Ten months ago today, after a couple of years of intermittent discussions of half-made plans, my cousin and I decided to walk the Camino Primitivo in May of 2020. Since Then February 6th: Started Blog Fifteen months seemed like a very long time to wait for our Camino, so I thought a blog would be … Continue reading 10 Month State of the Camino Address
In my quest for an enjoyable Camino experience, I have continued to adjust my packing strategy. After my Ultralight Camino thought experiment (video HERE), I determined that a realistic base weight (gear weight minus worn or consumable items) could be around 10 pounds and still provide an acceptable amount of comfort. My pack weight right … Continue reading Lightening Pack Weight for the Camino
Even on the Camino, sleep systems are still important. I've tried out a few (see HERE and HERE), but I think I might have found something really good in The Big Blue Mountain Lazy Bear puffy blanket. It is a fairly lightweight, stuffable, throw blanket that is weather resistant and can function when wet. Here … Continue reading Lazy Bear Blanket Review
The struggle is real. As I wrote about in My Pack, my Camino gear journey began with the gift of the Osprey Exos 38. On paper, this was the perfect Camino pack - it seemed to work just fine on my first test hike, and held my gear perfectly on my first pack test. The … Continue reading Shopping for My Camino Backpack (Again)
It's Halloween and so I am dropping (pun intended) this SCARY video today. It is literally scary how bad this issue has gotten on the Camino, and scary that few if anyone knows how to deal with it. In this video I discuss how pilgrims can learn from backpacker's "trail toilets" and discuss the tools … Continue reading Pooping on the Camino
It probably sounds crazy to even suggest taking a 60 Liter backpack on the Camino, and for good reason: They have too much space! They cost too much! They weight too much! Or do they??? Today's inexpensive, high quality, expandable backpacks are making such a choice a lot more reasonable. HERE I look at two … Continue reading A 60 Liter Backpack for the Camino???
I finally had to admit that my Camino backpack - the excellent Osprey Exos 38 - was not the correct size. HERE I explain how to avoid this happening to you!
On the Camino, weather is a serious factor - so which is better: a Poncho or Rain Jacket? And which poncho is the best for a backpacker? The Snugpak Patrol Poncho might just be the perfect Camino poncho! Click HERE for video!
Planning for the Camino is a lot easier and more fun using gear apps online. HERE I show how to use one of the most popular - LighterPack.
The "10% Rule" . . . when it comes to pack weight considerations, probably no guideline is more cited (and disputed!) in Camino forums. What is the 10% Rule, and is it based on science, folk wisdom, or mere rumor? FULL VIDEO HERE! Problems with the 10% Rule This popular pack weight rule of thumb … Continue reading The So-Called 10% Rule
Backcountry Pilgrim 