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Recent content by GaryRobArms

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    Which should I take? Sleeping bag or liner?

    On Camino del Norte over the last 40 days, every albergue, pension, and hotel I’ve been in has provided blankets. Most, but not all, have been nice warm ones. However to expand on your question a bit, the problem with cold has not been while sleeping but in the afternoon to evening before bed...
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    Wifi Connections Irun to SdC

    I’m finishing CDN from Irun tomorrow. WIFI has been highly variable, and just totally dependent on the facility I’m staying in. Generally okay for email, videos, photo editing. Obviously I didn’t stay in every accommodation available along the way, but my experience was that it was better in the...
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    Post-camino fitness

    I suspect that during your Camino your body adapted to long durations of HR zone 1 and 2 at the expense of your zone 3-4. After doing the Camino Portuguese last year I noticed that I had lost some capacity at medium-high intensity (anaerobic) road bike cycling, but my low intensity rides were...
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    Would it be overkill to bring both a rain jacket and the Altus poncho in Oct/Nov?

    I wish I had brought all three, as per MikeJS’s approach. I’m currently in last bit of the Camino Del Norte, with just a poncho. There have been several days of showers that the poncho was ideal for. However there has also been 3 days where it rained all day with strong winds and temperatures...
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    Social anxiety on the camimo

    First, I really love the thoughtful and diverse insights that have been posted in this thread. I’m on my first “alone” Camino. As a person who finds socializing a little stressful, and generally prefer to be alone, I have been so impressed with the people I encounter and how they let you be...
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    Buy hiking poles in Irun or Amazon deliver?

    I’m 75% along the Camino del Norte, and if I were you I would pre-order. I have been in a couple of Decathlon stores along the way, although not Irun’s, and the hiking pole stock was not great. Hoping for 6 sets to be there in the sizes you want seems risky to me. And particularly if you want...
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    Injinji Wool Liners Only?

    It didn’t work for me. The Ininji socks wore through very quickly at the points that rub in the shoe. Less than a 100 km. I get pretty good mileage if I wear them inside a non-ininji sock. Currently at about 700 km and just starting to show some wear points. Might not be the same for you, as I...
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    Am I the only one perplexed by WhatsApp?

    I’m a real newbie with WhatsApp, but I’m going to try to answer this question because I was having the same problem. (Anyone with more experience please correct me.) WhatsApp requires you to create a contact in your contact list with the number you want to message before you can message it. You...
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    want solitude

    Just offering my experience. I don’t think you’ll have a problem. i’m on my second Camino, currently half way through the Camino del Norte. About same length as Frances, but with more ups and downs. I’m also an introvert. This is off-season for regular tourists and early season for Camino...
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    Ground conditions - Camino Del Norte

    It was very good! You’re right, seeing how long humans have been in the area and how they lived is amazing. Museum very well done. I arrived in SDM with some aches and pains: thought about just resting all day, but your recommendation convinced me. Glad I did. Thanks!
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    Ground conditions - Camino Del Norte

    I’m 13 days into the Camino del Norte from Irun, currently in Santillo del Mar. There were mud patches on the forest trail portions, esp before Bilbao, but most of it was dry. I had to do some edging around and leaping at some spots. I’m wearing low-cut, “water resistant “ shoes, and I’ve had to...
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    Irún to San Sebastián first day

    I did it about 10 days ago. I actually started next door to Irun in Hondarribia. According to my Garmin GPS watch, it was just under 25 km. There was 1,060 meters of ascent and 1,044 of descent, on the high ridge alternative. Some of the terrain is steep and rugged. It is likely drier now, but...
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    What do you wash your clothes with

    I use Sea to Summit laundry soap leaves in a Scrubba bag. One or two leaves per wash. Package of 50 is about size of a book of matches, and does 25+ washes. Carry them in a little sealable plastic bag because if they get damp they are useless. I also use Sea to Summit shaving soap leaves. 2 per...
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    Waterproof Jacket/Coat

    I have a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Nano Tarp Poncho. Very light, and It packs down to size of an orange. It is quite long, reaching to just below my knees and I am 5’10”.
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    Two backpacks?

    I have done the Camino Portugués with luggage transport, carrying a small backpack 25 liter size and having a suitcase transported. I find a wheeled suitcase easier to get through airports, less likely to snag on stuff or get damaged, and easier to unpack and repack in the accommodations. Many...
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