Getting ready to go - I fly to Spain in two days.

The final practice packing of the backpack ...I fly to Spain on Monday.

I have a very early flight from Los Angeles to Dallas on Monday , a three hour layover and then to Madrid. A short layover in Madrid and then a puddle jumper to Pamplona. I will stay in Pamplona on arrival day and one additional night before hiring a car to drive me over the Pyrenees to St. Jean France.

First order of business once I arrive in Pamplona will be to fight the jet lag, have dinner at Hemingway's favorite bar and get some much needed rest. I will be staying at the Hotel LaPerla,  nice hotel in a great location. On Wednesdaty I will take a short walk to the Camino shop around the corner to buy my new walking poles. TSA does not allow hiking poles as an approved carry on item.

On Wednesday I will begin to reduce the weight in my backpack substantially in prepariation for the first day from France when I will walk about 16 miles back to Spain with an elevation change of 4100 feet up over the mountain. Most guide books and many of the pilgrims who have walked the French Way will tell you that the first day is among the three most difficult. Because of the elevation increase there will likely be weather changes often not for the better. Rain, fog and snow add to the difficulty. Reducing weight in the backpack will be a significant comfort improvement. 

The reason I will be able to greatly reduce the weight is because when I begin the Camino in France I will walk back through Pamplona again on the third day so I have arranged to stay at the Hotel La Perla again. This allows me to remove everything I will not need until the forth day like extra clothing and other items. I will pack only the minimum needed for the first three days. This will prove to be of great value. It was Robin's idea on my first Camino and it did make a difference.