Excellent information as usual, thank you Annie. I actually weighed every item I intended to take and put it in a spreadsheet lol but I still ended up posting two parcels back home at different points, so I totally agree with most of your advice, particularly about the socks and toiletries lol. I went in summer and just ended up using two pairs of Injinji short liner socks, no need for thick padded walking socks lol, which ended up in those parcels, along with a few other superfluous items that I'd rather not mention lol. Suffice to say that yes, I agree with a great many of your suggestions. I loved your ingenious idea of the elastic washing line and its privacy potential. I did exactly the same thing using a Sea to Summit Clothes Line, that uses a double line with beads to wedge clothes in for drying, and which weighs just an ounce and packs into its own minuscule pouch. One additional thing I found helpful is using a large (3-4 foot square) muslin instead of a towel. It weighs about the same as those microfibre towels (if not less), wicks much better, dries super quickly and is easier to get properly clean when washed (I always find those microfibre towels end up smelly unless you can put them in a machine). It could also double up as a scarf at a pinch (mine was blue, but you can get patterned ones), and while drying makes an excellent privacy screen lol. Regarding the soap, I tried soap bars before leaving but didn't get on with them, and ended up using Citronella Wilderness wash, which can be used for everything: body, hair and clothes, even dishes (it's also by Sea to Summit, honestly, I don't work for them lol, I just happen to find a few of their items useful and those two are very inexpensive). One three ounce bottle of that wash lasted me more than three weeks, and could at a pinch be refilled with other soap (though I myself would probably just take two bottles for a whole Camino).
Yes, I also have a muslin towel someone gifted me and I usually take it. I should do a video on towels. lol! I've never heard of Citronella Wilderness wash, but I'll look it up. The Citronella might actually help with the bedbug issue, though I have MCS and it would depend on how strong the scent was. Thanks for your comments!
Good tips here. I’m not planning on walking the Camino, but I am planning a trip to Scotland next spring/summer on train and bus and for once I want to go as light as I can with a backpack. After watching your videos I think I may forget the pants and take just my charcoal Macabi skirt and merino leggings. I’m with you on the pixie hair cut. I watch all these packing videos and they’re usually young women who think they are packing light, but they have all these clothes and cosmetics and tech gear in 40 litre backpacks plus a sizeable daypack. You are much more sensible.
Thank you very much for all this good good advice. Just a little comment about the floss. Most of the time, the floss that you can get from your dentist or hygienist is just a sample, it's not going to be enough for the 30 days (average) of the camino.
You're welcome. :) You can pick up more small packages of floss along the route in any farmacia or China shop. Most along the Camino also have the travel sizes.
I address walking sticks in a different video. Walking sticks are not something you carry in your pack - hopefully you are using them to stay balanced and more easily walk.
Excellent information as usual, thank you Annie. I actually weighed every item I intended to take and put it in a spreadsheet lol but I still ended up posting two parcels back home at different points, so I totally agree with most of your advice, particularly about the socks and toiletries lol. I went in summer and just ended up using two pairs of Injinji short liner socks, no need for thick padded walking socks lol, which ended up in those parcels, along with a few other superfluous items that I'd rather not mention lol. Suffice to say that yes, I agree with a great many of your suggestions.
I loved your ingenious idea of the elastic washing line and its privacy potential. I did exactly the same thing using a Sea to Summit Clothes Line, that uses a double line with beads to wedge clothes in for drying, and which weighs just an ounce and packs into its own minuscule pouch.
One additional thing I found helpful is using a large (3-4 foot square) muslin instead of a towel. It weighs about the same as those microfibre towels (if not less), wicks much better, dries super quickly and is easier to get properly clean when washed (I always find those microfibre towels end up smelly unless you can put them in a machine).
It could also double up as a scarf at a pinch (mine was blue, but you can get patterned ones), and while drying makes an excellent privacy screen lol.
Regarding the soap, I tried soap bars before leaving but didn't get on with them, and ended up using Citronella Wilderness wash, which can be used for everything: body, hair and clothes, even dishes (it's also by Sea to Summit, honestly, I don't work for them lol, I just happen to find a few of their items useful and those two are very inexpensive). One three ounce bottle of that wash lasted me more than three weeks, and could at a pinch be refilled with other soap (though I myself would probably just take two bottles for a whole Camino).
Yes, I also have a muslin towel someone gifted me and I usually take it. I should do a video on towels. lol! I've never heard of Citronella Wilderness wash, but I'll look it up. The Citronella might actually help with the bedbug issue, though I have MCS and it would depend on how strong the scent was. Thanks for your comments!
Good tips here. I’m not planning on walking the Camino, but I am planning a trip to Scotland next spring/summer on train and bus and for once I want to go as light as I can with a backpack. After watching your videos I think I may forget the pants and take just my charcoal Macabi skirt and merino leggings. I’m with you on the pixie hair cut. I watch all these packing videos and they’re usually young women who think they are packing light, but they have all these clothes and cosmetics and tech gear in 40 litre backpacks plus a sizeable daypack. You are much more sensible.
I’m trying out ‘laundry leaves’ instead of detergent/soap for this year’s Caminos; lightweight and hardly any bulk.
The 10% pack weight is intended for your ideal body weight not your actual weight if that is different from IBW. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Thank you very much for all this good good advice. Just a little comment about the floss. Most of the time, the floss that you can get from your dentist or hygienist is just a sample, it's not going to be enough for the 30 days (average) of the camino.
You're welcome. :) You can pick up more small packages of floss along the route in any farmacia or China shop. Most along the Camino also have the travel sizes.
Hi! Lots of good info on this video. Comments work! 11/11/2021 9:40am PST. Thanks for your efforts!
Annie requested a comment. ✌️👍
Thank you so much! It appears to be working now.
Unfortunately I can't see the video, just random broken rectangles. Your information is really great though so thank you.
All is good today 😊
I wonder why? I haven't heard anyone else say this. I wonder if the issue is on your end? Internet maybe?
What about a walking stick?
I address walking sticks in a different video. Walking sticks are not something you carry in your pack - hopefully you are using them to stay balanced and more easily walk.