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  1. Gary Martin

    LIVE from the Camino Do not climb over this fence

    I grew up working with livestock in cattle country. The general rule is if a gate is closed ,close it behind you and if it gate is open, leave it that way. it’s very important to do that. I think the occasional inconveniently locked gate is usually because the clueless pilgrims have let the cows...
  2. Gary Martin

    Any Advice about how to strengthen my knees for down hills.

    Billy , I see that you’re in the last half of your 70s and you’re still putting miles behind you in interesting places. We’re both lucky to be able to do that. I see that you’ve been given lots of advice, so I won’t add to it but here’s a couple of things that are working for me. I find that...
  3. Gary Martin

    What is the best app to learn some Spanish for the Camino? Thanks

    I don’t have a talent for language But Pinsleur actually got me talking. The pronunciation training is excellent and the beginning vocabulary is usable. I like to practice while walking on a local trail. I use earphones but practice the required responses at full volume. I argue with the...
  4. Gary Martin

    Altus Poncho/Rain Coat

    My wife is pretty handy with a sewing machine. She took three frogtog ponchos and converted them into two raincoats similar to the Altus. The ponchos were about US$13 apiece at the time. She added a zipper and pocket to the front and removed excess fabric when she sewed the sides together. The...
  5. Gary Martin

    Best travel insurance

    My wife and I did have a claim with Allianz because of an extended stay in Mexico due to Covid. After many months of constant communication with my wife, an expert Washington state bureaucrat, they reluctantly paid. One of their many objections was that our documentation proving medical expenses...
  6. Gary Martin

    Do I need a sleeping bag or liner?

    This is what I’m using now to save a few ounces but It’s probably more trouble than it’s worth. I acquired a down lap blanket. The seams are sewn through and it cost less than $20 US. I sewed the bottom half onto a box shape and the top came about to my armpits. When I combine this with a puffy...
  7. Gary Martin

    Camino de Madrid

    I crossed in late April 2022 and encountered a late snowstorm. I took the steeper route on the climb and route finding was a bit of a challenge. There was about a foot and a half of snow at the top. the walk down. The north side side was easy.
  8. Gary Martin

    I've walked the Camino in barefoot shoes

    For my last two Caminos ( 650 and 800 miles) I wore Witten trail runners. I found them much more secure, and more comfortable than the Altus that I had been wearing previously and they were a fraction of the price. The two roughest days were the pass north of Madrid in a foot and a half of snow...
  9. Gary Martin

    Dealing with Vertigo: Seeking Solutions for Balance Issues

    I had the same problem many years ago. For me a large dose of ginger would stop the spinning. any form would work, but the crystallize ginger was the most pleasant to eat. I think it’s worth a try. Good luck. Gary
  10. Gary Martin

    Camino route mid November -> mid December

    I walked theSan Salvador last spring and liked it very much but don’t underestimate it. There are parts of the San Salvador where an unexpected snow could easily kill you. The route Napoleon is by comparison a piece of cake.
  11. Gary Martin

    Can you Jack Reacher the Camino??

    In fact the Jack, Reacher. method and pilgrim packing, seem exactly the same. Discard your preconceived packing habits, Ignore social pressure, and just put what you really need in your pocket or in your pack. I think I remember reacher doing a ATMlsh thing with a bank account.
  12. Gary Martin

    Policia and Pilgrims

    In the early 90s, I was in Madrid to visit a student who had lived with us while taking an immersion English course at our local college. When we were walking on the street, I would smile or greet the policemen that we met, and my greeting was always returned with a suspicious or hostile look...
  13. Gary Martin

    Christmas on the Baztan/CF

    Hi I have walked the Baztan twice and it’s one of my favorites. When I was walking last May we were always able to find lodging but more often than not we were the only occupants. I am an enthusiastic wild camper but my walking partner was not. I am thinking that in December there would be...
  14. Gary Martin

    Rude bicyclists?

    Last month on the Camino Madrid I walked on a shared bicycle pedestrian path where pedestrians were instructed to walk on the left half and bicyclist were asked do use the right half. This worked surprisingly well as when the bicyclist met pedestrians they had to change lanes and make a passing...
  15. Gary Martin

    Bed race on the Madrid?

    I’m on the Camino Madrid right now about 2/3 of the way to The Frances. All the open Alburges have had beds available but not everything is open. I think the Camino Madrid might be underrated. Gary
  16. Gary Martin

    LIVE from the Camino Camping in France

    Thanks for the heads up on the European bike routes. I have never noticed these before. I have camped quite a lot hiking in Europe. I have only walked in southern France but found it very easy to camp there. I much prefer a bivy bag to a tent though. There’s a bit of a learning curve but in...
  17. Gary Martin

    Towel - Help!

    I use exactly the same system but with an old cotton bandanna rather than a cycling cap. I find endless ways to use the bandana, from a fashion statement to tying on hat in a genuine hundred kilometer breeze on the GR10 in the Pyrenees.
  18. Gary Martin

    Cash and credit cards on the camino...

    You got this right and it’s super important. Be careful to always insist on paying the local currency when making a purchase. A similar situation can come up when you are using a ATM. Recently in Mexico I was offered an exchange rate and Ask if I would accept that rate. The rate that was...
  19. Gary Martin

    Via Piamonte in September/October 2021???

    Hi John Sorry about that. My computer skills are not what they should be. I walked part of your proposed route about seven years ago and liked it very much. I attempted to send a note but when I checked later the text had all mysteriously disappeared. I’ll try to remember the parts you might...
  20. Gary Martin

    Via Piamonte in September/October 2021???

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