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  1. cherrys

    Help! Pack too heavy! — CF Sept & Oct — Senior Woman

    Hi Thyme. I’m not sure how to do this but I live really near you in Ballston Spa and am thinking of going back on the Camino in September. Can you message me? I’d love to talk to you. Thanks, Cherry
  2. cherrys

    Recommendation - Keeping Back Pack Dry

    Sandals - the rain just pours out and you don’t have to avoid huge puddles and lakes!
  3. cherrys

    Cycling sleeves for walking

    Hi - instead of a fleece jacket I take a fleece vest and fleece sleeves I made myself. Worked great as I had more flexibility. I used them both on the Frances last fall and the Norte/Primativo this spring. My husband uses the cut off legs of women's fleecey tights he bought in Astorga for E3...
  4. cherrys

    Sandals and rain ? Do I wear socks..... Portugues in two week's time !

    On the Norte/Primativo mid April-early June I wore sandals the entire way. I wore a lite sock most of the time, but also had merino wool socks if it was colder. I doubled the thin and the merino on some cold or wet days, and only one horribly wet and cold day did my feet feel a bit cold, but...
  5. cherrys

    Walking Poles

    I have been hiking and rock climbing most of my life, never using poles (I'm now 71). After reading posts here I bought some for my first camino, and don't think I could have completed it without them (serious shin splints). They came on my second, helped take the weight off my foot while...
  6. cherrys

    Sandals...

    I took the Xero sandals with me last fall, walked to the rough bit at the top of the Pyrenees in them, several other sections, and certainly around cities and in the evening. They were great. I go barefoot in the shower, just watch where I put my feet if it's sketchy. They may make another...
  7. cherrys

    Hiking shoes/boots versus trail runners on the Norte/Primativo

    Hi - thanks to all of you who responded. After an ice storm, no power briefly, and then shoveling 2" of slushy ice in my "boots of Spanish Gortex" I can finally sit down (although it is again snowing huge flakes on top of the ice that was left, so more shoveling tomorrow). I can't wait for...
  8. cherrys

    Hiking shoes/boots versus trail runners on the Norte/Primativo

    Hi - The first time I started out with well worn in Vasque hiking boots, medium weight I would say, as that was all I'd ever hiked in (not those particular boots, but others like them), in New England, Colorado, California, BC, France, Switzerland and Ireland. They fell apart coming into...
  9. cherrys

    Hiking shoes/boots versus trail runners on the Norte/Primativo

    Hi I've done the CF in boots, then last year in trail runners, which were fine. Now, miraculously, we're headed back to Spain to do the Norte and probably Primativo, April 19-June5. Tickets were booked watching the inauguartion (I had to do something to cheer us up). I'm thinking we want...
  10. cherrys

    Hat recommendations for a first-time Camino pilgrim

    As one of the "can't stand hats" people" I took a sun visor with me last time along with a piece of lace the size of a bandana. I figured that let air in and gave me some shade. Worked ok until I left it somewhere. So I will be taking that combo again in September, but also just added one of...
  11. cherrys

    SIM cards, Viber and electronic Camino guides

    Thanks to all you knowledgeable techies above for the info. I kept my Iphone on airplane mode last time, with data turned off, and used Viber to upload all pics back to my family as well as talk to them. Worked great. I'm hopefully heading back in Sept so will review all this then. Thanks...
  12. cherrys

    Cushions for pack straps?

    Hi - I took one of the super fast drying soft towels from BB&B, cut it down to size to wrap around my padded shoulder straps. It made it a lot softer and more comfortable. They wrapped around and attached with velcro, then I added a small mesh pocket to one to carry my IPhone in (it was my...
  13. cherrys

    Help documenting journey

    You're welcome. I've used it to stay in touch with camino friends in Australia too, when they went back on the camino a year later. And this spring, over in Ireland, I again used it as the primary source of staying in touch with family at home. All you need is wifi, which is becoming more and...
  14. cherrys

    Help documenting journey

    Another simple option if both you and your mother have smart phones is to download the free app Viber. I used that two years ago with my iphone, uploaded 20-30 pictures just about every night to a group of family and friends. I didn't send or take too many videos though. Like you I worried...
  15. cherrys

    No really, how do I optimize my pack?

    I like the idea of a drawstring at the bottom. I tend to kick things off during the night, so I might incorporate that idea into the "bag" I'm planning to make before my next camino. I've been sewing professionally for years (outdoor gear, quilts, clothing) so now have quite a few ideas to...
  16. cherrys

    Should I Give My 2nd Pair of Boots "The Boot?"

    By the way, just curious, but does the moniker DeadFred come from Spamalot??? Because that's the song that has been stuck in my head the whole time reading this post!
  17. cherrys

    Should I Give My 2nd Pair of Boots "The Boot?"

    Ok - ditch flashlight or headlight or both. I used just the illumination from my iphone, could have gotten the flashlight app if I'd wanted it, never felt the need. But then I refused to leave in the middle of the night - I wanted to enjoy what I came to see, and my phone worked fine for...
  18. cherrys

    Walking Sandals???

    I walked 5 Sept - 16 Oct. mostly in boots, but wore my hiking sandals on flatter stretches. I really wish I had worn them more - they give your feet a chance to bend and wiggle around more, as well as breathe. I've since bought a lighter, lower pair of hiking shoes, and plan on alternating...
  19. cherrys

    To take a sleeping bag or not?

    Hi - I started Sept. 5 last year, and although had great weather for most of the trip, was glad on several nights I had a lightweight down mummy bag loaned by a friend. Several nights I kicked it off, though. I also took a very lightweight "sheet" as I sweat in a nylon bag, and that worked...
  20. cherrys

    Struggling with Boots

    Hi - it's good to hear someone with medical training weigh in on all of this. Out of more than idle curiosity, do you agree with obinjatoo's comment that wearing a stiff boot can potentially lead to more problems? That was my analysis too after my walk - my feet were constantly really swollen...

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