Don't Let The Bedbugs Bite - 2018

When I was a girl,
my grandmother said a little rhyme to me
each night when she tucked me in.
She said,

Goodnight!

Sleep Tight!

Don't let the bedbugs bite!"

When I would ask her "What are bedbugs, Grandma?"
she'd just cackle and say,
"Girl, you are SO lucky that you don't know what they are!"

I guess I WAS lucky.

I had no idea what bedbugs were

or if they even existed,

until I walked the Camino.

If you get grossed out easy, you may not like this blog post.

But if you're planning on walking the Camino any time from spring to fall, you may find this information very helpful.

I began seeing pilgrims with horrid bedbugs bites 

about 4 days into my trek.

In fact, I had a bite on my neck, 

but had no idea what it was.

Just this HUGE painless welt, about the size of a quarter, 

on the side of my neck.

I dressed it, covered it, 

and waited for it to go away.

It took about 2 weeks to completely disappear.

Later, I realized I'd had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bedbug, and being chemically sensitive, realized that most poisonous means of control were not in my repetoire. I took a trip to the local Farmacia and had a chat with the pharmacist. She gave me great instructions and I'm pleased to report that during the rest of my 2006 Camino and through my entire 2009 Camino, although I saw many bedbug bitten people and many bugs, I did not get one single bite.

Bedbug bites range in size according to how allergic the host is. For some people they're no worse than a mosquito bite. Other people can end up in the hospital. More people react than not, in my experience. Here is a sample of what bedbug bites can look like. For more photos, do a Google search on bedbug bites and have a look yourself!

Here  is what the pharmacist taught me.

1. LEARN TO SPOT BEDBUG SIGN

The first thing I do when I go into a place is look on the wall above and around the bed. If there are bedbugs, you may see tiny dot dot dots, like someone took a black sharpie pen and made dots on the wall. This is their feces.

You should also pull back the sheet and check the mattress. Often, in the rolled seam, if you pull it back, you'll see these dots.

If there are holes in the mattress, sometimes the bugs hide in the holes. They're nocturnal so they hide from the light. Check around holes for sign.

Sometimes you'll see the bugs themselves, hiding in the mattress seams or in the seams of the bedframe.

Dot dot dot feces as well as bugs - are you itching yet?

bedbugs in the rolled seam of mattress

Bedbug sign on the mattress

Pull the mattress up and check the bed frame. On wooden beds, I look in the little recessed holes where the hardware that holds it all together resides. I check around the bed slats and even around the wheels.

If I see ANY signs like these, I ask if they know they've had bedbugs.

If they say, "We sprayed, they're gone" then I go to Step 2.
If I see NO sign, then I also go to Step 2.

2. SPRAY THE BED. When you get to the Camino, stop at a Farmacia and buy a mosquito repellant spray meant to spray on the skin to repel mosquitos. This is a pump spray and isn't expensive, maybe 6 or 7 euro. It allows you to spray a fine mist.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SATURATE THE AIR OR THE BED. Spray about 12 inches above the bed, 3 pumps, a fine mist. Mist top, middle, bottom. Then step back and watch for about 5 minutes.  (I'd probably do this when nobody is around. People will spray their deodorant or EO's but don't want you spraying repellant. I see less problem in doing this than in spraying a mosquito repellant or sunscreen onto your body in the same room.)

If there are bugs, they will run out to escape the spray and you will see them.

If you see them, I would not stay there, period.

If you do not see them, there's a good chance you won't get bit.

If you can stand to spray yourself, then do it. I am not able to spray myself without getting sick so I never did use the spray on my skin. I was never bitten.

This worked quite well for me.

Some people on the forum were concerned that the spray would make others sick. I suggest you do this early on in the day. The smell dissipates quite quickly.

In the winter, the bedbugs are not as much of a problem. They die off and are dormant until the heat of Spring, when they begin hatching again. Here are photos of the bugs in different stages of their lives.

IF  YOU DO GET BITTEN

If you DO get bitten

you must ASSUME your entire backpack is compromised.

You must follow certain rules to be sure

you do not spread these bugs along the Camino

everyplace you stop and sleep.

