BROWNCOUNTYBOB
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances: 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021
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@simply B , I am pleased to read the report by @marylynn
On the other hand I am one whose feet seem to slip and slide on the type of surface presented by that descent.
Were I back on that route this is what I would now do.
1) at the summit of Alto-del-Perdon turn right on to the road;
2) down the hill (2 km) past the dozen or so windmills;
3) at the foot take the foothills road to my left (NA1110)
4) after 1 km or so take the left (NA6016) towards Uterga
5) continue nearly 4 km (passing under the Autostrada) to Uterga
This compares with 4 km on the "official" route. Most probably not as scenic as @marylynn description.
kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)
Thanks for this part!!... I wear boots/walking shoes with a wide toe block
I'm three for three regarding black toes on my right foot and during our last camino, and I earned a black toe on my left foot (so four black toes during three caminos). I'm pretty sure these were developed either during the first day with the descents into Roncesvalles or three days later during the wicked, rocky downhill hike from Alto de Perdon into Uterga.
Bob, it may be that you need to be aware of your walking technique and possibly change it.I went for a pedicure to trim my toe nails and scrub / exfoliate the bottoms of my feet prior to our third camino. Did not improve, in fact, it was worse. The first and second caminos, I developed one black toe on my right foot. During our third (after the pedicures), I developed black toes on both big toes and the adjacent toes - four total! I lost the nails on all four toes. And I wear sock liners and merino wool. What works for you may not work for me ! ! This time I have toe caps, lots of lambs wool, and foot glide. Hopefully the alternate route will help. If not, I can endure. Bob
Yip, that was awful. Only small blister I had was from this part.But from El Acebo down to Molinaseca!
Urggg. hardest part of the CF for me.
Totally wrecks my feet and shins
My penny's worth is..... I rubbed Vicks Vapo rub onto my feet every night on The Frances just before getting in sleeping bag. 32 nights worth and used a whole jar. No blisters or scaly feet. My toes stayed in one piece as I wore 2 pairs socks. Always used my poles. And on the Camino was wearing an unbroken in pair of Hunting Shoes from Decathalon costing 19euros! My son had locked my original walk shoes in house and gone to Poland for 6 weeks. Bon Camino and Kia Kaha from N Z.I have also suffered this indignity.
My work around has several components:
1) wear running shoes with a flexible, open weave upper;
2) wear running shows that are several sizes larger than my street shoes
3) wear XL sized hose (knee length)
For me, I find the more foot length of the socks/hose fills up the space quite nicely.
I should also explain that I have wide feet but not particularly long. So the longer size gives me the extra width I desire.
From what is available locally I have found New Balance model 860 gives the flexible upper and assists in minimising foot pronation (rolling).
On a steep descent (or ascent) with a wide pathway, zig-zagging can help get to the other end, but may not prevent black toes.
Three more steep descents are:
a) coming down into Molinaseca (just before Ponferrada)
b) shortly after Fonfria (before Tricastella) over smooth rocky outcrop in places
c) coming down into Portomarin
There may be others.
@BROWNCOUNTYBOB, kia kaha (take care, be strong).
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