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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

66 Year-old Irishman starting SJPdP mid-March 2016

Bobcat77

CF March-May 2019
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Francés 2019
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Welcome from a fellow retired Irishman.I too walked my first Camino a year after I retired .I loved all the preparation and lead up to the big day at SJ PdP and I hope you do too.Some friends said 66 was too old to take on a 500 mile walk.They were wrong.God guide your footsteps and Buen Camino.
 
Hi Bobcat77,

Welcome to the forum!
I'm jealous of you for two reasons:
  1. You're from Ireland. The BEST holiday that my wife and I have ever had was a two week tour of Ireland. We landed in Dublin and walked around for a couple of days and then rented a car and toured your amazing country. I'm smiling just thinking of all the wonderful places we saw and people we met.
  2. Michele and I walked the Camino Frances in March this year. We started in Leon due to time constraints and got to SdC two weeks later. Again, I'm smiling just thinking of all the wonderful places that we saw and people that we met.
You're going to have a great time! Buen Camino!

Ron & Michele
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
Welcome @Bobcat77 and buen camino! You have plenty of time to train and to enjoy all of the planning and anticipation.
 
Welcome Bobcat77.
The feast of St. James is 26th July, so there will be a special Mass for pilgrims in St. James Church that Sunday and tea and chat afterwards where you will be able to get your Pilgrim Passport and talk to other pilgrims.
As you from Dublin you might also like to get your passport stamped at reception at Guiness's, St. James Gate, so called because in ancient times pilgrims from the surrounding areas met there and walked together to the coast to board their ship to A Coruna.
Boy scout skills a great start for preparing for Camino.

Buen Camino,
Lydia
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Bobcat you'll have the craic believe me and as you're and Irish and of a certain vintage (a very fine one to be sure) then no doubt you're already 'hardwired' for pilgrimage anyway and were dragged along to Knock, Lough Derg or Our Ladys Island et al…. or if you were very posh Lourdes or Medjugorje by your Mam and/or Granny.
Enjoy and savour all the preparations and excitement. Is 'herself' going to meet you in SDC at the end? It's a gorgeous town and has some very fine hostelries indeed that she might enjoy as she awaits the return of her conquering hero ;).
N
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
lucky lucky you !exciting to be planning this trip ,it will be amazing .sounds like you have it under control. my sister and i surprised our dad for his 60th,some of the family were shocked n asked us were we trying to kill him:eek: (he had a stent put in years before )we only went part way as we had never done anything like this .he LOVED IT ! and returned to do another stretch the next year,one tiny bit of advice if you dont mind,take your time n dont worry about keeping up with any group as chances are you will bump into them again and taking the odd slow day will increase the amount of great people you will meet .
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
Enjoy the build up, it too is part of this wonderful journey that you are embarking on. I too am jealous I'd love to have 6 weeks and go tomorrow. Best wishes
Go n-eiri an bothar leat
Rita
 
Thanks everyone. you're so kind. Starting week before Paddy's Day. I don't fancy walking when it's 30 degrees. You can put on layers when it's cold, but there's a limit to what you can take off when it gets hot..:cool:
Thanks Lydia ... nice to see one familiar face. I thought you'd be in Clare this week!! Weight restriction mean no guitar on Camino, though.
No rush for me. Plan to take lots of off days and slow days and even linger for a day here and there. And, YES, 'Herself' does intend to join me in Santiago. I'll find her supping a tinto somewhere, I'm sure!
Thanks again y'all.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
.........you might also like to get your passport stamped at reception at Guiness's, St. James Gate, so called because in ancient times pilgrims from the surrounding areas met there and walked together to the coast to board their ship to A Coruna.
Thanks for your post. I was not aware of this and often wondered at the many mentions of Irish pilgrims getting their first stamp at Guinness's. Now I have another tidbit of information to file away among my many happy memories of my visit to Dublin.:)
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Welcome to the forum Bobcat. I'm a Irish American of the McNamara of Clan Cain.

