what to take, and not to take

[Larry]

Hi Everyone

My name is Larry and I walked the Camino last year starting in early March. The advice given to me at that time was not to go that early but if I did prepare for cold weather and plan that many of the alberques would be closed so, being from the Pacific Northwest I planned for similar weather. Big mistake. My advice: layer with a good, light water proof jacket. There are many new alberques so finding one open is not a problem until the last 150 kilometers or so, then you run into "taxi perigrinos" and lots of people who want the certificate by walking only the last 100 k. Take a light sleeping bag. I took a tent, water purification, etc., that total about 20 kilos; way too much. If your carrying more than 10 kilos you're, in my opinion, carrying too much.
Be sure to carry a little spill-proof dropper bottle to put bleach in to disinfect drinking water. I used 6 drops of 3% per liter of water to avoid diarrhea on the trail. Check on the web for instructions.
Also, get the best hiking boots you can afford and remember, your feet will swell almost an entire shoe size so when you're in the store buying boots they will feel "sloppy" on your foot. Also, sock liners are mandatory. Everyone I met who had blisters didn't have sock liners.
Follow the advice from the priest at St. Jean as to the availability of the routes to follow. One person really messed up his leg, fractured in several places the last 200 meters into Roncevalles by not following the advice given and two weeks before I went someone froze to death by, again, not following advice.
I'm used to a hearty breakfast and to me a "continental" breakfast sucks so if you're like me be sure to get something like granola and/or fruit for the morning. UHT pasteurized milk may taste funny but it's a godsend on the trail.
Remember, the people on the trail are very supportive and encouraging and you'll meet great people and make new friends. One more thing; watch for the beautiful Spanish girl that may bless you with an appearance on the trail from Zubiri to Pamplona. If you see her, bow graciously and know you have been blessed.

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Larry ~
You're from the Pacific NW? Awesome. It's always great to run into pilgrims from the neighborhood. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Very interesting! I'm surprised about the water instructions, though. I carried a 2 liter Camelbak that I filled each morning at the albergue or hotel and never had need to drink on the trail. The only bad water stories I heard were from people who ignored the "Agua Non Potable" signs at fuentes designed for cattle. I'm wondering where you got your water.

FYI our local Camino chapter is planning a get-together on July 24 in honor of St. James day. Let me know if you'd like to join us.

Peace ~
Sandy Brown

[Larry]

Dear Sandy

I'm located in California now. About the water. I filled my water bottle in Castrojerez at the only fount I could find and had a little touch of the revenge just before I crossed the Meseta and from then on I used a little bleach. Up until that point I hadn't had any problems but I did it just to be safe. Also, I left out of my what to take blog, a good pair of walking poles. I have a pair of Black Diamond poles and, on a couple of places, they literally saved my life.

Unfortunately, I have recently purchased a house in California that is due to close on July 2. It needs a lot of work so I won't be able to get together with you-really wish I could.

Larry

[HuskyNerd]

Ok, thanks for the info, Larry. To me, this is a good reason to use a CamelBak. I know some people don't want to carry 2 liters of water at a time, but by carrying a day's worth a person doesn't need to rely on the odd fuente along the way to fill a small water bottle.

Buen camino, mi amigo!

[Tanya Yaksich]

Oh Dear,
My pack was sealed with gaffer tape. I am now considering taking my camelback bladder which i had removed, and ditching my water bottles. What do you advise Huskynerd, i see you're online

[Larry]

Oh Dear,
My pack was sealed with gaffer tape. I am now considering taking my camelback bladder which i had removed, and ditching my water bottles. What do you advise Huskynerd, i see you're online

