You dont have to take many things with you since you will find different places where to buy things along the way. So remember: only pack the essential! Here you have some recommendations: You dont have to take many things with you since you will find different places where to buy things along the way. So remember: only pack the essential! Here you have some recommendations: 1. Don’t pack extra; your back will thank you. 2. Don’t excess a 10% of your weight. If you do, your back might hurt afterwards 3. Bear in mind that the backpack itself weighs, so the size will be important. 4. Think ahead what you want to pack; this will help you to know the size of your backpack 5. Take some time to go to a specialist dealer. They will tell you the backpack that suits you best 6. Pack everything, check if you have enough space and weigh the backpack. 7. Once you have everything packed, have a short walk with you backpack and test if you will be able to carry that weight. 8. Check the last part of this section to know more about excess weight and how to deal with it 9. No matter your body type, carry light and foldable things. They will take less space We don’t state the amount of things to carry since that it is up to the pilgrims and your personal needs. 1. CLOTHING (From May to September) 1. A seamless and long-sleeved shirt or t-shirt (better if it dries fast) 2. A seamless and short-sleeved shirt or t-shirt (better if it dries fast) 3. Zip-off trousers 4. Hooded waterproof raincoat. The longer, the better. 5. Waterproof trousers. They need to protect your ankle área to avoid water entering your boots 6. A white hat made of a thick fabric to protect you from the sun (see section HOT DAYS) 7. A cap. Use it when raining; the peak will protect your face from getting wet. 8. A windbreaker jacket. Check that you can wear a sweater underneath 9. A médium thick sweater 10. Fast-dry underwear 11. Seamless socks for trekking or hiking. You can use them both in summer and Winter 12. A long foulard to protect your neck from the sun (see section HOT DAYS) 13. Fast-dry médium-sized towel 14. A tracksuit. After a long day of walking this is the best choice. 15. Pyjamas 16. Swimsuit. Some people might use it to have a shower if they are sleeping in inns or hostels 17. Flip-flops to use after a long day of walking and in the showers 18. Use reflective strips on your backpack. This way, you will make sure that you are visible to vehicles, specially when walking next to roads. 1.1 CLOTHING (From October to April) 19. An ski-mask or neck warmer to protect your throat from the cold 20. Woolen gloves 21 A hooded fleece to protect you from cold and wind 22. Corduroy zip trousers 23. Crampons, if you do Hospitales route and the weather forescast says it will snow over 10 cm 2.EXTRAS 1. Waterproof backpack cover. 2. A mat, in case you are thinking about sleeping outdoors 3. A headlamp with white and red light (very useful if you are sleeping in a hostel or if you want to start the day at the crack of dawn 4. A sleeping bag (if you are sleeping in hostels) and appropriate for the season 5. Clothes pegs 6. Safety pins 7. A penknife 8. Nail clipper 9. Nail file 10. A lighter 11 Needle and threat 12. A plastic bag for your dirty clothing 13. Sunglasses appropriate for every season. Bear in mind the quality of the glass to protect you properly from the sun or snow 14. Thermal water bottle if it is summer or a wineskin (with water) 15. A whistle 3. HYGINE 1 Liquid soap. Carry some small jars to refill when buying more at a supermarket 2. A sponge. It helps to tone your body when you scrub in the shower 3. A toothbrush and toothpaste 4. A bar of soap for your clothes 5. Deodorant 6. Travel shave set 4. SKIN PROTECTION 1. SPF 50 Sun cream (at least). Apply before starting the day and every 4 hours. Apply aftersun cream after your trekking day 2. Non-scented vaseline (check section FEET) 3. Insect repellent (against ticks as well) From June to October 5. FIRST-AID KIT 1. Sticking plasters 2. Gauze pads 3. Brown strips of adhesive tape (made of fabric). Width between 2,5cm and 3,5 cm (check section FEET for more information) 4. Rounded tip scissors 5. Bottle with special ointment for your feet (check section FEET) 6. Rosemary alcohol ( great for muscle stiffness. Give a massage with your hands) 7. Betadine, to protect wounds from air 8. Cotton 9. Hydrogen peroxide to desinfect (check section FEET) 10. Bicarbonate (check section FEET) 11. Special tweezers to remove ticks. 6. IDENTIFICATION 1. ID or Passport 2. Health card 3. A list of important people for you with their telephone number in case of emergency 4. Credit or debit card 5. Pilgrim’s passport 6. Cash, not not a lot. Check possible ATMs that you can use along The Way 7. Accident insurance 7. FOOD You should bear in mind that before Cadavo (Baleira) the energy expenditure will be higher. Fresh foods (a savoury one), tins, juice and condensed milk will help you throughout the day 1. Nuts 2. Dried fruits (dried apricots, dates are a good option) 3. Chocolate 4. Olives stuffed with anchovies 5. Canned anchovies 6. Crackers 7 A banana 8. An apple 9. Fresh fruit juice 10. Condensed milk tube 8.PACKING PROPERLY When packing, place the objects and things that you will use less in the lower part and on the top the things you will use more. In the right side pocket, the water (sun-facing side will be on the left) 9. CARRY THE BACKPACK Adjust the upper straps. The backpack should be in the highest position over the shoulders. Adjust both the chest and lumbar straps in your backpack. We should avoid as few movements as possible. When going uphill, if you feel that the backpack is pulling you down, it is because the straps are loose. Adjust them again. 10. ALTERNATIVES TO WEIGHT EXCESS If you find your backpack to heavy or bulky, there are other alternatives which will help you do The Way in a more comfortable way and satisfactorily. 1. If you google “paq mochila correos” the first link will send you to Correos Website (the national delivery company in Spain). For a cheap fee they can send your backpack to the next hostel you will stay in or part of the weight. They also have bike service. You dont necessarily have to use a backpack, you can also send a suitcase if necessary. 2. If you are doing The Way with a group of people, the Taxi Associations in different villages offer the same service and you can bargain and agree on a final price.