One small point about the Camino that I noticed this year. When hiking out of St Jean Pied du Port on the Route Napoleon, the GR65 to Roncevalles, Spain, take note that the first section is about 10km UPHILL to the first Refuge and mostly on tarmac. A bit of a plod! I stayed overnight in the Refuge, very nice, evening meal, breakfast and a dormitory bed, 36 euros. The next water point is 11km after that, if its really hot you may suffer, difficult to find shade! Its a bit better from then on. I was hiking towards St Jean Pied du Port from Roncevalles at the time and I saw and met some VERY thirsty people!
So far I have always carried my pack, I think I'd feel undressed without it! My load is not great and everything I carry is everything I use. I've met a lot of people over the years who carry so much!