I miss my boots

[Mana di Castanja]

Sorry

 

[tomnorth]

I always wondered what the stories were behind the discarded boots along the way. What is the story of your boots?

 

[Albertagirl]

At Altapuerta i left my old boots. If Anyone sees them. Please make a picture So ik know its stil there..
View attachment 42293

If I see them, I promise to bin them, so as not to encourage others to do anything so stupid.

 

[Waka]

One see's discarded shoes/boots all along the CF, I guess some people might consider leaving them like you have littering, I'm not sure how I feel, I'd rather see a pair of used discarded shoes/boots along the way than all the graffiti that we come across.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I promise to bin them,

I have binned a dozen so far in about that many years! Some shirts, socks, jackets, and packs, too.

 

[naplesdon]

During the Ditch Pig Dig every year cart after cart of this kind of crap gets hauled off. I wish there was a thumbs down button on the Forum for some posts.

 

[Mana di Castanja]

Some may find it stupid. But i see a lot of garbage round the trail. Im sure someday my shoes are gone. I dont throw or burn them. They just standing there. Sorry if i offended Some people. But they worn off and i carried them for three days. Some pelgrim gave me that advice So i Loose weight. Thats Why i leave it there.

 

[RJM]

I have binned a dozen so far in about that many years! Some shirts, socks, jackets, and packs, too.

My nice, North Face brand fleece pullover fell off the back of my pack on one Camino. I did not know it was missing until hours later. It was a sort of olive color. I hope someone is enjoying it, lol. It was too nice to be binned.
The worn out stuff left on the Camino. like shoes and boots? Bin them please. Honestly, nobody cares about a pair of worn out footwear or the cliche of leaving them somewhere displayed.

 

[sunwanderer]

Yes, there is a lot of garbage on the trail. That is not a reason to leave even more garbage.

Reducing your weight is a good thing, but littering the landscape is not a good thing - put garbage in a proper receptacle.

Leaving garbage on the trail for others to clean up is immature. Many people spend much time disposing the trash that others have left.

 

[Mana di Castanja]

Ok. Bad choice..

 

[Turga]

Yes, bad choice but not the end of the world. We all make bad choices now and then, that's one of the ways in which we learn -and move on...

 

[martin1ws]

Leave no trace:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leave_No_Trace
https://lnt.org/

 

[Juspassinthru]

Possibly bad choices of words as well. Educating does not require humiliation.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Some may find it stupid. But i see a lot of garbage round the trail. Im sure someday my shoes are gone. I dont throw or burn them. They just standing there. Sorry if i offended Some people. But they worn off and i carried them for three days. Some pelgrim gave me that advice So i Loose weight. Thats Why i leave it there.

It is still litter.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Some may find it stupid. But i see a lot of garbage round the trail. Im sure someday my shoes are gone. I dont throw or burn them. They just standing there. Sorry if i offended Some people. But they worn off and i carried them for three days. Some pelgrim gave me that advice So i Loose weight. Thats Why i leave it there.

Hi Chris .
You don’t leave what ever you want to loose on the Camino or some where else .
When you want to didge them do it the wright way . Period No discusion .

 

[Turga]

There's always someone to throw the first stone...

 

[RJM]

Discarding footwear (or anything) along the Camino path(s) is wrong, but this thread (me included) did beat up on the OP a bit too harshly. Sorry mate.

 

[Tincatinker]

Gently pilgrims please, and thank you to those who have tried to understand or express empathy with the OP. Veterans, Ditch Pigs, and those for whom a balsa descarga is part of their Camino kit are of course entitled to express their righteous rage. But the OP was an innocent abroad, and he misses his good friends that got him that far if no further. Perhaps a lesson to us all to listen less to the opinions of those we pass along the Way and look closer to our hearts and strive to do that which is right rather than fashionable or expedient.

Picking unspeakable shite out of various locations on my own ditch pig ventures may have coloured my vision but it hasn't obscured my first view of that bewildering world 'the Camino'.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Amen brother!

 

[Albertagirl]

Gently pilgrims please, and thank you to those who have tried to understand or express empathy with the OP. Veterans, Ditch Pigs, and those for whom a balsa descarga is part of their Camino kit are of course entitled to express their righteous rage. But the OP was an innocent abroad, and he misses his good friends that got him that far if no further. Perhaps a lesson to us all to listen less to the opinions of those we pass along the Way and look closer to our hearts and strive to do that which is right rather than fashionable or expedient.

Picking unspeakable shite out of various locations on my own ditch pig ventures may have coloured my vision but it hasn't obscured my first view of that bewildering world 'the Camino'.