Method One

1. Take EVERYTHING out of your pack

2. Turn all pockets inside out

3. Lay it all out on the grass or dirt

4. Spray it ALL with insecticide

5. Let the sun bake it a while

6. Wash EVERYTHING (including your backpack) in HOT WATER

7. Dry in a hot dryer

Method Two

1. If it is impossible to wash everything, then you must take everything to a dry cleaners.

2. This includes your backpack!

Method Three

1. If it is summer you can take EVERYTHING out of your pack

2. Turn all pockets inside out.

3. Put everything in a BLACK garbage bag, loosely

4. Tightly close it

5. Leave it in the hot sun for several hours

6. Wash everything in hot water and dry in a dryer if possible.

You will need to examine all the SEAMS of your clothing, including inside pockets.

Examine all the seams of your backpack and of your sleeping bag also.

If you do not do this, 

not only will you spread bedbugs along the Camino,

you take the chance of carrying them home to 

YOUR HOUSE !

This will not endear you to your family...

 By the way, bedbugs are not only on the Camino.

A quick Google search on Bedbugs along I-5

will give you a list of the California hotels

that are housing the little buggers.

They're everywhere!

Much like VAMPIRES!

Sleep tight!

Why Bedbugs and Vampires Are Exactly Alike 

(Thank you Rants from Mommyland)

• They are both totally real.
• They both come out at night.
• They both suck your blood.
• You should not invite them into your house (already established).
• They CANNOT be killed by silver bullets, that's werewolves, as you damn well know unless you are illiterate or don't have cable.
• Once they get in your house, it takes an act of God or possibly Fairies to get them out. Also, fire.
• If either bedbugs or vampires start coming in your house you should probably just move far, far away.
• They hide under the bed and some of them are telepathic. 
• You can tell the telepathic ones by their artfully tousled hair.
• You can catch them in hotels, so don’t go to hotels.  Especially in Cincinnati.  
• They climb in bed with you while you’re sleeping and do unspeakable things.  
• If you let them bite you on purpose, you might want to get a check up from the neck up.
• Parents disapprove if you try to date one.
• They have Kings and Queens and a rigid hierarchy with swift and final justice for wrong-doing.
• The Health Department should be called immediately if you suspect an infestation though the Health Department may be slightly less effective with an infestation of vampires.

* * *

Back to the Camino.

Don't let this information on bedbugs ruin your trek.

Just pay attention

and you'll be fine.

Sleep tight!

UPDATE!!!

Since walking the Camino in 2011, 

I have returned many times, 

and over the years, the bedbug problem

has gotten worse, 

not better.

SPRAYING YOUR GEAR:

I now suggest you spray the OUTSIDE of

both your backpack

and your sleeping bag

with Permethrin Spray before leaving for your trip.

The brand most used in the USA is SAWYERS

and it can be found at REI.

I have also found permethrin spray 

at farm supply stores and vet supply stores.

Simply hang up the backpack 

and the sleeping bag on a line outside.

Now spray the OUTSIDE of both well.

Let it dry before taking back inside.

It is odorless once dried.

This only has to be done once before your Camino.

No need to carry permethrin with you.

TO KEEP FROM INFESTING YOUR HOME

Upon returning to the USA,

whether or not you saw one single bedbug,

DO NOT TAKE YOUR PACK INTO YOUR HOUSE!!!

Even if you have not had one bedbug bite,

DO NOT TAKE YOUR PACK INTO YOUR HOUSE!!!

Have whomever is picking you up from the airport 

bring a large garbage sack with them.

Do not put your backpack into their car trunk

until you tie your pack up tightly in the sack.

When you get home, 

DO NOT TAKE YOUR PACK INTO YOUR HOUSE!!!

Leave it in the plastic bag,

outside or in the garage.

Go inside, 

undress and immediately take your Camino clothes

and put them in the plastic bag as well.

When you have time,

next morning, hopefully,

open the sack,

dump the contents into the plastic bag

and spray both the contents and your backpack

with insecticide,

then tie everything up for a few more days

inside the plastic bag.

When you have the time,

take out your clothing and wash EVERY piece of clothing in HOT water.

Dry in a  HOT dryer.

Inspect every single item,

including books/journals

page by page.

The bugs hide in dark places.

