<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=3 PTSIZE=12 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Lucida Sans Unicode" LANG="0">Hi,<BR>
Thank you, Tom, for the much needed clarification. <BR>
Indeed, the requirements for the Compostela are that the pilgrim walk the last 100 kilometers to Santiago or bike the last 200 kilometers.<BR>
The earlier message also omitted horse-riding pilgrims. As to them, the requirement for the Compostela is that they horse-ride the last 100 kilometers to Santiago. This bolsters the conclusion that carrying, or not carrying, a backpack makes no difference whatever. Horse riders, of course, would not don their backpacks while mounted.<BR>
Warm regards,<BR>
Rosina</FONT></HTML>