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Can those be bought at the pilgrim shop in SJPP?I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
You don't need specialty underpants for the Camino. I'd recommend ones that dry quickly and are very comfortable. As someone pointed out on another thread, most of us wash our underwear daily so a bit of dried urine should not be a concern.Can those be bought at the pilgrim shop in SJPP?
Via Podiensis last June, hardly any tissues and there were lots of female pilgrims. Does this speak to the class of pilgrims on the two routes.
Why not start a list here of the most important do’s and dont’s
It already takes only a minor effort for any newcomer to learn about those do's and don'ts from threads that are daily updated on this forum.I offer myself to write down your suggestions and retype then all and repost to get a majority consensus and go from there...
I don't know. I think once a few people were fined, some might smarten up.Unfortunately though a littering law on caminos would be so challenging and costly to enforce.
I’d rather not do that. I’m one person and the list would be too subjective and not a good representation of all the experienced people participating in this forum. In the meantime I’ll do my part to be considerate of others and the Spanish countryside while on the Camino.It already takes only a minor effort for any newcomer to learn about those do's and don'ts from threads that are daily updated on this forum.
I think you would be surprised about the difficulty in achieving consensus on a useful description of most of those do's and don'ts. It would be reduced to "be considerate of others", which is good advice when given by parents to their children, or even by adults in a personal conversation, but not very effective as a list of rules for inconsiderate people.
You could create the first draft of a list and post it in a new thread, for people to comment on. Use a catchy heading like "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for New Pilgrims" that might be used in the Search function. If the thread gets regular responses, it will stay up on the visible list of posts.
I’m not sure. Maybe if you try the outdoor shop close to the pilgrim office. They might have something similar.Can those be bought at the pilgrim shop in SJPP?
Sadly the white splotches are definitely tissue. Petals would be beautiful and also not stay around for months.One of my most enduring memories of walking the Vdlp was seeing all sorts of white splotches on the ground and realizing that they were NOT toilet paper but rather dropped petals of the lovely jara flower.
I had never through hiked previous to my first Camino, and I made damn sure I had my baggie dedicated for used toilet paper. I’m currently doing the same on the Le Puy.I think it is not a matter of class per se, but more one of "cultural capital" -- a somewhat more nuanced concept. I suspect that the CF feels easier as a place to go adventuring for those who have *never* through-hiked so far as the local grocery store. It just does not occur to *enough* people that they should take a baggie for used tissues...
And so, there they are, soiled tissues, and no place to put them. Others have dropped them there, and so they do the same.
Those with more experience are more likely to go on less trodden paths (so already there is a reason for the reduction of waste: it's simply less travelled), and they are more likely to have learned to take a baggie for their tissues.
Of course, I also wish that pilgrims would not simply chuck their food waste, bottles with the remains of sweet drinks, and peels, by the path -- for one thing it draws creature to roadways, where many of them meet unkind deaths.
I had never through hiked previous to my first Camino, and I made damn sure I had my baggie dedicated for used toilet paper. I’m currently doing the same on the Le Puy.
I’ve been thinking about the “tissue issue” as I approach Spain. Something has to be done. A go fund me to increase signage?
For heavens sake, since when has urine become a toxic substance.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
And he was probably just trying to ditch some weight!!!I don't know. I think once a few people were fined, some might smarten up.
I loved the video of the man who dumped the refrigerator over the side of a cliff and the police made him drag it up and fined him!
I did via Podiensis in August 2018, it was just as littered with toilet tissues as CF!!! More so in some places. This was my ‘b(l)og’, if you can forgive the punVia Podiensis last June, hardly any tissues and there were lots of female pilgrims. Does this speak to the class of pilgrims on the two routes.
Agreed!!! But hard to implement with so few public loos.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Maybe not the class but probably the bladders!Via Podiensis last June, hardly any tissues and there were lots of female pilgrims. Does this speak to the class of pilgrims on the two routes.
I did UK’s South West Coast Path (about 700 k of it) in July-August. Far fewer through hikers on it compared to the Camino and most stretches have more villages/beach cafes along the way. But still on the lonelier stretches there was some loo paper. I guess, the paper breaks down quickly enough. Given the range of environmental damage going on around us, a bit of loo paper beside a walking track is not too bad?For heavens sake, since when has urine become a toxic substance.
