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Tedh said:Hi, I am aiming to begin (not sure where yet) Camino Frances in September. I'll be 68 the day before I set out to France. So have about two months to get in shape (build up to 20 miles per day - with small backpack). There is no plan and no schedule after I take the first step on the actual road. Obviously questions abound.
Water
Is water available only in hostels? Or are there wells along the way? Will I need to boil/purify the water before drinking?
Real trails
After finding out this is not a trail at all, but 400 odd miles of hard surfaced road, I've had to buy street shoes with soft/air heels to walk the thing in (hard, rubber heeled, hiking shoes damage knees on such distances). Are there any parallel "real trails" on the Camino Frances? Del Norte is out for me at this stage, so am not considering it.
Passports
Do I have to sleep in a hostel, get the stamp in order to sleep in the next hostel? What if I bivvy up somewhere for the night and cannot get a stamp?
Bed bugs
Are bed bugs really a serious problem along the way? From what little I've read on the forums, it appears the entire thing is plagued with the things.
Camping
Could I camp the entire route?
Good, was hoping that to be the case.Water is available at fountains along the way which are usually "potable" and also at cafes and bars if you want bottled.
Which means I have to carry an extra pair of shoes, alternating between surfaces. Googling it, all I saw was hard surface road. Though it looks like there might be enough side room to walk off it in places. I would imagine the traffic can be a bit busy at times. Some looks like open country areas, where one could get quite far off it for a bit of peace and quiet.I think you are being a bit pessimistic saying it is all road, much may be hard surfaced but there is also trail.
Good, that's a bit of a relief.You can stamp your passport wherever you like not just the hostels: bars, town halls, churches, hotels etc. You can get a stamp from a hostel even if you do not sleep there.
Hope so, I've trans-con'd the USA, 2 Europe trips (incl Morocco), an Eastern Europe trip and never been bitten - don't want to start now :wink:Bed bugs come and go. Sometimes they are a problem but most places are very observant and keen to keep the blighters out of their hotels and hostels and will fumigate if they find them.
Part of what I would like to do is stop in a town for a few days and then go out in various directions from it and visit any other places nearby. This would necessitate roughing it. I have a bad spine and special ultralight airbed that gives me a few inches of adjustment, so would probably end up using it instead of hard mattress beds anyways. 'Sides, I don't have have much money, so have to really budget on this. A lot of my food I can cook myself as I have my own "kitchen".Why bother about camping unless it is a personal love. Refugios are more comfortable and you will not need to carry a tent.
Hi! The typical surface along much of the way is farm track, which can be hard when baked in summer or muddy when wet. There is also some trail and tarmac road.Tedh said:Which means I have to carry an extra pair of shoes, alternating between surfaces. Googling it, all I saw was hard surface road. Though it looks like there might be enough side room to walk off it in places. I would imagine the traffic can be a bit busy at times. Some looks like open country areas, where one could get quite far off it for a bit of peace and quiet.
Tedh said:Hi, I am aiming to begin (not sure where yet) Camino Frances in September. I'll be 68 the day before I set out to France. So have about two months to get in shape (build up to 20 miles per day - with small backpack).
There is no plan and no schedule after I take the first step on the actual road.
Tedh said:Obviously questions abound.
Water
Is water available only in hostels? Or are there wells along the way? Will I need to boil/purify the water before drinking?
Tedh said:Real trails
After finding out this is not a trail at all, but 400 odd miles of hard surfaced road, I've had to buy street shoes with soft/air heels to walk the thing in (hard, rubber heeled, hiking shoes damage knees on such distances). Are there any parallel "real trails" on the Camino Frances? Del Norte is out for me at this stage, so am not considering it.
Tedh said:Passports
Do I have to sleep in a hostel, get the stamp in order to sleep in the next hostel? What if I bivvy up somewhere for the night and cannot get a stamp?
Tedh said:Camping
Could I camp the entire route?
