The core items are pretty much the same on everyones list, but even that leads to much debate on what style or brand of a particular item is the best, for example; hiking boots vs trail runners; pancho vs rain suit; electronics or no electronics, etc. In the end, the best way to do it is read the advice of others, then decide what suits you and "the way you roll".
There is one consistent recommendation: CARRY AS LITTLE WEIGHT AS POSSIBLE. Many a pilgrim sheds little used items as they walk on, with every ounce counting. In the end, one should pack in the range of 10-15% of their body weight.
The decision making process for me was a simple one. What can't I do without, what will be used daily, what is readily available on the Camino, and on an item by item basis evaluate what is the down side of not having it. So here is my list:
Clothing
- long cargo pants with zip off legs
- knee length cargo shorts
- quick drying golf shirts (2)
- thin long sleeve undershirt
- jogging pullover
- lightweight fleece pullover
- light windbreaker
- high quality pancho
- thick wool trecking socks (2)
- travel underwear (2)
- buffs (2)
- shemaugh
- ball cap
- bathing suit
- flashy pair of trail runners
- pair of jesus sandals
- knee brace(2)
Gear and Sundry
- Gregory trecking knapsack
- graphite walking sticks
- silk sleeping bag liner
- money belt
- gaiters
- wet bag
- sandals
- Pac Safe chord lock
- clothes rope
- clothes pin
- safety pins
- universal sink stopper
- business cards
- spare reading glasses
- glasses repair kit
- travel mug
- spork
- swiss army knife
- duc tape
- sewing kit
- flahlight
- emergency whistle
Toiletries
- toilet paper
- all purpose wash detergent (clothes, hair, dishes, body)
- deodorant
- sun screen
- bug spray
- tooth paste
- floss sticks
- tooth brush
- kleenex pack
Health Products
- Benedryl
- Aleve
- Volataren
- eye drops
- first aid kit
- vaseline
- tiger balm
- bag balm
- lipsyl
Books and Such
- Spanish phrasebook and dictionary - pocket version
- Four Yogas of Swami Vivekananda
- Michelin Camino de Santiago guide maps
- Small hardcover journal
Electronics
- ipad
- iphone
- Power Monkey Extreme solar charger
- Canon Powershot camera
There were a few items that I struggled with, and will have to resist the temptation to add them to the list.
- I simply can't imagine spending five weeks away without a guitar. The little travel guitar I hauled during my two months away last year was the most used item . However, there is no easy way to pack the guitar and carry it with a knapsack strapped to my back.
- My Nikon D90. Still actually struggling with this one. I know that the iphone takes decent pics, and the compact digital does the same, but it ain't like the big SLR. The downside of taking the Nikon is the weight, possibility of theft and potential for damage during the walk. We will see.
- No sleeping bag. Some say take one for sure as the nights can be cold, others say you don't need it as the refugios usually have blankets and it gets hot in the rooms with 20+ people sleeping away. I settled on the liner for sanitary reasons, and if thats not enough the pancho can double as a blanket
The list looks like a large one but it all fits into the pack, and the total weight is 22 lbs which is less than 10% of my weight (but not by much!!!)
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