Remembering the Camino, Part 6: Packing List and Some Useful Advice

So, you want to walk to Santiago de Compostela, huh?

Having curated this blog since its creation a bit more than a year ago, I know that Will's packing list for last spring's coast-to-coast bike ride is one that people have stumbled upon and returned to.  Clearly, there are readers out there--beyond our circle of friends and family, and outside the U.S.!--who are looking for some pointers for an undertaking such as a cross-country roughing-it ride.

Since our camino walk was 5 years ago, we have less-detailed instructions on what to bring and how to pack.  However, we do still have some ideas that we want to share here.

Clothes for walking:

• 2 pairs of convertible pants/shorts (or, for women, possibly pants/capris)

• 2-3 short sleeved fast-drying shirts.
• 1 long sleeve fast-drying shirt and/or 1 collared shirt that could double for both walking (sun protection!) and for dressing up.
• 2-3 pairs of wool hiking socks, with plenty of cushion (to start).
• 2-3 pairs of fast-drying lightweight underwear.  For women, add to this 2 fast-drying lightweight bras as well.  (Will and I used mostly ExOfficio items for this category.)
• Lightweight but waterproof rain jacket--not just water "resistant"--shell.  (You WILL get rained on at some point during the walk, and it's pretty miserable to get wet too quickly.)
• Floppy sun-hat, preferably with a strap.  Like other male walkers, Will opted for the French legionnaire-type of a hat that looked somewhat like a baseball cap in the front but with the ability for a flap in the back to come down and shade your neck. Yes, I know you're going to think you look dorky with these hats--and I know I did not look fashionable (see below!)--but you will definitely need a floppy or legionnaire-type hat. 
• You might also bring a "Kool-tie" that you can soak in water and tie around your neck--yes, to keep cool--during the hotter portions of the walk.  Believe me: You're not on the camino to look good.

• Since we were walking in May and June and expected that it would be fairly warm, in the interest of space, we did not bring our wool caps.  We regretted that rash decision, and we would definitely bring them next time.
• Ditto some gloves.  I brought a par of "silk weight" "Windstopper" gloves (against Will's suggestion for economizing space), and I was very glad to have done so.  At some point, I even took pity on Will's frigid and wind-chapped hands and let him borrow my pair. 

Other Clothes:

• Another lightweight shirt to sleep in or to wear around town.  (After a while, it might be difficult to get your walking shirts to smell "fresh" even with daily washings, and it's helpful to have a shirt that you can actually sleep in that does not stink.)
• Another pair of lightweight shorts (or capris) for the same reasons as above.
• A lightweight wool sweater in a color that works with everything (think: black) that you can layer over and under other clothing.  Note that some people like to bring a lightweight fleece as well as or instead of a sweater.  (We brought both.)  It comes down to personal preference and how much you are willing to carry on your back for 35 days.  (It helps if your sweater is casual enough to wear over your hiking shirts during some colder days of walking--or very early in the morning--but also dressy-looking enough that you can wear it to go out to a decent dinner, or just to stop looking like such a bum all the time...) 
• I liked having a very lightweight skirt (again, black) along, mostly for a change of pace after we were done walking for the afternoon.  Will got away with his hiking pants (as pants, not shorts), but I enjoyed wearing the skirt when going out to dinner.  Since it actually weighed less than 4 ounces and packed down to the size of a tennis ball, this was a no-brainer.

• It got very cold at one point and I purchased a lightweight warm scarf which helped as another layer of sorts for warmth--and it was even possible to dress it up a bit.  (You can see the sweater, scarf, skirt, and sandals in the above picture.)

Other Gear Items:

• One pair of sturdy walking shoes/boots with good soles.  Walking on the camino is mostly manageable (with a few strenuous portions in the beginning and towards the end), so you need not have heavy-duty hiking boots.  A favorite pair of Merrell's or Keen's walking/hiking shoes (low rise) should work well.
• One pair of minimalist sandals or flip-flops.  It feels REALLY good to take off your hiking shoes at the end of a day of walking and put on some sandals instead.  Since some showers are not exactly the most hygienic or inviting, you should opt for a pair of quick-drying sandals that you can wear IN the shower as well as outside, on the town.  My Teva's had one strap that ran the entire zig-zag of the sandal.  Will's Chaco's flip-flops (below, along with a wool sweater and convertible pants) had nice supportive arches that were a godsend at the end of the day.

