1600 mile Solo Hike

H

Hannya

Joined
May 5, 2006
Messages
17
Hello All

A friend of mine is leaving for a solo hike this March.
He will be going from Belgium (Hasselt) to Spain (Santiago de compestella) on his own, on foot for around 1600 miles.
He will be hiking through urban and wood environments.

Now we both have been pondering on what to bring on this kind of extensive trip and we both disagree and agree on certain points.

So what would be your packlist for such a hike??

Hannya
 
I'd bring a GPS with extra batteries and the basics (fire making tools, lightweight tent for shelter, a multitool, food, and way to carry water. Also, good idea to let someone know his intended route and allow for routine check ins with someone to know he is doing ok.
 
Hi Hannya,
Seems like what your pal intend's to do is the well known CAMINO DE SANTIAGO (it is well known here in Spain I mean... maybe not so much in USA). I tried to do some of it last year but I got injured (don't ask me how I got injuried walking along the road for five hours when I am used to do much longer, harder hikes followed by climbs up in the mountains...).

The key to succes here is TRAVEL LIGHT. But when I say light... I mean it. I carried a ton of stuff I didn't need. Whenever I give it another try I will be sure to bring a lot less thing on my pack.

There is plenty of info on the internet about the Camino de Santiago and what to bring but we can try to make a good packlist here. There are a few things to keep in mind before we start listing stuff. The first one is that you will ALWAYS be travelling along paved roads or dirt roads and ALWAYS will be able to be helped and ALWAYS be crossing towns so there is no need for survival equipment or extra supplies of anything. You will be able to recieve medical assistance almost everywhere (the guards in the refugees will even take care of your blisters and wonds at the end of the day). You will always be sleeping in a bed (unless you screw up and arrive to late to the refugees) and usually there is plenty of blankets there. You can always buy food wherever you go and there are little guides that tell you what kind of stores you are going to find at every town (and the distance between them, 6km at most...) so you can plan ahead and buy a little extra if you intend to sleep at a town where there is no supermarket.

Uh... crap... I got to go now but don't worry, I will be back soon and help you out with the packlist.

Mikel
 
southbeachlaw said:
I'd bring a GPS with extra batteries
Click to expand...
Seriously, from Belgium to Spain, except maybe for the part through Pyrenees, it is developped country so many roads, villages, cities, sign posts, trains, buses... Many opportunities to restock, phone...
What your friend should be focus on is:
1) good shoes and socks,
2) special bandages for blisters...
3) Good back pack.
4) Aim at low weight.

Since environnement is moderatly challenging (mostly roads or paths) little need for "bomb proof" stuff.

For supplies, frozen dried is by far the best but quite expensive.

Since it is mostly developped areas, in most areas open fire will be regulated, so it would be a good idea to carry some sort of stove. You must also know that gas canister (at least the most common) are different in France, since he won't be allowed to fly with anyway, maybe better option would be to buy it on arrival.

Weather is generally not too cold around march, but I've seen quite cold episode : below freezing, etc... I've even seen 6inches of snow for a few days in April on one occasion.

Some sort of (light) shelter may be a good idea.

As said earlier, the most demanding part will probably be through the Pyrenees if he chooses to go through: quite wild mountains, little populations, quite high altitudes but the most interesting wilderness wise.
 
How long is your friend planning on taking to complete this journey? Can he arrange gear drops along the route?
 
Read up on thru-hiking. There are many who have hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail and there is a ton of information available on the web. These hikers have developed complex systems of mailing supplies ahead, ultralight kits and dealing with wearing out shoes, getting enough calories, etc. I agree with the other comments about needing a stove and a shelter. Look at the ultralight gear available.

Hiking through Europe with access to hostels, restaurants and stores would be a lot of fun. A small digital camera and a cell phone with a camera and email capability would be great for a trip like that.
 
Knowing my self The first thing that comes to mind is a camera. As DaleW mentioned a phone camera is a great thing to have, As an extra for a good camera. As for the rest of it im sure others would have better ideas what to bring. How long does he plan for the trip???

Sasha
 
I actually did the Camino 7 years ago, only from the other end of Spain though, not from Belgium. The thing was most (all) stops were in hostels, but I would bring something like a tarp in case something is full and you have to go outside of town. I'll try to think of more later, but the super bowl is on ;)

Good luck to your friend, it is a beautiful trek.
 
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