Intro - walking the first time August 2017

[Dan Chen]

Hey everybody

Im doing this trek on my own, I first heard about it 3 years ago when I had met this woman in a hostel. She had done the trek twice and had just finished her third when we met. I was blown away by what she told me. She just walked it. Came from Korea to do the trip.

I met someone else later during my travels who decided to, impromptu, do the walk. He was traveling from China and he heard about the pilgrimage on his last day in Barcelona. He extended his stay and started planning his trip that same day.

So as you can tell, I'm been thinking about this for the last couple years. I booked my ticket just a couple weeks ago and am starting off the Camino Del Norte from Bilbao. I've got about 4 weeks and I'm planning to walk bout 25 km every day.

I bought the Cicerone Northern Caminos guidebook and downloaded the Buen Camino app. Wondering if anyone else has any tips for a mid 20 year old traveling alone on this route?

I'm headed out first week of August 2017.

 

[stratophile]

Hi Dan - I don't have any tips that you probably haven't already stumbled across in your research so far. Just thought I'd welcome you to the forums!

Have a great Camino. Report back and let us know how it goes.

 

[poogeyejr]

The same 3 suggestions for everyone:
1) Comfortable/broken in shoes
2) Very light backpack (Your goal weight is 5-6kg or 10% of your body weight, which ever is less!)
3) Some form of Rain protection - walking on the coast, the weather is variable and can change on a dime!

 

[Dan Chen]

Hi Dan - I don't have any tips that you probably haven't already stumbled across in your research so far. Just thought I'd welcome you to the forums!

Have a great Camino. Report back and let us know how it goes.

Thanks stratophile!

I'm looking forward to it. Just starting to break in my boots in.

 

[Dan Chen]

The same 3 suggestions for everyone:
1) Comfortable/broken in shoes
2) Very light backpack (Your goal weight is 5-6kg or 10% of your body weight, which ever is less!)
3) Some form of Rain protection - walking on the coast, the weather is variable and can change on a dime!

Boots was my first investment to this trip.

Light backpack I'm bringing a 50L and prob filling it up (going to be journaling taking pictures, and debating about bringing a personal laptop to blog)

Thanks for that! Forgot the poncho

 

[poogeyejr]

Light backpack I'm bringing a 50L and prob filling it up (going to be journaling taking pictures, and debating about bringing a personal laptop to blog)

Remember - what ever you take you need to charge. The albergues have very few outlets so everyone is trying to get juice for their phones. I took a power brick and then usb charged all my devices from the brick as I walked and charged the brick while I slept. Extra weight but I never had to be worried about someone taking my phone from the charger.

 

[Dan Chen]

Remember - what ever you take you need to charge. The albergues have very few outlets so everyone is trying to get juice for their phones. I took a power brick and then usb charged all my devices from the brick as I walked and charged the brick while I slept. Extra weight but I never had to be worried about someone taking my phone from the charger.

Poogeyejr, that's brilliant advice. Will need to invest in one. Never considered the charging situation..

 

[Mike Savage]

Welcome Dan, I hear the Norte is beautiful. I agree with poogeyejr: good comfortable shoes, pack light, and bring rain protection.

Safe travels and Buen Camino!

 

[nycwalking]

Have fun. Welcome to forum.