Everything you need or want to know about the Camino is here. Think of it as a on line Boy Scout Hand Book. This forum is chock full of advice and information. It is my hand book and travel guide for all my Caminos.

I have walked the long English (Farrell to Santiago) the short Portuguese Camino (Porto to Santiago), and will walk the French Camino in May and June of 2016.

A three season sleeping bag is a good idea, its cold in Northern Spain in March and April. I have not walked in Spain that time of year but I highly recommend adding a base layer to your clothing. Dress warm in layers when you start each day. You can add or remove layers as needed. Remember, it's OK if you feel cool, it's not OK to feel hot or to be sweaty, that can be dangerous.

Small clothes, base layer, outer clothes, vest and or a fleece, rain jacket/wind breaker, and if your still cold put your poncho on, I use and recommend a Farrino or Altos zip up poncho. Buen Camino

Happy Trails
 
Welcome and Buen Camino! Shame about the guitar though, I really enjoy a good céilí.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Thanks everyone. you're so kind. Starting week before Paddy's Day. I don't fancy walking when it's 30 degrees. You can put on layers when it's cold, but there's a limit to what you can take off when it gets hot..:cool:
Thanks Lydia ... nice to see one familiar face. I thought you'd be in Clare this week!! Weight restriction mean no guitar on Camino, though.
No rush for me. Plan to take lots of off days and slow days and even linger for a day here and there. And, YES, 'Herself' does intend to join me in Santiago. I'll find her supping a tinto somewhere, I'm sure!
Thanks again y'all.
Greetings and congrats Bobcat!
Irish by lineage and longing Iowa farmer who spent the best 70 days of his 67 year life pilgriming from LePuy, FR to Finnesterre in the summer of '13. So glad to see that you are planning to meet up with "herself" in Santiago. My "herself" of 46 years met me in Sarria and we walked hand in hand and heart to heart into the City of St. James as a deliriously happy team. I would highly recommend that if she is at all interested. It's really not a hard 5 days and the Pilgrim friendships forged last a lifetime. It's been over two years since I've returned home and I correspond/FB with many of these life-sharing kindred souls, if not daily then at least weekly. The Irish presence on the Camino is wonderful. You can check out the actual numbers in the stats provided via this priceless forum. And finally, glad to see you've kicked in your tuppence to help Ivar keep these jewel of a site highly polished.
Bon Chemin and Buen Camino,
Pilgrim Farmer John
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Hi Bobcat, I am wondering if 35 litres may be a little small for the Springtime because of bringing a sleeping bag. We went in April and May. We had 1 season anti bed bug sleeping bags from Lifeventure weighing 750grams plus a silk liner. I also wore very lightweight silk leggings and top to sleep and had a 200gram thermatec reflective blanket. I did not really need the blanket because the majority of Albergue's did have blankets but not all. Sometimes it was too hot to use my sleeping bag and I just used the silk liner and my thermatec blanket. There are many threads on this forum about sleeping bags and ultimately it depends on how warm you need to be to sleep balanced out against the weight you feel able to carry, and everyone is different. I was very happy with my sleeping gear. My pack is about 50 litres and it was full. I took a lightweight fleece and a fleece waistcoat for layering and used both. The evenings can be chilly in Spring when you stop walking and sit around in bars with the door open (this seemed to the norm in Spain).
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.

If you need any specific info please ask. You can see the Camino walking I have done since I retired at 66. It gives an additional purpose to generally keeping fit/walking. It is a great experience. A sleeping bag liner was enough for me as blankets were usually available in many albergues so a smaller /lighter pack was required. the lighter the better!! Lidl hiking shoes/socks and extra insoles throughout. You will meet many wonderful people.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
I am wondering if 35 litres may be a little small
I use a 31 L pack for October-November and find it perfect. It's true that it is fairly full if the weather is good and I'm not wearing all my layers, but that forces me to keep the weight down to about 6 kg without water and I am happy with it.
 
6Kg. Wow. That's light, Spartan packing. My target weight is 7.5/8Kg.
Thanks ladies. My bag is actually described as 35/40, so it has a collar to allow some expansion, but I know that extra space WILL fill up with 'stuff' and stuff weighs!
 
