10 days and counting

[Mormon]

I've spent the last four years planning our Camino (my husband and I) and now it's here. We fly into Paris on August 16 and spend the first night in Orisson on August 18. I just wanted to say hi; I look forward to sharing the Camino with whoever will be there with us.

Over the last four years, I've read every word in every post on this forum. I am grateful for the sharing of those with experience and the opinions and questions of novices. I've had all the debates in my head and have decided on light sleeping bag rather than a liner, walking shoes (Merrill Moab Ventilators) and sandals (Chacos), light-weight wool socks and polypro liners, a hiking skirt rather than pants, trekking poles rather than a walking stick, and not to bring coffee making supplies (it is a pilgrimage after all). I've walked hundreds of training miles, many with my pack. My bag (Gregory Deva 60) is packed and weighs 8.2kg.

I'm ready. And now I wait. This may be the hardest part!

 

[Davey Boyd]

Welcome Mormon!

You are going to love the Camino I am sure! And yes the hardest part is the last minute waiting!

Buen Camino
Davey

 

[gerardcarey]

Woohoo!
Not long now cobber. Best of luck!
Just one thing about weight.
I could have sworn I heard a lot of pilgrim ladies saying what a drag bringing a husband was.
If he's not essential, and many apparently are not, consider leaving him at home!
Regards and Buen Camino (to you both),
Gerard

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome! I hope you both have a wonderful Camino and it is everything you hope for and everything you need.

Buen Camino!

 

[Waka]

The last few days of waiting are always the worst, when you get there and start the excitement will be overwhelming. Just remember to take it easy and go with the flow, your journey ahead is amazing.

Buen Camino

 

[Al the optimist]

Great news. I wish you both Buen Camino. Only 9 days now then?
I have to say that I experienced a lot of pain on my Caminos this year, often thinking I would not go again. But you know how it is one you have been bitten....? It is like love. You can't explain it and your love comes first!

 

[CaminoKentucky]

Have a wonderful time! So happy for you. You will always remember your first time on the camino!

 

[JillGat]

I brought Chaco sandals as my back ups, and ended up walking almost all of the Camino in them. Good choice!

 

[NualaOC]

Buen Camino to you both! Wishing you a very memorable journey together.

 

[Mormon]

I brought Chaco sandals as my back ups, and ended up walking almost all of the Camino in them. Good choice!

I've hiked many a mile in my Chacos. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up being my primary hiking shoes as well.

 

[JillGat]

I've hiked many a mile in my Chacos. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up being my primary hiking shoes as well.

I noticed the picture of the authors on the last page of the Village to Village Guide to Hiking the Camino de Santiago (Anna Dintaman and David Landis) showed them wearing Chacos. I wrote and asked them about it, and they said they've walked three full Caminos and many other long walks in nothing but Chaco sandals.

 

[Mormon]

I noticed the picture of the authors on the last page of the Village to Village Guide to Hiking the Camino de Santiago (Anna Dintaman and David Landis) showed them wearing Chacos. I wrote and asked them about it, and they said they've walked three full Caminos and many other long walks in nothing but Chaco sandals.

Have you worn them in the rain? I have been thinking they would be better in rain and mud than my walking shoes, would clean up easier and dry more quickly. Our Camino will be mid-August through September so it won't be that cold. I figure if it's cold in the rain I could just add socks. They're wool and will be warm even if wet. Anyway, that's my current theory. We'll see if reality measures up. Two days and counting!

 

[JillGat]

Have you worn them in the rain? I have been thinking they would be better in rain and mud than my walking shoes, would clean up easier and dry more quickly. Our Camino will be mid-August through September so it won't be that cold. I figure if it's cold in the rain I could just add socks. They're wool and will be warm even if wet. Anyway, that's my current theory. We'll see if reality measures up. Two days and counting!

Yes, I wore them in the rain. It wasn't that cold and it was definitely easier to clean up than socks and boots. Occasionally I added socks in the morning if it was cold.
I wore Chacos in the rain
Yes, I wore them all through Spain!
I'd wear chacos with a fox
I would wear them in a box.
(etc.)

 

[MTtoCamino]

You will find them used a lot in the wilderness areas here in the state as most canyons have multiple water crossings. The soles are thick & have good traction my wife hikes in them a lot. I don't care for them due to the strapping around the big toe. But they are a very good hiking sandal. My questions is the part of the Camino that has the tiny black gravel that is very sharp. My wife rarely gets rocks caught in them but that stuff is like rough glass.

 

[Mormon]

I don't care for them due to the strapping around the big toe.

There are several styles of Chacos. Mine don't have the strap around the big toe...I like to be able to wear socks if it is cool.

 

[JillGat]

You will find them used a lot in the wilderness areas here in the state as most canyons have multiple water crossings. The soles are thick & have good traction my wife hikes in them a lot. I don't care for them due to the strapping around the big toe. But they are a very good hiking sandal. My questions is the part of the Camino that has the tiny black gravel that is very sharp. My wife rarely gets rocks caught in them but that stuff is like rough glass.

My Chacos don't have a toe strap, either. Most people I see wearing them on the trail wear the ones without the toe strap. Re. the sharp pebbles... theoretically that should be a problem with hiking in sandals. As your wife found, it's rarely an issue. About once a kilometer I get a pebble in my sandal and it's easy to flip out.

 

[MTtoCamino]

My Chacos don't have a toe strap, either. Most people I see wearing them on the trail wear the ones without the toe strap. Re. the sharp pebbles... theoretically that should be a problem with hiking in sandals. As your wife found, it's rarely an issue. About once a kilometer I get a pebble in my sandal and it's easy to flip out.

Yes they are remarkable for the stones rarely staying, my theory is due to the thickness of the sole they are much better than average hiking sandals. I have tried my Keens, terrible for stone retention comfortable enough but my heels get so dried out they bleed. I wonder if socks & sandals combined will make that issue go away. The other thing with sandals my wife broke her foot in chacos not on any trail but simply walking our grandchildren to the park. I wonder how often people actually break a foot while walking. I think people break a foot in boots as well. But it's a crap shoot our bodies are all different,
For the Camino I would have to do my 20 mile test before I could trust any shoe.
I ramble on..