Beginning my Camino Frances on April 15

[PaultheCanuck]

Hi, my name is Paul. I'm a 50 year old Canadian living in Calgary Alberta. I've been planning my camino for over a year now and the much anticipated start is fast approaching. I've chosen to start my Camino in mid-April because I was hoping for cooler weather, spring flowers and getting off the treadmill to think and enjoy life. I must admit that regardless of all this prep time I'm still apprehensive about what to expect and whether I'll get to the end. Winter in Canada being what it is (snow, cold ,ice and short days) makes it difficult to do all the recommended walking with gear prior to the trip. I've substituded with gym work outs and loosing a pile of weight. I did a few long hikes in the Rockies to break in my boots(blister free) and will try to walk slowly the first few days even though my natural walking speed is typically fast.

If you have any advice I'd be glad to hear from you...

 

[Arn]

Paul,

it's a pleasure to see that so many on the forum, you included, are using the recommended procedures to get in shape and select their gear. You will find that as long as you're not stuck with a "got to finish" date that's possibly unrealistic considering your physical condition and pack size...you'll do fine!

If already managed to do a 30km walk with gear and didn't spill a drop of wine while making my way to the top of Mt Rogers in VA. That, as they say, is progress!

Buen Camino,

Arn

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Paul

Welcome and best wishes on your preparations. I think that some physical preparation is a good thing...but it is also eseential not to walk to far for too long for the first few stages. Fitness and stamina will soon come and you can build up distance as time goes by. It isn't a race!

Far more important in my experience is to keep your pack weight down to a minimum - I wouldn't consider walking with any more than approximately 7k - even in winter. In summer that goes down and I still feel I carry too much.

Pack weight is critical in long distance walking. Be prepared to empty your rucksack of non essential items in the same way as your head will empty of the cares of the world as you step forward.

Buen Camino

John

 

[PaultheCanuck]

Thanks guys. Good advice. I'll be sure to be ruthless on the pack weight.

 

[jgray4613]

I thought I'd add my $.02.

Pack weight. There are lots of ultralight backpacking sites on the web that you should check out! According to our bathroom scale, my daughter and I did SJPP to Santiago in 2006 at 11 lbs gear weight before adding water. 11 lbs or 5 kg base weight is easy, below that you have to spend real money or DIY. It's easier though to lose pack weight rather than body weight, but not cheaper. Key is an ultralight backpack; ours weighed 17 oz which is heavy by 2008 standards.

Besides boots, good socks are important. A friend suggested double layer socks. He did the 7 day, 250 km Sahara race a few months after we did the camino. I used WrightSock double-layer coolmesh crew socks and they worked great. Like having the sock liner built into the sock.

Speaking of boots - my feet swelled 1 size while walking and according to my long distance runner friends this is quite common when you are going day after day. So make sure you have room to grow so to speak.

And oh yes, I would do it again, I'm starting to plan/plot my next camino.

Arn: Just out of curiosity, what part of VA are you from? We live in Northern VA.

Buen Camino.