6Kg. Wow. That's light, Spartan packing. My target weight is 7.5/8Kg.
Thanks ladies. My bag is actually described as 35/40, so it has a collar to allow some expansion, but I know that extra space WILL fill up with 'stuff' and stuff weighs!
Too bad about not packin a guitar. Some mandolins are real light. Just a thought. Your pre planning is just the beginning of your new "hobby" . Good thing you are just a hop away.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
There's a thought. The mandolin is strung like a fiddle. I'd prefer a guitar-like ukulele. Small, light. I could buy a cheap one for the trip without a case. Some peregrinos might not like that. Do folks bring instruments? Have seen no references to music-(ians) on the forum. Hey a 35 day session might happen. Of course I may have to walk alone!!!
 
There's a thought. The mandolin is strung like a fiddle. I'd prefer a guitar-like ukulele. Small, light. I could buy a cheap one for the trip without a case. Some peregrinos might not like that. Do folks bring instruments? Have seen no references to music-(ians) on the forum. Hey a 35 day session might happen. Of course I may have to walk alone!!!
Yes not many will bring them but is very nice when they do!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
I doubt I'd have the puff for either after a long day's walk.
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Hello Bobcat, fellow scouter, and Irishman. I'm a American Irishman myself, the McNamara of Clan Cain. Welcome to the forum, your one stop and shop site for all things Camino and a few things that are not. Think of this forum as a digital Scout Handbook. Its full of information, what when where, how, and the whys. Its my Scout Handbook and guide book for walking the Caminos.

A 35 liter pack should do just fine. Be sure its a good fit, that's real important. 3 season sleeping bag for March and April is a must. What about clothing. Back Packing gear today is almost all synthetic. No cotton, feathers, and little wool. I haven't seen your gear list but here is mine for March/April, 2 pair zip off pants (Columbia), 2 pair long sleeve button up shirts (Columbia). 2 short sleeve shits (North Face), 3 boxers (exoffico), 3 wool socks (wigwam), 1 base layer, 1 ultra light vest, 1 light weight fleece, 1 light rain & wind resistant jacket, 1 zip up poncho (Ferrino or Altus). This list is my basic year round list. A heavy coat could also be needed.

Dress in layers, under shorts and shirt, base layer, Pants, long sleeve shirt, vest, water/wind prof top, and when needed the poncho. Add or remove layers as needed. Do not get over heated or dehydrate. Its OK to be cool, very bad to be hot or sweaty. Use trekking poles, at our age we need any advantage we can get. Keep well hydrated. Drink lots of water. Drink every time you stop, thirsty or not. I know this is sacrilege in Ireland but no beer, wine, or spirits until the end of the day.

A personal note, I was a Marine Combat Corpsman and I treated more heat casualties in the winter than I did in the summer. Buen Camino

Happy Trails
 
Welcome aboard Bobcat. Just to encourage you this 64-year-old Irishman cycled from Clonmacnoise to Finnistere in April - May this year.
Everything you could possible require to know is on this forum. Just explore and ask.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Thanks Urban Trekker. V generous and helpful. I was wondering how much is enough for March/April.
Now all I have to do is assess a) the weight of an instrument and b) whether I can be comfortable both carrying and playing it!!!!!
Decisions decisions. What is the wise thing to do?
Really appreciate the help and encouragement.
 
Thanks Urban Trekker. V generous and helpful. I was wondering how much is enough for March/April.
Now all I have to do is assess a) the weight of an instrument and b) whether I can be comfortable both carrying and playing it!!!!!
Decisions decisions. What is the wise thing to do?
Really appreciate the help and encouragement.
Well if your half def like I am anything sounds good, but I will still pray you take it. But it is not I who can't play a kazoo, nor have to pack it.

