Camino de Santiago

Book excerpt: Devoted entirely to the subject of what to wear and what to carry on a Camino pilgrimage—with tips and advice on how to create a lightweight backpack so you can walk comfortably without carrying a burden on your back. Learn how to choose backpacking gear and clothing that will work best for you, the route you take, and the time of year that you'll be walking. Examine the pros and cons for difficult gear choices, like should you use a poncho, or rain jacket? water bottles or backpack hydration system? a sleeping bag, or a sleeping sheet? And what about taking a mobile phone or other tech-devices? Consider the options, and decide what works best for your journey. You'll also find a "skin-out" packing list that includes the weight of each item—including weight estimates for picnic and snack foods; and for water (because these are typically the heaviest items in your backpack). Use this comprehensive pack list as an example checklist to organize your own Camino backpack. A Camino journey can strengthen the body and refresh the soul. But to walk long distances every day you should carry as little as possible. This is the book to help you do that.