Greg's Wanderings

Tag: Camino Portugues

  • Last minute details

    Last minute details

    I just had the line from “Leaving on a Jet Plane” pass through my head: “All my bags are packed and I’m ready to go…”. Since I’ve been practice hiking with my packed bag, that’s basically been true for the past month. But now it’s time to get serious and double check to make sure nothing has been removed that I won’t notice until a day or two on the trail.

    I recently discovered that despite purchasing my backpack because it was sized as carry-on item, Icelandic Air has a more restrictive standard and I’ll likely have to end up checking it at the gate.

    Fortunately, I’m bringing a small daypack that scrunches up to about the size of my fist. I will now have to move things around so that I use that as my carry-on (or personal item in case they don’t force me to check the pack). I’ll want to make sure my clothing, toiletries and electronics are with me – just in case my pack gets lost or delayed.

    I also stumbled upon a very helpful travel blog with tips for when you have to check a backpack. Unfortunately, I can’t find the link for it right now, but will add it later if I can. Their tips included making sure all of your straps are tightened and zipped inside of pockets, reversing your hip belt and shoulder straps so they go around the pack and help hold everything tight. By all means, try to avoid checking at the counter and instead, gate check so that your pack is less likely to be damaged in the automated baggage systems that frankly are a nightmare scenario for a backpack.

    I’ve been keeping a to-do list of absolute last minute things to take care of around the house Monday morning before I leave. I doubt I’ll sleep much Sunday night – I always sleep poorly the night before a big event – so I may get up in the middle of the night and tackle some of the things on the list.

    Since my flight doesn’t leave until after 3 pm, I’ve decided to utilize public transit to get to the airport. How often can you get a ride to the airport for $1.40 (honored citizen rate)? A short walk to the bus stop, a 27-minute bus ride to downtown and then 50 minutes on a train right to PDX. No stressing about an Uber driver showing up, no need to bother family or friends for a ride and no monster long-term parking charge when I return.

  • 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 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.

  • Grooming kit

    Grooming kit

    To say my grooming kit is spartan would be an understatement.  I’m doing everything I can to not bring excessive packaging or more of a product than I expect to use. 

    Tooth care:  I am taking a super lightweight toothbrush I got as part of a travel kit on an airplane.  It weighs in at a whopping 7 grams.  In place of a tube of toothpaste, I will be using toothpaste tablets. With each use, you chew one and then brush.  This allows me to take exactly the number I need (and hope I don’t spill them).  I’ve also got a small, partially used container of floss.

    For washing my body, I’m taking half a bar of eucalyptus soap.  I’ll use this on both my body and hair.  I saw a recommendation on using eucalyptus because it’s a natural repellent for bedbugs – and it smells nice too.  Once I start using the bar, I will store it in my Matador flatpack soap case.  This ingenious product has a fabric that allows the bar to dry without getting other things messy.  You attach it to the outside of your pack and the soap dries as you walk. 

    I’m also taking a travel-sized version of my deodorant, a comb (also from the airline grooming kit) and few Q-tips.  For keeping myself trimmed (notice no razor) I’ll have a small pair of scissors along and have nail clippers and an emery board for keeping my nails smooth.  While I don’t tend to get blisters, I have had occasions where a sharp toenail has done damage to its neighboring toe, so I want to be prepared to keep them in check.