indeed the distance from Sarria to SDC is
114 kms, not the 111 kms which appear on the milestone. The distance might even increase once the new airport is completed.

Before I leave home I put a plastic bag with toiletries in my backpack, a sleeping bag, clothing and the usual paperwork. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare a pilgrimage, but that hasn't always been the case ... (I have been on the camino since 2001, 7-8 times a year.)
My biggest asset is my knowledge of the Spanish language (and culture). I have met pilgrims who prepared their trip for 2-3 years, getting everything right except the language. Equipment can be bought; a language has to be learned, and that requires (a lot of) effort.

"Prepare as well as you can, and you'll be alright," is my advice to those persons who come to the camino for the first time. Soon you will be a veteran, and pack in 5 minutes.

I'll walk Sarria - SDC from 21-25 May 2009, just like my first pilgrimage eight years ago.

Gr, Jck
--- On Sun, 5/3/09, Robert Spenger <rspenger at earthlink.net> wrote:

From: Robert Spenger <rspenger at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [Santiagobis] Re: Camino
To: Santiagobis at yahoogroups.com, "Gocamino OakApple" <gocamino at oakapple.net>, "†Yahoo Saint James" <saintjames at yahoogroups.com>, "†Yahoo Ultreya" <Ultreya at yahoogroups.com>
Date: Sunday, May 3, 2009, 1:25 AM

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@ 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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