A middle aged friend of mine recently told me that she would love to walk the Camino BUT her bad back won’t allow her to carry a backpack.
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This is a common problem, not only for women of a certain age with a bad back, but those of us with reconstructed knees, bad ankles, pregnant women even those with broken collar bone or a dislocating shoulder.. Overweight people often struggle to carry their own weight let alone an additional 10 – 15kgs on their back. NO PROBLEM… DITCH THE PACK!! Here’s how:
Use a Luggage Transfer Service.
These are available on many popular multi-day hikes such as the Coast to Coast in England. Baggage transfer services are often available on hikes that link towns and accommodation houses. Check before you leave as to how each service operates, but most accommodation will organize this for you. The downside is that you have to book your accommodation ahead of time so spontaneity is not an option. Most services collect from your B&B, hotel or wherever and deliver to your next nights stay. You skip off on your way with nothing but your day pack or waist pack with water, wallet etc. See day pack essentials below.
- A few things to be mindful of when doing this:
- Keep your passport, wallet and important documents with you.
- Take a photo of your pack to assist in identification IF it does lose its way. Take a photo of the address tag also, in case you forget where you are going. Yes, I lose my car in shopping centre parkades too.
- Only use official luggage services and use their official tags.
- Be certain your destination is clearly written, with correct spelling in the local language, on the pack so it can’t be ripped off.
Hire a sherpa
This is only really affordable in some countries where wages are relatively low. The cost varies, depending on what country you are visiting. Enquire into the conditions of the Sherpa employment to ensure they are paid and treated well. Many sherpas are trainee guides or can’t speak English sufficiently well to be a guide. Be sure to tip them well for a job well done. If you use a guide, ask if they can recommend a sherpa. Agree on a price before you stride out into the wilderness. Write it down if need be so as not to turn the ‘contract’ sour. Keep your passport, wallet and valuable with you in your day pack or waist pack.
Join a trek that includes luggage transfer
Many popular and lesser known multi-day hikes provide carrying services for your personal gear. These can be guided or self guided tours. They generally offer a selection of accommodations and deliver your belongings to the next destination. When you arrive at your next home for the night your belongings await. Your back, knees and feet have had a relatively easy day of it.
Enlist a donkey, horse, yak, llama or goat
Unless you are well versed in animal husbandry this option is best done with tour companies that offer the this fun and funky way to hike. They are a novel a more novel way to hike the lazy way. High Uinta Pack Goats offer backpacking goats for lease in Wyoming. Many multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu use horses to carry packs but there are all manner of pack animals that can carry various loads. Accommodation with these animals is limited to tenting but hey, your trusty steed can also carry the tent. This traditional form of traveling is nearly lost. Europe has many such options but some research before hand is essential. Again, inquire as to the health and well being of the pack animals. Ensure they are treated well.
For a good laugh, check out Tim Moore’s book on his Camino adventure with a donkey.
Hike with a barge
A few years ago my family hired a narrow boat in England along the Shropshire Union Canal, with …. my mother in law in tow. My husband loved boats (and his mother) I was not overly fond of either. I walked. The narrow boats move at about 4km /hour and we walk about 5km/hour so. That put plenty enough distance between me and the barge for most of the 100km. All canals have tow paths running beside them, vestiges of the days when horses pulled them laden with goods. The paths are clear and flat. Hop back on board for lunch, tea, gin & tonic and at the end of the day your bed and all belongings are right beside you. These self drive barge holidays are very popular and not cheap. If you have friends or family that love to float and boat then this is a perfect holiday to hike the lazy backpack free way.
What to pack in your day or waist pack
- Suncreen
- Water - 2 litres unless you are sure you can refill
- The map
- Passport
- Wallet
- Compact first aid kit
- Hiking poles - of course - see why here
- Raincover for you & your pack
- sunglasses
- cell phone
- a snack
- change of socks
- glasses, tissues, lip balm etc.
Going pack free increases your enjoyment of the journey. You can hike faster and longer and go places that you may not be able to hike if you have to lug your food, tent and personal crap on your back. You arrive refreshed and able to appreciate your new destination more fully. Blisters are less likely and it is much cooler when trekking in hot climates. Injuries are less common and your body will thank you for it. Backpack free multi-day hiking will not be suitable for all locations and routes but there are a ton of places and hikes you can enjoy, for a few extra dollars, with only your day or waist pack.
And my friend who lamented at not being able to hike the Camino recently completed a self guided, week-long hiking in the south of France using a luggage transfer package. She’s ready to try the Camino.
Have you ever done a multi-day hike with no backpack? How did you manage to ditch the pack?
A middle aged friend of mine recently told me that she would love to walk the Camino BUT her bad back won’t allow her to carry a backpack.
This is a common problem, not only for women of a certain age with a bad back, but those of us with reconstructed knees, bad ankles, pregnant women even those with broken collar bone or a dislocating shoulder.. Overweight people often struggle to carry their own weight let alone an additional 10 – 15kgs on their back. NO PROBLEM… DITCH THE PACK!! Here’s how:
