Try sandals. I just walked from Gibraltar to Muxía in a pair of Keen Newport H2 sandals. Never hot and wet sweaty. Waterproof will just leave feet hot and wet from sweat all the time.
Find a laundromat and use the drier at high setting, 30 minutes. Bedbugs are more likely in your sleeping bag and pack than in your clothing. I’d hate to think the mess (melting and burning) of putting fabric with synthetics in a microwave, not to mention that stuff not fitting in a microwave...
I’ve never used on and don’t plan on using one. In my opinion, they look like torture devices. If I were not able to shoulder a full pack, I would look into luggage service (and pare down belongings).
Some random recollections and thoughts:
I walked the Serrana this spring (third week of April) on the way to Muxía. You are correct about solitude; I saw one other hiker. One day was brutal cold and windy on the plains. Two nice canyons to walk through north of El Colmenar. A train runs along...
As you walk, take note of flyers posted along the route that advertise lodging. I rented a complete apartment in a
Torrenieri for 20 euro. Very nice.
I walked by the bridge hostel in Ponte a Cappiano several times while living in Tuscany. My only experience with it, when I walked the Via in...
Living and working in half dozen countries disabused me of having so much “stuff.” And then I took to long-distance walking. 6000 miles later, even less “stuff.” My wife said what I have left is mostly fit for the dumpster. 🦄
Ask via email if you can pay by Apple Cash or other phone payment. Worth a try. Or just mail them euros if you brought some home and the bill isn’t much. Just thinking out lot.
I kept a notebook journal, but haven’t published it. Let me know if you would be interested in a recap (food & water situation, closed hostels, bedbugs, weather, nice towns, etc) or have questions.
cbacino at gmail.com.
Craig
I walked Gibraltar to Muxía, mid-April to late May. I found that carrying food for at least one meal was prudent. Sometimes breakfast was available early morning, but most often not, especially mid-section of the Via and Sanabrés. Bars and grocers yet to open at 9 or 10 am. The guide may show...
Credit card. I’ve taken to paying with a credit card via a phone tap when possible. From what I understand, the credit card number is not transferred, making it safer.
Loaded credit cards? Credit cards don't need to be loaded. They extend credit. Sounds like you used some kind of pre-pay debit card, which may work only in country where issued.
I have a backpacking umbrella I paid $35-40 while on the Appalachian Trail. I had it on the Norte in June 2018 but mailed it home and bought a large cheap umbrella in Irún for more coverage. If you think rain will be moderate, go for a smaller, lightweight backpacking umbrella; otherwise for...
May I suggest that you don’t need boots to hike any Camino. They’re overkill, heavy, and blister factories. I walked Paris-Norte-Primitivo, 2018, in trainers, and Gibraltar-Muxía in Keen sandals, 2022 - feet never sweaty.
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