Dear Tanya
This was forwarded to me, Larry, I guess from huskynerd. I don't know what you mean by having your pack sealed with gaffer tape but if your pack isn't in good shape, get another one. It's a long trek and you don't want to have your pack fall apart in the middle of the Messetas. I met several people when I went who had camelback type bladders and they worked well except their water was always warm and tasted a lot like plastic. I took two, 1 liter, Nalgene bottles (bis-phenol A free). I like having tow bottles because that way I can treat one liter and drink out of the other. Treat? you say. Well, I came into Castrojerez and filled my bottle from the local fount and later had a touch of diarrhea, from then on I treated my water with bleach, 6 drops of 3% (or 3 drops of 6%, whichever you find at the store). A person must let the bleach work for some hours (4-6) to kill the bacteria and the like before drinking. Sodium hypochlorite, bleach, is what water districts use to treat water in almost all districts in the US. Anyway, it doesn't add too much taste to the water and it's better than getting sick on the trip.
I gave some advice to another hiker about knee trouble on the way. The pharmacies in Spain, and most of Europe, can dispense a lot of medications over the counter. One that I recommend in dichlophenic (I not sure of the spelling) in a cream form (tube). Rubbed on the knee (I've got a completely blown out right knee) at intervals during the day (esp. in the evening before bed) it is THE BEST.
The first day is a killer, from St. Jean, if you go all the way to Roncevoux (Roncevalles) and the last 200 k.
Good luck
If you want/need any other advise, please feel free to e-mail me direct, if you wish at larrypardun1@gmail.com

Yours in Christ
Larry

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi Larry,
My pack is in good nick. When i said sealed i meant i taped all the straps etc. so they would not get damaged on conveyor belts in the airports.
I will stick to my plastic water bottles, as i only use a camel back when i'm out bush and away from camp. I have diclofenac cream, trade name Voltaren and i swear by it too. I also have fenac tablets on script. I have found that a lot of over the counter medicines in Australia require a script in Europe, so i'll take my own supply. I am only walking from Leon as my Sister's Daughter and Granddaughter are walking with us and have time restrictions. Thanks for your helpful advice. I will get the chlorine in Spain.
Cheers Tanya

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Tanya,
I'm one of a minority of pilgrims who swears by CamelBak bladders. I have no experience with the "plastic taste" Larry mentions, and temperature of the water was just never an issue. Here are the advantages of a CamelBak-type bladder:

A) Capacity - you carry your whole day's water supply with you so you don't have to thirstily search for the next watering hole;
B) Ease of use - you drink through a tube located near your chin, rather than having to twist your arm behind you to grope for a water bottle. This means you drink more often and are better hydrated (I kid you not, studies prove this);
C) You won't lose it -- since it stays inside your pack. Camino trails are unfortunately littered with people's empty water bottles that have either fallen from their packs or been discarded;
D) Fill up once a day at the albergue or hotel - this assures your water is the safe, domestic variety. You don't want diarrhea like Larry describes;
E) Unlike some water containers, CamelBaks are BPA free.

You can obviously tell I'm sold on these. We're big into the outdoors up here in the NW USA and these reservoirs are very popular here. Hope this helps.

Buen camino!

[Tanya Yaksich]

Thanks Huskynerd,
I will squish my camelback in my satchel and take it with me. I have never had a problem with a funny taste, and warm water doesn't bother me, i have sipped very hot water out of canteens.Water is water!When the temperature is in the high 40 celsius, your water will get hot. Even my Grandkids have camelbacks.
Thanks for your help,
Cheers Tanya

[Covey]

The problem with CamelBaks is the cleaning. In July - Sept in northern Spain it is usually quite hot and you need to keep your drinking system clean, because in the heat and dirt of a Camino, all sorts of thing can grow inside your water system. At least every three days you should strip it apart and give it a thorough cleaning and then lay it out in the sun. This is not so it dries, but so the UV light gets to the bacteria and kills some of them.

I have used the bladder system but did not like the taste of the water so I now use the standard 1.5L plastic bottles the water in the supermarket comes in.. I carry two in the external pockets of my rucksack and start off each day with them about 2/3 full. One full bottle would be sufficient but that would then change the weight balance of the pack, so two keeps the weight evenly distributed. I only use bottled water to drink in Spain anyway so my drinking water on the pack is always in clean bottles. Funnily enough, the plastic bottles the water comes in seem very flimsy, but I have never had a split or leak.

