- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF Spring 2022
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No part of the Camino Frances is at a high enough altitude to have a significant physiological effect. Even for those who normally live at sea level.
You’ll be fine. You are more prepared now than I have ever been on four trips.
I live at sea-level (Virginia Beach, VA) and have never had any effects in Spain due to elevation.
Buen Camino
If you can comfortably breathe while riding as a passenger on a jet airliner - which keeps cabin pressures equivalent of 5,000 to 7,000 feet elevation - then you will be absolutely fine with walking up to the highest altitude gain out of SJPdP to Roncesvalles via Napoleon.
It's funny - I never even considered that air travel would count as high altitude experience, but of course it wouldThanks so much for what sounds like a quite definitive answer to my question!
Your real worry should be that New Orleans is as flat as a pancake. You will be facing a good stiff ascent your first day out from SJPP, another surprise at Castrojeriz and yet another at O'Cebeira - however, if you have walked the entire distance faithfully, doing your 15-20kl every day, you won't notice anything after SJPP.As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
I walked the French route starting on my 77th birthday Sept 18, 2019. I live in Dallas. I trained the way you described. Had no problem in fact I overtrained. One thing I learned half way up to Orisson was use your poles. i quickly learned the value of them. After 2-3 days you get Camino legs and hills are no problem. Now I only walked 15-20 k per day for the most part but could have walked further. I elected to smell the roses and interact with fellow pilgrims. I started walking @ 7:30-8:00 and walked til @ 2:00 or so. It was an amazing experience and will process it for years to come. Buen CaminoAs part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
I once saw an exponential graph depicting oxygen levels to elevation. Essentially, the curve didn't start steepening until 4000 or 5000 feet. Years ago, the advice was that it took one day for every 1000 feet over 6000 feet to acclimate. You shouldn't experience any difficulties due to altitude.As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
Your real worry should be that New Orleans is as flat as a pancake. You will be facing a good stiff ascent your first day out from SJPP, another surprise at Castrojeriz and yet another at O'Cebeira - however, if you have walked the entire distance faithfully, doing your 15-20kl every day, you won't notice anything after SJPP.
Welcome to the forum! We are also from New Orleans (born & raised). My husband and I walked the Camino Frances from SJPP to SDC in May/June 2019. Altitude was never an issue for us.
I walked the French route starting on my 77th birthday Sept 18, 2019. I live in Dallas. I trained the way you described. Had no problem in fact I overtrained. One thing I learned half way up to Orisson was use your poles. i quickly learned the value of them. After 2-3 days you get Camino legs and hills are no problem. Now I only walked 15-20 k per day for the most part but could have walked further. I elected to smell the roses and interact with fellow pilgrims. I started walking @ 7:30-8:00 and walked til @ 2:00 or so. It was an amazing experience and will process it for years to come. Buen Camino
No effect at all. Walked all my caminos in my late sixties and it never bothered me in the least. Also never walked more than 4 to 5 km at a time while training. Must admit I do have a bit of a hill where I live at about 90 metres but I live at 50 so no big deal. The camino is tough at times but it is not Kilimanjaro or hiking to base camp. Reasonable level of fitness is enough, you pick up the rest as you go. By the way, change your measurments to metres, not feet. The highest points are in the region of 4 to 4.5 thousand feet not 0.5 to 1000 feet. Dont let that put you off, its usually reasonably gentle slopes all the way up. I found the slope up to Orisson on the first day tough but I got there. Next day, the worst part was the slope down but more due to the gale blowing me off my feet. The next tough part for me was the slope up to A Faba. Next day, the rest of it up to O Cebreiro was not too bad. Basically, if I can do it, just about anyone can.As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
You will need attitude adjustment, more than altitude adjustment.
Honestly, at a first quick glance that's what I took the thread to be about.I was waiting for someone to say that
Ha! No, I'm not that clever. Fixed. Thank you @malingerer !is "tread" a deliberate cunning mistake?