Pee
Wiggle
Wipe
And put the tissue back in ones pocket....don't even bother with the plastic bag!!
Otherwise if that's too much for ones sensitivity just put the tissue in the husbands pocket!!
Some people even drink the stuff...and it's even been recommended in the treatment of open wounds from time immemorial!
Urine isn't sterile but then neither is water so I wouldn't recommend either of the above
We walked in the lake district in the UK a few weeks ago.......plenty of people.....never saw a pee tissue or indeed any kind of litter.
It was impressive to see......or not to see!!!
Best wishes
Annette
I did UK’s South West Coast Path (about 700 k of it) in July-August. Far fewer through hikers on it compared to the Camino and most stretches have more villages/beach cafes along the way. But still on the lonelier stretches there was some loo paper. I guess, the paper breaks down quickly enough. But you are right, given the range of environmental damage going on around us, a bit of loo paper beside a walking track is not too bad?For heavens sake, since when has urine become a toxic substance.
Pee
Wiggle
Wipe
And put the tissue back in ones pocket....don't even bother with the plastic bag!!
Otherwise if that's too much for ones sensitivity just put the tissue in the husbands pocket!!
Some people even drink the stuff...and it's even been recommended in the treatment of open wounds from time immemorial!
Urine isn't sterile but then neither is water so I wouldn't recommend either of the above
We walked in the lake district in the UK a few weeks ago.......plenty of people.....never saw a pee tissue or indeed any kind of litter.
It was impressive to see......or not to see!!!
Best wishes
Annette
I guess, the paper breaks down quickly enough.
Pretty awful to see actuallyI think it can take up to 3 years.
And for me, that's not the point.
It would be nice if people were responsible and carried out their trash, including TP.
It's not a very nice thing to see or do.
sorry I know you weren’t broad brushing newbies. And you’re right, it is a minority who toss tissuesIt's Venn diagram that I proposed. I did not say that all novice walkers would dispose of tissue, only that they are more likely...
And... even with the amount out there, which is... you know, repulsive, and inconsiderate... it is still nothing like the majority of walkers (I can't even imagine if every single pilgrim of the1500-2000 per day who walk into SdC left TP behind, but it would certainly be a mountain.
So much as we rail and moan and are embarrassed by fellow walkers who can be so cavalier... it would do us well to remember it's a minority.
There are *many* people who go out on Camino without much knowledge *at all*. Think of those who arrive thinking they will wild camp their way across Spain, for example. They have not even bothered to find out the law of the land... but again, they are in a willfully naive minority.
As a man I was wondering how to bring this subject up. Today on the Ingles I couldn't help but notice the wee stops en route. These were marked by wipes left in the beautiful countryside by, dare I say lady Pilgrims. Wouldn't it it be better for the environment to use paper and let it biodegrade. Wipes apparently don't. Surely ladies could carry a spare plastic bag to put their tissues in and dispose of them in the nearest bin. I'm sorry to single out the ladies and I do apologise. But it's easier for us men I agree. Today on the Ingles at a fuente near the motorway on the way into Sigueiro We encountered a large deposit of wipes 21 STEPS FROM A BIN. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE. All Caminos need protecting from complacency that someone else will clean up after us. We are the US and we must clean up after ourselves. Buen Camino.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Regular toilet paper can take between one to three years to decompose outdoors. Even with all the elements. Biodégradable toilet paper is better of course but you would still see it littered everywhere which would be unpleasant for all. As many have stated: just pick it up. Unless the Tourism bureaus decide to educate the public and have zero tolerance policy, things will get worse before anything changes. I don’t think forum members are the problem at large. PS you don’t need to apologize for commenting. Men are visually just as impacted.As a man I was wondering how to bring this subject up. Today on the Ingles I couldn't help but notice the wee stops en route. These were marked by wipes left in the beautiful countryside by, dare I say lady Pilgrims. Wouldn't it it be better for the environment to use paper and let it biodegrade. Wipes apparently don't. Surely ladies could carry a spare plastic bag to put their tissues in and dispose of them in the nearest bin. I'm sorry to single out the ladies and I do apologise. But it's easier for us men I agree. Today on the Ingles at a fuente near the motorway on the way into Sigueiro We encountered a large deposit of wipes 21 STEPS FROM A BIN. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE. All Caminos need protecting from complacency that someone else will clean up after us. We are the US and we must clean up after ourselves. Buen Camino.
