Equipment for the Camino to Santiago de Compostella - Packing 'list'

I thought that it would be interesting to take pictures of all of my equipment for the Camino for you guys to see - I know that a lot of people make lists for others but not many show everyone what they take. Please remember I'm not a photographer! I have only ever walked in September and March-May, requirements at other times of the year will be different. Here goes:




Sleeping:

Sleeping bag - lightweight but warm (mine's Polish down)

Liner - I have a silk liner foe added weight or to sleep in when it's too hot for the sleeping bag

Bed bug sheet and pillowcase - I always think better safe than sorry when it come to  bed bugs

Nightwear - not everyone bothers to take any but if you do take something light

Eating:

Spork - even if you don't intend to do any cooking this is good for sandwich making and eating midday snacks like yogurt

Plate - a small, cheap plastic one

Saucepan - a travel one that will JUST cook enough pasta or rice for two (not all albergues have saucepans)

Cup - a plastic one that folds up

Bag:

Backpack - chosen partially because it will fit in a certain budget airline's hand luggage requirements (and if you buy a bigger bag then you will only be tempted to fill it!)

Bag cover - for the rain that will you encounter somewhere (you don't want to be trying to dry out everything in your bag in an albergue - there are usually few radiators and these will be crowded with people trying to dry the clothes they were walking in)

Clothes:

Fleeces - 2, one that pulls over my head and the other a zip-up that goes on top of the other for any really cold days

Wicking tops - lighter-weight and faster drying than t-shirts and they keep you cool when walking. One of these even has built-in sun protection

Shirts - to cover up with on sunny days

Trousers - two pairs so that if one pair does get soaked (or covered in mud) you have a spare
Underwear - two bras and three pairs of pants is what I always take for a one week to over a month Camino

Shoes:

Walking boots - a must!

Socks - three pairs I always think (I know there's only one pair shown, I think that the others were scared that I was setting off again and so hid from me!)

I love my boots so much that they get two pictures - look at the wear on those soles!

Electrical items:

Some people prefer to walk with nothing electrical items at all but I am not one of them - use your own judgement as to what you want (or need) to take

Electric reader - I have taken a book before but this is lighter and when I finish a book I don't have to worry about where to find another (in a waterproof cover)

'Phone - to keep in touch with home (only ever switched on in the evenings)

Torch - for early starts and for in the bedroom (not to be shone in other Pilgrim's eyes!)

Camera - for pictures!

Batteries - for camera

Charger - luckily one fits my reader and my 'phone!

Adapter - for those weird European sockets 

Music player - (not shown, hiding in the house somewhere, probably with the socks) I used mine only on the bus and Plane but a some people like to walk listening to theirs

Cat:

Cat did not come with me although she did climb in my bag several times while I was packing and then came in every photo so I figured I should include her somewhere!

Emergency items:

A reflective belt/ribbon for my bag - there aren't that many times when you walk along the road but it's always better to be seen

Torch - attaches to the outside of my bag on the back so that I could be seen in the dark mornings when I set off early

Emergency blanket - never actually used this but it's light so I always take it just in case (plus it could be used as a sheet/cover if you ever end up sleeping outside)

First aid:





 Medication - tablets, inhalers etc
Hankies - a small pack, more can be bought
Alcohol hand wash - very useful for first aid or to wash your hands before your midday snack
Blister plasters - some people don't like using these but I do
Plasters - for those little cuts and scrapes (how many you take is up to your judgement)

Valuables:

Money belt - to keep things in during the day

Money - to spend, usually I carry about 200 Euros and top it up when I can (and some money from home for the journey)

Bank card -to get more money!

Credential - VERY important (and in a small bag to keep it dry)

Passport - not just for travel, some albergues want them when you check in

E111 - for healthcare

Health insurance - even though I have the E111 I take this as well

Small phrasebook - because this is invaluable when I'm looking at a menu

Small bag for evenings - to carry everything else in

 Stationary -

Diary - I advise you to keep one to help you to remember everything and to make observations in

Pen - to write diary and postcards with

Envelopes - we would send up to three postcards in one envelope which saved us a fair bit of money!

Toiletries:

Sponge bag - a small one (remember if you take your bag as hand luggage then you will also need a clear bag that seals to take everything through security - check what size before you set off)

Sponge - I cut mine in half to save space

Toiletries - small amounts of all of the usual for security and weight (shampoo, suntan cream, Vaseline, shower gel, toothpaste etc)

Toothbrush

Hiker's towel - smaller and lighter than a normal one and it dries more quickly too

Comb and bobbles etc

A plastic bag - to keep all of your valuables and or clothes in whilst you shower

Razor - for men (although some men grow impressive beards on the Camino to avoid this)

Does not fit elsewhere:

Gloves - up those mountains it can be cold!

Hat - for mountains, plains or even just bed

Scarf/buff - to protect your neck from sun or rain

Sun hat (which I know isn't hiding but managed to avoid getting in this picture anyway) - for protection from sun and rain

Dry sack - to keep everything dry inside your bag

Rain coat - (drying out from the wonderful British weather when I took these pictures!)

Guide book - The Way is well marked but these can tell you what the albergues are like and it can be useful to have a map

Walking pole/s - not shown because I don't use these myself but I know that many people say they could not have completed their Camino without them

Ear plugs - another thing I do not use but a lot of people say they couldn't sleep without them

Water bladder - some people prefer bottles but I think these are better

 Shell:

Scallop shell, symbol of the Pilgrim

Okay, I think that's it! If I remember anything else then I'll add it in.