@Tincatinker
My words were somewhat harsh and I accept the reprimand. I was blessed with a father who taught his children respect for public space at an early age. I have been picking up after others ever since, if sometimes somewhat grumpily. I hold to my offer to pick up those boots, or the next pair of boots that I see abandoned on the Camino, and carry them to their proper place of disposal.
Mary Louise

 

[domigee]

Some may find it stupid. But i see a lot of garbage round the trail. Im sure someday my shoes are gone. I dont throw or burn them. They just standing there. Sorry if i offended Some people. But they worn off and i carried them for three days. Some pelgrim gave me that advice So i Loose weight. Thats Why i leave it there.

But Chris, my shoes were also worn on my first camino and I bought a new pair. I BINNED mine. Of course they meant a lot to me but since I wasn't prepared to carry them home, I disposed of them.....

 

[Tincatinker]

@Albertagirl I meant no criticism of you or anyone else, gentle or fierce. And thank you for being a 'ditch pig', grumpy ditch pigs still wear their badge with pride :0)

 

[Anamiri]

@Albertagirl I meant no criticism of you or anyone else, gentle or fierce. And thank you for being a 'ditch pig', grumpy ditch pigs still wear their badge with pride :0)

Out of curiosity, how many discarded boots would you find when cleaning up?

 

[naplesdon]

Not as many boots as soiled clothing, piles of human manure behind rest shelters and spent cans and bottles. It is truly disgusting to dig up the crap behind the shelter at Alto Mostelares just after the climb from Castrojeriz and some of other rest stops in the Meseta.

 

[WGroleau]

In addition to the complaints about litter, I'd like to add my disapproval of the many pilgrims who collectively trampled many square meters meters of a farmer's crops to make their caminos a mere fifty paces shorter at a corner in Navarra. And those who stole a few dozen distance markers in Galicia.

 

[Anamiri]

In addition to the complaints about litter, I'd like to add my disapproval of the many pilgrims who collectively many square meters meters of a farmer's crops to make their caminos a mere fifty paces shorter at a corner in Navarra. And thosee who stole a few dozen distance markers in Galicia.

I dont understand that either. I often do the Oxfam Trailwalk event, its 100km all terrain event. For some inexplicable reason, some people steal the markers, especially the last 20kms. They are placed every km, and serve to let you know you are still on track and how far you have come.
As 100kms takes a long time to walk, around 24 hours for me. it works out that the ones you need the most in the dark of the night are often missing. By that stage it is really dark, you are tired, reliant on your head torch, and its easy to get lost. The trail winds through forests, beaches, and farmland, not on regular roads or paths for the most part.
We met a number of people who were dreadfully lost, having walked in a huge circle. They were Australian and had come to do the Oxfam. They added an additional 2-3 hours to their walk, I felt so sorry for them.
All because someone swiped the markers. Surely the marker thieves know it is a selfish, stupid act.
Apparently they have souvenir value.

 

[t2andreo]

Not as many boots as soiled clothing, piles of human manure behind rest shelters and spent cans and bottles. It is truly disgusting to dig up the crap behind the shelter at Alto Mostelares just after the climb from Castrojeriz and some of other rest stops in the Meseta.

I walked a lot slower than Don and only got to the top of the trail, collecting trash as I walked, after he and his team finished picking up all the "fun" stuff around the shelter at the top of the long climb. But, all he says is true. I was there.

Working as Ditch Pigs, at times we would just scratch our heads and wonder either: "WHERE did they find the energy?" (used condoms); or seriously...? (empty whisky or vodka bottles); or [and my favorite]... "you ARE kidding...right?" (a used laxative packet along the trail). Some of these finds provided a lot of comic relief to the six or seven of us, all Camino veterans.

But, the essential point is that there is still TOO much litter out there that we know comes from pilgrims. The best advice is still...PACK IT OUT! Carry it to the next proper trash bin and dispose of it there.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

It is truly disgusting to dig up the crap

Only the Juntas have the solution to this problem. They need to position and maintain portable toilets along the way. If they can plant trees (and let most of them die), they can provide minimum toilet facilities. The ten leave-no-trace Members on the Forum will not convince the 132,478 Spanish pilgrims last year to carry their feces to distant disposal facilities!

 

[RJM]

Only the Juntas have the solution to this problem. They need to position and maintain portable toilets along the way. If they can plant trees (and let most of them die), they can provide minimum toilet facilities. The ten leave-no-trace Members on the Forum will not convince the 132,478 Spanish pilgrims last year to carry their feces to distant disposal facilities!

