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When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
You have some very interesting and unique memories of your Caminos, Davey...and that's what it's all about!For those that fancy trying a night walk here is one of my faves.
I arrive in Castrojeriz early, book into the muni, shower and get some sleep. Set my alarm for 9pm ish. Leave the albergue an hour before sunset so you reach the top of the Alto Mostelares for a stunning sunset. You can't get lost on this route, and it is truly beautiful on a clear night following the Milky Way. There is a late night bar in Itero de la Vega (closes 2- 2.30am) for a snack or drink. I then breakfast in Fromista but carry on to the stunning albergue Escuala in Poblacion where I spend the day sleeping in a hammock in their beautiful garden.
Sometimes I stay at San Anton and spend the day in Castrojeriz before walking this.
Another good one is that 16km of nothing after Carrionde los Condes to either Ledigos or Terradillos. But no late bars on this route. Good if the days are really hot.
Davey
Please post your detailed itinerary here on the forum. Since I will be walking this year, I will do all in my power to avoid a pilgrim (you) getting up and make noise beside me at 3.00 AM,When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
Correct. And it will happen... You will not be popular in the albergues, to say the least. But if you stay in hostels etc., noone will bother.Walking in the dark has three disadvantages. 1. You don't see anything. 2. It's easy to get lost by missing those yellow arrows. 3. I trip over things.
Lastly, getting up at 3am may not be a disadvantage to you but it sure as heck will annoy your sleeping companions.
I just ordered my flight to Madrid, going to Burgos by train, 30 minutes ago, after reading your post. Will be walking in April/May/June. Will not meet you. A higher power exists, thank you...When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
The biggest disadvantage of hiking (or walking the Camino) at night is that you cannot see anything.
This thread has made me add being aware of the moon's phase to my planning. I first read Lord of the Rings by moonlight in the middle of the ocean while doing night watches on a yacht. I find it a magical time.On the contrary, on a clear night with a full - or nearly full - moon, walking at night is a wonderful experience. Look up and see the stars and planets. The light from the moon will render the need for a torch unnecessary - you will be able to see the countryside bathed in beautiful moonlight without any difficulty.
Yes, I'm a wee bit familiar with mucking about at night when I was in the army. Many a moonlight patrol exercise, and many on a moonless night. Also when I was young my brother and I would sneak out when the moon was at its highest and wander about the woods and fields without aid of a torch. That was fun.On the contrary, on a clear night with a full - or nearly full - moon, walking at night is a wonderful experience. Look up and see the stars and planets. The light from the moon will render the need for a torch unnecessary - you will be able to see the countryside bathed in beautiful moonlight without any difficulty.
When we were walking in July and August (especially August), we often started early in the pre-dawn dark in order to avoid as much as possible hiking in the heat of the day. That was really only an hour or two before it started to get light, though. I do remember some beautiful night skies (when there is less moon, there are more stars). On the Camino you are often far from the light pollution that cities put out and you can really see the differene in the night sky. The last time I had seen skies like that was in the middle of the Sahara. On the other hand, I also remember the challenging hike down towards Molinaseca in the dark - not something I would recommend.
If you want to see some night hiking on the Camino, there is a series of Camino vlogs by a family that did the Camino last year. Do a YouTube search for "Worldtowning". Episode 88 shows a night hike from Ledigos to El Burgo Ranero on the meseta.
I did it once with a friend. We had some kms road walking ahead and @Davey Boyd got us enthousiastic so we thought we'd give it a try. We got up at 3 am and as soon as we got outside I remembered I'm very much afraid of the dark! All those dogs howling and creepy corners and shadows.. I was very happy when the sun finally came out! It's a great memory though, happy we did it but I probably won't do it again
Yes, I'm a wee bit familiar with mucking about at night when I was in the army. Many a moonlight patrol exercise, and many on a moonless night. Also when I was young my brother and I would sneak out when the moon was at its highest and wander about the woods and fields without aid of a torch. That was fun.
I would say that a lot of pilgrims would best suited not to, though. There are many sections of the Camino that one could easily injure oneself badly stepping into a hole or depression on the route, and also the loose rocked downhill sections.
Thanks! I did a google search on my phone in a spot where I couldn't watch thee actual video and got it wrong. I've edited my post to make it more accurate.The episode is aptly called 'the kids are scared'. Based on an abundance of cobwebs.
The next episode is a night walk from el Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas, arrival at breakfast time.
That would have been a full moon walk? or maybe I misunderstood ~ only a few shots of the moon in the video.
