- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2009-2022: CFx6, CP, VdlPx2, Mozarabe, more later.
But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
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Iconic view across the the meseta certainlyFor me the most memorable of views, and climbs, on the CF.
It is indeed a pleasure to view it again.
Thank you.
Regards
Gerard
Short hill???!! You must be kidding The descent was always concrete as long as I have walked there. It is also badMy body automatically goes into a different rhythm for steady short hill climbs such as this, especially early in the day. It felt great to power up it full of energy at 9am after a night under the stars and full moon in San Anton, then an amble down onto the meseta..
That was the first time, am I right in thinking they've 'improved' the descent with concrete in recent times, I seem to remember it was earth and gravel before??
Yes but short relatively speaking, as I remember it.. But ask me in 10 years if I'm still as enthusiastic!Short hill???!! You must be kidding The descent was always concrete as long as I have walked there. It is also bad
Did you see Álvaro Lazaga’s latest camino video? He is walking the Francés right now. He circumvented the hill after Castrojeriz and took an alternative route to Los Balbases. It’s in the video, around 3 minutes 30 seconds.But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
I believe you are correct - the descent was earth & gravel when I walked in 2007.My body automatically goes into a different rhythm for steady short hill climbs such as this, especially early in the day. It felt great to power up it full of energy at 9am after a night under the stars and full moon in San Anton, then an amble down onto the meseta..
That was the first time, am I right in thinking they've 'improved' the descent with concrete in recent times, I seem to remember it was earth and gravel before??
These are our pictures of this same climb up to the Meseta from Castrojeriz. The first was taken at 06.08hrs and the second at 07.29hrs. We walked this on 10th, September, 2014, the weather was very hot, so we decided to leave Castrojeriz early that morning and departed from our accommodation at 05.35hrs in the dark. When you enlarge the first photo you will see the trail of lights from peoples headtorches, who also decided to leave early because of the heat. I (Anne) don't remember this climb being too bad, maybe because we did it in the dark, using headtorches and being careful of foot placement etc. Seeing the daylight photo of the climb does make it look more daunting. Once we reached the top we stopped for a picnic breakfast by moonlight, it was amazing. Then we continued on our way guided by the moonlight.
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Amazing what current realities do to perception!But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
Its my favourite climb on the whole Camino, I always use it as a test of my fitness. Into my seventies I can still do it without stopping which is a camino miracle as just about the only exercise I take is walking the Camino.But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
After a Pilgrim Meal the night before and a good sleep at Rosalia. Memorable.But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
Not my favorite climb in the world to be sure haha. Last time started before dawn and it was spectacular walking up and then even more breathtaking at the top. It was a memory I will not forget.But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
I hate walking uphill and I mean hate it. But when you have descents like that one I bitch even more to myself. Time to zig zag.Short hill???!! You must be kidding The descent was always concrete as long as I have walked there. It is also bad
And cherished memories we will never forget!...especially with wind and rain going against ME most of the way.I think we can all agree that the up-hill bits are the best part of the Camino.
They provide that essential sense of achievement.
What time of year was that? I would assume late spring or early summer. I have never seen green on my three walks on the Meseta (well at least not much haha). No matter I still love walking on the Meseta. A more than necessary to walk the Meseta.I did it two years ago yesterday.
Hontanas to Población de Campos.View attachment 101129
Err ... “two years ago yesterday”What time of year was that? I would assume late spring or early summer. I have never seen green on my three walks on the Meseta (well at least not much haha). No matter I still love walking on the Meseta. A more than necessary to walk the Meseta.
But then one has to be extra careful of bicyclists that come barreling through. Even here in my own neighbourhood - although I’m very careful to walk in a straight line - I’m thinking I would be better off if I were to invest in one of those little rear view mirrors that’s attached to one’s glasses. (Actually, I’d likely need two little mirrors, one for each side, depending on what kind of pathway I’m on.)..... and began walking across and back to ease the stress on my knees.
I love the Meseta! No uphills, no downhills. On my first Caminos, I was running downhills to get rid of them. Ahhh, the blessing of young age. I hate uphills! Probably an age issue...I notice I am almost always in the minority on the uphill/downhill discussions. I absolutely hate walking on the uphills and am as slow as a turga. I often pause to take pictures, probably to catch my breathe...give me the downills any day! I scamper down like a rabbit with the wind in my hair...well almost anyway!