On all the days I have been on the Camino, and that is over 150, I never had to shat outdoors, only piss, but even if I ever did shat outdoors no way would I ever carry a turd in my pocket (is that a turd in your pocket or are you happy to see me? ) for even 1/2 a kilometre. I have to draw the line there. I would just do what I have always done and that's bury it. Always did that on wilderness backpack trips and in the army whilst in the field.
I do agree it is rude and inexcusable to simply leave "it" on the ground and honestly I do not understand that behavior. I know somebody reading this had done that on the Camino as well as just plain littering, graffiti defacing, stealing kilometre markers, bag rustling at 5:00 am, gear on the floor strewn about etc. I know they'd never respond to this post, but I'm curious as to why? Why do it?

 

[Lurch]

Why not carry poop bags, the kind you find in pet stores? When in civilization and I am walking my dogs, I always use them and carry their contents to the next trash can. Strategically places bag dispensers would be cheaper than Porta Potties. Have not yet walked the Camino (I am up for late Sept. thruOct), itjyst makes common sense to clean up after yourself.

 

[Albertagirl]

I don't know why individuals do what they do (unless they tell me). But perhaps the camino is a very foreign space for many pilgrims. How do you live when when you do not have your private space and many of the usual comforts and facilities are absent, or not always available? Military veterans and back-country hikers know answers to this question, but many of the multitude of walkers on the Spanish pilgrim routes apparently do not. If others leave their litter on the trails, this is apparently the thing to do. This forum tries to help educate them. A second possibility is that people are just selfish. We tell them, "It's your camino" and they think that justifies any behaviour, even in what is public space, which must be cared for if it is to continue to be usable.

 

[domigee]

Only the Juntas have the solution to this problem. They need to position and maintain portable toilets along the way. If they can plant trees (and let most of them die), they can provide minimum toilet facilities. The ten leave-no-trace Members on the Forum will not convince the 132,478 Spanish pilgrims last year to carry their feces to distant disposal facilities!

But.... The distances are NOT long on the CF. unless you are a small child or an adult who has caught a 'stomach bug', there is absolutely no need to use the outdoors as a loo!!!! (Sorry for too much information but I mean 'pooing', not peeing' )

 

[RJM]

Why not carry poop bags, the kind you find in pet stores? When in civilization and I am walking my dogs, I always use them and carry their contents to the next trash can. Strategically places bag dispensers would be cheaper than Porta Potties. Have not yet walked the Camino (I am up for late Sept. thruOct), itjyst makes common sense to clean up after yourself.

I've never owned dogs in a city environment where they needed to be walked in a public space, and I had to carry around their shat in a small bag, ha ha. Not knocking it, but just never done it. Always had dogs out in the country. No walks needed.
Honestly the shat bags would never work. Your average pilgrim is simply not going to use one. The concept of carrying around human fecal matter even for a short distance is not a natural concept and shocking to the senses, so to speak. Not only that, think of the concept of physically doing "it" into the bag, or moving "it" from the ground to the bag. Nope, not gonna happen.
The portable toilets would probably work to some degree, but would in short order, unless maintained every 2-3 days, become little homes of putrid hades with the flies and odors (especially in the summer months). Nobody will want to stand in, let alone sit in one even for a minute.
All I can say is God bless the "ditch pigs" and others who maintain the Camino paths.

 

[domigee]

On all the days I have been on the Camino, and that is over 150, I never had to shat outdoors, only piss, but even if I ever did shat outdoors no way would I ever carry a turd in my pocket (is that a turd in your pocket or are you happy to see me? ) for even 1/2 a kilometre. I have to draw the line there. I would just do what I have always done and that's bury it. Always did that on wilderness backpack trips and in the army whilst in the field.
I do agree it is rude and inexcusable to simply leave "it" on the ground and honestly I do not understand that behavior. I know somebody reading this had done that on the Camino as well as just plain littering, graffiti defacing, stealing kilometre markers, bag rustling at 5:00 am, gear on the floor strewn about etc. I know they'd never respond to this post, but I'm curious as to why? Why do it?

Absolutely. I have walked many thousands of km and only twice have I had to use the outdoors for an emergency. Both times I was ill, it happens! But even though it was on a path not walked by many (if any!) I went deep in the woods. And didn't leave the TP behind!!!! (It wasn't in Spain, btw).
No, I don't think there is any excuse.

 

[Irish Bernie]

This thread is full of crap......................................................................................................................................and old boots !!!!

