You may want to consider the following lists / suggestions as items to take if you plan to travel to Garabandal to witness the Miracle:
Passports -
This is a "MUST HAVE" item for every person going. If you show up at the airport with out a valid passport you WILL BE turned away from a International flight! Contact your nearest Passport Office for information on obtaining or updating your passport(s). Foreign passport holders must have a visa to enter FRANCE or SPAIN! You may contact the passport office in Texas at - 713 653-3153. This number has a taped message that lends many details. To obtain a passport you must have a Form DSP-11 (12-87) for making your application. You may obtain one at your local post office as well as a list of Passport Offices.
1.) Clothing -
This is possibly the most difficult to decide upon. Layering is the key, you can add or subtract layers as needed. Clothing you bring should be sturdy and functional. Denim is a good choice unless it gets wet, military type field clothing in the "NY-CO" fabric variety is an outstanding choice. Remember that you will likely be carrying all of your possessions to where you will be camping out in the region around the village. Bring nothing that you mind getting dirty as laundry facilities will not be readily available. Several changes of underwear are required so you may hand-wash some while wearing others. Warm socks, gloves and a hat or cap will serve you well due to the cool, wet weather of the region. In the evenings the temperature will drop, a jacket or sweater is highly recommended. At least one medium weight wool shirt with long sleeves is a must (you can roll them if you get warm). Remember to wear cotton socks or sockliners under wool socks as the wool will irritate your skin. Long underwear is a must for sleeping. Rainwear (poncho,rainsuit, or a large garbage bag with hole cut for head) as the climate in March, April and May is WET! An extra poncho large enough to fit over your backpack is a necessity to keep your gear dry. Women may wish to bring a long skirt for Masses.
2.) Camping Supplies -
Toilet kit (shampoo, toothpaste, Q-tips, razor, etc.) and a small camp mirror. Several companies make multi-purpose soaps that are biodegradable and can be used to wash you and your clothing, pots, and hair. A small sample sized bottle of antibacterial hand wash is highly recommended. A sturdy pocket knife (don't skimp here - you WILL regret it later). Some type of fire-starter (waterproof matches, butane lighters (must be carried on your person when flying), metal match, etc.) 1/8th inch nylon cord, you will want about 100' as you can do a lot with it. Eight or ten plastic clothes pins. At least one canteen, you will probably want two. One 3-5 gallon collapsible water carrier, the nearest water source may be some distance from your campsite. A small flashlight and extra batteries (don't skimp here either). An emergency blanket (thin foil-like material called "Mylar") these can be found at Kmart for a nominal price. A camp-towel (several varieties can be found, but a medium sized cotton towel works well). Eating utensils (knife, fork and spoon nested together). Plastic or wooden spoon to cook with. A metal cup (the military uses one that fits over the canteen when not in use and may be heated on a stove). A mess-kit (purchase a "good" one or you will forever be fighting with it). Salt, pepper, and other spices may be put in washed, empty 35 mm film canisters. A folding camp saw is an option. A water filter or purification-tablets ARE A MUST (you can become VERY ILL from drinking contaminated water!). A folding metal stove and fuel for 6-7 days, NOTE: Liquid and Gelled fuels are not permitted on aircraft. Contact the airlines for specifics! Solid fuel "bars" should be fine as long as they are in "checked luggage". (remember that you will be eating several times a day). Insect repellent (try to find some with a good bit of DEET in it as it works against most types of insects. NOTE: DEET should NOT be used on small children as they may wipe it into their eyes or ingest it.) An all-purpose repair kit for tents / packs. Zip-lock bags to store items in. Large heavy-duty garbage bags (3-4) to use for sanitation (more on this later) and to line pack with. A folding shovel is an extra as you will probably find someone close by with one you can borrow.
3.) Food Items -
Food items should be high in calories and have high nutritional value. They should be lightweight and portable (no canned goods!) They should be easy to prepare and store. Dehydrated meals and freeze-dried foods are a good choice though they tend to be expensive. Military MRE's (Meals Ready to Eat) are another good choice and are pre-cooked. Boullion cubes, instant soups, oatmeal, cocoa, breakfast drinks and the like are good choices (make sure the items you bring can be reconstituted with WATER and NOT milk!) Minute or instant rice (several varieties come in a pouch that is designed to be boiled). Crackers, pretzels, and breadsticks. Popcorn in foil containers meant to be popped over a fire or stove (NOT microwave!). Instant coffee, tea, sugar and creamer packets.Granola bars, breakfast bars, trail-mix, mixed nuts are good sources of calories. Hard candies and sugar cubes. These suggestions should get you thinking. Foods that you can make in a hurry and that won't spoil are a must. Use your imagination and you will eat well and still not have to bring the "kitchen sink".
