Hello Everyone

[jdelrio]

Hi guys, my name is Javier Del Rio. I'm from Florida, in the U.S. I'm looking to take El Camino Primitivo during the winter, around December 10, 2011. I'll be popping up all over the forum with plenty of questions that I hope some of you will be willing to answer. Thanks for being hospitable, in advance.

 

[lynnejohn]

Welcome Javier -

You will find answers to everything you ask. You will find support, encouragement and more than you ever thought to ask! So go ahead, we're waiting......

Welcome!

lynne

 

[sillydoll]

And you might get this word of warning from another Javier - who lives in Spain - taken from my blogpost on Walking in Winter. http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2009/10/w ... inter.html


I've walked two different Caminos in winter. The Camino Sanabres was very, very cold, with a lot of snow. The Camino Portuguese had nice weather. I imagine the Camino ingles would be very wet, the same on the Camino del Norte. If I was you, I would try the Portuguese, or the Camino Frances, but absolutely NOT the Camino Primitivo in winter. The Camino Primitivo (from Oviedo to Lugo) is wonderful. But, do not walk alone in Winter because you will be on your own. Often the path is very far from housing so if you stumble ... No antennas so the phone does not work. (Javier - Madrid, Spain)

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I think not walking the Primitivo in adverse weather conditions in very good advice. However the weather patterns around the world are changing and certainly that is the case. Last week in Galicia we have a heat wave! My advice would be to check the weather forecasts much nearer the time and then take a final decision on the exact route.

Best wishes

John

 

[jdelrio]

And you might get this word of warning from another Javier - who lives in Spain - taken from my blogpost on Walking in Winter. http://amawalker.blogspot.com/2009/10/w ... inter.html


I've walked two different Caminos in winter. The Camino Sanabres was very, very cold, with a lot of snow. The Camino Portuguese had nice weather. I imagine the Camino ingles would be very wet, the same on the Camino del Norte. If I was you, I would try the Portuguese, or the Camino Frances, but absolutely NOT the Camino Primitivo in winter. The Camino Primitivo (from Oviedo to Lugo) is wonderful. But, do not walk alone in Winter because you will be on your own. Often the path is very far from housing so if you stumble ... No antennas so the phone does not work. (Javier - Madrid, Spain)

Excellent, Sillydoll! That is exactly what I like to hear.

I don't like to talk about myself much, so for the sake of not being a chatterbox I'll be brief: For very personal reasons, I want my Camino to be solitary, harsh, and maybe even a little dangerous. I'm not a crazy thrill seeker; for that I'd climb the Himalayas or something, but this is exactly what I was hoping for.

Also, to my knowledge, it is a shorter Camino that takes about two weeks to complete, and that's about all the time I can spare in my busy schedule. I'd love to take a longer one, but I'd have to wait a very long time to do so, and I need to do this soon.

I'm not unused to harsh conditions. I joined the US Marine Corps when I was 20, and I'm still currently in it. It keeps me strong and hard.

 

[sillydoll]

Enjoy - but stay safe.
Remember that 112 is the Europe-wide emergency number. It works even if you have no money in a pre-paid mobile phone or even if your supplier has no network. It works 24/7 365 days - and the operators speak many languages. The number for the Guardia Civil in Spain is 062.
Buen Camino!

 

[jpflavin1]

Javier:

I have never walked the Primitivo so I can not offer specific advice. That said, from an old Marine, I suggest you take the advice you get on this forum into consideration in your decision making. You should also listen to the locals, regarding the weather, once you have begun your Camino.

Otherwise Buen Camino and "Semper Fi".

Ultreya,
Joe