I started my walk on April 7 2014 As our aniversery is on Paddy's day. Make sure you take gloves, not sure where you are starting from but chances are very good for snow in March in the Pyranies & they closed the upper route out of SJPDP next winter until March 31. You best make sure your bag is good to -10 c as many places have no heat. Good rain gear is a must.
Keith
 
Well if your half def like I am anything sounds good, but I will still pray you take it. But it is not I who can't play a kazoo, nor have to pack it.

I started my walk on April 7 2014 As our aniversery is on Paddy's day. Make sure you take gloves, not sure where you are starting from but chances are very good for snow in March in the Pyranies & they closed the upper route out of SJPDP next winter until March 31. You best make sure your bag is good to -10 c as many places have no heat. Good rain gear is a must.
Keith
We started on 10th April this year. The pass was open for the Route Napoleon upper route on the Pyrenees but only just, I think it had been closed the previous week. We had 2km of snow but it was not deep at all and no problem. I did take gloves but did not use them at all; however, if we had started in March I think we would have used them quite possibly. It is true that there was no heating in the majority of Albergues in April, with one memorable exception being Acacia y Orietta who kindly put on their wonderful log burning stoves for us which was so welcoming on what became a stormy afternoon. It is good to have something warm to wear when you have stopped walking as evenings can be cold at times. Some Albergues do not have anywhere warm or nice to sit after you have done your chores and are waiting for Pilgrims dinner time.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
I hope you have a wonderfull time I am sure it will be.
 
Thanks MT. Never thought of gloves and I'm Getting a 3 season bag. Interesting how easy it is to see something EXTRA you must have. It's never (or rarely) what to leave out. At least the sleeping bag recommended is both small & light.
The good thing about getting on this forum early (I joined 12 months in advance of my start date) is not just all the advice & info, but you can get your bits gradually. Great for older folks newly on a pension. So far I've bought shoes and backpack. One thing I've seen mentioned a few times is a fleece 'vest'. In Ireland, where I come from that's a waistcoat or body warmer. Good ideal as another layer. One has to balance warmth against size/weight in the pack.
Thanks to everyone for your tuppence-worth. All so generous and helpful.
Robert

Ps. I love the handles we use online: Lucy Longpath/ C Clearly .. catch my eye.
 
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Lucy reminded me of how cold we can get after getting done walking at the end of the day. It was still warm some days & I would be freezing until I got some food in me. My fleece coat & rain coat was the only way I could keep warm until I ate. Something else to consider when walking on the edge of winter.
The I actually took 2 pairs of gloves, 1 very light that I used most days in the morning to take the chill off, & 2nd pair were gortex & very warm duck hunting glove. They were excellent in a 3 day downpour of rain. I am not trying to add to your list just as I understand your concern for weight. My winters here in Montana get extream so I just ensured whatever was thrown at me I would be fine.
So a thought on your joice of coat if I were to walk in March I would replace my fleece very bulky, with one of the light down coats as long as you trust your rain gear. If not stay with fleece it will keep you warm even wet or consider a good wool sweater.
Keith
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Hello! I'm going to walk my first Camino in March next year, the starting date depends on my air ticket.....(from Hong Kong). This is just my second time to Europe, then I choose to challenge/enjoy the Camino. I am really looking forward the upcoming journey!!!
 
Hello Bob Cat 77. I really envy you as I would love to be at the planning stage all over again.
I play the bodhran but could not bring myself to drag it along over my 29 days walking the Camino Frances. Anyway there were plenty of goats along the way if I got really tempted !

I did actually notice that some hostels had musical instruments lying around for anyone to pick up and play so you might strike it lucky some nights! I am based in Dublin City Centre so if you ever happpen to be in Easons I would be more than happy to meet for a coffee and tell you all so you might gets a few nuggets for your preparation and planning.

I carried a silk liner which was perfect for sleeping as most hostels provided blankets and the option of a heavy sleeping bag was a no no. Some friends along the way were sorry they had the sleeping bag as it was taking up space and weight. I walked in September so it was still quite warm.

Regards
Beeker40 aka Ger
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.

