Is underwear necessary?

Finally, the rain has subsided here in the Northeast. The appearance of the sun provides just the inspiration needed to resume our daily walks. I realize that it will likely rain during my Camino pilgrimage and that will present its' own challenges and adventure aspects when the time comes. However, I don't feel that I would be better prepared for rain on the Camino by walking in torrential downpours as part of my 'training' regime. I'll leave that to the whims of chance.



Rena and I decided to incorporate more hill climbs in our walking regiment to help us better prepare for crossing the Pyrenees. We are fortunate to live in an area where there are hundreds of acres of backwoods trails to explore, with no shortage of steep terrain tracks. To make it relevant, without the rain that is, we strap on our packs and set off. Within the first few miles of climbing, our breathing becomes labored, thighs start to burn and we begin scrutinizing the necessity of each item in our packs.



"Seriously, do I really need underwear at all?" I throw it out for consideration like a flash of brilliance and am instantly met with her patented look, disbelief meets disapproval.



"Underwear? That's what you come up with?" Immediately disarmed, I let it go for the moment. We walk on in silence. I instinctively know, by way of marriage telepathy, Rena is racking her brains struggling to determine what she could live without on the Camino. I can see her ticking off items in her mind ultimately coming up empty handed. Suddenly, I feel vindicated, my underwear suggestion wasn't so outrageous after all.

Here, without censorship, is the full list of my pack contents weighing in at 13 pounds. I leave it up to trusted friends, family and fellow Camino enthusiasts to decide what I may be able to leave behind. As always, your comments and suggestions are much appreciated.

1. water bottle (12 ounce)
2. micro fiber quick dry towel
3. 2 pair shorts (1 pair has zip on legs)
4. 3 pair underwear
5. 1 sports bra
6. 2 shirts (1 tank top 1 short sleeve)
7. 1 fleece pull over
8. 3 pair socks
9. 2 soft cover blank journals
10. 1 sleep sack/bag
11. camera & charger
12. stasher rain jacket
13. 1 small rock to leave at Charlemagne's cross
14. 1pair hiking boots
15. 1 pair waterproof sports sandals
16. First aide/toiletry items; 1 roll TP, toothbrush, travel size toothpaste, deodorant, 4 safety pins, body glide, travel size shampoo, glacier gel strips, 3 bio freeze sampler packs, band aide blister strips, hair comb, anti septic cream, matches, sun screen, chapstick, swiss army knife, compact mirror, micro mag lite, pain killers and 4 sterile alcohol pads.
17. Sunglasses
18. Doo rag

There you have it. After reviewing each item's functionality and overall importance, I stand by the question I posed to Rena while hiking for the first time with the weight of my Camino pack on a glorious Spring day somewhere among the forested hills of Massachusetts....Seriously, do I really need underwear?