 

[Juspassinthru]

Unfortunately and for the most part, all of this is preaching to the choir. Dealing with the litter issue, responsible defecation (for lack of a better term) and helping to keep the Camino clean generally is better dealt with before the Pilgrim reaches the Camino (or anywhere else). How do we reach them and educate them about their responsibilities prior to their departure? Forums like this one are great but, how many future Pilgrims access it? For the sponsor and for those of us that care, this seems like a problem that can be solved or, at least mitigated. Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[Yoyo]

Unfortunately and for the most part, all of this is preaching to the choir. Dealing with the litter issue, responsible defecation (for lack of a better term) and helping to keep the Camino clean generally is better dealt with before the Pilgrim reaches the Camino (or anywhere else). How do we reach them and educate them about their responsibilities prior to their departure? Forums like this one are great but, how many future Pilgrims access it? For the sponsor and for those of us that care, this seems like a problem that can be solved or, at least mitigated. Thoughts? Ideas?

Maybe they could print some basic pilgrim rules on the Credenciales?

 

[JillGat]

Ok, I have learned a new perspective on this thread, too. I threw my (uncomfortable) shoes in a bin and did not leave them along the trail. However I was not *as* offended by boots that I occasionally saw "displayed" with flowers, etc. as I was by graffiti, clothing, litter and worse thoughtlessly left on the ground alongside the trail. I wasn't impressed by these human-made monuments, but it also didn't occur to me to see it as littering, as much as maybe a little sentimental. They said to me, "this footwear served me well as the fundamental article that allowed me to walk this far. I don't have the heart to throw them in the bin." (I happily threw mine away because they hurt.) Near Zubiri, I marveled at (and photographed) a pair of boots set on a marker that were completely covered with living moss. However I can understand now the perspective voiced by those who clean up the trails. But I'm sorry you felt the need to so repetitively scold Chris66.

More commonly I got annoyed by the constant need by many people to stack stones on top of markers, bases of crosses, etc. I, too, wonder why so many feel the need to mark their presence everywhere they go.

 

[sunwanderer]

"this footwear served me well as the fundamental article that allowed me to walk this far. I don't have the heart to throw them in the bin."

Sometimes I've felt the same way about material objects. But you either have to have the heart to bin them, or you have to have the heart to carry them. Otherwise you might be seen as heartless.

I don't think posters or education will do much. We have the choir already doing the "right thing." There is likely a small portion of the non-choir who will realize the error of their ways and convert to the choir.

I expect the majority of the non-choir will stay non-choir. Nobody I know can see the toilet paper scattered on the trail and think "this is fine, this is OK." They already know, they are already educated that this isn't the right thing to do. Yet they do it.

Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation, or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

 

[sunwanderer]

I marveled at (and photographed) a pair of boots set on a marker that were completely covered with living moss

When someone does something like this, it can be cute. When several people do it, it seems boring and repetitive. And when lots of people do it, it becomes a nuisance, and it becomes the responsibility of someone else to deal with it.

 

[Dorpie]

Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

Haha, certainly a novel solution.

 

[Corinne Lombardi]

Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

 

[RJM]

Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation, or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

That's a rather unrealistic solution, and I do assume you are being facetious.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

......Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation, or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

Nah, I'll pass. This smacks too much of punishing the innocent for the misdeeds of the do-bads.

 

[Tincatinker]

I think I quite like the idea of having to make a deposit on the camino so that you can reclaim your deposit on the camino. I guess the only real challenge in administration will be how do the authorities deal with someone who deposits more than they have deposited?

Maybe we should stick to education....

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Sometimes I've felt the same way about material objects. But you either have to have the heart to bin them, or you have to have the heart to carry them. Otherwise you might be seen as heartless.

I don't think posters or education will do much. We have the choir already doing the "right thing." There is likely a small portion of the non-choir who will realize the error of their ways and convert to the choir.

I expect the majority of the non-choir will stay non-choir. Nobody I know can see the toilet paper scattered on the trail and think "this is fine, this is OK." They already know, they are already educated that this isn't the right thing to do. Yet they do it.

Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation, or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

This would also be a big budget item for cash strapped pilgrims who are scraping together every dollar just for airfare.

 

[JillGat]

I wish there could at least be a few posters in albergues along the way, discouraging litter and graffiti. I don't know that it would have any effect, but I've never seen it tried. I'm thinking even a photo with a way marker vandalized and litter around it and a sad face icon. I don't see any messages to this effect anywhere.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Yay! Discussion! When I walked last spring, I carried a “potty pack”, some TP, wet wipes and 4-5 “trail packs”. The Trail Packs were a zip lock bag with some TP in it. As a backpacker, I didn’t carry out the organic matter, I buried it. I always carried out the paper products in the zip lock bag. I never had to use a Trail Pack on the Camino but, I did give one to a Pilgrim in need with instructions on how to use it. To my dismay, they’d never thought of it. Let’s face it...it happens. So, how do we educate the average Pilgrim on how to minimize their impact on the Camino and the world in general? Thanks to all that clean up after the hordes!