Hello. I like the cut of your jib!
I'm English, 63, living in France these past 20 years and am planning on cycling from St Jean this coming October. Like other commentators on here I too just smile at the memory of a wonderful couple of weeks spent with my wife (since 1980 too) touring by car and staying with Kerry friends, and others that just became friends. But I also love the 6 Nations too! I feel thirsty thinking about it...
All I have to say or suggest if I may, is 'weather'. Living here in France I am made very aware of the chance of serious snow falls throughout winter and well into April. The Pyrénées had a staggering amount late last winter which could be viewed as both awful and fantastic depending upon your winter-sports outlook.
Some on line research will point you in the right direction for ideas and info on your intended route and the like.
Please be careful.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Thanks MT. Never thought of gloves and I'm Getting a 3 season bag. Interesting how easy it is to see something EXTRA you must have. It's never (or rarely) what to leave out. At least the sleeping bag recommended is both small & light.
The good thing about getting on this forum early (I joined 12 months in advance of my start date) is not just all the advice & info, but you can get your bits gradually. Great for older folks newly on a pension. So far I've bought shoes and backpack. One thing I've seen mentioned a few times is a fleece 'vest'. In Ireland, where I come from that's a waistcoat or body warmer. Good ideal as another layer. One has to balance warmth against size/weight in the pack.
Thanks to everyone for your tuppence-worth. All so generous and helpful.
Robert

Ps. I love the handles we use online: Lucy Longpath/ C Clearly .. catch my eye.

another point, seeing a mention of clothing. Wool. it may get heavy when wet, but it will still keep you WARM. Most anything else will not with all respect to others. My mountain fleeces and 'soft shell' stuff while light, warm, and totally wind proof will not keep me warm if it gets quite wet. You've made me think of my Aran Islands sweater; there must be room in my cycle pannier for that!
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Buen Camino! My neighbor and I will be walking around March 20 from Pamplona... maybe we'll see you along the way!
 
A personal note, I was a Marine Combat Corpsman and I treated more heat casualties in the winter than I did in the summer.
Intrigued by this! No experience with walking in real cold. Lowest around 14C, have never needed more than a tshirt and long pants. Planning to start CF in early April when it could be up to 10C less than I'm used to. What causes heat casualties in winter? I do realise a tshirt won't cut it, but don't want to overdo the warms.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
Intrigued by this! No experience with walking in real cold. Lowest around 14C, have never needed more than a tshirt and long pants. Planning to start CF in early April when it could be up to 10C less than I'm used to. What causes heat casualties in winter? I do realise a tshirt won't cut it, but don't want to overdo the warms.

Clothes are not meant to keep you warm. Clothes help prevent the loss of heat that your body generates and that is what keeps you warm or causes you to overheat. If you overdress the heat can't escape fast enough and you over heat (cook in your own juices). The reverse applies if you under dress. Its OK to be cool, you may not like it but it's safe. You don't want to be hot or sweaty and you don't want to be cold. All three can be bad news in cold weather.

When I dress for cold weather I try to keep 3 things in mind. 1. Activity level, this will determine what I'm going to wear. 2. CORE, the core is where your vital organs are. It goes from your waist to your neck. You need to keep your core warm. People have lost limbs to the cold but survived because they kept their core warm. 3. Layers. You need to dress in layers. Layering will allow you to regulate your overall body temperature by adding or removing layers according to activity levels and the air temperature. I'll start with under shorts and a tee shit then add a technical layer, Long John tops and bottoms, then pants and long sleeved shirt. To that I can add a lite down vest, a fleece, and a water prof wind breaker and hat. I remove or add layers according to my activity level and the temperature. Always include a hat with your gear. I use a tillie all the time and carry a light fleece hat for the cold or unheated albergues. You can loose 25% of your body heat through your head.

