"The lighter, the better" - oh, if only I can heed the advice of the many who had gone before me. 10 percent of my body weight is the suggested weight for my pack, but try as I may, I simply couldn't keep it between 12-13 lbs (or 5.5-5.9 kg); putting on extra pounds on myself is also out of the question.
The first time I packed, it weighed an alarming 24 lbs (or 10.9 kg), about 20 percent of my body weight. I panicked and was disheartened - there is no way I can continuously walk the Camino for weeks with that weight on my back. Stubbornly, after numerous iterations, I managed to reduce my pack list to weigh ~19 lbs (or 8.6 kg). It is currently around 15 percent of my body weight, and will likely stay that way. My self-imposed limit is 20 lbs (~9 kg) and if I must, I must - like bring an extra pair of walking sandals (in case of blisters and/or wet boots) and my electronics (so that I can blog!). Here is my pack list. With 2 weeks left to go, I may continue to make minor revisions to the list, but I envision the total weight to remain relatively unchanged.
The first time I packed, it weighed an alarming 24 lbs (or 10.9 kg), about 20 percent of my body weight. I panicked and was disheartened - there is no way I can continuously walk the Camino for weeks with that weight on my back. Stubbornly, after numerous iterations, I managed to reduce my pack list to weigh ~19 lbs (or 8.6 kg). It is currently around 15 percent of my body weight, and will likely stay that way. My self-imposed limit is 20 lbs (~9 kg) and if I must, I must - like bring an extra pair of walking sandals (in case of blisters and/or wet boots) and my electronics (so that I can blog!). Here is my pack list. With 2 weeks left to go, I may continue to make minor revisions to the list, but I envision the total weight to remain relatively unchanged.
When I was stuck, keeping my focus on what's more important really helped. The focus was and is always going to be my spiritual connection to God on this journey. When I am able to pull away from the details and see the bigger picture, and when I go with the flow and trust in God, I find inner peace and strength. I look forward to daily spiritual readings and reflections on the trail and connecting with nature and others I will meet along the way. That to me, my friend, is what is more important - not the material stuff.
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Above: A hand-crocheted cross, a gift from a church friend, is affixed to my pack
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