4.) Shelter -
A tent or two large ground cloths that can be fashioned into a tent (or lean-to), cord or line, expandible poles if needed, and stakes ( a shelter for 12 may be made from 2 - 12x24 foot tarps - one for overhead and the other as a ground cloth, 8 expandible poles, cord and 8 stakes). A word about tents - CHOOSE WISELY! You will want to put a tarp or ground-cloth under the tent to act as a moisture barrier and to protect you and the tent from small rocks and other abrasives. Do NOT walk around inside the tent in your boots or shoes as you may puncture the bottom of the tent. Be aware that cords can cause trips and falls, try to align your tent to avoid placing stakes and guy-lines in traffic areas. Do NOT cook or burn ANYTHING in your tent, it traps carbon monoxide as well as the danger of the tent itself catching fire. A sturdy tent can cost you several hundred dollars for a family sized model (5-6 person) down to 50 or 60 dollars for a good 2-man tent. A mid-priced, well known make and model is Coleman. Two-man tents should be no smaller than 5' by 8' for comfort . You will have to store most of your gear inside the tent with you so leave a little room! Remember that this is to be your "home" while you are in Garabandal, choose accordingly. If the tent fails you may spend a few nights in the damp. Placing your tent and tarp(s), poles, line, and stakes into a dufflebag with handles at either end will allow you to wear your pack and carry those items between two people. This will also protect them during the travel to and from Garabandal (airlines are HARD on baggage!).
5.) Footwear -
Footwear should be carefully considered. Boots are the obvious choice as they protect better then sneakers and provide good ankle support. The terrain in the area of Garabandal is rocky and rough. Thick sturdy soles, over the ankle hiking boots by Rocky, Gander Mountain, and Hi-Tek are good choices. Bring an extra pair of laces for your boots! Waterproof your boots if they are not already; several products are available to do this (ask the sales-person in the store to show you). Gortex lined boots are excellent although they tend to be priced accordingly. Bring a pair of slippers or booties to wear inside the tent. Sockliners are a must as they wick moisture away from your feet keeping them warm and dry. A small container of foot powder should be included as well as moleskin to protect from blisters. Boots are yet another item you should NOT skimp on! Several pairs of wool socks (or thermal hiking socks if you are sensitive to wool) are advised as the weather during March, April and May is wet and cool.
7.) Sleeping Bags -
A multitude of choices await you here. Feathers (down), manmade fillers, size, weight, temperature rating, color, shape. Have a salesperson at your local camping or outdoor store fit you for a bag and then decide if you will be comfortable carrying it. Consider wearing long underwear to bed as opposed to getting the next heavier bag. Get a cool to cold rated bag due to the climate of Garabandal while you will be there, a 20 degree bag may be found in camping stores for as little as $50. Also, consider getting a ground pad to place under the sleeping bag (trust me on this one) a quarter inch of foam makes all the difference in the world when that rock you thought you moved is in the small of your back! Get a bag that is washable, and FLAME RETARDANT if it is for a child.
8.) Back Pack -
Back packs are a personal thing, and there are as many styles, qualities, options, and colors as opinions about them. Most novice hikers should look into a "frame" pack. This allows for more even distribution of weight and generally is more comfortable. There are Internal and External frame packs. Have the salesperson fit a pack to you and try both types. Some persons, especially women seem to prefer "soft" internal frame packs. Most frame packs come with a kidney belt that centers most of the load to your hips allowing you to carry heavier loads with relative ease. Look for multiple stitching at stress points, self-healing zippers, and a good warranty. I shy away from the Exterior aluminum frames as they tend to be easily damaged and hard to repair in the field. Some packs come with a waterproof cover, I recommend getting one if it is not included. Don't forget the repair kit for the type of frame / pack you are purchasing, it is worth it's weight in gold!
9.) Misc. Items -
Fuel for the stove should be in a solid form as the airlines generally WON'T let you to carry liquid combustibles on an aircraft. Many different types of fuel "bars" are available, your local Army / Navy Surplus store or camping supply should be able to advise you. A multi-purpose tool such as a "Leatherman" can be invaluable in a pinch, don't get a cheap "made in Taiwan" model as it will only serve to frustrate you. A good pocket First Aid kit is a necessity as you are generally sure of splinters, minor cuts, insect stings, etc. while living "outdoors". You must remember to bring any required medical items (perscription drugs, such as - NARCOTICS, PAIN RELIVERS, MOOD-ALTERING, Etc., should be accompanied by a note from your doctor), personal hygiene products, etc. that you use on a regular basis. You will NOT likely be able to buy these sorts of things there! Toilet Paper!!! Bring a roll per person, not packets. My personal feeling on sanitation is that each family "unit" bring an empty 5 gallon bucket (paint, spackle, etc.) with a snap-on tight-fitting lid, and a handle. Place a heavy-duty 6 to 10 gallon garbage bag in the bucket and seal the lid on when you are done (perhaps bring a small bottle of "porta-potty" chemical agent?). During the travel over to Spain, place any items you wish in the bucket, seal the lid with tape and label it well; I have spoken to several airlines and they would accept it as checked luggage. Duct tape (small roll), repairs almost anything! Small sewing kit (if not included in the tent / pack repair kit mentioned earlier). If you feel as though you have room, a folding stool or a mat to sit on.
You also may want to print this page for further reference. If you have any questions please feel free to E-mail the following address: garabandal@juno.com
| Home | Info | FAQ | Links |