Well, that's what I do. It's no issue at all!Surely ladies could carry a spare plastic bag to put their tissues in and dispose of them in the nearest bin.
Unless the Tourism bureaus decide to educate the public
The fact that it excites so many comments on this forum is strong evidence that many people find it antagonising, for all sorts of reasons.I did UK’s South West Coast Path (about 700 k of it) in July-August. Far fewer through hikers on it compared to the Camino and most stretches have more villages/beach cafes along the way. But still on the lonelier stretches there was some loo paper. I guess, the paper breaks down quickly enough. But you are right, given the range of environmental damage going on around us, a bit of loo paper beside a walking track is not too bad?
I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
I’m on the camino now and see the tissue as wellI am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Buen Camino.I’m on the camino now and see the tissue as wellthx for posting
Thank you!! I will look out for this when I reach Sarria. It would be wonderful if I didn’t find any.We have been picking up trash. Tissues, candy and bar wrappers, soda cans, and toilet paper. Filled six bags in an hour! Please respect the landowners and other pilgrims by taking your trash with you. A Spanish man stopped and took our picture and then thanked us for doing what most pilgrims do not. Correos is handing out bags in Sarria hoping pilgrims will pick up the trash they see. Wouldn’t it b3 wonderful if there was none to find?
My female friends and I are almost finished hiking the Camino. We have loved all of it and have marveled at all it has to offer. But we also have been very upset about the toilet paper tissue litter along the way. Leave no trace!I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Ditto on the coastal Portugues. I was shocked repeatedly that people left ‘white dumplings’ all through that Camino. I always bag my tp and hope others will do so. Don’t want to disrespect Mother Earth.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Another good option but watch where the panty liners get deposited. Probably more comfortable not to bother with them.I strongly agree. We can also wear panty liners which can be replaced as needed throughout the day. At the end of each day we all have a place to sleep and to shower. Please pick up the tissue if you use it or use the ideas suggested here. We are all responsible to keep the Camino clean as a sign of respect for the Way, the locals and the environment. Leave no trace and keep the Camino clean.
Less to do with ‘class’, more about one’s upbringing, perhaps?Via Podiensis last June, hardly any tissues and there were lots of female pilgrims. Does this speak to the class of pilgrims on the two routes.
I agree 100% with your observancy of the problem on tissue disposal, wipes being the worst, throughout the Camino Frances, and others too. This is an enormous blot on the landscape of a beautiful, clean country. Due to the lack of bins it has to be the sole responsibility of every pilgrim to dispose of their used tissue in the most hygienic way possible, and it should be natural that everyone would want to do their bit and not have to be reminded of their obligation to do so.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
Excellent idea! Perhaps a polite notice on the wall or window of the pilgrim office in S.J.P.P could be a good start.Would it be too much requesting Albergues (as a start) to remind pilgrims to keep the Camino clean when stamping their passports? Agree with your observations. But It is not only toilet papers; I have seen plastic bottles/ bags, used gauze, soda cans, energy bar wrappers and shoes!!! Who do you think would pick up and repair a broken pair of shoes in the middle of nowhere?
I agree, I saw much more toilet paper in the last 100km. Unless you have a weak bladder, there is almost no need to go in the bushes. There are cafes etc every 3km. I realized you don't need to carry so much water on you. Maybe 16oz or less except for a few longer stretches. Then you stop in a bar etc and either pay the 1€ fee to use their toilet, or buy a cheap drink. If you're too cheap or in a rush to stop, then drip dry. You're supposed to bury tissues/feces but apparently nobody does. I'm sure the farmers don't like seeing this.I am currently walking the Camino for the second time from SJPP and just stopped in Los Arcos for the night. I last walked it in 2015. It’s beautiful, glorious but marred by the trail of toilet tissues along the paths and in the bushes. I am shocked and disheartened to see such a terrible trail. We all need to pee but if you use tissue put them in a bag and throw them in a bin. Or do like I do! Wear sports briefs by Pure Lime (other brands are available). Squat, prepare to pee, pee, give a little wiggle pull briefs up. All done! No discomfort, dampness wicked away. No hand washing or wipes required. These sort of briefs wash and dry in no time ready for the next day! I learnt this tip from the forum previously! It works. Please, let’s respect the Camino.
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