One other thing. Hydration. It's easier to dehydrate in cold weather than hot. Drink plenty of water even if you're not thirsty. Check (look at) your urine. Dark yellow or strong smelling urine means you are dehydrated. Thirst or chapped lips, or a head ache mean you are dehydrated. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Buen Camino

Happy Trails
 
Wow. There it goes again. The Forum throws up loads of info and ideas. Thanks everyone.
Hi Chris. We may well meet on the 'Way'.
Beeker40/Ger, Conas tá tú? Béidir go dtiochfaidh mé isteach ar Easons. (OK folks... that's Irish. I'm telling Ger I'll call in for that coffee). Bodhran would be cumbersome alright. I've been looking for a small ukulele that's light and cheap. That way, if I drop the backpack on it or fall on it, i won't cry! :oops: Great to hear there are instruments here and there. I'd miss music for 5 weeks.
thanks also to Ikonuma, Urban Trekker and Nomadko. Warmth/insulation is important. I bought one of those 'technical' T's last week. VERY light, but had to put a shirt on over it. I was cold ... yeah it's July in Dublin! I think I'll just sneak a thermal vest into the bag. No space for the Aran Sweater you mentioned.
I don't like poles but my physical therapist was insistant that at my age, they are a good idea especially on rough ground and hills (up and down). And boots, not shoes, he says.
 
Don't be tempted to go without poles please! (Just my humble opinion). They are really no burden to carry and will usually be able to be attached on either side of your pack when you're not using them. Rather than carry them all the way from Ireland, you can buy them at the Pilgrim Shop in SJPdP. The owner is extremely helpful and will even teach you how to use them. He has a wide range available as well.

If you go to the Post Office Agency in the Pilgrim Office in Santiago you can buy a special triangular post pack just for poles which you can then post home if you don't want to carry them on the flight back to Ireland. The young man who was working in the post office when we were there was extremely pleasant and helpful and even put the pack together and parcelled up the poles ready for the mail. Then he did all the paperwork for customs and all I had to do was sign and pay the postage.

You're headed for the adventure of your life. Buen Camino!
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Walked back in April/May, 66, married 40 and Irish too. So we got a lot in common except I carried a slightly bigger pack and had to send home about 3kg. Should have known better having made the same mistake on my first camino. Have a great time. It will be an awesome experience but dont listen when others say they enjoyed every minute. We all have some down in the dumps days but thankfully not too many. By the way, contact the Irish society where you can buy an Irish credencial and a backpack patch. Buen Camino
 
Thanks TPmchugh. I got a Forum patch already! And I got a Camino 'buff'...There's posh! Never knew what a buff was till I looked it up in the dictionary (remember those?). watched a video online and decided it would be light and multifunctional.
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Hey there! I will be walking fromSJPP March 2016 celebrating my 65th birthday!!
I have the shoes and socks and have been averaging 17-18 km 4 x / week walking
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Wow Lori. That's distance. I'm doing about one 5/6 L most weeks but not all. We still have 5 months anyway. Some say you can 'train on the road'. I will up my distance and frequency though. Soon ..... Honest.
 
It does not need to be a foot race as people also train too long & end up with issues if you can make it 25k you are ready. You will simply get in better shape as you go. After you do this the first time some of us wish we had slowed down to see some places that look really interesting. Or routes that will add a day.
I met 2 welsh men walking separately both were covering 40 to 45 k per day. One did the pilgrimage yearly but could only get 20 days off per year. I hope he some day can find more time. So if you are blessed with time I hope you never feel rushed.
 
Wow Lori. That's distance. I'm doing about one 5/6 L most weeks but not all. We still have 5 months anyway. Some say you can 'train on the road'. I will up my distance and frequency though. Soon ..... Honest.
Keep me posted.
Got my first blister on Sunday and tried the needle and thread routine,
Did you find. Light weight sleeping bag???
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
Bumping this thread to say hi to maybe fellow walkers...
I'll be starting (I don't know where from yet) on March 21st or 22nd. Maybe our paths will cross?
I'll be looking for an Irishman with a ukulele, to be sure.....
Ultreia and buen camino, everyone!
(Oh...and from my experience in the last 2 years...second what Urbanwalker says: Layers. Hat
/buff. And GLOVES. Definitely gloves. And be prepared to get rained on. It's a great time to walk!)
 
