Hi

[Arlene]

I'll be walking El Camino Frances starting in late March of 08. I'll fly from Philadelphia to Madrid and then on to Roncesvalles. I have about 5 weeks. Can't wait!

 

[windeatt]

I'm hoping to start in Pamplona around 1st April - maybe we'll meet?

 

[Dale]

I hope to start in early to mid April from SJPDP. I'm buying equipment and light cloths now. I plan to take between 5 to 6 weeks to walk the way. I will stay in Spain for two months so if I need more time it will be available. Perhaps we will meet along the, "Way".

 

[windeatt]

Yes, I'm currently planning on about seven weeks . . .

 

[Arlene]

Windeatt and Dale,

It's nice to hear from people who will be on the Camino at the same time I will. Maybe we will meet up. I've been doing a lot of reading and browsing for gear, but as of yet have not purchased anything. I'll be getting my walking shoes/boots soon to break them in. As for my backpack, I'm still in search of something light. Have either of you looked at sleeping bags? Again, I'm looking for something light but also warm(expecting it to be cool in April).

Arlene

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I plan to be walking by about mid-April as well, but starting from Le Puy. So I dare say I won't be banging into any of you, but maybe I will read something of your walk on the forum occasionally :wink:
In about another month they will be having what they call "earlybird" fares from this part of the Antipodes to Europe.... so I will be booking my ticket!!

 

[Dale]

Hi Arlene:

We seem to be doing the same thing right now. I have just purchased my Backpack and my sleeping bag and pad and fleece jacket are in the mail so to speak. I bought all of these items from Mountain Equipment Co-op: http://www.mec.ca they have good quality lite items although quite expensive but I guess you get what you pay for. The Sleeping bag that I went with is there MEC Equatorial Sleeping bag it only weighs 700 grams and I bought the Thermarest Pro lite sleeping pad. I have also ordered my boots I have very hard feet to fit so I'm sticking with New Balance/Dunham 6630GR because they have width 4E .

Good luck with your shopping and I hope we do meet-up somewhere on the "Way". Let us know if you find any great bargains.

 

[Arlene]

Dale,
Thanks for the information on gear. I'll let you know how I make out.

 

[windeatt]

I already did Le Puy to Pamplona this May and June so I have most of my stuff already. I used a Snugpak travellers sleeping bag with a silk inner sheet liner bag and was toasty warm. The sleeping bag was 700 gr and the liner about 100 gr. I'll be taking them again. I'm hoping that April in Spain won't be any colder than this May in France (pretty cold and miserable most of the time).

The only thing I really need to replace is my poncho - it was (a) too heavy at 400 grams and (b) leaked like a sieve. Unfortunately they are not fashionable in the UK so difficult to find . . . but everyone in France was wearing umpteen different kinds . . .

Windy