Religion and the Camino De Santiago
Once in a while, I see the question pop up on forums and message boards asking if you need to be religious to be able to walk the Camino to Santiago. This is not the case. Let’s expand on this answer and cover the religious and spiritual questions. In the Middle ages walking to Santiago De Compostella was done to make up for your sins, and seek religious help or guidance from Saint John, Saint-Jean, or any of his other ways to spell the name. People traveled on foot, on horseback, and even on their knees to make up for what they did in the past. Today however it is…
The Pilgrim Passport | Credencial
To prove and get your certificate on any of the Camino de Santiago hiking routes you have to make sure you collect stamps in your passport. In this blog post I share where to get it, how to take care of it, and other tips. The Pilgrim Passport identifies you as a Pilgrim, with it you can get access to the different albergues and other perks of being a Pilgrim. Such as food, water, and trail magic along the way. It is of vital importance that you get your Pilgrims Passport and that you protect it from the elements. Let’s get started on all the tips and questions for the…
Do I need a sleeping bag for the Camino De Santiago?
The Camino de Santiago is in (nearly) all cases, not a rugged wilderness adventure where you need to bring a tent, sleeping mat, and the whole shebang. You will be staying in hostels or albergues along The Way. Or in an emergency in a fire station or church. It is however recommended to bring a sleeping bag. Here is why. A good night’s rest is essential on any day, but when hiking all day every day it becomes even more important. Sleep heals your aches and pains and muscles so you can do it again and again. Depending on the Camino you’re going to be walking you will spend anywhere…
Keeping valuables safe on the Camino
The Camino de Santiago is a popular hiking trail that spans across Europe, depending on where you start. The most popular one that is also busiest is the Camino Frances or the French way. This article is all about how to make sure that you keep your valuables safe on any Camino you decide to walk. Any pilgrim will have valuables on them that they need to keep safe, from the most important thing, your Pilgrim passport, to that one pair of sunglasses that you love. Although in my experience on both the Camino Portugues and Camino Frances you don’t need to clutch your valuables to your chest all the…
Salomon Speedcross review
This is my review of the Salomon Speedcross 5 and 3, after walking the Camino Frances starting from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the 5 version. Read on. Salomon is a brand that many hikers are familiar with, they have been a staple in the outdoor community since 1947. And are a solid choice for everyday hiking trips, gear, and skiing. What I was always interested in though were their hiking shoes and boots. Since my days at an outdoor store, I came in contact with fans of the shoes and picked them up to for myself. The models that I had over the years were always lightweight and more for day hikes…
Keeping Your Electronics Charged
How to keep your Electronics Charged while Camping and Hiking is often a question that hikers and campers have when starting out. With these helpful tips and tricks learned after many years of hiking camping and traveling, you can skip the beginner phase. Hiking without your phone is not an option for many hikers, your phone makes sure you can take photos and videos of your journey. Is your navigation tool and can make sure that you can contact help when needed. Even out in the backcountry, you can sometimes get a signal in the mountains. And when not enough for a phone call, a text can get through in…
Mora Basic review
Need a knife that is affordable, lightweight, and does what it needs to do? The Mora Basic 511 and 546 are excellent choices for any hiker, camper, and bushcrafter. Let’s get into the review. Knives are a standard item in any hikers backpack, you encounter a lot of cutting tasks when you are out in the outdoors. Whether it is for food prep, cutting an improvised tent peg, or starting fires. A knife makes your life a little easier. Mora knives are a staple in the outdoor community and are popular for a reason. With their affordable price, comfort in cutting tasks, and durability while still being made in Sweden.…
Trail Meal | Zaanse Mustard Soup
In the Netherlands lies the Zaanstreek, one of the original industrial areas above Amsterdam this region is known for its hearty and warming recipes. This mustard soup is one of them. With a few twists to make it more hiker-friendly. Let’s get to the recipe! Mustard has been milled in Zaanstad in the Netherlands for a long time, the most famous company that still does it now is the Huisman brand. A family company that has been making mustard for over 4 generations. The “grove” or course kind is my all-time favorite to put on my bitterballs and croquettes. This mustard recipe has been a long time in development, and…
Beer and Wine along the Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago is not a wilderness hike, if you do it like me, you end up every day slightly intoxicated (or a lot) along the ancient hiking route. Here is a recollection of the Beer, Wine, and Spirits along the Camino de Santiago. Doesn’t matter when you are reading this article when you are about to start planning for the Camino de Santiago or already walked it. I hope this article can provide some entertainment and headaches whether you walked the Camino already yes or no. After a long day of walking, the heat of the sun burning you, the aches and pain that come with walking every…
Removing the Safety on BIC lighters
BIC lighters are a great reliable way of making fire on hiking trips. In particular, the BIC mini is the choice for many backpackers out there. Here is how you make them easier to use with Gloves, cold hands, or in general. By removing the safety on the sparker. This is a project that only requires one tool, a Victorinox Classic, or to be specific, the screwdriver that comes with it. Since it is a nice slender shape the screwdriver fits perfectly underneath the BIC lighter. And can be used to get rid of the safety really easily. So grab your BIC and Victorinox Classic and follow along with the…
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