Thanks! I did a google search on my phone in a spot where I couldn't watch thee actual video and got it wrong. I've edited my post to make it more accurate.
I always like to add a story I heard from 2 German pilgrims in Sahagun one night at dinner. They asked me if I knew about the pilgrims who only walk at night. I said "you mean like Zombies?" No, they said, there is a cult of night time pilgrims and when the get to Santiago they receive a Compostela that is entirely "black."
Okay, so I feel for their joke.
The final day of my first walk from Porto I started off way too early from Teo. I don't know if there was a full moon or it was just the city lights from Santiago but right after I left Teo I was in total darkness in a small forest. Fortunately the path was paved or semi-paved and I only tripped over a minimal number of roots and got tossed of the path once or twice. There were lots of noises and lots of nocturnal animals. When I got to Milladoiro and nothing was open, I finally realized my timing was way off. There is nothing like arriving on foot in Santiago before 10am, not!
The section between Fromista and Carrion. Probably walked the first two hours in darkness. Did not plan to, but the entire albergue it seems awoke early to start off in the August warmth. Avoid a bit of the sun. No way was I going to fall back asleep so I caved in with the crowd and off I went. Quite a bright moon and easy walk with almost no need for a torch. I remember stopping and looking back at one point, and seeing a row of bobbing headlamps in the distance, ahead and behind. Like little cars. Ended up reaching Carrion quite early. Dropped my pack in the queue and laid on the grass and relaxed waiting for the sisters to open the albergue.That is why the Meseta is ideal. With moonlight you can't get lost, never need a torch and is safe walking (nothing to fall over or into)! Ideal in Summer when it is very hot, though remember that the Meseta is almost like a desert : very hot days and freezing at night! The stars are magnificent and you follow the milky way. Lots of mice running across the track all the time, they get about quite a lot at night (took me a while to figure out what they were at first).
I would not recommend night walking in close or rugged terrain though.
Davey
We all saw you coming big boy!View attachment 52711During September and October 2017 I left several Albergue at @ 7:00am and it was still dark due to time of year (Albergue wants you out by 8:00). I did not enjoy walking in dark as I would miss things I wanted to see and photograph. I could not wait for the sun to come up so I could see where I was going.
I did it. Left 2030hrs. stopped at rest area near golf course (be4 ghost town) 0400. Slept 3hrs. Pushed on. Magnificent evening.When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
On the other hand, I also remember the challenging hike down towards Molinaseca in the dark - not something I would recommend.
I LOVED leaving early in the morning!! 3-4 am starts!! I love the peace and quiet of the night. Hiking early morning under the stars are some of my favorite memories from the CF. I only got lost once, early on and that taught me to be super aware of watching for trail markers and backtracking if I wasn’t sure if I missed an arrow. You have to be aware also that some alburgue lock the doors and you can’t sneak out!When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
Walking at night can be a great experience. However, recommend walking under a bright moon.When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
Would you please put a picture of the Smart Pilgrim app you are talking about? I cannot find it. Thank you kindly!Being very silent getting out of bed so as not to disturb the others is he first step. Walking for a couple of hours before dawn in the moonlight is quite euphoric. Not with a light though as that really isolates you from being able to see the surrounds. Walking in the forest is too dark with the risk of at least a sprained ankle. Then the joy of feeling everything beginning to wake up, rosters crowing, dogs barking, cows mooing and all that it the cool of the morning. As for getting lost because of missed arrows in you use the 'Smart Pilgrim' App that will keep you right on track. A couple of hours before dawn seems about right for me. Being moonlight one can still see the countryside. Here the moon is setting across the harvested cornfields.
View attachment 52781
I think they meant "Wise Pilgrim", which one of the apps that will show a map with the Camino marked on it and your current location. It is helpful for spotting when you are off the Camino and how to get back on it. You can check it when you are worried.Would you please put a picture of the Smart Pilgrim app you are talking about? I cannot find it. Thank you kindly!
When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
@Matthew Merten what do you mean about training at night so not to arouse suspicion?
I love walking in the dark (early morning). My kids and I have gone camping for years in the boundary waters area of Northern Minnesota. We practice night hiking. The rules are: no lights and no talking. Up and down hills with scrabble rocks.When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
Hi Mary,I love walking in the dark (early morning). My kids and I have gone camping for years in the boundary waters area of Northern Minnesota. We practice night hiking. The rules are: no lights and no talking. Up and down hills with scrabble rocks.