• We didn't end up using them, but we did break down and get rain pants in Astorga.  (We could really have used them earlier in the hike though when we got sleeted on and mercilessly drenched.)  It's your call about whether you want to carry these, but you WILL get wet at some point, so if you think you'll want them, you might want to find the lightest-weight ones you can before leaving home. 
• Also, in addition to the rain jacket listed above, you might want to bring a rain poncho.  We didn't have them on the camino, but Will loved discovering it for his bike ride.
• Walking/Hiking sticks.  These were especially important for Will during the first few days on in the camino when it was only 6 weeks after his meniscus knee surgery.  At one point early on, there was a downhill slope of 18% grade (and I regret not having taken a picture of that sign!).  Everyone walked down sideways, like crabs, and it was reassuring to have the walking sticks for those occasions.  Basically though, we used them the entire walk--as did most pilgrims.  Invest in a pair.
• Of course, a well-fitting backpack, but you knew that. 
• It also makes sense to try to find sleeping bags that pack down as much as possible.  In addition, we recommend a small sleeping sheet/sack for additional protection against bed bugs.  Both the bag and the sheet/sack should be treated with insect repellant.  As for pillows, on the few nights that we didn't have access to pillows, we just bundled up some clothing (fleece, sweater, etc.), and easily created a make-shift pillow by putting them inside a sleeping bag/sheet pack.  (The soup can is in the picture, below, merely for the sake of size perspective, and not recommended for carrying for 490 miles!)

• Some people say that it's fine to have just a half-liter bottle to refill along the way, but we liked the convenience of having the water-bladder camelback fit inside the backpack and being able to drink from the "nipple" just by turning our head to the side.  (I'm convinced that I kept myself better hydrated simply by constantly drinking water that way.)  Both water-bladders were about 2-liter capacity, but we didn't always fill them all the way full.  We did usually start with at least 1 liter each though, and the bladders were almost filled up to capacity when we were going through the meseta where it was dry and hot and with no services for miles on end.
• Your usual toiletries like tooth brush, tooth paste, soap/shampoo, lotion.  Also, washing detergent, a small towel, etc.  You need not panic about bringing 5+ weeks' supply of these though since most modestly-sized towns had places where you could purchase these along the way.
• More importantly, any prescription medication you need (and an extra pair of glasses, just in case), and also a first-aid bag kit with starter-supply of everything that YOU need to survive for 5+ weeks away from the comforts of home.  For instance, I am highly allergic, so I needed to make sure that I packed enough Zyrtec.  Tylenol is my pain-killer of choice.  Will loves something like Body Glide to prevent chafing.  Do you need Tums?  Immodium?  Melatonin?  Sudafed? Advil?  Bring what you need since only you know what works for you.
• That said, it seemed almost everyone also needed strong SPF lotion, insect repellant, anti-itch cream, and anti-biotic ointment.  
• Compeed or equivalent.  In the U.S., Johnson & Johnson has something very similar now called "Advanced Healing Blister Cushions."  Trust me.  If you get a blister (which might then become dozens of blisters), you will be glad you invested in these more expensive band-aids.  I ran out of the original stash we brought and almost wept with joy when I came across another packet for purchase--much more expensive on the road!  I handed over the money without a second thought and proceeded to dress my wounds as soon as I was able.

• Speaking of which, you should also bring along a travel packet of threads and needles.  There might be times when you need them actually to sew something (darning holes in socks, buttons that pop off, rip in shirt, etc.), but, really, I used them EVERY SINGLE DAY from day 2 on to manage my blisters.
• Travel packet of pocket tissues are indispensable on the road when using bathrooms that are slightly iffy.  Or, for that matter, out in nature.
• Depending on what foot issues you might have, it might be advisable to pack additional shoe inserts, heel cushions, etc.  Will and I NEVER experienced foot pain before (other than my occasional blisters), but I got plantar fasciitis about a quarter way into the walk, and even Will got them the last few days.  There were times when, after a coffee break, it was excruciatingly painful to get up and start walking again.  We're bringing some inserts for our next walk!
• A small, preferably waterproof, purse/wallet that will carry your original passport and credit card(s) and which never leaves your side.
• You should think about bringing a small notebook, a pack of cards, a pencil/pen, smartphone with European SIM card or data/calling plan (with possibly a few e-books/audio-books downloaded onto them already, especially if you are starting out alone), etc. 
• One camino guidebook (or something downloaded on your phone), flash light, stuff sacks, rain cover for backpack, emergency contacts, copies of your passport, credit card(s), etc. (and packed separately from your originals). 

I'm sure this is still not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea.  Don't be shy about contacting us if you have any questions.

After all the preparation and the hardships, it's amazing finally to arrive at Santiago Cathedral at the end of the walk!