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14 days to Santiago...

Minkey

Active Member
I should probably know this by now, but for some reason, today, I'm suffering from a terrible, terrible mental block!!

Leon to Santiago - Can't you do it in 2 weeks? I think you can, but I really can't remember.. I'm asking on behalf of a pilgrim friend of mine I met last year.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
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Hola peregrino,
It is about 312 km from Leon to Santiago so 14 days would mean walking about 22kms per day.
 
I did it in 15 days in August with very relaxed 14-22km days, so within 2 weeks is easily do-able. My other half is doing it (easily) right now as a matter of fact!
 
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I have just checked my diary and I did it in 11 days last summer!

Wolverine, I think I'll be having a year off this year!
 
Aw, Minkey. :( Do you remember where you stopped each night? I'm trying to work out my itinerary right now, taking into account the fact that I don't do well on ascents, so it will take me 2 days to do O'Cebreiro. :)

Kelly
 
Hi Kelly,
We didn't stop at O'Cebreiro last time. We stayed at La Faba (there are two albergues there) and then on to Triacastela the next day stopping to have breakfast at O'Cebreiro. If you don't do hills well then it will help to break the climb by staying at La Faba. The German run albergue is clean and well run. The Refugio Vegetariano (about 10 places in the loft) is owned by a German Hippie and is quite atmospheric with its incense and eastern jewellery.
 

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Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

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The other place in La Faba isn't bad either, just by the church, although I too have heard nice things about this new one (with teepees to boot!)

I decided to stay in O Cebriero last time and didn't find it as bad as I'd expected. Triacastella is also nice, then onwards via Samos is beautiful.
 
The German albergue was established by a veteran pilgrim who was once lost in a snow blizzard whilst crossing the Pyrenees. He promised God that he would establish a refuge for pilgrims if he was saved. He raised money for the albergue and his non-profit organisation also renovated the church. You can read more about it here http://www.lafaba.de/)
The statue of a pilgrim that welcomes you as you arrive was donated by Diane Duchess of Württemberg, born Princess of France. (See her works here http://www.ddiane.de/)
The founder offered free accommodation to any pilgrim who could recite a poem or sing a song from Baden-Württemberg. (He passed away in 2006).
 

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I never knew that... That's the place I stopped at the year before last when I had stomach ache. Very accommodating.
 
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I think it's worth getting the best part of that (horrible, horrible) hill done with, so you're fresh for a nice chilled out stroll downhill the day after. That's what I reckon anyway!
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Hi Kelly,
The incline isn't severe - it's a longish drag to a bump in the path. I found going down the other side far more taxing as it is like walking downhill in a river bed with no respite from round pebbles and boulders - ankle snapping stuff. The view from the top is stunning. Looking back you can see Pamplona in wide, flat plain and on the other side you can see little pueblos and almost to Estella in the distance.
 
I doubt it Kelly... it is much easier than the descent from the Alto. The views even more glorious.
Look Up as much as you can. We get to looking at our feet so much to watch where we're stepping that one forgets to look at the surroundings. Also, look back to where you have been.... from that backwards glance/angle is like seeing a new place. Take it is you like. :wink:

19 days to go,
Lillian
 
Coming down ain't the problem!

I've always found that last bit before O Cebreiro really tough, the bit along the road.
 
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Erm... In my opinion, the climb is the worst on the Camino. It's rocky all the way to La Faba, and then some, then you've got a horrible bit on the road. My advice - Be prepared to sweat like you've never sweated before!

Downhill wise, there are few downhills that are as difficult as the one from Alto del Perdon. There's only one that springs to mind and it's going down from Cruz de Ferro to El Acebo, but it's not quite that bad...
 
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Well guys, now that I am one month and a half from starting my Camino, I find all these lovely :oops: :oops: impressions from all the seasoned peregrinos whose posts I have always looked forward to reading!! :D :D :D OK, I'll have to increase my walkings and exercises and review my expectations about the difficulties of the Camino that somehow I thought were more frequent in the Pyrinees and O Cebreiro... Anyway, seriously now, thank you for all your help and prompt responses regarding our fears and lack of knowledge. Hope to meet some of you along the way. Regards, Sumachado.
 
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IMO the climb is not as bad as Minkey recalls. My 60+ yo wife, just over 9 months from her 2nd total knee replacement, made it without any great difficulty.
 
Kelly I walked on the road the first time because it was sheeting down with rain and visibility was almost nil and the CSJ guide advised walkers to take the cyclist's route in bad weather. It is a long (longer than the path), winding way up but not as arduous as the path. However, if it is a beautiful day and if you are feeling full of vooma - take the path - it is very beautiful and you will be able to stay at La Faba on the way up. You will have all day to get there so just take it slow and rest when you need to. I found O'Cebrerio very touristy - it is a listed village and is on the route of every touring bus in Spain. In 2004 we just stopped for breakfast and that is what we did last year too.
When you go down to Tricastela you could take the road route. The path leaves and rejoins the road continuously and this means tumbling down into the valley and climbing back up to the road. I found that walk very strenuous in the heat of the day.
 

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Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Well I think it's bad because it's so drawn out... admittedly, I do tend to walk rather quickly, but as I remember, it was bad... and I've done it a few times as well!
 
"O'Cebrerio very touristy", that is true but If I remember right, there is a hotel on top with a nice restaurant and bar. I remember sitting outside the restaurant in the warm sun and having a gin and tonic with a great view and good friendly conversation, very joy filled. The refugio wasn't my favorite, but not the most challenging by any means.
 
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