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Recent content by Jon53

  1. J

    Socks

    I walked the del Norte from Irun last September and took 3 pairs of Darn Toughs with me ( wore one pair and carried two). It is very individual as others say, but I found them very comfortable and a pleasure to wear even in sone pretty unseasonably hot weather. They lived up to their name too...
  2. J

    Ultra lightweight backpack--worth it?

    Chris, have a look at the Osprey Exos Pro bags. I find mine very comfortable, practical, roomy and light. Jon
  3. J

    camino del norte

    Take some cash as well as cards. Some smaller places don’t take cards although most do, and the cash is also useful for donativos, tips etc. You’ll be able to top up your cash in many places along the way.
  4. J

    Accommodations on the Norte

    Hi, I walked the del Norte from Irun last September into early October with a small group of friends. Albergue accommodation was difficult in places early on, Deba and Castro Urdiales were examples, and we were warned that there was literally nothing available in Gernika. It wasn’t like that all...
  5. J

    Looking for some Del Norte, Primitivo specific audio books!

    Not del Norte or Primitivo specific but a great autobiography, mainly about his walk through Spain.
  6. J

    Looking for some Del Norte, Primitivo specific audio books!

    As I walked out one Midsummer morning by Laurie Lee.
  7. J

    How long is the Meseta?

    Hi, I walked the Camino Frances from SJPDP with a friend starting 1st September 2013 and crossed the Meseta during September. As others have said, it is <230km. It was quite hot and arid that year, from memory late 20’s c and we needed to carry more water than normal for some stretches. I’d...
  8. J

    Camino Norte

    I don’t know if you’re a walking poles person? I wasn’t but was persuaded to take a pair of collapsible ones by my wife as I’d ruptured my right quadricep tendons a couple of years back slipping on a hill and landing awkwardly. Although I didn’t use them all the time, they were very handy for...
  9. J

    Camino del norte questions

    Hello Deborah, I did the same walk starting 1st September last year with a couple of friends and it took us 35 days including 3 or 4 rest days and a couple of shortish bus rides. It obviously depends on how fit and fast you are but 35 days is doable. It wasn’t terribly crowded all of the time...
  10. J

    Camino Norte

    I walked the del Norte from Irun September/ early October last year and it took me 35 days including 3 rest days and a couple of shortish bus rides. I’m 70 and reasonably fit. Your 40 days therefore looks very doable assuming no surprises. The first few stages out of Irun to Bilbao are fairly...
  11. J

    Help choosing between CF, CdN, and VdLP

    I think for your first Camino, the Frances will give you the best experience. Although you might see more people, it’s surprising how walkers spread out during the walking day, especially at the speed you’ll be walking. There’s also the Meseta on the Frances which offers tranquility and plenty...
  12. J

    How often do you take a break?

    I’m 70, walked the Camino del Norte from Irun in September last year with a regular walking mate and some other friends we met 10 years ago on the Frances. I’m fairly fit but not completely free of ailments! Over the years I’ve learned what’s best for me but I don’t always do it ….. Here it is...
  13. J

    Are mosquitos seasonal on the Camino?

    I don’t have recent experience of the Frances but walked the del Norte this September/ early October and definitely encountered mosquitos. Not that many but a few got me. It was hot and I slept with windows open so no surprise. I think climate change is probably stretching their season into October.
  14. J

    Boots Hanwag Lhassa II

    Although very comfortable, I thought that the Hanwag supplied insoles might be a little thin going over the rocky terrain found on some of the del Norte. I fitted SOLE red insoles but took the original Hanwag Banks ones with me in case. I didn’t change the SOLE ones as I found them so...
  15. J

    Boots Hanwag Lhassa II

    Hi, not Lhassa Il but I recently completed the Del Norte wearing Hanwag Banks boots and they were the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. I’m normally a Scarpa or Meindl man but was recommended these by a boot fitter in a specialist outdoor shop and definitely have no regrets. They’re mid weight...
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