Doing it her way.

[deni]

Descending El Perdon

• deni
• Sep 14, 2016
• 3

We met this elderly American lady on the Camino descending the Perdon outside Pamplona on the 5th of July. She was doing it her way at about 10k a day. She planned to arrive in Santiago today, 14th of September. I hope she made it.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

An inspiration

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop
Confucius

 

[MinaKamina]

5 kms a day is perfect. Best way to survive in the heat and an inspiration for anyone who takes his dog for a daily walk: if you stop walking in circles, and head in the right direction, you'll arrive in SdC sooner than you think. In my case: within two years. Isn't that amazing?

Lady, I hope you made it and made it well!

 

[lbpierce]

Speaking of older women walking 10k a day, I would love to walk the Le Puy route but am concerned about whether I can handle the hills and my solution would be to walk about 10k a day.

 

[vlebe]

Speaking of older women walking 10k a day, I would love to walk the Le Puy route but am concerned about whether I can handle the hills and my solution would be to walk about 10k a day.

You wont regret it... Le Puy to SJpP is amazingly beautiful!!!

 

[lbpierce]

You wont regret it... Le Puy to SJpP is amazingly beautiful!!!

Not to mention the food!

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Speaking of older women walking 10k a day, I would love to walk the Le Puy route but am concerned about whether I can handle the hills and my solution would be to walk about 10k a day.

Define "older"

When I was 7 years old I thought that people in their 60s were ancient... now...

Once you begin you'll be amazed at what you can achieve

 

[Kanga]

@lbpierce nothing on the Le Puy is as difficult as SJPDP to Roncesvalles. If you have walked that you can easily walk the Le Puy.

 

[marbuck]

Speaking of older women walking 10k a day, I would love to walk the Le Puy route but am concerned about whether I can handle the hills and my solution would be to walk about 10k a day.

That could be difficult unless you carry a tent and your own food. Villagers are often a longer distance apart, and not all villagers have accommodation or food. The Le Puy route is beautiful but a lot different to the Frances.

 

[lbpierce]

Thank you all for your encouraging responses. Knowing that Le Puy is not more difficult than SJPDP to Roncesvalles is great news - thanks @Kanga. My approach to growing older (and yes, @Wokabaut_Meri, "older" is a relative term) is to never stop. I was a runner for 15 years, then have been a hiker for the last 25 years and hope to continue hiking the Camino each year for many years.

 

[trecile]

Define "older"

When I was 7 years old I though that people in their 60s were ancient... now...

Once you begin you'll be amazed at what you can achieve

I agree. And I would hardly call the woman pictured above "elderly"!

 

[Marion-SantiagoInLove]

Walking slowly... an amazing and very rich experience to try at any age! So easy to do physically, so hard to accept mentally, so loved by the soul!

@lbpierce
The start of Le Puy route is a little tough, because it's in the mountain. There are some steep slopes up and down: not as long as SJPdP-Roncevalles, but pretty frequent on the first ~200km. It really isn't flat, but it's still perfectly doable!
It's also quite easy to do short stages, even around 10km if you want: reservation may be wise then. No need to carry a tent or loads of food, unless you want to sleep outside and invite people. Lots of places to stay at and most of the time, possibility to have dinner and/or breakfast. I'd advise you to get a Miam Miam Dodo book to make your planning easier (in French only but great list of accommodations and services, easy enough to understand). Also, be aware that prices are more expensive in France than in Spain.
To summ up, the trick would be 1. to know and listen to yourself; 2. to look up, prepare and organize your Way a little. I'd say, you seem to be perfectly on it! Le Puy route is a beautiful Way, you'll surly love it!