Greg's Wanderings

Category: Preparations

Before I hit the trail, there is lots of planning and preparation to be done. Come along and take a peak over my shoulder.

  • Miscellaneous items

    Miscellaneous items

    I’ve tried to categorize and organize my packing list entries, but I’m at the bottom of the list with a few that either didn’t fit with other categories or were recent additions. So to round out my packing list, I have the following items:

    Journal, pen and waterproof pouch – While I intend to post daily updates to my blog, I wanted to keep a written journal as well. I found this Hiking Journal on Amazon and liked its size, weight and how each hike is provided with one page of standard prompts (to/from; distance; weather; hiking companions; etc.) and a blank page for general notes. At 102 pages, it gives me space for 50 days of hiking entries. As I want to keep my records from being damaged by rain, I will also have a waterproof pouch (the medium size of the 3-pouch set I also will use for my passport) and a pen. Collectively, these weigh in at 204 grams (7.2 ounces).

    Water bottles – Taking advice from a variety of people, I’m going to travel with two empty Smart Water bottles. These are made of a much sturdier material than many single-use bottles and include a flip top cap which lets you use then to squirt water. They weigh about an ounce each (30 grams). I don’t expect to need two full bottles of water most of the time, but for 30 grams, I’ll carry an extra bottle. And since they are essentially disposable bottles, if they start getting gross, I can dispose of them and purchase new ones along the trail.

    Sachets – My hiking friend, Barbara – who is left yesterday with her husband Richard on their third Camino – gave me these two sachets filled with lavender, eucalyptus and other dried fragrant flowers to deter bedbugs from hitching a ride on my pack. I’m happy to add these 20 grams of weight if it will help keep the nasty critters at bay.

    Mini Swiss army knife – I was debating about whether to pack a knife before I left or to purchase one once in Portugal. Having just received this little guy as a birthday gift (thanks Mom & Dad), the decision was made for me. Weighing just 30 grams, the Victorinox Ramble Swiss Army Knife has a 2″ knife blade – small enough to pass through TSA, but large enough to cut sliced of cheese – scissors, a file, bottle opener and a tooth pick. I envision all five of its features will be utilized during my trip.

    Microfiber towel – I packed my towel with my daily clothes, but didn’t mention it in that post. This quick dry towel weighs in at 163 grams (5.75 oz). Its large enough to wrap around my waste and just have enough to tuck in. I’ve test used it and am please both with how well it dries my body and quickly dries.

    Electrolyte powder – I struggled to find an electrolyte powder that didn’t taste horrible and had the necessary elements I wanted in a hydration supplement. I found what I was looking for in Trevi Sugar Free Electrolytes. The pouches weigh less than 6 grams each and I’ve found all the flavors pleasing. While I’m sure I’ll be able find suitable products along the trail, I will travel with a handful of these for both the first few days and for emergencies.

    Traditional pilgrimage items: Rock & Seashell – Both the rock and the shell have symbolic significance on the Camino. The rock can represent a burden you are hoping to let go of by embarking on the Camino. Others carry a stone as a remembrance. Stones are left along the trail on mileposts, cairns, and on the Camino Frances, at the Cruz de Ferro. I am carrying a stone inscribed with the word strength. This was given to my deceased wife, Shirley, as she struggled with her medical issues. It seemed an appropriate way to honor her. The anniversary of her death will be near the end of my journey and I intend to leave the stone behind on that day.

    The scallop shell with the red cross of St. James is the emblem that many pilgrims carry hanging from the back of their pack. The most widely recognized explanation for the shell is that early pilgrims used them as both a drinking vessel – scooping water from streams – and as an eating utensil when they reached their alberges.

  • My training diversion

    My training diversion

    For most of the summer, my training has focused on increasing my distance and adding the weight I expect to carry on the Camino. But for the past couple weeks, my focus turned to speed walking, as I tried to get back in shape for the annual Portland to Coast, a 126-mile relay from downtown Portland to Seaside, via a convoluted route through the coast range.

    Whereas, when I hike alone, I normally move at about 3.3 miles per hour, when racing my speed is closer to 5.2 mph (about 11.5 minutes per mile). Both hiking and race walking involve moving your legs, but there are muscles that I really didn’t work too hard while hiking longer distances that were pretty sore after some of my practices.

    For those not familiar with the P2C, teams are comprised of twelve racers spread out over two vans. The first van does the first 30-ish miles before handing off to the second van. Once Van 2 finishes their first leg, Van 1 starts their second legs. Legs range in length from just under 4 miles to near 8 miles.

