I am planning to start my first Camino in the mid of May from Madrid. This forum is great and I am reading it for a week already in any spare minute.
1. Since I don't have such luxury as a five-six weeks of vacation, and I am afraid that making my day by longer walk rather then by speed, I would left outside all aubergue on CF. So I am thinking about avoiding it by going only partly on Camino Madrid and then after Segovia, making a shortcut St.Maria Nivea to Arevalo (about 30km), continue to Zamora using Camino Levante to it's end and then continue on Camino Santabres or Querense version of Via de la Plata (as shown on http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/ ... views.html maps - the shortcut is at the place where 6 and 7 comes closest to each other). This gives all together about 655km on foot in 24 or max 28 days - probably not possible for me but I like to try and go as far as I can.
Do you think it is reasonable or will I straggle to find the way and risk to loose more then gain? Do you think it would be better go to Shahagun and hope that Frances will not be to overcrouded in end of May, start of June?
2. Which map would be the lightest and most reasonable if any? I can take a small GPS with me and print out the way on a list of paper but don't want to carry a lot of guide books.
3. Most advises on packing are given for Camino Frances and most people tell that therm-a-rest is not needed. But CF has much advanced infrastructure (but a larger amount of people is expected than on all other caminos as well). Please help me to decide if I should take the sleeping mat (460g) with me? I was also thinking about bivi-bag (400g) in case I would not be able to find place to sleep inside or caught by night in the middle of nowhere. Is it any reasonable? I do think that should take my lightweight sleeping bag (620g) since I tend to get cold at nights and after been cold in sleep I get sick easily.
4. In order to book flight, it would be good to know where I can take a peregrines pass in Madrid. The Amigos office works only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus Wednesday mornings. If I will arrive to Madrid on Friday evening, it will be not an option. As I understood it can be taken in churches but at which time then? Early morning, late evening? And whom should I as for it? And if I will arrive on Wednesday afternoon - it is sure that someone will be in the Amigos office or is it better to call in advance?
5. Where do you carry your documents, cards and money during the walk? Belly pouch is convenient and I use it during my business trips but mine pouch does not fit together with mine back pack!
I know it is a lot of words but I hope you will find time to read and answer at least some of the questions!
Natalia.
1. Since I don't have such luxury as a five-six weeks of vacation, and I am afraid that making my day by longer walk rather then by speed, I would left outside all aubergue on CF. So I am thinking about avoiding it by going only partly on Camino Madrid and then after Segovia, making a shortcut St.Maria Nivea to Arevalo (about 30km), continue to Zamora using Camino Levante to it's end and then continue on Camino Santabres or Querense version of Via de la Plata (as shown on http://www.americanpilgrims.com/camino/ ... views.html maps - the shortcut is at the place where 6 and 7 comes closest to each other). This gives all together about 655km on foot in 24 or max 28 days - probably not possible for me but I like to try and go as far as I can.
Do you think it is reasonable or will I straggle to find the way and risk to loose more then gain? Do you think it would be better go to Shahagun and hope that Frances will not be to overcrouded in end of May, start of June?
2. Which map would be the lightest and most reasonable if any? I can take a small GPS with me and print out the way on a list of paper but don't want to carry a lot of guide books.
3. Most advises on packing are given for Camino Frances and most people tell that therm-a-rest is not needed. But CF has much advanced infrastructure (but a larger amount of people is expected than on all other caminos as well). Please help me to decide if I should take the sleeping mat (460g) with me? I was also thinking about bivi-bag (400g) in case I would not be able to find place to sleep inside or caught by night in the middle of nowhere. Is it any reasonable? I do think that should take my lightweight sleeping bag (620g) since I tend to get cold at nights and after been cold in sleep I get sick easily.
4. In order to book flight, it would be good to know where I can take a peregrines pass in Madrid. The Amigos office works only on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings plus Wednesday mornings. If I will arrive to Madrid on Friday evening, it will be not an option. As I understood it can be taken in churches but at which time then? Early morning, late evening? And whom should I as for it? And if I will arrive on Wednesday afternoon - it is sure that someone will be in the Amigos office or is it better to call in advance?
5. Where do you carry your documents, cards and money during the walk? Belly pouch is convenient and I use it during my business trips but mine pouch does not fit together with mine back pack!
I know it is a lot of words but I hope you will find time to read and answer at least some of the questions!
Natalia.
