Best Surprise of 2023 Camino

[Tim Floyd]

My greatest disappointment on my 2017 CF journey was the litter along the trail. It seemed there were bottles and trash strewn everywhere to the point that my wife and I started carrying waste bags and picking some up as we could.

By contrast I am on CF now having started a week ago in Ponferrada and the trail is spotless. I also noticed many improvements to walkways and surfaces. Such a nice surprise.

 

[Jarrad]

I am sooo happy to hear that! On my 2014 camino, there was a period of several days from Foncebadon onwards where I saw a constant stream of freshly used Kleenex along the way. I'm convinced that I somehow got behind a wave of litterbugs with runny noses.

 

[verber]

I haven’t seen at lot of trash on the way. There are some people, for example, a gentleman on the travel right now named Serge who made it part of his journey to remove any trash he encounters. His example has inspired me to carry a trash bag and pick up litter I see

 

[mattythedog]

My greatest disappointment on my 2017 CF journey was the litter along the trail. It seemed there were bottles and trash strewn everywhere to the point that my wife and I started carrying waste bags and picking some up as we could.

By contrast I am on CF now having started a week ago in Ponferrada and the trail is spotless. I also noticed many improvements to walkways and surfaces. Such a nice surprise.

I did my first 5 Caminos in fall, and there was trash nearly everywhere. Did last 4 in Spring, 1 June/July, and very clean. I wonder if the stuff just builds up, or if Euro vacationers in summer are pigs, or if everyone has just gotten better???

 

[Tincatinker]

The Ditch Pigs and other clean up groups tend to operate late in the year when the vegetation has died back. The accumulation occurs through the year as the careless express their personalities.

It’s really good to hear that there are people out there doing what they can. If every pilgrim picked up what they could when they can… well maybe I would feel less regret that I can’t do it anymore

 

[henrythedog]

That’s good to hear. Mrs HtD says I’m half-Labrador, half-Womble. If I’m not eating (or drinking) I’m picking up litter. It’s quite satisfying to arrive at the next bin with a carrier bag of rubbish.

 

[Suesim]

My greatest disappointment on my 2017 CF journey was the litter along the trail. It seemed there were bottles and trash strewn everywhere to the point that my wife and I started carrying waste bags and picking some up as we could.

By contrast I am on CF now having started a week ago in Ponferrada and the trail is spotless. I also noticed many improvements to walkways and surfaces. Such a nice surprise.

When we walked earlier this year - there were a team of council workers who were out litter picking - this was after Sarria! First time I have ever seen this !

 

[Silus]

We left St Jean at Easter and I definitely noticed and appreciated how much cleaner the Camino was. I had a friend start a week ahead of me and she had heard horror stories of how littered it was, and so had a pleasant surprise.
The other thing I noticed was the tree planting that had occurred and was happening. Having endured a very hot Camino in September 2018 I can see the benefits for those walking in the summer.
And the new path now beside the road coming into Castrojeriz, so much safer.

 

[Aysen Mustafa]

Well this is 30 minutes out from Oia on the coastal/litoral portugeuse way. I was so disgusted that it was right beside the path and then began noticing tissues etc. all along the trail. I'm currently in Baiona. I will post on the Camino Facebook groups a reminder that women bring along a plastic bag for the tissues/toilet paper.

 

[Tim Floyd]

I did my first 5 Caminos in fall, and there was trash nearly everywhere. Did last 4 in Spring, 1 June/July, and very clean. I wonder if the stuff just builds up, or if Euro vacationers in summer are pigs, or if everyone has just gotten better???

You might have something there. My first was fall, and this one we just finished yesterday. I am hoping people are just getting more conscious of it.

 

[dreholden]

We are currently in Rabanal and my husband and I were just discussing how clean and litter free the Camino is. Frankly much cleaner than our section of the Blue Ridge mountains at home! It has been a pleasure.

 

[whiteblaze]

Leave No Trace of your passage along the trail. How hard can it be to take a snot rag and store it in your pack until you can dispose of it properly? It’s our planet. Take care of it!