    The race is capped at 400 teams (this race overlaps a running race called Hood to Coast that is longer, but follows the same course after the first 60 miles). The H2C has another 800 teams. This can make for some serious traffic jams in some tiny communities up in the coastal hills.

    My team has finished in the top two each of the past four years. We won in 2021 and 2022 and finished second in 23 and 24. Our goal this year was to beat our nemesis and finish under 24 hours. We didn’t count on daytime temperatures in the upper 90s, which lead to some slower times. We missed breaking 24 hours by less than 10 minutes and beat our rivals by over 33 minutes.

    Besides getting in some speed training, I had a chance to “field test” (pun intended) my sleeping gear for the Camino. Before the race, I think I had tested/used almost every piece of equipment I intend to take with me. But Friday night was my first time to test my eye mask and earplugs under conditions similar or worse to an alberge bunkhouse. I’m happy to report that the eye mask was perfect. I totally blocked out all light, while putting no pressure on my eyes. My earplugs were another story. We had about three hours to rest, but between the sound of generators, porta-potty doors slamming and the constant noise of road and foot traffic I got less than one hour. I am so glad I discovered the deficiency ieny of my ear plugs before leaving. I’ve ordered a pair of silicone earplugs that are supposed to reduce noise by 45 decibels. These were substantially more expensive than the six pair for a buck foam plugs, but being able to sleep through the sound of snoring neighbors will make them worth the money.

  • My Fanny Pack

    My Fanny Pack

    While my backpack will tote the bulk of my belongings, my little fanny pack will be responsible for carrying the most important items. The fanny pack will never leave my side. If I’m not wearing it — for example while showering — it will be in the shower stall with me keeping my towel company.

    The reason for this obsession is that it will be carrying the irreplaceable items I will have on my trip, as well as some things I’ll just want ready access to while hiking.  I suppose I should clarify that the term “fanny” pack is a bit of a misnomer.  I’ll be wearing this with the pouch in front for both easy access by me and less easy access for anyone who would attempt to have me part ways with my valuables.

    So what will be in this marvelous non-fanny pack?

    Passport and Camino Credential – both in a silicone waterproof pouch.  One proves I’m an American citizen.  The other proves I’m a Camino pilgrim and entitled to stay at alberges and also receive discounts on admission to various attractions along the route.

    iPhone – my phone/camera/wallet/guidebook/blog posting tool. 

    Battery bank – for charging my phone, watch and occasionally my headlamp.

    Money clip – I won’t be carrying a traditional wallet.  Just a lightweight clip to contain my cash, a credit card and my Resolut ATM card.

    Chapstick, hand sanitizer and sunscreen – to protect me from both germs and UV rays.

  • Clothing care

    Clothing care

    While there may be the occasional accommodation that includes washer and dryer, most of the time, laundry will be a daily hand-wash process.  The daily ritual will be as follows:

    • Arrival at alberge and check in
    • Take a shower
    • Change into tomorrow’s hiking clothes
    • Hand wash today’s hiking clothes
    • Hang to dry
    • Hope things are dry by morning

    To facilitate this process, I am bringing three laundry-related items. 

    Earth Breeze Laundry Sheets – l LOVE these sheets and have been using them at home for the past several years.  I typically use a half sheet for a normal sized load at home, but for washing a handful of items, I’ll likely tear the sheet into about 12 pieces and that one little piece should do the trick.  For my hiking purposes, these sheets are great because they are super lightweight.  Three sheets weighing in at 10 total grams.  On a more general note, I really appreciate how I’m not paying for a bunch of water and that they come in biodegradable paper envelopes.  As a bonus, they are a local Oregon company, so I like supporting my state’s economy.

    Travel clothes pins – These are an item I’ve had for a long time and I can’t identify where I purchased them from.  They are very lightweight, but will keep my clothes on a drying line if a breeze comes up.

    Diaper Pins – there will be times when things are not completely dry by morning.  These pins will allow me to secure still-damp items to the outside of my pack so they can continue to dry as I walk. 

    Towel – while not officially part of my laundry kit, I do intend to use my microfiber towel to help squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the washed clothes before setting them out to dry.  By placing items flat on the towel and then rolling up and wringing out, I should be able to remove more moisture (with less concern for stretching out clothes) then I would if I wrung them up by themselves.