Hikers at the end of March

[Toxawaypat]

Hi there -- My husband and I are hiking the Camino beginning at the end of March. We plan to make this a 33-day trip and are trying very hard to adhere to the 20-lb. backpack rule in light of the time of year we will be traveling. Looking forward to helpful advice from you guys. I read some posts which were "uncomfortable" about the use of technology. I agree with the person who said we need to respect the rights of others to make it their journey. While I cannot wait to "detach," we have six children and a sister with brain cancer who will be given a number for a cell phone where they can leave an emergency message. They will be told we will check it every other night for emergency messages. Also, since we are crossing the mountains at a time when people have died, I don't feel at all guilty about having this phone for an emergency call if necessary. Otherwise, it will remain silent. In addition, I listen to books on my IPod when my husband snores at night it helps me sleep. It will accompany me on this journey as I understand snoring in the refugious can be a problem. A crutch perhaps, but whatever works to help people get the rest they need--right.

 

[colinPeter]

Hi Toxawaypat
Phones, Ipods, Cameras, lot's take them, for different reasons, it's your choice.
One thought though, if you take to many "gadgets" you have to charge them all, which might be an inconvenience in Albergues, were others are wanting to charge theirs.
I took a Mobile phone with a good built in Camera & Music player (Nokia N85). Loaded books, maps, music and took hundreds of pics. I'ts amazing what you can fit on an 8gig sd card. Only needed to charge one item.
Buen Camino
Col

 

[keithashaw]

I'll be walking the Camino Frances in September but leaving behind my wife, two children and an aged mother-in-law in poor health.

I'm taking my iPhone so that I can stay in touch. My family will want to be reassured that I'm safe. I'll want to take pictures that I can enjoy looking at in later years. I'll even email some photos to my family so that they can see what I'm doing and share my enjoyment.

Its GPS and compass functions might even be useful if I get lost. I may also have an English-Spanish dictionary installed on it.

I have no difficulty with this and don't feel the need to justify it to anyone. Similarly I can appreciate the desire of others to travel unencumberd by the trappings of modern technology; I respect their position and wouldn't question it.

People travel the Camino de Santiago for very diverse reasons and there's room for us all to do it our own way.

Best wishes with your trip.
Keith

 

[lynnejohn]

I just bought one of these solar chargers:

http://www.solio.com/charger/solio-charger-mono.html

I'll be using it in April on the VDLP, so I can't speak to its usefulness yet, but would rather use it than depend on AC charging in the albergues. It might be useful for those with a few gadgets. I got mine on Amazon for about $39.
lynne

 

[andy.d]

I took a mobile phone with me when walking the Camino de Levante in 2009. This meant I could keep in touch with my family by phone, which I think is fair enough - they'd let me go off on my own for seven weeks.

If you are walking one of the quiet routes (on the Levante in September, I was the only pilgrim for the first three weeks) I would advise taking a phone. You can get help if something happens and you are on a remote path. It also makes it easier in finding whoever has the key to the albergue, etc, when you need accommodation.

Andy

 

[Toxawaypat]

I feel so much better hearing this. We are preparing daily for this venture and I totally want to be "out of touch" with the US. However, there are things to consider and I don't feel like I need to justify my "need" to take an emergency phone and my beloved "sleeping" IPod. The IPod helps me get much needed sleep. Pat

 

[Michael_Vander]

I purchased a Spanish plug adapter for my iPod along the way for 1 Euro. I was able to charge it almost everywhere I stayed with the adapter. Did not use my solar charger at all the whole trip. Most places have outlets that you can use.

Michael