Inspect every seam of every piece of clothing.

If you can afford it, 

have your backpack dry=cleaned.

Only now is it safe to bring items into your house.

If you don't think you have time to do this,

then I invite you to Google 

bedbug infestation 

and read stories of the thousands of $$$

it costs to rid yourself of this pest

if it gets into your home.

This is easily avoided

by taking the above-mentioned steps.

Pilgrims, lavender oil will NOT kill bedbugs.

You may know someone who used it.

They may not have been bitten,

But the majority of pilgrims are NOT bitten!

They were just LUCKY.

All of those posts on the web about lavender oil killing bedbugs have been copied, 

and recopied, and recopied. 

There is No science showing lavender oil kills bedbugs .

However, lavender people insist it helps.

They say the oil does repel bedbugs, 

and perhaps it does.

If it makes you fell better, go for it.

I don't like pesticides either.

I have MCS.

However, recognizing the signs and possibly permethrin

are the ONLY ways to be SURE you will not get bitten.

So either spray your pack and bag with permethrin

(if you do it correctly it WILL work)

or slather on a mosquito repellant each night

(which also may not work, by the way).

And if you carry even one bedbug into your house,

you could be in for nightmare

that will feel undending.

ONE FEMALE BUG can lay MANY EGGS.

Just be responsible up front.

Spray your gear!

And Have a Buen Camino!

* * *

If you'd like to walk the Camino
but aren't quite ready to do it alone,
see my website:

Anniewalkers Camino

for more information about

Guided Walks on the Camino Santiago 

and on other Pilgrimage Trails of Europe

Laundromats on the Camino?

Holy Moley things have changed!

I just found out about several laundromats on the Camino!

From Falcon:

There is a new laundromat in Santiago about 60 meters from Casa Manolo. It has 12, 15, and 19 kg machines. Suitable for bug detox.

Also, a fairly new one in Arzua along albergue row as you enter.

And one in Astorga down the back street near the bed store.

From Martyseville:

FERROL:

There is a self serve laundry mat not far from Hotel Silva (which is excellent, inexpensive place to stay before doing the Ingles).
Ask at desk. Basically turn left out the Hotel door. Turn left at corner. Go straight down the street. Cross the main blvd. Place is located on your right. Clean.

From Father Jeffrey:

In re Santiago de Compostela: There's a splendid laundromat on the Rua das Hortas, very close to the Obradoiro and S Martin Pinario. And in Pamplona there's a splendid laundromat right on the Plaza del Castillo.

Backpack Transport 2018

Alto Perdon sculpture showing the many (valid) ways Pilgrims travel the Camino.

You may have heard someone say 

if you want to do the Camino and be a “real” pilgrim, 

you must carry your backpack 

every step of the way.

Don't be hooked by this.  

Pilgrims have hired pack transport for various reasons 

since the beginning of the pilgrimage. 

Some were too ill to carry all they needed on their backs, 

some used beasts of burden, such as donkeys and horses,

and some just had the money to pay for it, 

so they did!

Think about the most famous pilgrimage of all, 

the one by the Three Kings to see the newborn Baby Jesus. 

They didn't carry their goods on their back, 

but packed everything, including themselves, 

by camel!

Were the 3 Kings not 'real" pilgrims?

The notion that using pack transport 

makes you less than a pilgrim is just silly. 

If you are physically unable 

or simply do not want to carry your backpack, 

there are wonderful companies 

who will transport your belongings each day.

I rarely carry my pack on the Camino Frances anymore. 

I did it the first time, because I wanted to 

and because I'd been told it was mandatory.

I'm older now, 

can afford to stay in private lodging,

and I love the freedom of walking without the extra weight. 

My feet and back are much happier when I walk unencumbered.

Pack transport is not that expensive. 

It generally runs between €6-€8 per pack, 

depending on where you begin your Camino 

and which route you are walking.

If you have prebooked your lodging, 

you can sometimes get a bit of a break on the cost 

by submitting your schedule to the company 

and asking what it will cost. 

 If you have a group traveling, 

it can be less expensive, 

because in general, the more packs going, 

the less each individual pack will cost.

You may have heard of pilgrim albergues 

that will not allow pilgrims to stay 

unless they have carried their packs. 