By using bottled water I avoid the risks of water borne bugs and I dispose of my used bottles in the basuras (waste bins). One of the sad parts of the Camino's is the amount of rubbish (including plastic water bottles) that pilgrims just dump at the side of the trail.

[HuskyNerd]

Never had a cleaning problem with CamelBaks myself. They have an inner lining of a silver compound that is unfriendly to bacteria and the use of domestic, treated (chlorinated) water each morning helps keep them sanitary.

Here's a helpful link on things to watch for with plastic bottles: http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/20...#axzz0ratm9tHD

[Covey]

Posted on a Camel forum.......................

"I bought a Camelbak about three months ago. I have used it exactly once, and it was filled with ice cubes and water (never filled it with any sugared drink). I have had cramping problems in my hamstrings in my last three rides, and I have narrowed the cause to insufficient hydration on my typical sixty mile rides. I decided to use my camelbak this morning, and I am lucky that something just made me decide to inspect the bladder and the drink tube/hose closely.
To my horror, I found mold growing in the drink tube/hose. The hose can not be detached from the bladder, so I can't detach and clean the hose by itself. I need some help as to how and with what, I can clean the hose and the bladder to make them as good as new.
I do not want any trace of fungus/mold left.
Or should I just toss the whole bladder/hose contraption, and buy a new one?
Thanks for your help."

Suggested solution:::

1) Rinse, take apart, and dry when not in use. Mold needs moisture to grow. (avoid the problem before it starts)
2) If using bleach, use hot DILUTE soapy bleach.
3) Do not leave bleach in contact with plastics for long periods of time as it will deteriorate them, rinse throughly, allow to dry.

OR

Lemon juice will kill the mold actually. Also, in the future, use UNFLAVOURED denture tabs with hot water to clean the Camelbak frequently... drop two tabs in there 3/4 full of hot water every once in awhile... I've got one CB thats 6-7 years old and it still has the original bladder, clean as can be after having beer, water, Timex, etc etc etc in it...
I agree with this part. Lemon juice would be safer than the bleach.

If you use mint, your CB will taste like mint forever.
I have to disagree on this part. I used the Aqua fresh tabs and don't have the minty taste. But I give the bladder and tube a good rinsing with HOT water."

From Covey::

I am not sure where all these suggestions of using bleach to purify water comes from. Dangerous in my humble opinion.

Many Spanish towns/villages have TWO different water supplies. One is drinking water and the other is "town water" which is dirty untreated water for gardening and washing streets etc. In my humble opinion, I would steer clear of drinking water in the small villages and towns.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Thanks for the research Covey. We have never had any problems with our camelbak bladders.When we get home they are drained and left out in the sun to dry out completly.It is usually very very hot. When it's cold we don't go bush. As for cramps, dehydration is a cause but also lack of magnesium. I always have magnesium tablets with me. But we also carry water bottles as well as the camelbak so we can have a good scull every now and then.
Cheers Tanya

[Covey]

There are a lot of very experienced walkers that walk the Camino who know all about the right kit to carry and how to survive outdoors.

However, on the Camino you also find a lot of pilgrims for whom this is their first long distance trek, and many of whom have been sold the wrong sort of kit by staff in shops who have little knowledge. Many are sold packs with no instructions as to how to fit a pack properly and set up the straps. Many is the time I have given pack fitting lessons to pilgrims on the road to Roncesvalles. Some have no idea why they should have the waist belt done up as I have been told more than once "Ive got a belt on my trousers"

A lot of pilgrims will start with their Camelbak but have no idea it actually needs cleaning frequently to stop the water tasting funny.

[HuskyNerd]

Good point, Covey. One thing with the CamelBaks is that the inside should be treated like a sterile field. It is contaminated by fingers (or by ice pushed in with fingers) and needs to be decontaminated afterward. Any water reservoir can be contaminated, but CamelBaks do take special care since you can't simply throw them in the dishwasher and be done. Here's the official CamelBak care site: cleaning-and-maintenance - CamelBak.com