Age...what's that?I love the Meseta! No uphills, no downhills. On my first Caminos, I was running downhills to get rid of them. I hate uphills! Probably an age issue...
I feel your pain.....LOL, anyway, your short quote brought up a few memories. I long to walk the camino, again. Thinking about it, I remembered some of those hills seemed endless. Buen Camino!But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
No matter how many wonderful times I've climbed that I can to this say it's an awful way to start a morningBut in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
They sure did, and now I'd be more than happy to climb them all!Thinking about it, I remembered some of those hills seemed endless.
Or end the day on tired limbs.No matter how many wonderful times I've climbed that I can to this say it's an awful way to start a morning
The descent has been gravel in march 2008. When I did it again in april 2014 it has been concrete.Short hill???!! You must be kidding The descent was always concrete as long as I have walked there. It is also bad
A woman and I were talking about the possibilities of a zip line.Mind you - at the top my first thought is always "what a perfect place for an ice cream stand".
I thought Peg walked with you.A woman and I were talking about the possibilities of a zip line.
Great pictures @alexwalker, bringing back memories of only 7 months ago. Would love to walk in spring one year.But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
I did the same too. I actually liked the meseta.It’s ok (ish) done first thing in the morning, after a night in Castrojeriz.
Last few times I walked it, I started in Hontanas and ended in Boadilla. It was hard!
But yes, I miss it too!
Go figure, we’ve all gone mad!
But in these Corona times, I (kind of) miss this climb (a little):
Hi David, can I ask if you have used your trailer for the full Camino? Any particular problems?Ah, return to Senda - didn't Elvis sing that?
and here is me just after the ascent, no weight on my back, airily waving and kissing my hand at struggling and sweating pilgrims as I pass
Mind you - at the top my first thought is always "what a perfect place for an ice cream stand".
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It isn’t a true Camino unless you are dying I the heat or being blown away with high winds and horizontal rain as you walk on the Meseta! Honestly I really do love this section so much.And cherished memories we will never forget!...especially with wind and rain going against ME most of the way.
I loved the meseta, every time I walked. I look forward to walking it again this year.Great pictures, I’m actually looking forward to the Meseta, which is my next stage in September. Might change my mind once I’ve been on it though.
Same with me...I only saw one deer and one rabbit in six weeks; another time only two rabbits in four weeks. I was surprised to never see any squirrels, which are so very common in much of the US.Almost the only wild animal we saw in all of Spain
Exactly! This is just how it is for me too. I love that hill. It comes after a couple of weeks of walking, and I test my fitness by walking all the way up without stopping.Its my favourite climb on the whole Camino, I always use it as a test of my fitness. Into my seventies I can still do it without stopping which is a camino miracle as just about the only exercise I take is walking the Camino.
I heard (before I saw) several small groups of hunters as I walked on the stretch between Santibañez de Valdeiglesias and the friendly kiosk on the top. A bit scary for a solo walker, as I hate guns.The only place where I heard hunters on the path was on the alternate camino to Villar de Mazarife after leaving Virgen del Camino where they were stalking in the bordering fields; thus, autumn pilgrims need to be noisy and wear bright colors in order to be noticed and not mistaken for game!
You know, I never knew that climb was called "The Mule Killer", yet at the time I wrote:
"And that, my dears, was a sodding hard day. Oh, the first 21km was a doddle, slightly marred by the hissing down rain at bird's fart, but I cunningly tacked on to a slow-motion American who was the proud possessor of a brighter headlamp. Use 'em and lose 'em being my motto, I dispensed with his services as soon as it got light enough to see the trail. Annoyingly, since I consider myself a fast walker, he was never far behind me at coffee stops, the pretentious swine.
So that was the easy bit over, but being an idiot, I decided to carry on. Having a low boredom threshold, finishing at 11am leaves a lot of day. Remind me sometime, however, guidebooks are meant to be read.
At this point, some unprintable swine inserted the hill from hell. It's the only one on the planet. They send mules here to end their days. I nearly ended mine. God it was hard, it went on and on, and on. And then, oh joy, there was the descent. Here, the rest of the mules suicide for pleasure.
And that, my dears, is how one walks 32km for fun. Or something. Tomorrow I shall hit myself with large bricks for a change of pace."
That was the first time, am I right in thinking they've 'improved' the descent with concrete in recent times, I seem to remember it was earth and gravel before??