Okay. I'm more used to that.Hi! The typical surface along much of the way is farm track, which can be hard when baked in summer or muddy when wet. There is also some trail and tarmac road.
I travel ultra-light. Some of my gear I've had to make myself for the journeys that I do now. I've designed my own tent, which will weigh in at 1 kilo or less. I just want the option to sleep in or out.I really wouldn't recommend camping, unless you have done it before and know about the weight you are going to be carrying. You might be underestimating it...
It is said that one arrives in Santiago on the wings of prayer and while true I have found that prayer is even more effective when taken with cafe solo a good cup of Spanish coffee
falcon269 said:Unless you have some place in mind, going out of a village won't get you anything that you won't find along the route. It is very homogenous within an area, and the route has been selected to visit as many notable places as possible. That is, if there is a stretch of Roman road around, the Camino is likely to go to it. Wandering is probably best in the cities you will visit.
falcon269 said:Unless you plan on camping most of the time, I suggest leaving the tent and sleeping mat at home. Mattresses are a variable, but the sheer number of abandoned sleeping mats testifies to their uselessness!!
Hi! The typical surface along much of the way is farm track, which can be hard when baked in summer or muddy when wet. There is also some trail and tarmac road.
Hee-hee, just what I'm looking for. In my other trips I find there are people enroute and off route I meet that challenge me, inspire me and sometimes really tick me off - but at least it's not boring.JabbaPapa
there are also many other sections where doing so would lead you into some kinds of rural areas and quiet local villages unspoiled by the Camino industry that 99% of pilgrims will never get even close to.
Tell me about it. I noticed on the profiles the first 21 kliks out of St Jean are uphill and then a sudden drop after the crown for the last 6 or so. Part of my training is just that, up a steep hill and then down. I stop at the top and give my legs a rest (stretch out for a few minutes), then start down with my muscles acting as shock absorbers rather than the inner part of the knee taking the ground hit - tons more comfortable, slower - but a lot safer. Depends on the traverse of the path as well. I reckon it's not too steep a thing - can't really tell by the profile maps.Terrri
One thing that I felt was over looked on the forums as I was reading in preparation was how hard walking downhill is on the joints.
My knees really notice concrete when I wear trail shoes. Just bought me a pair a cheap trainers with spongy heel and they're very, very, light for the really hard road (if it had been all hard, I'd be leaving my hiking shoes at home).whariwharangi
I would agree that is the typical surface. Its certainly not packed earth trail.
scruffy1 said:Sure water is important but easily found in fountains 99 per cent marked as potable or non potable. Every village of any size will have a cafe/bar for water and anything else you may want to drink. It is said that one arrives in Santiago on the wings of prayer and while true I have found that prayer is even more effective when taken with cafe solo a good cup of Spanish coffee every few hours will send you off in the right direction. One last word, emergency rations-I always carry a can of beer at the top of my backpack-it is amazing how many times 330ml will improve your spirits your motivation your detiremination only in emergencies of course.
Mine are just that - must come with the age :wink:StuartM said:I never used walking boots, I used softer approach boots that are basically a Salomon trail running shoe but with a higher top to give some ankle support.
I walked a lot with a 68 year old guy who did it all in a pair of Nike trainers. Never suffered any foot trouble. Light, breathable and cushioned would be my choice.
I'll keep that in mind for later on. Nice that the cycles keep to the road, means easier movement when hiking off it, especially in those mountains. I get cyclists here sometimes and while most are OK, some are a pain. It's the horse riders here that you gotta watch out for when footpaths and bridle paths run on the same trail.falcon269 said:I just did Col du Somport. It is a couple of hundred meters higher than the Route Napolean, and is covered with bicyclists going both directions sticking to the road. It is a beautiful crossing.
skilsaw said:You have the best attitude yet! Your barley malt emergency ration is brilliant! Only to be superseded by the fruit of the vine. I crossed paths a couple times a day with a fine Spaniard gentleman who had a small wineskin which he filled every evening at dinner. A little squirt now and then kept everything well lubricated.
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