Often, they WILL allow you to stay,

but you are put at the end of the line,

behind those who have carried heavy packs.

This is only fair, really.

The Albergue Guacelmo in Rabanal del Camino is one example
of an albergue who will not allow you to stay
if you have used pack transport. 

So there are some and you should do your homework.

However, if you are booking private lodging, 

it is not an issue. 

If you are unsure, ask when you book the lodging.

If you are not on the Camino Frances, 

it may be a little more difficult to find bag transport, 

but not impossible if you’re willing to pay. 

 Often, local taxis will transfer your backpack for a few euro. 

 Ask at the hotel or at a bar if they can recommend a reliable taxi.

Here are a few of the services that I am familiar with. 

I'm sure there are others. 

One way to find out is to ask the host of the lodging 

where you have booked if they know of a taxi 

or transport company that works the route you're walking.

I will post a note saying whether or not I have used the service

FRANCE

Express Bourricot

Caroline has sold Express Bourricot!
The new owner's name is Maialen!
They will carry pilgrims and luggage 

from St Jean pied de Port to Orisson or to Roncesvalles. 

The company operates in France only. 

http://www.expressbourricot.com/

All of the albergues in St. Jean will have a contact number

 for the taxi service. 

They speaks English and is very trustworthy. 

The cost for a taxi from SJPP to Roncesvalles is not inexpensive. 
You can find current prices on the website.

The cost is per TAXI, 

so if you have a group of people going, 

you can split up the price.

 They will also transport bicycles. 

Price to transport bags from SJPP-Roncesvalles
at the time I wrote this blog is €8 per bag. 

Services begin in March. 

I use this company every year.

Le Puy Route

Camino Frances:

Caminofacil

http://www.caminofacil.net/en/

Prices for bag transport begins at €6

The more bags, the less the cost.

Also, if you are prebooking your lodging 
and you know where you are staying, 
you might get a better price by booking your entire Camino 
with them up front.

I use this service every year. 

I have found them to be dependable and trustworthy.

Sarria to Santiago

Xacotrans

Tel. 608.581.206

I'm not sure what Xacotrans costs, 

but I do know bag transport is about half the price

once you reach Sarria.

Last I saw, Sarria to Santiago was running €3 per stage.

Camino Aragones

taxijavi@yahoo.es

Jaca, Huesca Tel: 637 503 920 

Camino Norte

Le P'tit Bag 

Transports bags from Bilbao to Irun.

http://greencartrans.webcindario.com/

Jacotrans

http://www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es/indexingl.html

The Peregrine Express 

Camino Norte between Irun and Santander.

Email: christel.langeveld@gmail.com

Contact number: 0034644589217

http://theperegrineexpress.blogspot.com/

Camino Primitivo

Taxi Camino

http://www.taxicamino.com/

Jacotrans

http://www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es/indexingl.html

Camino Portugues

http://www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es/indexingl.html

Camino Ingles

http://www.caminodesantiago2010.com.es/indexingl.html

How does it work?

In general, you simply call ahead and book the day before. 

You must call before 8pm and

 I suggest you call before 5 pm if possible.

With Caminofacil, you can also book via internet on their website, 
which is convenient and less expensive than calling.

The company charges per etape, or per stage. 

A stage is usually considered a trip between two villages 

with a distance less than 30 km. 

If your stage is more than 30km, 

you may be charged for 2 stages.

If you are bicycling and/or your stage is more than 60km, 

contact them and get a quote.

Not all companies allow online order, 
but some do.
With Caminofacil, when you place an online order, 

you can also register on their website. 

Registering allows you to change 

or cancel your reservations later, if you need so. 

Please read their rules,
which they have posted on their website.

Tags

Once you have place your order with Caminofacil

 you’ll be able to download a set of printable luggage tags 

with the information of each stage on your route, 

so that you can print them and add them to your bags. 

If you are ON the Camino, and decide you need transport, 

and do not have internet access, 

most (not all but most) lodgings will have information available 

and tags available for local pack transport. 

Just ask your host.

Bag Transport Envelope is used with some companies

On the outside of a bag transport envelope
 is a form you fill out 
with your name and your destination for the day. 

