From SJPP in 2018

[Ranjit]

Hi, anyone thinking of walking April/May of 2018 from SJPP? From my initial research, it appears that I should be able to finish in 28 days without missing the views or straining myself.

 

[SYates]

Hi and welcome on the forum @Ranjit

You can do the CF in 28 days, if you are fit and don't need any rest days but I always think having a few buffer days in the planning is a good idea ;-)

As for others planing to walk April/May, yes, plenty ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Kate Chiburis]

Hi, anyone thinking of walking April/May of 2018 from SJPP? From my initial research, it appears that I should be able to finish in 28 days without missing the views or straining myself.

I will be starting from SJPP approximately March 31, 2018..... Are you stopping in Grisson the first night?

 

[Ranjit]

I am not sure of all stopping points yet but here is one that I am considering:

Day 1: SJPdP - Roncevaux (Roncesvalles) 27 km
Day 2: Roncevalles- Pamplona 42,5
Day 3: Pamplona-Estella 46,2
Day 4: Estella-Viana 40,4
Day 5: Viana- Nájera 42,4
Day 6: Nájera-Grañon 27,3
Day 7: Grañon-Villafranca Montes de Oca 28,4 (got lost in the dark!+9=37,4)
Day 8: Villafranca-Burgos 39,6 (+/- , took the 'river route' so may be different)
Day 9: Burgos-Castrojeriz 40,3
Day 10:Castrojeriz-Carrión de los Contes 44
Day 11:Carrión-Sahagún 37
Day 12:Sahagún-León 51
Day 13:León-Hospital de Orbigo 36,4
Day 14:Hospital-Foncebadón 42
Day 15:Foncebadón-Cacabelos 42,9
Day 16:Cacabelos-O Cebreiro 37,7
Day 17:O Cebreiro-Sarria 44,9
Day 18:Sarria-Os Chacotes 45,1
Day 19:Os Chacotes-Arca/Pedrouzo 48,5
Day 20 edrouzo-Santiago 20,3
Day 21:Santiago-Vilaserio 34
Day 22:Vilaserio-Corcubión 45
Day 23:Corcubión-Finisterre 12 (July 25th)

This schedule was posted by LT from Netherlands and it does appear to be doable.

I am doing a lot of research on the net and reading John Brierley book "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago". In short, I am only somewhat certain of the start date (between my younger daughter's and my wife's birthdays) the rest I am trying to figure out.

 

[Ranjit]

Hi and welcome on the forum @Ranjit

You can do the CF in 28 days, if you are fit and don't need any rest days but I always think having a few buffer days in the planning is a good idea ;-)

As for others planing to walk April/May, yes, plenty ;-)

Buen Camino, SY

Thanks! Good advice.

 

[SYates]

That schedule would kill me! Do you have actually done that kind of stages in a row? Not a one day off 40+km day, but day after day after day ...

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Ranjit]

That schedule would kill me! Do you have actually done that kind of stages in a row? Not a one day off 40+km day, but day after day after day ...

Buen Camino, SY

Have run marathons but haven't walked more than 10 miles as of yet. I considered walking as boring but now that I am older (50's), I don't mind walking much as long as it is at least 3 mph. BTW, that was a 20 day schedule. I will have couple of rest days built in my schedule. Also, there is another important issue, I haven't walked or run with 10-15lb back pack ..
Thanks for your input.

 

[SYates]

Ok, so the first thing I suggest is you go for an extended weekend hike near home. See how you do with three days of walking 20-25km each day ;-) and how you feel after the last day! Buen Camino, SY

 

[Gadflyparexcellence]

Excellent suggestion by SYates. I think a 28-day schedule is very ambitious. Even if you have done marathons Ranjit, long distance walking is a different ball-game, especially with a 10-15 lb backpack, not to mention across terrains of varied altitudes.

 

[Romanian Pilgrim]

Have run marathons but haven't walked more than 10 miles as of yet. I considered walking as boring but now that I am older (50's), I don't mind walking much as long as it is at least 3 mph. BTW, that was a 20 day schedule. I will have couple of rest days built in my schedule. Also, there is another important issue, I haven't walked or run with 10-15lb back pack ..
Thanks for your input.

Ranjit,

if you are fit enough, that schedule is totally doable.

 

[Kanga]

@Ranjit you may be able to do it. Not many people that I know could. Taken individually each day is doable for most people. But, as @SYates says, day after day after day? With a pack? Over rough terrain?

I can feel the shin splints from here!

Is there a reason, other than your concern about boredom, to hurry? Why not give yourself permission to take longer. Then, if you feel so inclined, by all means go fast. But with the comfort of knowing you can also stop when you feel like it and smell the roses - or see the inside of a few buildings - or relax and play cards with some other walkers.

 

[Ranjit]

Ok, so the first thing I suggest is you go for an extended weekend hike near home. See how you do with three days of walking 20-25km each day ;-) and how you feel after the last day! Buen Camino, SY

Good idea. Thanks!

