Getting Ready

We're in the midst of collecting necessary supplies for the trek and we've hit a nerve. To hike a distance as long as we're going we need to carry as little weight as possible, but to be away for as long as we will be we want to bring as many comforts as we can.

My ultimate goal: carry less than 20 lbs.

Packing list:
-pack
-warm weather sleeping bag
-Big Agnes pad
-two pairs of zip-off hiking pants
-two moisture wicking shirts (one per day/will wash every night)
-4 pairs of Smartwool socks
-sunscreen
-big floppy hat
-Old Navy flip-flops for showering
-low-rise hiking boots
-guide book
-small rock from our house (to put at the Cruz de Ferro-symbolic of releasing your burdens)
-mole skin
-toothbrush/toothpaste
-camp towel
-ear plugs
-camera
-campsuds for bathing and washing clothes

I know I've forgotten some things, but I don't want to take much more than this. No books, no iPod, nothing related to work. My husband is the one I'm really worried about. The man loves to be prepared and that often means carrying a load meant for a horse.

As for getting in shape for the camino... I can't say I really am. This blog will be fun then, as it will probably chronicle me and my myriad of hiking related injuries. I told my students when I gave them the link to check in on me periodically to see if I've keeled over somewhere along the way. I was only halfway kidding. I've been going to the gym more frequently, but I feel it afterwards and I'm nowhere near able to do double digit miles a day. We'll probably have to average 16 miles a day to keep ourselves from stressing out too much, and right now it sounds impossible.

Once school is out for the summer we'll have a lot more free time to spend getting out of the house and getting active. We're planning on going on a 3 day long hike with our good friend Jason as well so we can test drive our packs with a full load.

I'm still nervous though. I've never done anything like this and I would not say that I'm in shape at all right now... unless you count round as a shape. Dan is experienced with longer hikes, but his activity level is minimal during school because he works so much. We're both up a creek.