I got a lot of fun hiking/survival gear this Christmas! Numbers 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 12 are things I wanted specifically for my Camino.

Pilgrim Plunder

From top-bottom, left-right:

1. Trekking the National Parks board game
2. Dr. Scholl’s Plantar Fasciitis Pain Relief Orthotics
3. GRYPS Backpack Cover
4. Survival Bracelet
5. D-Style Screwgate Carabiner
6. Sealskinz waterproof breathable gloves
7. Lamb’s Wool
8. Trail Mix
9. OP/TECH USA 1301012 Uni Adaptor Loops
10. Stun Gun Flashlight
11. America “States Traveled Map” Patch
12. Waterproof RFID-Blocking Money Belt

The Details

You know you’re getting old when you get excited about receiving the gift of orthotics  LOL! I’ve never tried these kind of shoe inserts before (and don’t have PF), but I’ve heard a lot of good things about them so I am going to give them a try.

The backpack cover may not be used on my Camino because I am about 90% sold on using a poncho – but if I don’t, a cover is a Camino essential if you don’t have a waterproof backpack. In any case, I’ll want it for backpacking and GRYPS makes my favorite covers.

I love me some carabiners, this one will be primarily for keeping sandals on my backpack during the day and securing my shoes at night. (From what I hear, shoes do not get stolen from albergues so much as they get mistakenly taken by sleepy pilgrims – my shoes have loops on the back and I figure not many people will carabiner their shoes together at night haha).

I’ve gone back and forth on gloves. I am not usually a glove guy unless I am in snow, but I also don’t hike in the rain if I can help it. On the Camino, I won’t be able to help it! I thought some breathable waterproof gloves might be good, and that opinion has been seconded by many pilgrims. I haven’t found any that were both lightweight/breathable and truly waterproof. Some hikers I conferred with say these do the job, though – so I’ll be testing these soon.

Lamb’s Wool is a common recommendation for blister care. Once you get a hot spot, you put this on it and go from there. I’ve never tried it, but I’ll see how it works for me!

The uni-adaptor loop things are camera strap extensions used in a thru-hiker’s hack to make a large-sized camera backpack carry system. I am pretty sure I won’t be taking my full sized camera on the Camino, but this might change my mind.  🙂

I’ve never done the backpack patch thing, but I kind of like the idea. This unique patch lets you fill in the states you’ve been to/through as you go along.

Finally, the money belt. I took one with me when I traveled Europe after college and I absolutely loved it. Super comfortable, super convenient. For the Camino I wanted RFID-blocking but also waterproofing. The latter was so I would not have to worry if it rained, but also so I could keep it with me at all times – even in the shower (well – in the bathroom while I showered haha).

So there you go! Merry Christmas to all – and Buen Camino!