New Member

[emonty]

Hi,

My name is Edward Montgomery. I am a Secualr Franciscan (SFO) from Kimball, Nebraska, USA. I am planning my trip for June, 2012 (new grandbaby this year precludes travel). Any tips for long-range planning.

 

[dougfitz]

Welcome,
I walked the Camino Frances in 2010, and plan to walk St Olavs Way in 2012. My longer term planning and preparation has a couple of key items:

a. getting some weight off, and getting fit. I lost about 15kg on the Camino, but it seemed to find me again! I am working more slowly back down to a BMI of 25. Exercise is a key part of that project, and I plan to participate in a number of both competitive race and fitness walking activities, as well as non-competitive walks like the IVV walks, two day walks and the Camino Salvado later this year.

b. gear preparation - I have posted on this site about my Camino gear and the changes that I would make. At this stage, I am keeping an eye on the sales in the local outdoor suppliers, and limiting myself to items that I know I want to replace. If you haven't already got a good basic set of clothing and equipment, keeping the eye on the sales can make a big difference.

c. I will be thinking about booking flights mid-year. Most airlines only have 12 months of schedule open, so there is little point in getting serious about this before that time. At that time I will look at entry and departure accommodation and whether to visit friends elsewhere in Europe. (Its a long way to travel from Australia not to take the opportunity to catch up!)

d. Closer to the departure time, probably about six months out, I will start doing walks with the gear that I plan to take to make sure that it fits, works, etc. At this stage, I will start to incorportate some tougher hill climbs into my routine. Locally I can get a 100m climb into my routine that is a good training climb. There are a couple of peaks in the local national park that give a total climb of 700m or a bit more.

e. I have started my reading and other research a lot earlier than for the Camino. Getting well prepared for what one will see, what will happen, and beginning to prepare for the different challanges along one's Camino in an important part of this, and which I didn't think I did as well as I might have for the Camino Frances.

DougF

 

[skilsaw]

Welcome.
Enjoy the baby this year, and the Camino next year.
You will be blessed.

David, Victoria, Canada.

 

[methodist.pilgrim.98]

Edward, welcome to the forum.

You might want to research any Franciscan, monastic or religious links to the part of the Camino you are walking. That might cause you to plan your actual route so that you have time to explore churches, monasteries etc.

Doug is right. Get fit. Walking is the best way.

If you do not have a good, broken in pair of boots now is the time to search the equipment forum to choose them and be breaking them in. By the time you hit the Camino you will need your feet and your boots to be on excellent terms.

I walked 500km on my first Camino in a pair that were broken in but somehow didn't feel right. For my second I'd changed to a much lighter, non-Gortex boot which have been with me ever since.

Some favour Gortex, but others don't. Searching the pages here will truly repay you later, though you will have to weigh up the conflicting advice!

Blessings on mum and baby and all.

 

[Br. David]

Br. Edward - all is well - you have already chosen love and family over personal desire... your Camino will happen when it does.

Now is the time to really get the weight down. You will read over and over about only taking what you need - but almost everyone packs what they think they will need rather than what they do need. When I did my first Camino in the year five I (later) found that my rucksack weighed 4.5 pounds empty!

For some reason, considering that military types carry vast and heavy packs into combat without complaint, pilgrims find each micro-ounce of vast importance - we all do - so do get the weight down ...

but you will be fine, you've already made the inner change so you will be ready for whatever comes at you - enjoy! :wink:

 

[peregrina nicole]

Hi! My top tips are to pack light and take care of your feet. You only need two pair of clothes. Something for the camino and something at night while your camino clothing are drying. Take light weight clothing that dries over night. Do NOT take jeans. You will need something for the rain and you will be thankful for this once you hit Galicia. You will need a light weight sleeping bag and sleeping mat in case albergues are full. I would recommend sandals so your feet have a chance to recover once you arrive. I rub my feet with a light layer of vaseline or Vicks vaporub which reduces friction and hence blisters. I found that I had to buy a pair of walking shoes two size. I can recommend the Brierly guidebook. It has useful maps and info on accomodation in addition to a good route description

 

[Arn]

Edward,

Stay in contact with the Forum...grow the number of contacts and exchange ideas and information freely.

Welcome to the Forum.

Arn

 

[emonty]

I noticed with interest that in my original post I planned a Camino in June, 2012. I did not know my Air Force son would ask us to visit him in Germany before he moved home. In the time since I have learned a great deal from this forum and I am grateful. I also admit that spending the 2012 Camino money to instead take my wife on her dream trip, including Salzburg and Paris, may have set me up for this trip .