The key is not to use a headlight. You will be amazed what you can see in the dark. The problem I have sometimes is that lights from cars or from other pilgrims’ headlamps wipes out my night vision for several minutes. So I have to stop. Sometimes I have a difficult time convincing other pilgrims to go on because they think they are doing me a favor by walking near me with their light. Wrong.
If I wake up early, and am able to leave wherever I am quietly, I go. I have done this for 10 years on my Caminos. I have missed arrows, but the fun of night hiking offsets the risks, in my opinion. And now that I have downloaded maps on my phone, I am able to find my way back when I get off-course. Of course, you shouldn’t have your phone out while night hiking because it will impact your night vision.
Be careful out there. Pick parts of the Camino that aren’t close to highways. Have fun and enjoy!
I believe you have a point… first of all I always feel a difference in the beginning of a camino and later… the first days I feel all clumsy, tend to forget something.anybody notice that nobody who posts that they leave in the middle of the night is ever one of those pilgrims who disturbs others and politely takes all their prepacked things to the common room to get dressed and never ever makes noise?
By all means! I often awakened around 3 am or 4 am and started hiking. On a starlit night, its an amazing, sometimes, unnerving, experience. Give it a try and see what you think.When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
No one will be happy with a 3 am departure! You will be a marked man!!When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
Thanks for sharing. My strongest memories on my caminos I also carry with me in my heart - not in a photo.It was Oct. 13, 2017, the day after the Spanish National Holiday. I woke early and set out on the trail north from Merida, where I and many of the residents of the region had been celebrating and viewing national monuments the day before. I had been told that a particular bar on the northern outskirts of Merida opened early, and I was eagerly anticipating eating my breakfast there. I went to the door, knocked, and tried the door, which was locked solidly and the bar dark, on the morning after a much-celebrated national holiday. The streetlights were still lit, however. By chance, I looked up to the right of the street. A curve across the sky marked the location of the Merida aquaduct, reaching far up into the still-dark sky. Just below the top of this curve, a single brightly burning star signalled that dawn was not far off. I made three pointless attempts to photograph this wonder. It was pointless. The brightness of the streetlights would not let my camera record it. But I would always remember without a photo.
Do you know how annoying it is when people wake up that early and everybody still sleeping? Frankly it's inconsiderate and you gain nothing.We got up mostly at 4:30 and started walking by 5am. Doing this meant we missed the heat of the day which was the purpose but we did get lost twice by missing the markers. One time 15km in the wrong direction. However we also found other pilgrims who were doing the same and together we had some very enjoyable darkish walks with head torches and the ever desperate need for the first coffee. But the end of walk beer and wine of the day was wonderful. Just see how you go. But remember your other sleeping pilgrims. We had everything packed and just needed to get up, pick up our bag and put shoes on outside, eat a little something and go. The less noise the better. Have fun. Bon Caminho
I know you didn’t reply to me…. But I occasionally walk that early, primarily in the summer…Do you know how annoying it is when people wake up that early and everybody still sleeping? Frankly it's inconsiderate and you gain nothing.
Of course! Because this is not a truly random sample of Camino pilgrims. There is selection bias at play. These are people committed enough to Caminos to seek out and participate in forums like this, who read the advice and concern of others. Often, people who are active enough to post of their own experiences (as opposed to just lurking or posing questions) have walked multiple Caminos.anybody notice that nobody who posts that they leave in the middle of the night is ever one of those pilgrims who disturbs others and politely takes all their prepacked things to the common room to get dressed and never ever makes noise?
Yes, it is amazing so much the moon lights up.I met 2 guys who walked 1 night when it was a full moon. I hope to do the same this June.
When I'm on the Camino Frances Sept/Oct, I think I might be inclined to do some night hiking. Comments?
Rather than hiking from evening until after midnight, then camping out or trying to find an albergue still open (private?), my thinking is that I'll crash shortly after a communal dinner (assuming the noise of my fellow Pilgrims prior to 10 PM is not too overwhelming), will awaken about 3 AM with the 'help' of the mega-snorers nearby, and get a few hours walking before a breakfast stop. Benefits are solitude and cool weather, suits my psyche. Go a few more hours, lunch, nap, and a few more km's to the next albergue. Meet (re-meet) fellow Pilgrims, unwind with another good meal, and the cycle begins again. Sounds good, but . . . .
Thanks to all for useful advice on a multitude of topics, over the past two weeks since I began scouring the site! We plan and God laughs!
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