May 29, Pedrouzo
2 days & 12 miles to go!
Today’s 12 miles were to be an easy task. But as luck would have it, it rained hard the whole time. Actually, it was the hardest rain of the entire journey. Now drying out all the clothes & boots. We split up the remaining 12 miles into 2 days. We have been walking 7 days straight without a rest day. So the last 2 days will be easy on our bodies and we should just coast into Santiago de Compostella on Friday.
Our friend, Ann Davenport, wanted to know what is in our backpacks. So here is the rundown:
This is the part of the pack that is against our backs. Shown or the shoulder straps and hip straps:
There are little holders on the shoulder straps. Shown here is a holder I use for eye drops for when the trail gets dusty!
There is a pocket on each of the two hip straps. One holds the sunblock SPF 50 and the other pocket holds a pocket knife.
On the right front side is the water tube that is connected to a water bag that is situated inside the middle of the backpack. We fill these up about half way to conserve weight. Then refill as needed. Great system…just put the tube in your mouth and suck the water out without having to stop and reach for a water bottle.
The real business end of the backpack is composed of 3 main parts. 1.A small compartment bag which has a zipper opening. Items such as cell charger, sun glasses, gloves, passport and anything that is used frequently. 2. Duffle area 3. Spandex type rear pocket.
This is probably going to be TMI (too much information! )
The main item container is a duffle bag type. Toiletries go in here but as with all items going in here are first put in a waterproof bag. The toiletrie bag is shown contained within a red waterproof bag
Going on top of the toiletrie bag are the clothes. They go in a blue waterproof bag. The clothes are Hi tech, quick dry and perspiration wicking types. 1 pr underwear, 1 pr pants, 1 long sleeve T shirt, 2 short sleeve T shirts, 1 pr socks. The other pairs of clothing is what we wear. So we have 2 pairs of everything – 1 in the bag and 1 we wear. We wash our clothing in the sink each day and hang dry.
Then a small ultra light sleeping bag (usually used as a liner) we use when sleeping in a hostel on bunkbeds.
Last item in is our jackets. They are lightweight and made of synthetic down.
The draw string is pulled to close the duffle in the first photo . Not shown is the compartment bag folded over the duffle.
The rain poncho is inserted in the spandex type pocket attached to the outside of the duffle.
The complete backpack with water weighs about 14 pounds.
Other items I forgot to list are:
A micro fiber towel and walking poles. The poles are made of carbon fiber and weigh 6 oz. each. They fold in half and are put inside the duffle for when we bring the pack on the plane.
I think this was too much information!!
Mike & Angie On The Camino de Santiago 
It’s amazing to see how little we really need – only 14 pounds worth of items, including water! Thanks for the run down. Enjoy your remaining time there.
May 29, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Wow. Quite a system. Yu must have taken a lesson in proper backpacking order. It’s raining there and SNOWING here in Keystone CO!!! Luckily I keep a ski jacket, boots etc here in owner closet. I drove here to get away from packing- moving to my daughter’s at 110 San Ysidro- just a few blks.away. Congrats, you’re almost there- you DID it congrats. What next- mt Everest? Jane B
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May 29, 2013 at 8:02 pm
I also enjoyed the run down even though I did it a few times with Angela on my visits to SB. I remember how we would try to save a couple of ounces to make the load a little lighter. We didn’t have much luck but had fun trying!! Well your almost there Congratulations!!!!! LOVE,Mom
May 29, 2013 at 8:36 pm
I am incredibly proud of your accomplishment. This was an amazing journey to follow. I cant wait for you to be home!!
May 29, 2013 at 8:43 pm
Wow, thank you so much for all the photos of the backpack and your comments. My gosh but it had to take a lot of planning for this trip. Wow, again – to think that you have to wash your clothing every night to be ready for the next day. Unbelieveable to think how little one really needs. Congratulations, Almost to the end. How proud you must be.
Ann D
May 29, 2013 at 9:29 pm
What an unbelievable accomplishment the 2 two of you have done together. You took less for 6 weeks, than most of us take for a weekend. Send some of that rain to Santa Barbara! Beth
May 29, 2013 at 10:01 pm
Interesting to get your packing list. I think we all just have too much “stuff”:) Enjoy your last two days.
May 29, 2013 at 11:50 pm
Not too much information. It shows the amount of planning you both did to make this such a memorable and successful trip. Looking forward to lunch with a good American burger and cold beer celebrating your accomplishment! Take Care.
Love, Fred
May 30, 2013 at 4:23 am
Actually, I think the backpack company should pay you for the great “infomercial” !!
Take care…love you…..
May 30, 2013 at 4:43 am
Well, here I am again, posting my comments before I go to bed, and I know you are both about to start another day. That last posting was NOT too much information. It was very interesting, to say the least! Thank you, Aunt Ann, for asking the question regarding the contents of the back packs!
I hope these last two days are without rain. I know you feel the spirit of our Lord with you as you have made this journey and surely the emotion you will feel will be unimaginable as you approach your destination: the Cathedral. You are in our prayers and we know all of us are in your prayers. Again, a heartfelt thank you for that!
Awaiting to hear from you again soon,
Marianne
May 30, 2013 at 4:55 am
Wow I love hearing all about your travels! I am impressed how your spirits have remained so high in some unpleasant conditions. God Bless you as you come to the end of your journey on the Camino! What a wonderful accomplishment, you are both such an inspiration! Looking forward to seeing you when you return home. Ciao for now, Maria xxoo
May 30, 2013 at 2:03 pm
Re. the backpack: That is amazing…I bet you two have managed to make it more so during your trip. Have you tossed a lot of stuff that you thought you needed and didn’t? Your comments and pictures have been exemplar. Part of me envies you two and the other realizes that I don’t think I could be that disciplined. God bless you both and selfishly, I’ll be so glad when you’re home. Love, Mo
May 30, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Dear Ones, loved the “tmi” on the backpack….You sure have spent a lot of time figuring it out ! I am impressed, Angie ! Thank you….As with Mo, We’ll be glad when you are home! Can hardly wait to to hear all about it too! xx Jane
May 31, 2013 at 4:22 am