Calculating the length of time?

[Jerome74]

Hi,

I'm looking forward to walk the Camino in June and July 2007 and I was now wondering how much time I would probably need.

I'll be 32 then and I'm rather athletic. I've also done 1 or 2 week trekkings before but I don't remember the actual distance we've done per day on average. Since I don't have unlimited time due to professional reasons, the less time, the better, though I surely don't want to rush it neither! The spiritual component is important to me.

I was thinking about an average of 25 km/day (and having good shoes etc of course!). Do you think that's doable? I'd like to start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

Thanks a lot for your opinions,

Jerome

 

[sillydoll]

Time it takes

Hola Jerome,
How exciting that you have started planning for your camino!
In 2002 I walked with two friends from Roncesvalles to Santiago. I was the 'baby' at 56 years old and Georgette was 74 years old. We averaged 28kms per day for 27 days. We didn't rush, we didn't miss out on anything. Many of the monuments and churches were closed when we passed through and many pueblos and towns shut down for siesta from 12 o'clock until 5pm. Sometimes the only thing open is a lone cafe-bar and sometimes you can only get a drink from a vending machine.
Do some back-to-back hiking on cross country terrain and you will be fine.
Have a wonderful camino!

 

[Jerome74]

Thanks sillydoll! I'm so excited I'd wish I could start already this year. But on the other hand this gives me time to prepare and everything

 

[sillydoll]

I'm sure you are going to eat, sleep, dream camino from now on!
If you have time, one of the best books to read is by Joyce Rupp called "Walk in a Relaxed Manner". It is a real warts-and-all account of her camino in 2003 with moans and groans about the rocky tracks, the unhygenic ablutions, the noisy albergues and how she learned valuable lessons from these and other experiences.
Joyce Rupp is a Catholic sister and she walked with a retired priest. (They never divukged their professions whilst walking as they didn't want to be treated any differently by pilgrims or hospitaleros). Not being religious I was reluctant to read her book at first. They call her a 'Spiritual Midwife' for heaven's sake! But her book is full of lessons learned (and if she had things to learn imagine how much more we have!) and the way she turned hardship and distaste into welcome and spiritual lessons.
Enjoy your planning dear pilgrim.

 

[Jerome74]

Yeah, what 'scares' me most are the conditions in the albuergues ... I look forward to meeting people but a lot of people on a little space can also be quite a challenge And ear plugs are definitely a must!!!

Perhaps I'll start even earlier, in mid-May. It's probably less crowded then.