- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances SJPP to SdC Oct/Nov 2015
Frances Burgos toSdC March/April 2016
W. Highland Way August 2016
Camino Somewhere September 2017
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I cannot think of any downhill where that is necessary. I am slow, too. Others can pass easily virtually everywhere. While I am stepping from rock to rock, others bound past like mountain goats. To each their* own!I usually go downhill on my backside
Yup , I go along with this - a sturdy wooden walking pole has saved me from certain injury sooooo many times . Such a pole saved my life in the Lake District while I was negotiating a path on a mountain scree ........... only to find mid way though that it was Herdwick goat track - it stopped me from sliding to my death.Steepness isn't the issue, but loose rocks, wet surfaces and/or mud can be "hazardous". You will have to be careful and aware.
If you do not have trekking poles, get some! They make all the difference in the world, especially going downhill!Hello, my wonderful new friends--
I have several months before I depart--I'll fly into Madrid 28 September--so I have a lot of time to lose some pesky kilos and do some training. I am very "trainable" and get fit quickly. I'm a naturally very muscular woman, and have faith in myself. I do have a few touchy parts of my body that I am going to be paying close attention to: a slightly bad back (which acts up when I over-exert, which I am concerned about), and feet that have suffered (achilles tendonitis and some other issue I've forgotten the name of).
But never mind! we ALL have our imperfections that we carry along. We do our best with them and learn to buffer them with analgesics, menthol rubs, special massages. No big deal!
My concern this morning is the downhills. While on Camino Frances, I'd love to know the very roughest downhills so I can anticipate them. I have seen a few of them detailed in the guidebooks, but I'd love to know from any of you. I am so slow on them. I hope I don't hold anyone behind me up.....I usually go downhill on my backside and go slow slow slowly.
Where am I going to struggle? please tell me about your most difficult parts, and how you traversed them.
Best---
Deb
....if one is trained to use the poles, yes. In our mountains here in Switzerland, many severe accidents occur every year by people stumbling over their own poles and experienced guides recommend them only to well trained people, otherwise the sticks can do more harm than good.Poles are great to insure your stability and resorting to a slow crab walking might become necessary if it is wet.
Ah, yes, that interesting stretch .... It is quite steep, and I found it a bit trying particularly as it follows after that already seemingly interminable downhill from Cruz de Ferro. My stash of chocolate came in handy that day as a pick-me-up. But what a beautiful section of the Camino that is .... all the way down to Molinaseca.+ the last 200 m before Acebo, esp if it raining ....
It would be very clumsy to maintain three points of contact. With normal use, poles will give you an extra point of contact, ie two points of contact instead of one. If both poles are in contact, such as reaching forward with both poles going downhill for stability, there is some point where both poles have to be lifted, and neither of them in contact with the ground.With poles you never have to lift one foot without having three other points of contact. In my opinion, they are a huge help, especially descending.
I have a bad ankle and down is hard for me so I definitely understand your concerns. Nothing down hill on the Camino Frances was a problem for me even with my bad ankle. I want to stress that it was all OK!!Hello, my wonderful new friends--
I have several months before I depart--I'll fly into Madrid 28 September--so I have a lot of time to lose some pesky kilos and do some training. I am very "trainable" and get fit quickly. I'm a naturally very muscular woman, and have faith in myself. I do have a few touchy parts of my body that I am going to be paying close attention to: a slightly bad back (which acts up when I over-exert, which I am concerned about), and feet that have suffered (achilles tendonitis and some other issue I've forgotten the name of).
But never mind! we ALL have our imperfections that we carry along. We do our best with them and learn to buffer them with analgesics, menthol rubs, special massages. No big deal!
My concern this morning is the downhills. While on Camino Frances, I'd love to know the very roughest downhills so I can anticipate them. I have seen a few of them detailed in the guidebooks, but I'd love to know from any of you. I am so slow on them. I hope I don't hold anyone behind me up.....I usually go downhill on my backside and go slow slow slowly.
Where am I going to struggle? please tell me about your most difficult parts, and how you traversed them.
Best---
Deb
Ha, Icacos, I remember that very well - also negotiatiated that on my backside ...Sorry, there was one section that was impossible, in the conditions, to traverse in an upright position. It was a very short decline (just three or four feet) on the way up Alto de Perdón, yes, on the way up. The wooden steps had given way, and it was too steep and too muddy to negotiate on foot. My companion and I had no choice but to lower ourselves onto the adjacent vegetation and inch our way down ..... on our backsides. There was never any threat, though, of serious injury.