You pop the cash into the envelope 

and attach it to your pack with the rubber band or string that is supplied.

In addition to the tag provided by the transport company, 

I suggest you put a sturdy luggage tag on your backpack 

with your name, your email address, and your telephone number.

Ask your host where the bags for transport should be placed. 

Generally, you will put your bag back 

where you picked it up the night before.

Most companies ask that your bags be ready to go by 8 am. 

This does not mean they will pick them up at 8 am. 

IF YOU MISS THE PICKUP THEN YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. 

You will have to call and make private arrangements 

and most likely pay a much higher price.

THE DREADED BEDBUG ISSUE

With the Camino so busy, 

bedbugs have been a persistent problem in albergues. 

(Not so much in private lodgings.)

If you are using bag transport, or riding buses,

 I strongly advise you to spray the outside of your pack 

with permethrin before leaving home. 

Your pack will be riding touching many other backpacks

 who may or may not have been exposed to bedbugs 

where they stayed the night before. 

 A little precaution can save a lot of tears later on.

* * * 

If you'd like to walk the Camino

but prefer walking with a small group,

take a look at my website:

Anniewalkers Camino

Buying a Backpack for the Camino 2018

Buying a backpack for the Camino can sometimes cause anxiety in a new pilgrim.  How large of a pack will you need? What features should the pack have? What makes a good fitting pack?

Here are some of my own thoughts on the matter.

Capacity:  Unless you are doing a winter Camino, you do not need a pack with more than a 32L Capacity.  For a summer Camino, or if you are not carrying a sleeping bag, a 28L or even smaller will work fine. I've walked all of my Caminos using an Arcteryx 30L bag and it has been perfect.  This year, I've purchased a new 28L to try out for 2 months. I'll be walking the Madrid Route, the Camino Frances, and then 2 weeks on the Via de la Plata or southern Spain, I haven't yet decided.  But I'm thinking this 28L pack will be perfect!

If you are walking in winter, you are going to need heavier clothes and a heavier sleeping bag. In this case, you may want to go as high as 35L.

When you are shopping, these are called "weekend" packs or "overnight" packs or even "day packs."  Don't let a salesperson talk you into a bigger pack! We'll talk about that below.

FEATURES  

Internal Frame.  Today, the best packs in my opinion are internal frame packs. These packs hug your body and when you look at them from the side, often have a gentle "C" curve. They help stabilize you while you walk, and in my opinion are the best choice. The internal frame is often adjustable to better fit your body, so be sure to ask. On my pack, I can simply bend the frame into the shape I want.

External Frame: These packs are more for mountaineering or if you're carrying a kayak. You don't need this in my opinion, thought there are some lighterweight external frame packs that would work for the Camino. Again, you can often adjust the frame.

Frameless. If you are young (21-25) and strong and fearless, you could get away with a minimalist pack in the summer months. But honestly, I don't think they're comfortable for the amount of walking you'll be doing.

Top Lid. All 3 types of pack will usually have a top lid. The lid usually has a zippered compartment both on the top and underneath, where you can store items you want to get to quickly during the day. This is where I put my lunch and my rain gear (on top) and I put my shower/first aid stuff in the compartment under the lid.

Ventilation. That curved look in an internal frame pack allows the pack to set a few inches off your back. This is great for ventilation and will keep you from sweating too much and soaking your clothes and your pack.  There are a few different ways this is achieved. One is "tension mesh suspension" and that is what my new pack has. My Arcteryx, that I used for 10 years, also had it, and it sure was nice on those REALLY hot Spanish days.

This Osprey pack has a mesh back with space for air flow.

Hydration Pack Sleeve. Whether or not you use a hydration pack (Camelbak, etc.) is really up to you. When I walk the Camino Frances, I just carry an 8 ounce water bottle and fill it up at each fountain. If you're a big water drinker, you may want to carry 2 bottles, or if you're walking in the hot summer, a bit more. However if you DO like hydration packs, it's great to have a place to put it. And if you are NOT taking a hydration pack, it'll just mean a bit of extra space, so you really can't go wrong. I did not have a hydration pack space on my Arcteryx, and I did use a hydration pack on the Via de la Plata. I just slipped it down into the back of my pack, but a sleeve would have been nice. When I walk the Madrid route this spring, I will take a Camelbak as fountains are fewer and far between. It just depends on the route you will be walking. Hydration packs are a whole other blog.

