On my biking adventures, I can usually be very happy with about 37 pounds of gear...and that includes the panniers which hold everything. As I have gotten older, I have plunked down the money for better, lighter equipment, but there is often a trade-off in the equipment chosen. For instance, the packed weight of my Mountain Hardware Ghost1 tent is right at 2 pounds but I cannot imagine a 6' guy getting in and out of it easily. My preferred sleeping bag, also a Mountain Hardware, I think the model is a Speed, only weighs a pound and is rated to 32 degrees. It's perfect for my bike tours. But it is narrow and only has a half zipper on the side...again, requiring some acrobatics if you need to get out of the bag, and then the tent, at 2 a.m. to get to a bathroom. I have friends who love their clothes, others who love their electronics, and still others who love their tools. I don't want to tell anyone else what to pack...if you want it, take it. Just don't get tired of hauling it and ask me to carry it. I will say no...a polite no, even a sympathetic no, but a firm no with a side of let's find you a box so you can mail some stuff home. I have a little over 13 pounds including my Osprey Finesse and don't expect to add any more. Today's song was running through my head as I did my final packing..."know what to throw away, know what to keep".
I have wrestled with what kind...and the size...of shoes to wear. I am normally a women's size 7. But I am now walking, very comfortably at last, in a size 8.5 wide. Taped toes, orthotics for arch support, blah, blah, blah. I had intended to take two pairs of shoes, some Merrell Sirens and a pair of New Balance 520s which are dreamy (I say aaaaaahhhhh most days) to change into after 10 miles or so. But even the New Balance shoes add over a pound to my pack. I decided to just take the Merrells and stop for an extra cafe con leche at mile 10 and an extra rest for my feet.
I have also wrestled with what I should do about my trekking poles. TSA technically does not allow ski poles...and by inference...trekking poles, in carry-on baggage. Insert eyeroll here. Could you possibly get away with carrying on telescoping or folding poles? Depends on who you talk to. Evidently, the final decision rests with the TSA agent. They will allow you to check trekking poles. My poles telescope and will fit inside my backpack, but I decided I could not chance checking my backpack. If I got to Paris and my backpack did not, I don't think I could smile and say, "Oh well...". What I might say would not be printable. So...all of my stuff, sans trekking poles...all 13 pounds...will be in the backpack that I take through security. I have decided to leave the poles at home and buy a set in St. Jean Pied de Port. Sad. Unnecessary. Dunderheaded. Insert second eye roll.
I am also going to try and add a link for music I am enjoying each day. It will go to Spotify's site and play the song, but hopefully you won't have to endure any ads. With so much of my time spent walking alone, I thought it would be nice, years down the road, to look back and see what songs were inspiring me, motivating me, pulling up memories, thoughts, and feelings. I have a pretty eclectic taste in music...and make absolutely no apology for what I listen to. You should be able to click on the link and listen to the selection while you're looking at pictures and reading about the pilgrimage. But...if you aren't into the music, that's okay...it's easy to turn off.
The countdown is on...just 14 more days.
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