I have had a chronic lung problem since my friends and neighbors sent me to Vietnam (Agent Orange). The altitudes have been no problem.As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
Thank you for this encouraging post. I will be doing my first Camino Frances in May 2020. I am 73 years old and in fairly good shape. I now go almost everywhere on foot rather than the metro to get around town and train once a week climbing our modest mountain here in Montreal. I worry about the first couple of days and have decided to stop in Orrison. I think that might mitigate the jet lag factor. I use my poles and love them. It is great to hear from someone in my own age group who did so well. Isobel in MontrealI w
I walked the French route starting on my 77th birthday Sept 18, 2019. I live in Dallas. I trained the way you described. Had no problem in fact I overtrained. One thing I learned half way up to Orisson was use your poles. i quickly learned the value of them. After 2-3 days you get Camino legs and hills are no problem. Now I only walked 15-20 k per day for the most part but could have walked further. I elected to smell the roses and interact with fellow pilgrims. I started walking @ 7:30-8:00 and walked til @ 2:00 or so. It was an amazing experience and will process it for years to come. Buen Camino
Hi, I live at sea level and completed the Camino this year without being aware of any altitude problems. Age 74 years and only avarAs part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
Bradypus is quite right that you shouldn't be affected by the altitude, but the first day of your trip will be quite taxing. I would suggest that you find the tallest building you can and walk up the stairs under full pack as many times as possible. Your groin will appreciate it as well as the rest of your legs--believe me!As part of my preparations for my first CF next year (SJPdP to Santiago and on to Muxia/Finisterre), I've been gradually increasing my usual 3km-5km daily constitutional to walks in the 5km-10km range, and expect to level that up to a minimum of 15-20km several times a week by the time I set out the first week in May. I'm already breaking in the shoes I plan to wear (and have a backup pair in case they need to be replaced between now and then), and have been doing a few walks every week with a pack loaded with the amount of weight I anticipate carrying. So far, so good.
Here's the problem: I'm doing all this in my home town of New Orleans - which, as many of you may be aware, sits squarely at (and occasionally below) sea level.
My question to anyone who has walked the Camino from SJPdP after living/preparing in similar circumstances: How much did the altitudes affect your walking ability and stamina once you started walking? It's not so much the ups and downs I'm worried about: despite the notable lack of hills (much less mountain ranges) here in south Louisiana, I've been including as many staircases and ramps in my current perambulations as I can, in addition to incline intervals on the treadmill at the gym. So the muscles that will get me up and down those slopes and hills in France and Spain will (hopefully!) be in decent enough shape in five months' time.
But I'm concerned about the effects of an entire walk that will take place several hundred to over a thousand feet above the sea level that my body is used to. Save for a couple of very sporadic mountain hiking trips over the years and a few long layovers in the Denver airport, I've never spent much time at high altitudes.
How long should I expect any adjustment period to last? And is there anything else I can do to prepare for high altitude walking specifically? Any advice or perspective is most welcome.
As part of my preparations for my first ...
Excellent plan to stop at Orisson. Have you already booked it?I worry about the first couple of days and have decided to stop in Orrison. I think that might mitigate the jet lag factor.
If you are living where I think you are, this little walk might be good training for a Camino: https://theislandwalk.info/I feel your pain. In my province, the highest elevation is 140 meters or 459 feet. I will say that I didn't train like you are training, but I was out of breath any time we walked up hill. I could do it, but I was definitely short of breath. I hope to train a little better for my next Camino, which will hopefully be this coming summer.
Every time I see this thread, I have to adjust my glasses. I keep thinking it is attitude adjustment. To be honest, I love the double take, it makes me stop and think. Sorry for derailing your thread! (Well, almost sorry...)
No as I am not sure of dates yet. I want to start in early May but I cannot book flights until January 2020. Merry christmas and Happy New YearExcellent plan to stop at Orisson. Have you already booked it?
As soon as you have your dates set, book Orisson. As they only have 28 beds, and May is very popular to start the Camino it's highly possible that they will already be full.No as I am not sure of dates yet. I want to start in early May but I cannot book flights until January 2020. Merry christmas and Happy New Year
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