Sarria, Spain to Santiago de Compostela, Spain
This year, while stuck at home with not much to do but work and walk and cook, i started planning my next trips. Some of them are pipe dreams, but some of them ARE possible in the future (after its safe to travel of course!). One of the trips i’m most excited about is walking the Camino Frances from Sarria, Spain to Santiago de Compostela! I don’t know when i’ll walk yet – sometime in 2022, maybe May or August, but i’m starting planning now. I know it’s very early to plan, but there’s a few things i want to start early like learning some key Spanish phrases, walking regularly, and saving for the few hiking items i’ll need.
I have a lot of thoughts about the trip, so i thought i’d try a new type of blog post where i post bits like a journal rather than a full post.
Journal Entries
I’ll post my journal entries and thoughts below, in newest to oldest order. Keep checking back, or bookmark this page for updates!
7 Oct 2021
I received some money as gifts from my birthday last month, so i invested in a couple items i want to bring on the Camino!! I want to try the Injinji toe socks every one raves about, so i purchased a pair of the liner socks off Amazon (there are no shops local to me that sell the liners). I also found a couple pairs of Darn Tough socks that are vegan and made with coolmax instead of merino wool! I don’t love my current hiking socks (polyester nylon ones from Stance – they make my feet way too warm and sweaty), so i’m hoping these new ones will be better. I haven’t been training as much as i’d hoped but i still plan on a long walk the end of October and i’ll try the new socks then!!
23 August 2021
I’ve joined or followed a bunch of Facebook groups for the Camino Frances and traveling the Camino as a veg*n. So much inspiration and tips from people who have already traveled the Camino or are planning theirs, too!
Saw a recent post about bringing a travel blender and then someone suggested just a blender bottle or wire blender ball in a regular bottle and i thought the blender bottle idea was great! I’m already planning on bringing both a water bladder for plain water while walking and a bottle for night time/electrolyte drinks/protein drinks, so a blender bottle is a great idea! I’ve added one to my Milanote board.
I’ve also seen a few friends planning camping trips this summer posting about camping meals they like, and it got me thinking about bringing camping food, too. I originally thought there’d be no problem finding food, but a couple recent vegan walker’s posts have got me thinking differently. Nothing crazy like all my meals, maybe just one or two emergency options!
17 May 2021
I started my packing list today. I know it’s really, really early considering I don’t plan to travel until mid-2022, but I wanted to start it for a couple of reasons: 1) I can’t get things out of my head until i write them down, so having the packing list started meant a place to jot down the items i think of and get them out of my head, and 2) i’ll want to pick up things as i save money and when i see them on sale and with a packing list i’ll know what i need and what i have.
13 May 2021
I don’t have a hiking backpack, so i’ve been researching and i’ve narrowed it down to two: the Osprey Kyte 36 (known as “the Camino backpack”) and the Gregory Jade 38. Both seem a little large for how much i’ll bring, but i’ll want to do more walks like this and i don’t have to pack it full. I’ve added both to my Milanote board and my Pinterest board.
11 May 2021
Started a Milanote board to mood board plans, items, lists. Check it out here: Camino Milanote Board . I’m using it to track my planning to dos and my research, as well as items i’d like to buy and links i’ve found useful.
Comment below if you have questions about my trip planning or Camino suggestions!