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Congratulations! So happy to hear all of the advice was helpful. Especially glad you mentioned your problem with shin splints. It's a great reminder/warning to new pilgrims. I recently helped a friend plan her camino and did several 10 mile walks with her. Her pack weighed about 12lbs. (5.5...
Thanks everyone! I knew someone would know the answer. I looked up the bus schedules for ALSA and Monbus and found a good connection. My friend is all set for tomorrow. Thanks Falcon for providing the location of the bus station.
a friend of mine is walking from Leon to Santiago. She is currently in Villafranca de Bierzo and is having problems with her legs. She wants to go to Sarria so she can walk shorter distances. Can anyone tell me what transportation she can get from Villafranca to Sarria tomorrow? Thank you!
Jenn: I have been helping a friend prepare for her camino. She is starting from Astorga on Friday as well! It is her first time in Europe, first time hiking and she is nervous. She will arrive in Astoga at the Hotel Gaudi at 5:30 pm on Thursday and plans to start walking around 7-7:30 am...
Vikita: I agree with the other posts...a blessing to be walking alone. If you do find someone to walk with through your post, you might want to agree to start together leaving the option to separate after you get comfortable with the routine. It will make it easier to part if you are not...
You will find plenty of pilgrims but it won't be crowded. Weather can vary from very cold to warm. I pack a merino wool base layer, shirt, fleece and rain jacket/pants for winter caminos. The layers allow me to handle anything from snow to cold winds. When it warms up, I just take off layers...
Thanks MTtoCamino for the perspective and kind reminder to be tolerant. As a snorer, I am really super conscious that I may bother someone (my husband says I am not that loud at all;)). I often don't get a good night's sleep because I try to sleep on my side by putting my fleece or pillow along...
On one of my caminos I walked the CF in January-February because it was the only time I had available. At first I was concerned about the weather and logistics but after researching on this forum I found all the information I needed to prepare. I loved walking in the winter. It was quiet and...
I use a brand called Leight Sleepers earplugs by Honeywell (at Walgreens and CVS drugstores in US). They are made of soft foam in a T-shape. I find them much more comfortable than the Hearos brand and others that are much firmer. You can squish them down and they slowly expand back to size...
Please make sure you check weather reports when you reach Leon. The Salvador is higher altitude and could be dangerous to walk if there is snow or ice. There are fewer albergues and I am not sure if all of them are open during the winter. You may be the only one walking the Salvador at that...
I would recommend starting in Leon (or Astorga). It takes several days to get in the rhythm of the Camino and you will no doubt meet fellow pilgrims that will become an important part of your Camino - and 10-12 days is just enough time to have that happen. I walked my first (and supposedly...
Grumerz: I love those "Superfeet" Orange insoles too! I wear Lowa gortex boots - they fit my feet perfectly (after trying 3 different boots on my first Camino). However, until this last Camino, I used the factory insoles. I always used moleskin on some identified hotspots and would build some...
I agree Laurie. I still recommend the Camino France's to first time walkers (although I agree with Joe that experienced trekkers may prefer other options). I just returned from walking my final two days on the France's (from the Primitivo) and was pleasantly surprised that there weren't the...
Maggie: I walked the Salvador-Primitivo arriving in Santiago on October 31st. I know you arrived the same day. I am sorry I didn't get to meet you. I did have the pleasure of walking with different people on and off for the last two days as I joined the CF into Santiago. A 28 year old...
You are right - I had a bad rain day from Pola de Lena into Oviedo but that was after the most perfect weather on the first four days of the Salvador. I could turn 360 degrees and see forever! It was beautiful and I never saw another pilgrim so had the whole day to myself to listen to the birds...
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