The Way to Land's End

My love of travel began the moment I took my first plane ride to visit my father in Alaska when I was only 5 years old. He moved to Fairbanks after the divorce and my sister and I would visit him each summer. Those were the days when you could smoke cigarettes on the airplane, you were served a decent meal and you felt more like a special guest than cattle. Preparing for that first trip, my Grandmother purchased a large trunk for us to fill with two months full of clothes for two young girls. Something about that trunk seemed exotic, beckoning me to an Alaskan adventure. The clanking metal latches, heavy lid, lock and key signaled an important journey. We carefully considered what we would need over the summer….clothes, favorite stuffed animals, books, cassette tapes, trinkets from Florida to give our new step-mom and sister.

We used that trunk for many summer trips to Alaska over the years. It became a totem of our beloved trips to visit our father. And now as I prepare to embark on the Camino, I am again contemplating the importance of travel gear. Whereas the trunk was emblazoned in my memory due to its impressive size and grandeur, my current gear will hopefully be remembered for its minimal size and weight. The backpack I selected is the Osprey Kyte 36L. Before water, my packed bag weighs 17 lbs. Weight is very important on my long journey. I am told that every ounce will feel like a pound after days on the trail. So, I have researched and selected only the most necessary items.

Inside the main compartment there is a blue shower bag, light blue shoe bag, green dry bag, another larger dry bag with two compression bags inside and my sleeping bag in a compression sack.

Within the blue shower bag are the following items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo/soap bar in a tin, towel, washcloth

Within the light blue shoe bag are my hiking sandals and a pair of cheap flip flops for the shower.

Within the green dry bag is my travel size CPAP machine, tubing, mask, filters, extension cord and plug adapter. I have sleep apnea and require this machine to breathe throughout the night. Without it, I snore like a sailor. I’m sure the other pilgrims I will be bunking with will appreciate me packing it, although it adds 2.5lbs to my weight.

The large compression bag contains my extra set of clothes – pants, leggings, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve shirt, lightweight jacket, scarf, bra, underwear (2), socks (2), toe sock liner.

The smaller compression bag contains a sundry of items – Earplugs, hair conditioner, laundry soap, sunscreen, Body Glide, Compeed, Leukotape, band-aids, ziploc baggies, battery bank, portable keyboard/charger, iphone charger, hair ties, hairband, lotion, pole tip covers, comb, toe nail clippers, safety pins, floss, spork, twist ties and flashlight bug.

My sleeping bag is lightweight and will be inside of the dry compression bag.

Other items that will be carried on my person or in small compartments on the bag include – 2L water bottle, guidebook, Spanish phrase book, coin purse, chapstick, fanny pack, fingerless gloves, sunglasses, headphones, raincoat, pilgrims passport, passport, money belt, toilet paper, bandana, hat, pStyle (a device to assist us ladies in peeing upright).

The only items not pictured are the rain cover for my backpack and a small rock that I will carry with me to leave at the Cruz de Ferro, a ritual pilgrims perform on the Camino.

My goal weight was 15lbs, so I am a bit over what I would like. But I have carefully considered each item and feel good about my selections. What do you think? Am I missing anything? Is there an item you think may be a luxury I can offload? I would love to hear feedback.

Departure is in 32 days! Nervous excitement is beginning to set in. My adventure is calling.

Thank you for reading!