In June, I participated in the University of Alabama’s first faculty-led study abroad program on the Camino de Santiago. Although I studied abroad last summer, preparing for the Camino seemed far more daunting than my previous program, where I packed a suitcase and stayed in a set location. This year, I had to physically prepare to hike over 200 miles across Spain and fit everything I needed for the month into a forty-liter pack. Luckily, I had great professors to help me prepare.
There was only one way to improve my hiking skills: practice! Before heading off to Spain, everyone going on the trip took a semester-long prerequisite course where our homework consisted of a training regimen. Our professors expected us to hike three times a week for at least an hour including a hike that was at least six miles long. Then, our professors encouraged us to try trail running to get more comfortable with having a high heart rate. They also pushed us to hike at our natural pace for a mile, then switch to a faster pace, alternating back and forth in such a manner until our natural pace grew quicker. We completed two test hikes as a group on the Tashka Trail at Lake Lurleen State Park. These provided opportunities to see our hiking skills develop and get to know one another.
Hiking, however, was not the only habit we had to cultivate before our trip. We were also expected to incorporate journaling and drinking 64 ounces of water into our daily routines. The former was to prepare to record our adventures in Spain and get used to the format that we would use to complete our assignments while abroad. The latter was to ensure that we knew how to properly hydrate before we were on the trail.
We began our training early in the semester, but we still had to assemble our packs! The process forced us to consider what was essential in our lives as we tried to strike a balance between ensuring we had the items we needed to take care of ourselves and avoiding adding too much weight to our packs. Most people’s packs ended up weighing between fifteen and twenty pounds.
I began by selecting my perfect pack at REI Co-Op, where an employee helped me through the fitting and selection process. I opted for a 43-liter Gregory Jade pack, the ideal size to keep me from overpacking while allowing space for the snacks that I bought in each town.
Next, I focused on clothing. Almost all of the clothing I brought with me was made of wool. The material’s quick-drying nature is great for whisking away sweat and ensuring that clothing washed in the shower one night is ready to be worn the next morning. When considering clothing, I focused especially on what would best protect my feet, as their preservation would be crucial to my success on the pilgrimage. I brought toe liner socks, which prevented blisters from forming between my toes as I hiked. An outer layer of thicker wool socks complemented my liners by providing further cushion. The clothing item I unexpectedly relied on the most while on the Camino was my fleece jacket. Mornings and nights in northern Spain are often cold, so a jacket was necessary both on and off the trail. Sometimes, we even found ourselves caught in fog and rain during the day and had to pull out our jackets and raincoats to cope with the damp, chilly conditions.
Beyond clothing, we had to pack sufficient materials to survive in a hostel. Hostels are a wonderful (and cheap!) option for travel abroad but require a little more preparation than a hotel since they do not have the same amenities. We packed small towels and blankets, travel-sized toiletries, and soap that doubled as a detergent to wash our clothes in the showers. We also packed a change of shoes, as many hostels along the Camino do not allow pilgrims to wear their dirty hiking shoes inside. I opted to bring Crocs for their lightweight and breathable nature, but others on the trip preferred Tevas or slides.
Outside of the hostels, we had to consider the elements! As previously mentioned, we all carried jackets and raincoats. We also ensured that our shoes were waterproof and brought waterproof backpack covers to keep our feet and possessions from being destroyed by the rain. To protect ourselves from sun exposure, we brought hats, buffs, and sunglasses as well as sunscreen and chapstick with SPF. I also brought two water bottles to have enough water to stay hydrated in the long stretches between water fountains.
I finished off my pack with an electric plug for Spanish outlets, a journal and pen, a first aid kit, earbuds, a daypack, my passport, and my wallet. While I mostly paid with a debit card in Spain, I carried Euros at all times. Some smaller restaurants and shops along the Camino only accepted cash.
While the items in my pack may sound insufficient for a month of travel (I know they did to me at first!), I had everything I needed. Living out of a pack for a month taught me how little I need to thrive and encouraged me to look beyond material possessions for fulfillment.