Hydration sleeve in a Granite Gear pack.

Loading.  Some packs load only from the top. Some have all kinds of pockets and zippers.  Personally, I prefer a top-loading pack for the Camino for many reasons.

One reason is ease of loading. In my Arcteryx, I use a compression stuff-sack for my sleeping bag. Then I stuff it down into the bottom of the pack. I layer the rest of my things on top. To me, it's easier to get everything into the pack if I don't have to fiddle with opening/closing zippers, getting them stuck, etc. I'm a Leo and I want things done yesterday, not tomorrow. I'm the same with packing. I want it to be done so I can be on the road.  Joe has a zippered pack and I watch him trying to hold things in with one hand while he zips with the other hand. It just looks like too much work for me!

Another reason is security.  A panel-access pack usually has one or more long zippers that open up the pack. Easier access yes, not just for YOU but for a thief. No zippers on the outside means someone either has to sit and unpack my backpack to get to what's inside, or they have to cut it open. Chances are, in a busy albergue, they'll go to the next guy's pack and leave mine sitting. Thieves choose targets that are quick to access and quick to leave. My top-loading pack would just take too much time for a thief to get into! I like that security.

By the way, those zippered packs with locks at the top that give people such a sense of security are easy to get into in about 10 seconds with nothing more than a ball-point pen or other pointy object. Just stick the point between the teeth and pull the zipper apart. Thieves can do their pilfering, then rezip it and nobody knows they've been there. Don't believe me? Try it.

When I say top-loading, I'm not talking about the sleeve on the sides or a compartment for a raincoat. I'm talking about the main compartment of the pack.

Front-Loading.  or Panel Access Bag.
To me, this is too much "business!"

Top loader.
This person used the hydration sleeve for their laptop/ipad.

Pockets. Pockets on the sides and/or back are convenient for putting a water bottle or stuffing rain gear into. Things you'll need TODAY on your walk. I've used mine for a loaf of bread (they're long and slender - we'd call it a baguette), fruit, cheese, a can of tuna or sardines, etc.  Easy to access without digging through the pack, but nothing you couldn't afford to lose. NOTE:  More than one pilgrim has lost a pair of expensive sunglasses that were attached to a pack left outside a restaurant. Never leave your phone, sunglasses, or electronics in your pack if you aren't watching it.

Sleeping Bag Compartment. The size pack we're talking about usually does not have this, and to me, it's extra weight I do not want to carry.

Attachment Points are little loops on the pack where you can attach your walking sticks when you aren't using them, or your umbrella, or bread, or your jacket or ???

Padded Belt.  I would never walk the Camino with a pack that did NOT have a padded belt. You are going to be carrying this weight for 6 weeks and your hips will need to be protected.  And by the way, you carry the weight of the pack on your HIPS, not your waist and certainly not your shoulders. Practice adjusting the straps until the pack sits comfortably on your hipbones.  A skinny little waist belt is not sufficient, not even on a summer daypack. You'll thank me later if you buy a pack with a padded waist belt.

A padded lumbar pad is also essential with the amount of walking you will be doing. A pack that swings around is going to give you blisters on your back in a very short time.

Padded Shoulder Straps.  You WANT padded shoulder straps. Ten percent of your body weight for 6 weeks will wear you down quickly if you don't protect your shoulders. Blisters under unpadded straps could mean the end of your Camino.

WHISTLE!  Do you know that many packs have a built in emergency whistle on the chest buckle?   This is important, and many people aren't aware of this, so here are a few photos. Go check out your pack!:

Raincover. Most packs today have a built in raincover, but you don't 'really need it if you're going to take an ALTUS or other type of pack-covering poncho or coat.   If you're walking in summer, a raincover might be handy for short periods of summer rain when it's warm and you don't really need an ALTUS.

IT IS PREFERABLE NOT TO PURCHASE A PACK ONLINE UNLESS YOU HAVE TRIED IT ON IN A STORE FIRST.

