Camino Frances

Camino-living: Cramming a 224-pound life into a 17-pound backpack for the next 43 days.

That’s it. That’s as light as I can make it, 17 pounds (or 7.711 kilograms). 

I am now relieved that I picked the Osprey Manta 34-liter bag because there isn’t a cubic inch left to spare. I’m also relieved that I opted to jettison the 2.5-liter HydraPak that came with it.

I needed that space for, you know, clothing. As for hydration, a couple of water bottles in the side pockets will do nicely. 

People like me, we find ways to fill an extra-large suitcase just as easily as we fill a medium-sized one.

Continue reading
Standard
Camino Frances

These boots are made for walking, and that’s just what they’ll do — well, one pair will

On Sunday, I leave Mexico to walk the Camino Francés. 

That’s about 500 U.S. miles of walking over perhaps 34 days.

Unlike the Adirondacks, the Pacific Crest, or the Appalachian trails in the U.S., the Camino has cell service, probably too many people (to which I am contributing), and many indoor sleeping options, from bunk-room auberges to hotels with saunas and pools.

Continue reading
Standard