Anna Shea
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés (September/October 2014)
Hello everyone! I am planning to walk the Camino Frances solo starting around the 25th of September. This is a semi-last minute decision and I still have a lot to figure out before I start my adventure so any advice would be truly appreciated! I have questions about a lot of unrelated things but I figured it would be easiest to put them all in one post. I'm sure these are all questions that have been asked before and I'm sorry about that. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
Backpack/checking bags: I have a 65L Osprey Ariel that I have been using for about a year. I love this pack but I am concerned that it will be too big. What backpack would you recommend for the camino? I will continue to live out of whatever pack I bring for a couple of months after I finish the walk and having a bag that can be a carry-on would be a huge bonus. PS - Does a swiss army knife need to be checked or can I take it in a carry-on?
Where to start/weather concerns: I'm having trouble deciding whether to start in SJPDP or Burgos. I have no time constraints. Ideally I would begin in SJPDP but because I am not starting until late-September I'm worried that it will be miserably rainy by the end of my journey. I'm thinking that if I started in Burgos I might be able to make it to Santiago before the weather gets too bad. Generally, how bad is the rain in October? And will there still be people to walk with? I like walking by myself sometimes but I'm also really looking forward to meeting fellow pilgrims.
What to do with extra supplies: I plan to continue my travels for a couple of months after I finish the camino and I'm guessing I will want to bring more clothes, etc. for after I finish. Is it true that you can ship some stuff to Santiago and pick it up when you get there? How much would this cost? I have a friend who is living near Madrid, would it be easier to leave my stuff with her instead and pick it up when I finish the camino?
Miscellaneous:
I realize I put a lot of questions in this post and I don't expect any single person to answer them all. But if you feel that you can help with one or a few of my questions I'd really appreciate it!
Backpack/checking bags: I have a 65L Osprey Ariel that I have been using for about a year. I love this pack but I am concerned that it will be too big. What backpack would you recommend for the camino? I will continue to live out of whatever pack I bring for a couple of months after I finish the walk and having a bag that can be a carry-on would be a huge bonus. PS - Does a swiss army knife need to be checked or can I take it in a carry-on?
Where to start/weather concerns: I'm having trouble deciding whether to start in SJPDP or Burgos. I have no time constraints. Ideally I would begin in SJPDP but because I am not starting until late-September I'm worried that it will be miserably rainy by the end of my journey. I'm thinking that if I started in Burgos I might be able to make it to Santiago before the weather gets too bad. Generally, how bad is the rain in October? And will there still be people to walk with? I like walking by myself sometimes but I'm also really looking forward to meeting fellow pilgrims.
What to do with extra supplies: I plan to continue my travels for a couple of months after I finish the camino and I'm guessing I will want to bring more clothes, etc. for after I finish. Is it true that you can ship some stuff to Santiago and pick it up when you get there? How much would this cost? I have a friend who is living near Madrid, would it be easier to leave my stuff with her instead and pick it up when I finish the camino?
Miscellaneous:
- What kind of camera would you recommend bringing?
- What is a good guide book to buy?
- How can I wake up without my alarm disturbing anyone who's still asleep? (I'm not very good at waking up)
- Will there be many other people close to my age? (19)
I realize I put a lot of questions in this post and I don't expect any single person to answer them all. But if you feel that you can help with one or a few of my questions I'd really appreciate it!
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