All packs are not created equal.  I suggest you find a sporting goods store and try packs on.  Then, if you find something you like that fits, you can scour the internet for a better price. But just buying off the net without trying it on is asking for trouble, in my opinion.  Packs come in different sizes.

First there is torso length.  I am only 5'3" but I have a long torso and short legs. A short torso pack rides too high on me; it doesn't sit on my hips correctly. On the other hand, if you have a short torso, a long pack is going to ride up next to the back of your head and knock you on the head with every step!
There is a range of torso lengths available in most better-quality packs, so be sure to check.

Next is waist size. If you are extra tiny or extra large, you may have difficulty finding a waist belt that fits properly. Be sure your waist belt will either fit, or is equipped to handle an extender if you are large. If you are tiny, be sure you can swap out the belt easy (that it is not permanently attached).

There are also gender-specific packs. A woman's pack will usually be shorter and narrower. The shoulder straps will curve in a way that fits better and the sternum strap will be adjustable to fit above the breasts.  A woman can wear a man's pack, but she probably would have wider shoulders and should be sure the sternum strap is adjustable.

My pack has load-lifting straps. These are straps on the padded shoulder straps that I can pull or release to adjust my load and where the weight sits. I would not buy a pack without these.  The sternum strap is usually attached to the same configuration and is a strap that you can tighten and release to pull the shoulder straps in snug or to loosen them. It fits across the chest and above the breast in a woman. It should slide up and down so you can put it in the correct position across your chest so as to be comfortable.

Criteria for a good pack fit are:

1. Hip belt centered over hip-bone.

2. Back panel makes contact with the entire surface of the back

3. Shoulder straps make contact with the entire surface of the shoulder and do not "tent" where the load lifters attached.

For load lifters to work properly, the frame needs to extend above your shoulders enough to allow the lifter straps to have at least a 40-45 degree angle. That way, tightening the straps shortens the distance between the shoulders and the frame, creating the 'lift.'

Another thing to look at is the fabric that the pack is made of.

Nysil. While nysil is lightweight, it may not be sturdy enough to last 6 weeks on the Camino. I purchased a nysil shopping bag one year that was suggested by a friend. I wore a hole in the bottom in less than 3 weeks.

Here is a great article on pack materials:
Fabric Guide for Backpacks

ORGANIZING A TOP LOADER:

A search on Amazon for ultralight stuff sacks will give you lots of choices. I usually pack my clothes like this:

Stuffsack #1:  underwear, bras
Stuffsack #2: tops
Stuffsack #3: bottoms
Stuffsack #4: shower and sundries, first aid
Stuffsack (compression sack) #5: sleeping bag.

I label the outside of the stuffsack with a laundry pen so I can quickly find the sack I'm looking for.

To pack, my sleeping bag goes in the bottom with the other bags on top.
That's it.
I'm packed.

Here is my packing for a 3 month trip. I shave it down for shorter Caminos.

Well, that's about all I can tell you.

I hope this blogpost has been helpful.

Remember, the two most important items you will purchase 

for your Camino are 

1) your shoes and 

2) your pack.  

Choose wisely, for both will keep you healthy and walking strong!

I'll do a blog when I pack for this year,
as things change a little each time I walk.
Until then,

Buen Camino!

Annie

* * *

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Don't want to race for a bed?

Walk with us in a small group or alone.

Booked lodging!

Anniewalkers Camino

UPdating Again

Hola Peregrinos!

Once again, I'm updating these blog posts. It's been many long years since I began this blog, and some of the posts are outdated. So I'll be going through them, reading and updating them, and reposting for the new pilgrims who are just beginning their planning.

Please be sure to comment if you find mistakes or have updated information that I've missed.

I'll be walking the Camino again this year from May 15 through the end of June. I'll be taking a group of 7 wonderful women from St. Jean to Santiago.
There, I will pick up a group of 2 or 3 folks. We will taxi to Sarria and begin a SLOW Camino of half stages.  I have one spot left on the slow Camino if you're interested - but be quick, as lodging is disappearing fast!

I hope you will find these posts informative and helpful. My love affair with Spain and the Camino Santiago has been rich and satisfying, at times challenging, but always worthwhile.

Have a Buen Camino!

Ciao!
Annie