Big OOPS. You know what they say: if you want to give God a laugh, tell Him your plans! Well, it appears I may have to postpone my Camino ... Life intrudes. I still log on here most weeks, but the urgency is gone as one has duties in life sometimes inconsistent with taking 6 weeks to "find oneself" in Northern Spain.
So to all of you who have been SO generous and helpful, THANK YOU and Buen Camino. See you next time, whenever that should be. I'll be back!
Robert J
aka Bobcat77
 
When the time is right... you'll be walking your Camino. In the meantime... Be well... be happy... arms around...
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
Hi BOBCAT,
I'll be walking out of SJPdP on the morning f the 10th, staying Beilari on the night of the 9th. I'll be looking to share a cab from Barritz or Bayonne off the 5:30pm Ryanair flight from Stansted. Anyone else interested?
 
OK everybody. I'm back. Health issues cancelled the 2016 walk.
Now 2019 and I've booked flights to Biarritz for March 22, 2019.
See new thread "69 year-old Irishman start SJPP 23 March 2019"
 
Great forum: all you ever need to know, it seems.
Retired last year. 66 in September this year 2015. Catholic. Married 41 years and still holding hands. Wifey is 'allowing' me away for 6 weeks on my own-i-o. (We haven't been apart that long since 1980). Ahhhh. Started physical preparation a month ago by buying shoes. No 'walks' ... till last night, when I did one hour. Bought 35L backpack (€100+) over the weekend. Next will be a light sleeping bag. Vanga has been recommended for a 3-season version. Soon I'm planning a sample pack & weigh session, to get a sense of how 'little' the bag really holds. Having been a boyscout in a past life, and done a good deal of camping when kids were small, I'm easy with the simplicity required.
Nice to be on board everybody. .... here goes.
I hiked the CF last year (30 April - 3 June) at the age of 66; the first 10 days were rough but it got better. In 27 years in an Army career, I never blistered like I did on the Camino - fortunately there’s a lot of folks along the path who are terrific with advice and treatment. In Santiago we all agreed we’d pushed too fast, but transatlantic flights don’t wait. Six weeks ought to be perfect for you and your planning sounds spot-on so far. Buen Camino!
John
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Thanks @NNMI70.
I've graduated to be a 69 year old. now, I AM training more seriously: 5 days a week. Short stages to begin: 3k, 4k, 6.5k. Easy does it, but a little extra each day. Extra weight. Extra distance.
Carrying a reasonably full bag too: 9, 12, 14lbs (4kg, 5kg, 6kg +/-). My target is 8kg, give or take. Physio suggests I get used to carrying 10 kg+, then the Camino bag, with water and food and a wet towel, will be a doddle... we'll see how THAT plan works.
Shoes from 2015 (barely used to be honest) comfortable but ... now separating from the sole!! Not good. New ones are called for I suspect. Soooo, suck it up... buy them... break them in.
Wish me luck. "Keep calm. Carry on". LOL
 
Thanks @NNMI70.
I've graduated to be a 69 year old. now, I AM training more seriously: 5 days a week. Short stages to begin: 3k, 4k, 6.5k. Easy does it, but a little extra each day. Extra weight. Extra distance.
Carrying a reasonably full bag too: 9, 12, 14lbs (4kg, 5kg, 6kg +/-). My target is 8kg, give or take. Physio suggests I get used to carrying 10 kg+, then the Camino bag, with water and food and a wet towel, will be a doddle... we'll see how THAT plan works.
Shoes from 2015 (barely used to be honest) comfortable but ... now separating from the sole!! Not good. New ones are called for I suspect. Soooo, suck it up... buy them... break them in.
Wish me luck. "Keep calm. Carry on". LOL
You’ll have a great time - great experiences and fantastic memories. I may have an opportunity to go again in 2020. Just as an aside, I came back thru Dublin and drove up to Lough Derg for the 3-day Pilgrimage. An amazing experience; and in a different way, just as rigorous as the Camino. Best wishes for an easy boot break-in, don’t skimp on good socks - they’re worth their weight in gold. Buen Camino,
John
 

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