 

[JillGat]

Hope this isn't TMI or grosses anyone out. I don't use toilet paper. I walk well off the trail and find a remote spot. I use a smooth rock or large leaves if available) to wipe. I bury organic matter. I learned this a long time ago, backpacking. It really isn't difficult.

 

[Frank66]

Wise words . . .

 

[Kathy Jaudegis]

Sorry

Chris 66- Pleae , nothing to be sorry about. I understand. Those boots were sacred!

 

[Richmond Gardner]

But Chris, my shoes were also worn on my first camino and I bought a new pair. I BINNED mine. Of course they meant a lot to me but since I wasn't prepared to carry them home, I disposed of them.....

Right! It’s not so hard to find a bin for your garbage.Leaving boots aside the trail or on a stoop is just a ill considered statement that is regretted later. Stack some pebbles if you must

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Stack some pebbles if you must

Gateway graffiti! "I was here." Anon

 

[WGroleau]

This forum tries to help educate them.

This forum can't educate them because they don't know it exists. And if even five percent of the pilgrims were to find it and register, Ivar's provider would raise the prices till he had to close down. And if he didn't close down and the site was able to handle the load, it would become as valuable as Facebook, i.e., NOT.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Sometimes I've felt the same way about material objects. But you either have to have the heart to bin them, or you have to have the heart to carry them. Otherwise you might be seen as heartless.

I don't think posters or education will do much. We have the choir already doing the "right thing." There is likely a small portion of the non-choir who will realize the error of their ways and convert to the choir.

I expect the majority of the non-choir will stay non-choir. Nobody I know can see the toilet paper scattered on the trail and think "this is fine, this is OK." They already know, they are already educated that this isn't the right thing to do. Yet they do it.

Maybe the only solution is to hit the pilgrim where it really hurts - his pocket book. Require a sizable deposit (say $800 - $1000) when entering the trail, and then give back a refund (maybe $20) every time a poop bag is turned in at an albergue. A quick DNA test will confirm that the sample belongs to the owner and not some cow or horse. Monies left over (due to constipation, or leaving the trail early because of injuries) go to support the organized Ditch Pig cleanups.

Are you serious ???

 

[Jill81]

After seeing all the disgusting evidence of people using the Camino as an open latrine I was so impressed with the trail side public toilets along the Kumano Kodo in Japan I took a photo!

 

[Jeff Zimmerman]

Maybe we need more of these signs, spotted near Samos.

 

[SabsP]

Common sense.That is what is needed.
I hope.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Maybe we need more of these signs, spotted near Samos.

Why can't people shuffle cards?

 

[Susan M Fron]

On all the days I have been on the Camino, and that is over 150, I never had to shat outdoors, only piss, but even if I ever did shat outdoors no way would I ever carry a turd in my pocket (is that a turd in your pocket or are you happy to see me? ) for even 1/2 a kilometre. I have to draw the line there. I would just do what I have always done and that's bury it. Always did that on wilderness backpack trips and in the army whilst in the field.
I do agree it is rude and inexcusable to simply leave "it" on the ground and honestly I do not understand that behavior. I know somebody reading this had done that on the Camino as well as just plain littering, graffiti defacing, stealing kilometre markers, bag rustling at 5:00 am, gear on the floor strewn about etc. I know they'd never respond to this post, but I'm curious as to why? Why do it?

Really, people need to be aware it's not just about them. Leave no trace doesn't mean you have to carry it out, BURY IT. Keep our space clean.

 

[Anamiri]

I saw that sign near Samos as well, and would have photographed it had it not been raining. Love the angle of the arms, looks as though it may have been an urgent one

 

[JillGat]

Why can't people shuffle cards?

and how can you decide *NOT* to take a shit if you need to?

 

[Anamiri]

I guess they mean just not in that spot...?

 

[Mana di Castanja]

Well, i didnt watched my topic anymore sinds every one is shouting the crapp out of me. I hope you all have a wonderfull and clean Camino... I am sure that all off you know how to behave on the Camino and you are all saints. It was wrong decision but it pissis me off what you see along the Camino... please dont react.. but you this or that..you dont this or that...This forum seems to be for the people who waits for this kind of mistakes. Do not say, i am sorry you feel that way.. Yeah, i feel that way.. buen Camino and peace to you all.

 

[wayfarer]

Time to close this on, its run its course and is waaay off topic.