When using trekking poles, your weight should be on the wrist strap. Your hands' role is to guide the pole plant. So, overcome your reluctance to use the straps, and us the poles correctly! Your hand muscles will be glad you did.so I hesitate to use wrist loops
Yes definitely bend knees. I forgot about that as it seems to come naturally to me.Bend your knees. SY
I agree that zig-zagging down a decline is a good idea. There is just one particular place on the Francés where I would definitely advise against it, and that is on the approach to Boadilla. Several kilometres before this town there is a wide, concrete path starting at the beginning of a long, steep decline that stretches off into the distance. It was obvious to my companions and me that cyclists love this hill, and we witnessed several of them going down at breakneck speed. You would not want to be zig-zagging in front of any of these over-enthusiastic sorts.I used poles and I often zig-zagged down to save my knees.
The downhills scared me too! I only walked up to Orrisson, I got myself into an anxious state and got a ride from Orrisson to Roncesvalle. I do regret that. I did the Zubiri decline becaue I had no idea. I was fortunate because at two of the steep inclines, I had myself three French Angels that helped me, or I would still be there! I ended my camino at Pamplona, because again, I was worried about going from Alto de Perdon.The ones that spring to mind are the track down to Zubiri, from Alto de Pardon to Uterga, the track from Acebo down to Molinaseca, and as falcon said none of these require you to travel on your bum, just take it nice and easy. I would also recommend using hiking poles as these will help you with both up and downhill.
Buen Camino.
My goodness.... You need mountaineers tools hereHello - I'd agree with the three downhill sections mentioned already but there was also very small descent where I do remember considering going down on my bottom.
I'm trying to remember where it was and I think it was in the first hour or so of leaving Larrasoaña, walking along beside the river. There is a small steep descent that is actually a concrete path and it was wet, muddy and covered in leaves... I walked (shuffled) down beside the concrete in the remains of the muddy track but bottom shuffling was definitely one of my options.
Coming down from Zubiri I was overtaken by a priest and his friend and they were running down… he shouted back over his shoulder that it was much safer to do it his way!
Coming down from El Acebo and Molinasecca I almost went into meltdown… my nerves were shot and as we reached another steep section and I really felt like just sitting down and crying or stamping my feet and refusing to go on… I cannot tell you how happy I was to walk into Moleneseca that day!
View attachment 16229
But... I'd happily walk them all again so I guess it wasn't too bad after all.
I've been trying to figure out the theory behind this technique, if indeed there is one. Or is it just a devil-may-care attitude? Hmmmmmm .............. that may not be the best expression to use with respect to a priest.Coming down from Zubiri I was overtaken by a priest and his friend and they were running down… he shouted back over his shoulder that it was much safer to do it his way!
My goodness.... You need mountaineers tools hereRopes....hammers.....ascenders...pulleys.....etc.
For all of you I suggest to all who have problems with this.. Come to us in the Netherlands.. We have a trail ,540 kms long from the north to the south, called "het Pieterpad-(path of Peter) It is almost flat...the highest inclination is about 300 meters above sealevel and as some of you know a big part of the country is below sealevel so the only thing now and then you have to do is put your finger in the dike like our famous hero Hansje Brinkers did, who protected us against an enormous flood by sticking his finger into the protective dike so the water did not come in.. No bad knees...no mountaineering tools needed. only the risk of a sour finger...
A beautiful trail... Highly recommended....
I agree with you ! But looking at that picture I was really shocked... We Dutch are not used to it. Every day when we rise ,the first view to the horizon in the distance is for almost 10 miles or so.Ha ha! Very witty, you : )
Honestly, I have climbed mountains--Mt Hood, in Oregon; Mt. St. Helens, in Washington; I've climbed an active volcano in Brastaggi, Sumatra; I've also hiked parts of the PCT, and to the base of the middle Sister (of the Sisters mountains in Oregon).
With those climbs, I knew exactly what I was getting into; and part of that is asking, researching, and checking. I think that's half the fun, don't you?
Isn't it called" run for the devil"technique ?I've been trying to figure out the theory behind this technique, if indeed there is one. Or is it just a devil-may-care attitude? Hmmmmmm .............. that may not be the best expression to use with respect to a priest.
Isn't it called" run for the devil"technique ?
Or was he running "like a bat out of hell?"Isn't it called" run for the devil"technique ?
When using trekking poles, your weight should be on the wrist strap.
Hello,
As far as I know, it is recommended not to use the straps in (steep) descents, in order to avoid injuries if you fall down. Just hold the handles. You can even hold the tip of the handle to gain some inches/cm.
Perhaps you were going a lot faster on skis? Walking is pretty slow; there is more time to be deliberate about how you proceed.Once, I fell with my wrist in the loop (I was skiing with poles), and think I nearly put an eye out, so I hesitate to use wrist loops, but would love to hear what you think.
You can drop them instantly. You just cannot toss them four feet!if you cannot drop the pole instantaneously
Good advice, falcon. The experts at REI showed us how to properly use the poles, and they said essentially the same thing.When using trekking poles, your weight should be on the wrist strap. Your hands' role is to guide the pole plant. So, overcome your reluctance to use the straps, and us the poles correctly! Your hand muscles will be glad you did.
