AWalkabout
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF 2011, VdlP 2015+2017, Podiensis 2019
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I agree with this. The Meseta has a beautiful austerity to it and I would not have missed it out. Challenging? yes, but so is life and you can't miss the bad bits out of that, you have to get on with it and if you conquer these moments you become all the stronger.I didn't like the cobbles on the Camino Portuguese but they had to be dealt with. I will be walking the VdlP from the 16 April and have to arrive in Santiago de C by 23 May. Two years ago I rupture a left quad and it has played up ever since. I don't want to go via the CF on the VdelP but take the variant over the hills, simply because I know I will not be back and it is anew challenge. Before I get there I know it's going to hurt, I know I will be wishing I took the easy way out, and I know I will be feeling everyone of my 68 years, but I also know that when I get the job done the sense of achievement will be immense. So, take Amino's advice and go for it.I find it would be a pity to skip parts of the camino just for convenience (like people who find the meseta boring and skip that part of the pilgrimage). The Camino is not done to measure and to taste of everyone, every part is demanding in different ways; you may find long stages, long, flat barren landscapes for miles and miles (like in Tierra de Barros, between Villafranca and Torremejía) without a fountain or a town to cross. Steep climbs like the one on this stage, or, even steeper, when you leave Cañaveral. Every part has its charm, do not be afraid, you can make it!
Do not be afraid of this day, it is a perfectly feasible stage, it can be long indeed, but if you carry 2 or 3 liters you should manage. I would also recommend to have a strong breakfast, bring some fruit with you, and leave extra early in the morning (even at night time), the tarmac/road walk is not that bad at all, there is virtually no traffic,
Also, you can always ask for help from other pilgrims if you are short of water or energy.
Indeed, la cuesta del Calvario, the steep (and actually quite short) hill at the end of the stage can be a bit demanding, just make sure you start climbing very slowly, and before you realize you will be on the top enjoying magnificient views.
Go on, you can make it!
The combination of high temperature, long distance, no water ressources and newly started camino - that makes me a little nervous.
We need to carry a lot of water, but how did you manage to do this stage?
Any good advices will be appreciated. Thanks.
Just about everyone gets a taxi to the start of the Parque. Don't worry about cheating, because it would be sheer folly to do the part of the route from the gate of the Parque to Almadén in midday temperatures. There is no water available. If your Spanish isn't up to phoning for a taxi ask the hospitalero to do it. Best book it the previous night as taxis get busy early morning.Hi,
I'm a litte nervous about the long distance between Castilblanco and Almadén, since it seems that no water will be available during the 30 km. We'll do the Via de la Plata in the beginning of May, so most likely the temperature will be quite high.
The combination of high temperature, long distance, no water ressources and newly started camino - that makes me a little nervous.
We need to carry a lot of water, but how did you manage to do this stage?
Any good advices will be appreciated. Thanks.
I am very sad to hear it is very common to use taxis to skip the parts that you think you might not like so much.
I cannot help but seeing it like the little boy who does not like peas and carrots and puts them aside on the plate, sorry!
You think like a pilgrim, Amancio.
The others think of the Camino like of a visit to Disneyland.
Johnnie.....that is 3 kilos of water weight added to whatever else you are carrying..but than again you are a person from Scotland.
Hmmm we don't get too many high temperatures in Scotland. I carry between 5 - 6 kgs without water but including rucksack. I expect to add considerable weight on long stretches but as I said the weight goes down as you consume it!
... In my three times walking this stage (2011, 2014, 2016) no one took a cab. Buen Camino.
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