I’m 36 hours from departure for the Camino del Norte, and so this afternoon I gathered all the things to see what I have.
This is my third Camino, so certain things are familiar (same backpack, sleeping bag, pillow, towel, etc.)
But once again, “what to wear” was a question that needed some thought. In 2015, I packed for three months and temperatures that swung from “snow still on the ground” to “heat wave” (click here to see the list). I was also gone for three months, so I gave myself latitude to splurge on a few extras. Last year, I was only going for 12 days in the heat of August, so I cut way back on the clothes (see Summer Packing List here).
This time? I’m somewhere in between. I have 17 days of walking, so I don’t need a lot of clothes. But the weather reports from Camino del Norte are full of rain and wind, so I’ve added some things I didn’t have before, like rain pants.
I’m still working out a few details, but here’s the plan, with brands listed and links to individual items where possible.
Supplies:
- Backpack (Gregory Jade 38L)
- Sleeping bag (REI Helio 55 sack)
- Travel pillow (ThermaRest small. Before you criticize, read Ode to a Pillow)
- Travel towel, 24×48”
- Water bottle (Camelback, .75 liter)
- 3 mesh laundry-style bags for organizing clothes
- Headlamp (LL Bean Trailblazer)
- Guidebooks: Camino del Norte by Village to Village Press
Clothes:
- Boots (Hoka One One Tor Tech Mids with Arch Rival inserts)
- 2 pair hiking pants (1 Kuhl Trekr and 1 Columbia Saturday Trail)
- Nylon sandals (Vionic Sage Dorrin, because arch support matters at the end of the day, too)
- 1 merino full zip jacket (SmartWool PhD, no longer avalaible)
- 1 hiking T-shirt (Sierra Trail Design)
- 1 merino tank top (Minus 33)
- 1 long-sleeved after walking shirt (Royal Robbins Noe)
- 2 pair wool socks (SmartWool)
- 3 pair of underwear
- 2 sports bras
- 1 pair merino leggings/long underwear (Ibex mid-weight)
- Rain shell (REI Rhyolite)
- Rain pants (Marmot)
- Sun hat (Outdoor Research)
- Buff merino scarf
- Buff headband
- Super-light scarf/sarong
- Sunglasses (plus case)
- Digital watch with alarm
Cosmetic/Supply Bag:
- Shower bag (REI with hook, no longer available)
- Bar soap
- Travel-sized toothbrush
- Travel-sized toothpaste
- Razor
- Travel-size hairbrush
- Travel-sized deodorant
- Travel-sized conditioner
- Travel-sized hair lotion
- Safety pins
- Hair elastics
- Eyeliner pencil
- Nail file
- Toenail clippers
- Q-Tips
- Ibuprofen tablets
- Feminine products
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
Other:
- Passport
- Camino credential
- Small nylon cross-body purse to keep cash/passport/credentials
- Camera (Canon Powershot Elph)
- Cell phone (with Kindle app for reading)
- Journal and pen
- Headphones
- Charging cords for the phone and camera, plus a European outlet adapter
- Quart and gallon-sized Ziploc bags to store food and keep valuables dry in rain
- Tall kitchen trash bags to line inside of pack during heavy rain
- First aid kit: Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, tweezers, needles and thread (for puncturing blisters), disposable lighter (for sterilizing needles), athletic tape, massage ball
- Granola bars (to get through the hangry moments in the first couple of days, until I get the rhythm of when and where to buy food).
When we arrive in Spain, we’ll buy a pocket knife and trekking poles, since we can’t carry those on a plane.
I haven’t weighed it yet, and probably won’t. These are the things I need and/or want, my luxuries are small (really, does an eyeliner pencil even weigh enough to register?), and I’m prepared to carry it.
But if you were me, is there anything you would add?
I have a kettlebell you can borrow. 😉
Have a great trip.
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Peppermint gum. For those days of breath from what did it eat. Also if parched, gum can be helpful til you get to water.
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You have two pairs of wool socks… one pair of lighters socks? Also, you can get that guide book on Kindle as well! Enjoy your trip!
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This looks like a really solid packing list! Enjoy every bit of the Norte (even the difficult bits, if you’re able to 😉) and Buen Camino!!
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Looks like a good list
Had to chuckle at the eyeliner pencil….
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I’d carry a small Fanny pack with money, passport, sunscreen, lip gloss, pencil, pad, credit card, phone, small snack and small water bottle. So much easier to have those things in a front pack that is easily and securely available.
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