As with all equipment, use judgement occasionally. For example, a backpack works best with the straps properly fastened and adjusted. However, if you are going to ford a stream, it is wise to undo all the buckles and straps, so that you can shed the pack quickly if you fall and start to drown.Good advice, falcon. The experts at REI showed us how to properly use the poles, and they said essentially the same thing.
I have been using technical trekking poles for over a decade, and reading the readily available research. I have never seen such a recommendation from an informed source. Perhaps you can point us to the source of this recommendation, or establish its context.Hello,
As far as I know, it is recommended not to use the straps in (steep) descents, in order to avoid injuries if you fall down. Just hold the handles. You can even hold the tip of the handle to gain some inches/cm.
I have been in the situation where my pole tip as been snagged, and it is easier to 'drop' the pole when you aren't holding onto the hand grip tightly, and just pull the pole out with the strap.the pole tip may be blocked for some reason (stones, roots...). You would rotate, fall and/or get an arm or wrist injury due to your speed downwards if you cannot drop the pole instantaneously.
No. It is completely unnecessary to hold onto the grip. It is quite easy to guide the tip with just a gentle touch with the fingers, thumb or palm of the hand. There is absolutely no need to hold onto the hand grip, it can be left loose.In a descent in rather rough terrain (stones etc.), you have to direct your pole tips to the most adequate locations, which needs to hold the grips.
I have been using technical trekking poles for over a decade, and reading the readily available research. I have never seen such a recommendation from an informed source. Perhaps you can point us to the source of this recommendation, or establish its context.
Thank you.I bumped into this recommendation decades ago, but you can find sources such as :
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/hiking_poles_technique.html#.UcLaufmG1s4
(technique 8 - technique 2, alternate hold)
http://sectionhiker.com/reader-poll-do-you-use-trekking-pole-straps/
a discussion. Maybe a (loose) consensus about the risks in rough terrain.
http://blog.cimalp.fr/comment-choisir-ses-batons-randonnee-les-utiliser/
in french, with some interesting pictures
En descente : Downhill - Take off the straps and hold your sticks by the grip or with your palm on the top of the grip. Thus you will avoid injuring your wrist or your shoulder in case you slip or fall.
http://www.lerelaisdesjacobins.fr/la marche et les batons.htm
in french too, by Serge, the owner of the (appreciated) "Relais des Jacobins" in Cahors
Line 26 and further : La dragonne n'est pas du tout nécessaire [...] The strap is not necessary and I advise not to use it : sooner or later you will block the tip of your pole in a strong hole and if you are in some descent or carried by your momentum, you will lose your balance. Even if you don't tear your arm off, I bet you will fall down. Not what you are looking for. It happened to me : I don't use the str aps any longer, I prefer to drop my stick ! The rounded grip tops are very useful in descents and you put your stick in the palm of your hand in order to really support your weight and "block" your momentum, long before your feet.
As Serge concludes :
But the good practice is the one you will chose as, on the chemin, the good way of walking is mostly the one which fits you.
http://blog.cimalp.fr/comment-choisir-ses-batons-randonnee-les-utiliser/
En descente : Downhill - Take off the straps and hold your sticks by the grip or with your palm on the top of the grip. Thus you will avoid injuring your wrist or your shoulder in case you slip or fall.
.
OMG! Deb, I have the exact same concerns about downhills! My original plan was to go to Spain next year but can't wait and have moved my trip to end of this August! By the way, I live in Tigard!Hello, my wonderful new friends--
I have several months before I depart--I'll fly into Madrid 28 September--so I have a lot of time to lose some pesky kilos and do some training. I am very "trainable" and get fit quickly. I'm a naturally very muscular woman, and have faith in myself. I do have a few touchy parts of my body that I am going to be paying close attention to: a slightly bad back (which acts up when I over-exert, which I am concerned about), and feet that have suffered (achilles tendonitis and some other issue I've forgotten the name of).
But never mind! we ALL have our imperfections that we carry along. We do our best with them and learn to buffer them with analgesics, menthol rubs, special massages. No big deal!
My concern this morning is the downhills. While on Camino Frances, I'd love to know the very roughest downhills so I can anticipate them. I have seen a few of them detailed in the guidebooks, but I'd love to know from any of you. I am so slow on them. I hope I don't hold anyone behind me up.....I usually go downhill on my backside and go slow slow slowly.
Where am I going to struggle? please tell me about your most difficult parts, and how you traversed them.
Best---
Deb
OMG! Deb, I have the exact same concerns about downhills! My original plan was to go to Spain next year but can't wait and have moved my trip to end of this August! By the way, I live in Tigard!
That's the answer for most of us as well. It's easy to forget that you're not in a race, especially when you see so many others passing you....
Taking one's time was the answer for me - careful and steady.
...
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