This weekend I found a bit of time so I did my local 14k hike for the third time since my first 14k Day. This time I used the All Trails app to log my distance and times and stuff. it's very helpful and I learned a few things. First, it's 14.5k total. OK, not … Continue reading 3rd 14k Day
So many gear decisions! In the videos below I present my thoughts on three of the debates concerning Camino footwear. Boots vs. Shoes? Waterproof vs. Standard? Bringing Backup Shoes?
The backpack I am bringing with me on my Camino is the Osprey Exos 38 - a very popular model on the Way for several good reasons. it is lightweight (it weighs less than my 24L day pack!) and the perfect size for what I'll be taking with me. In this video, I review the … Continue reading Osprey Exos 38 Review
As a follow up to my post on hiking hats, I took both on a nice hot hike into the hills of California to see how they would do. I tested the Sunday Afternoons sun hats - the standard and the waterproof "Storm." As it turned out, these are both excellent hats, but not for … Continue reading Hiking Hat Test
Your backpack is a very important part of your Camino experience. Although there are many factors, the size is one of the primary considerations. What is the right backpack size for the Camino? In this video I show three different sized packs, discuss what each one is good (and bad) for, and tell which size … Continue reading What Size Backpack is Best for the Camino?
Camino MMXX - Now on YouTube! A big part of my Camino prep has been watching videos ("Vlogs") of other people preparing for (or returning from) their Camino (See Links for some of them). I decided that it would be fun to do it myself! But You've Never Been on the Camino! Correct. My Camino … Continue reading Vlogging Camino!
I got my shell!!!!!!!!!!!! I found this excellent store on Etsy called Spirit of the Camino. All proceeds go to funding the owner's time as a hospitalera comforting pilgrims along the way. I wanted to give a big shout out to the store for several reasons. First, the order arrived WAY before expected! I was … Continue reading I Got My Shell!
The Camino de Santiago is the Way of St. James. But who is St. James? Discovering the answer is more complicated than you might imagine. FULL VIDEO HERE! James in the Bible Just like today, in New Testament (NT) times some names were more popular than others. Hence, there are a lot of Johns, Marys, … Continue reading Who is Saint James?
Although I plan to bring a Frogg-Togg jacket with me on the Camino, I've needed a new rain jacket for hiking and backpacking for some time now and decided I might as well try out a few just in case one would also work on the Camino. For Video, click HERE. Marmot vs. Outdoor Research … Continue reading Rain Jacket Challenge: Marmot Minimalist vs. Outdoor Research Foray
I got three decent hikes in the span of eight days last week and the last one about did me in. It didn't seem like it was the distance or the elevation gains, though. It was the heat. The Heat The scary thing is, it wasn't really that hot (for California, at least). It was … Continue reading Hot Hiking
Backcountry Pilgrim 