 

[Ranjit]

@Ranjit you may be able to do it. Not many people that I know could. Taken individually each day is doable for most people. But, as @SYates says, day after day after day? With a pack? Over rough terrain?

I can feel the shin splits from here!

Is there a reason, other than your concern about boredom, to hurry? Why not give yourself permission to take longer. Then, if you feel so inclined, by all means go fast. But with the comfort of knowing you can also stop when you feel like it and smell the roses - or see the inside of a few buildings - or relax and play cards with some other walkers.

You are correct. I may do just what you advised. Besides, if I don't make it all the way within my vacation time, I can always come back and finish. After all this is not a race.
The main reason for the schedule is for training. I find it easier to work with regimented approach rather than without a plan. Of course, training with a schedule and actual execution will most likely differ.
I very much appreciate your candid advice. Thank you!

 

[Frank66]

I am not sure of all stopping points yet but here is one that I am considering:

Day 1: SJPdP - Roncevaux (Roncesvalles) 27 km
Day 2: Roncevalles- Pamplona 42,5
Day 3: Pamplona-Estella 46,2
Day 4: Estella-Viana 40,4
Day 5: Viana- Nájera 42,4
Day 6: Nájera-Grañon 27,3
Day 7: Grañon-Villafranca Montes de Oca 28,4 (got lost in the dark!+9=37,4)
Day 8: Villafranca-Burgos 39,6 (+/- , took the 'river route' so may be different)
Day 9: Burgos-Castrojeriz 40,3
Day 10:Castrojeriz-Carrión de los Contes 44
Day 11:Carrión-Sahagún 37
Day 12:Sahagún-León 51
Day 13:León-Hospital de Orbigo 36,4
Day 14:Hospital-Foncebadón 42
Day 15:Foncebadón-Cacabelos 42,9
Day 16:Cacabelos-O Cebreiro 37,7
Day 17:O Cebreiro-Sarria 44,9
Day 18:Sarria-Os Chacotes 45,1
Day 19:Os Chacotes-Arca/Pedrouzo 48,5
Day 20 edrouzo-Santiago 20,3
Day 21:Santiago-Vilaserio 34
Day 22:Vilaserio-Corcubión 45
Day 23:Corcubión-Finisterre 12 (July 25th)

This schedule was posted by LT from Netherlands and it does appear to be doable.

I am doing a lot of research on the net and reading John Brierley book "A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago". In short, I am only somewhat certain of the start date (between my younger daughter's and my wife's birthdays) the rest I am trying to figure out.

The trick in a Camino schedule, is not to have one. You'll find that you do more distance some days than you had planned, and less on others. Take each day as it happens . . .

 

[Robo]

That schedule would kill me! Do you have actually done that kind of stages in a row? Not a one day off 40+km day, but day after day after day ...

Buen Camino, SY

On that schedule I would probably get as far as Pamplona before injury....

 

[Jim L]

My plan, Lord willing is to start my Camino in either late April or early May 2018 but I'm going to give myself 5 weeks to do it.

 

[sunny B]

That schedule would kill me! Do you have actually done that kind of stages in a row? Not a one day off 40+km day, but day after day after day ...

Buen Camino, SY

I am planning on walking in April, ending in May. I will probably be by myself so I am hoping to walk with others that I meet. I have read that at a few places the route is not easily marked and people can get a bit lost. What are your thoughts on this???

 

[Kanga]

@sunny B people only get lost if the weather is bad and there is snow or fog. Check at the Pilgrims Office in SJPDP when you arrive - they will give you weather advice and directions, you can also pick up a credential there, and find accommodation if you are staying the night.

Providing the weather is OK, hundreds of other pilgrims will be leaving St Jean at the same time, so it is hard to go wrong.

 

[SYates]

I am planning on walking in April, ending in May. I will probably be by myself so I am hoping to walk with others that I meet. I have read that at a few places the route is not easily marked and people can get a bit lost. What are your thoughts on this???

Welcome to the forum @sunny B
If your chosen route is the Camino Frances you will be certainly NOT walking alone in April/May ;-) and the route is very well (actually idiot-proof) marked. Buen Camino, SY

PS By idiot-proof I mean that term in figuratively, not suggesting that anybody here on the forum or on the Camino is an idiot ;-)

 

[monica rivas]

Walking the French route late March (for however long it takes)...is it reasonable to be able to find WIFI in the smaller towns or is it only available in larger cities (such as Pamplona, Burgos, León, Santiago de Compostela).
Also, is it worth it to change out the SIM card in Spain (for an iphone) which would mean being assigned a temporary Spanish phone number... or is it better to just forego it but and be charged the $$$rates from Verizon? (The last info I found was from a 2009 thread so if I could find some more recent info it would be much appreciated.) Muchísimas gracias.

 

[Robo]

Walking the CF you will find WiFi everywhere.
Using a local SIM is likely to be a lot cheaper...
And of course easier for people to call you back if required!