As you might remember, I got invited to a packing event held by the American Pilgrims on the Camino. The idea was to listen to a quick talk by a couple of women who have vast Camino walking experience, then the opportunity to have your pack and its contents examined by an expert. Free personal guidance on gear, as well as advice/expectations specific to my travel dates and start/end points.
There was the usual advice on wool and silk garments, first aid and albergue conduct, of course. Most which was either common sense or fell in line with the advice I had already gathered online.
Then there were the tips and tricks that you'll be hard pressed to find anywhere else... Life hacks specific to the Camino experience.
#1
Make a little drawstring bag out of nylon mesh. Put your bar of soap in it and use to to scrub yourself in the shower. Hang the soap and its drawstring bag up under your bunk overnight and in the morning its dry and ready to put back in a toiletry kit.
#2
The outlets in Spain are recessed into the wall. Its easy to pull out a phone charger and leave the power converter in there. Tape the two together with bright tape. (And if you do lose yours, ask the albergue staff for another, since they probably have a collection!)
#3
Take an S hook with you. Use it over the wall or door in the shower cubicle to hang your bag of toiletries and clothes on - Or you will have to put your stuff on the floor!
#4
Darn Tough socks. According to one lady who has hiked 25,000 across Europe, including winter hiking, the socks of choice are a brand called Darn Tough. They have a lifetime guarantee (replacement or your money back) and wear out slower than the other merino wool brands.
socksaddict.com seems to be a great place to find them at reasonable prices.
#5
Use slippery sock liners, Bodyglide, Vaseline or Aquaphor to help prevent blisters. Use Compeed to cover existing blisters so you can keep walking. If you stop for 10 minutes or more... Take your boots off and let your feet breathe. Have a pair of evening shoes to break from the boots.
#6
Buy Ibuprofen when you get there. Without a prescription you can get 600-800mg tablets and therefore carry fewer of them. (Pharmacists can give more medical advice and sell a vast array of drugs in Spain that they would not be qualified/permitted to, in the US.)
#7
Make a copy of the picture page of your passport and laminate it. It will save you from having to produce your passport from its secret hiding place, every time you check in at an albergue.
#8
Cut the pages for your hike out of your guide book and leave the book at home! Plan each day. Know your anticipated route and distances to amenities. Carry that days pages in a ziplock bag in your pants pocket so it's handy.
#9
Start cutting your toenails now. You'll need them short for hiking. Firstly, because longer toenails will wear through your socks. Secondly, because toenails that jam into the ends of hiking boots are uncomfortable/painful and can be damaged or fall off!
There was the usual advice on wool and silk garments, first aid and albergue conduct, of course. Most which was either common sense or fell in line with the advice I had already gathered online.
Then there were the tips and tricks that you'll be hard pressed to find anywhere else... Life hacks specific to the Camino experience.
#1
Make a little drawstring bag out of nylon mesh. Put your bar of soap in it and use to to scrub yourself in the shower. Hang the soap and its drawstring bag up under your bunk overnight and in the morning its dry and ready to put back in a toiletry kit.
#2
The outlets in Spain are recessed into the wall. Its easy to pull out a phone charger and leave the power converter in there. Tape the two together with bright tape. (And if you do lose yours, ask the albergue staff for another, since they probably have a collection!)
#3
Take an S hook with you. Use it over the wall or door in the shower cubicle to hang your bag of toiletries and clothes on - Or you will have to put your stuff on the floor!
#4
Darn Tough socks. According to one lady who has hiked 25,000 across Europe, including winter hiking, the socks of choice are a brand called Darn Tough. They have a lifetime guarantee (replacement or your money back) and wear out slower than the other merino wool brands.
socksaddict.com seems to be a great place to find them at reasonable prices.
#5
Use slippery sock liners, Bodyglide, Vaseline or Aquaphor to help prevent blisters. Use Compeed to cover existing blisters so you can keep walking. If you stop for 10 minutes or more... Take your boots off and let your feet breathe. Have a pair of evening shoes to break from the boots.
#6
Buy Ibuprofen when you get there. Without a prescription you can get 600-800mg tablets and therefore carry fewer of them. (Pharmacists can give more medical advice and sell a vast array of drugs in Spain that they would not be qualified/permitted to, in the US.)
#7
Make a copy of the picture page of your passport and laminate it. It will save you from having to produce your passport from its secret hiding place, every time you check in at an albergue.
#8
Cut the pages for your hike out of your guide book and leave the book at home! Plan each day. Know your anticipated route and distances to amenities. Carry that days pages in a ziplock bag in your pants pocket so it's handy.
#9
Start cutting your toenails now. You'll need them short for hiking. Firstly, because longer toenails will wear through your socks. Secondly, because toenails that jam into the ends of hiking boots are uncomfortable/painful and can be damaged or fall off!
1 comment:
Oh, you got this! So excited for you, and to read updates of your trip along the way! Buen Camino!
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