Camino Portuguese - packing lessons learned after only one day!

 So I’m writing this post as a reminder to myself for future caminos and long haul hikes. Packing. It’s the bane of my Camino existence.

You read all the packing lists and watch the YouTube videos of what other people pack, and you think - no, I don’t need that much stuff. I mean, the general advice is to not carry more than 10% of your body weight, right? Well, given I’m a lot heavier than I had hoped to be, that gives me a bit more wiggle room, but still, I weighed every single item that I packed and still haven’t managed to stick to those guidelines! And now, on day 2 of the Camino, sitting in my room waiting to begin my day, I realise all the things that were on the list that I decided I wouldn’t need, and now do. It’s a proper mess and such a mind game. Like it cannot be underestimated just how hard it is to pack for a long haul trip in autumn / winter in Europe whilst one is sweltering on an unusually hot, allegedly Spring day in Australia. Fleece? No, I won’t need that, my lightweight down jacket will do. WRONG! Light merino thermal? But the temperatures are in the 20s in the day. I won’t need that, I’ve got a superlight zip up running jacket, and my down. Again wrong!! 

Here’s the epiphanies I’ve had this morning about the items I didn’t bring, and now will need to try and find here in Tomar, in the middle of nowhere’s ville in Portugal.

Light merino long thermals - top and bottom. Why? Because when it rains I can’t walk in waterproof pants, they’re too hot. So I need to walk in shorts and long thermals. The thermals will keep your legs warm whilst wet and will dry quickly. That’s why.

Light fleece / merino top. Why? Because it gets chilly in the evenings but not enough yet for a down jacket. And because when it rains you can hike in one under your rain jacket and not be too cold, nor feel condensation on your skin in the jacket thus making you feel like the jacket isn’t stopping the rain. That’s why.

I’m sure I’ll think of others as the day goes on and we try to find these things in Tomar, probably for an exhorbitant price… and when I do, I’ll add them to this list so I don’t make the same damn mistakes next time!