I lone gentleman will be embarking on my first El Camino starting in Irun and walking approximately 9-10 days.
I have read thru several of the threads on this forum and although the webbed in detail has been informative, I still have a few questions I'm looking to answer.
I hope anyone of you would be willing to provide information on at least a few of my questions.
- it appears that I will be traveling during the off-season. The majority of albergues may not be open. Should I be concerned with making reservations for beds in advance? although the exact dates of my arrival may vary depending on how smooth my flight to Spain pans out.
- part of me is not worrying about making reservations, as it seems like there are several options besides the albergues, like bed and breakfast locations. One of the things that excites me most is being in a situation where I have to hunt down the roof over my head, should I go with this instinct or should I be formal and seek to make more reservations?
- Although I will be traveling during a time that is considered to be more cool in temperatures, should I still be concerned with bed bugs and spraying my belongings with a lermethryn spray?
- with camping not being a recommended and authorized mode of sleeping overnight, should I still consider bring with me a sleeping bag?
- how feasable is it to hike 15 miles a day, are there recommended times to begin the morning hikes? I am fairly fit and can manage taking care of my body and muscles.
- has anyone used the camino assist app?
- how essential is reflective gear?
- I have seen several recommendations for what to add to a backpack, some include items like alcohol or liquids that wouldn't normally be allowed during flight travel. Are there area stores along the path or should I pack things up in bigger towns like Irun?
- it shows that this path is routing through different highways, are there areas which may be re-routed from walking highways to paths that would provide better views .. such as starting the route in Hondarribia?
any help would be appreciated!!!
I am eager to go into this trip with an open heart and open to adventure in any capacity!
Hi Efycorado - I hope this helps: I am planning the same route for this year too, anbd have learnt from others and my own experience and will try to answer some or most of your points:
-The first section from Irún is particularly hilly and long, with fewer places to stay than later on. However, the entire coastline is a Spanish hot-spot for local holidays, and so there tends to be a lot of alternatives to Alberques - Bed & Breakfast, small hotels, etc. Depending upon when you start you Camino does dictate whether the Alberques are open - which tends to begin end of May to April in any large amounts. There tends to be fewer toward the end of the coastal route, before heading inland and depending upon your favoured route - you do have a couple of choices.
-Bed bugs: search the internet for info, and many places have good information and warnings on display. I tended to check a mattress before using it - if it was infested I would complain, get my money back and move or! Most places are clean and have good, fixed covers on their matresses, but always be careful and check your gear. It is almost inevitable, and they will be hungry after the closed season ;-)
-There are lots of shops, mini markets and supermarkets, depending upon where and when you arrive - don't forget that mostb places close after mid-day and re-open later. The Spanish are night birds and party long into the night!
-Always take a light-weight sleeping bag. If you are going early in the year there tends to be a lot of rain and dampness, soggy ground - it's normal to a coast route in spring/early summer.
-Walk at your own pace, find your pace. The first sections are the most strenuous, it flatens-out later, by which time you should be up to 'Camino Fitness'. Good footwear-boots-hiking shoes will help you the most, get you along as far as you want each day.
-Don't take too much, you'll probably end up getting rid of a lot of stuff if you do, along the way. There are a lot of links on this blog about what to take and not to take, and pack weights. Test your pack, go out with it fully packed, see how it is for you before you leave.
-Be safe! Take a light, reflective smock, wear light-coloured clothing - there are a lot of sections along the road side, so care is always needed. Take a good, lightweight head or hand lamp-torch.
I hope this helps - I'm sure you'll get more advice from this blog, people are great at sharing info and anicdotes. Search the blog for more tips too. But learning along the Way is a wonderful process and experience. Just enjoy, learn, absorb and relax! Buen Camino.