Camino stories: The power of packing light
Nick McCullock on finding freedom with less
Before we get started, we just wanted to let you all know that we’re vlogging again! 😱 We’ve posted a short vlog over on our YouTube channel this evening, so head on over there if you’re interested in finding out what we’ve been up to since we attempted Ragbrai last year and what our plans are next!
“the moments that help us to grow always happen outside our comfort zone”.
Welcome to the fifth of our Camino Stories, a series exploring the Camino de Santiago from different perspectives (read the first post here). Every fortnight we’ve been meeting up with a different guest to explore their personal journey along the Camino de Santiago and find out what they learnt from their experience.
It’s my hope that these posts provide nostalgia and reminiscence for those of you who have walked this path and inspiration to those of you who are tempted by it.
Today we’re walking with someone we met and walked with along our first Camino, Nick McCullock. Our night in Los Arcos with Nick and friends was one of the most memorable evenings of our whole Camino and a story we continue to tell even now.
Nick is a seasoned pilgrim and outdoor adventurer with a passion for exploring the Camino de Santiago and sharing tips, stories and gear insights from his many thru-hike experiences.
Over to you, Nick. 👣
Thank you for being here Nick! First of all, what inspired you to walk the Camino de Santiago, which route did you take and how did you decide on your route?
I thought it was just another long distance walk on my first time. It wasn’t until day two that I started to realise this was different to other “thru hikes” and I slowly became hooked.
What was the most unexpected challenge you faced along the way, and how did you overcome it?
The hardest for me was on a quieter Camino (Vadinience I think). There was a really long 42km day over several BIG mountains but due to it being a Sunday there was nowhere to buy food, the albergue I had hoped for was closed, with the next albergue being a further 21km. I was at exhaustion point for the last 10km, everything hurt and I was considering just laying down in a ditch by the side of the road and hoping I could just sleep and magically wake up at the albergue. I pushed on though and although I was a little bit ill the next few days, this is still a powerful memory for me whenever anything gets tough from either a physical or mental perspective, I can look back on those hours, compare that to my current situation while remembering I did get through it.
They do say that the moments that help us to grow always happen outside our comfort zone.
Was there a specific moment on the Camino that changed your perspective or left a lasting impression on you?
Many. The biggest one was realising the parallels between Camino and Life. I realised on Camino that I didn’t need a huge backpack full of stuff to be happy and actually less was more. When I thought about that parallel with life outside of the Camino, it enabled me to change my life into one without as much “baggage” and more freedom and happiness.
What was the most surprising or memorable encounter you had with another pilgrim or local during your journey?
I obviously remember a lovely family who are the creators of this Substack who have a very similar viewpoint to my own about treasuring life’s moments and making the most of everything. 😊
I also remember a local who was happy with his harvest so was offering grapes to passing pilgrims. I stayed with him for a long time, our different languages seemed to find a happy ground as the grapes changed to grapes with some vino tinto and eventually the grapes had gone and it was just two strangers laughing like they had known each other for years drinking lots of vino tinto. I eventually thanked him for his company and generosity but discovered walking was now a challenge. I walked for a very short time and then sat for hours in the afternoon sunshine with my feet in a cool stream and smiled and smiled and smiled. The beauty of not having booked ahead is that the day was completely my own, I had no itinerary or deadline, just complete freedom. In the end I found an albergue and slept in the very next village having only walked about 10km total that day… but it was a beautiful day. I don’t think I drank anything else alcoholic for the rest of that Camino. 😂
Tell us about one item you carried in your backpack that you couldn't have lived without on Camino?
My earplugs. While getting my pack down to super light weights, my Bose Sleepbuds are a luxury item I still take with me without fail. No snoring sounds, just the sounds of waves gently lapping the shore or rain hitting the leaves of a forest. Bliss!
What advice would you give to someone considering walking the Camino for the first time?
My advice would be to take your time. Walk at the pace you find comfortable and explore every town, castle, river and pilgrims along the way. Absorb as much as you can. The Camino is less about reaching the destination and more about the journey and allowing the Camino in. Let yourself melt into the Camino, give your all to offering kindness and pilgrim spirit and you’ll get so much more back in return.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I wish you all a very very Buen Camino. 😊
Thanks again for sharing your story Nick! We love Nick’s Camino-focused YouTube channel, so head on over to Nick Living Life on YouTube to watch more.
PS If you’d like to share your story of the Camino as part of this series, send me a message and let’s chat!
See you next time,
Louise x
I love it, thanks!
I love your Camino stories. I am in the process of writing a book about my first Camino which I do thirty years ago.