Jan

[Jan de Kaper]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

 

[SYates]

Hi and welcome to the forum @Jan de Kaper

Whilst it is not frequent that people your age walk the camino, it is also not unheard of. If you are fit and use common sense/listen to your body, you should be fine. Buen Camino, SY

 

[Felipe]

Most pilgrims are in the 30-60 range, with a sizable -30 group. We, the "over 60" are a 7%, according with stats.
https://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas/
You know your abilities and limits better than nobody. I only respectfully suggest that you
* do a general medical check up (including a dental) before going to the Camino. I know, it is annoying...
* be sure to have a good health care international insurance.
* consider Spain's weather; and plan carefully your stages.
* carry a card with your medical basics (not in a digital form...), emergency contact phones and family address.
* get a cellphone with a card valid in Spain.
That's what I try to do, as a rule. I guess you have already considered most of these things, but just in case...
You can find many of these practical individual topics already discussed in this forum.
Buen camino!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Welcome new member @Jan de Kaper. Maybe you could contact new member @Pcav182 who posted a new thread Saturday entitled "18 too young?" and team-up as two 49 year olds.

I think you will have a wonderful trip.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

Hi, Jan,

You should search the forum to find posts by @movinmaggie. She celebrated her 80th birthday upon arrival in Santiago and had quite a Camino!

Though there aren't many of your age on the Camino, there are many of us who aren't far behind, and who hope to be able to follow in your footsteps when we are 80 years old! Buen Camino, Laurie

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Bravo!!

(I'm only in my 60s but dream of hiking into my older years. Thanks for the inspiration!)

We took a first time walker at 69 on the Camino Francés and after a bumpy start she found her legs and powered on to Santiago.

The route has many options for shorter days and rest stops if required and luggage and people transport as well.

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Jan, I have met a few 80 + year olds on the Camino, one was a Japanese man with one leg and a prosthesis, it was his second Camino. You should be fine, just pace yourself.
Buen Camino.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Hello

Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

well, that takes care of the fitness aspect I'm guessing from your name that you might be Dutch? I marched in a military team in the Internationale Vierdaagse Afstandsmarsen Nijmegen and it taught me two important things: 1. next time be one of the guys cheering on the sidelines with beer in their hands 2. when our path crossed near the civilian marchers, the more senior Dutch walkers could run us and the younger civilians into the ground. any day. every day. OK, three things, the Dutch know how to party.

I saw plenty of pilgrims that I would guess are 60+ (and I was nearly that so I think my assessment was accurate), and as you know, a decade or two age difference isn't an issue past a certain age. I'm surprised at the 7% mentioned above (but don't question it), I would have guess closer to 15-18%...but I walked slightly out of the busy season, so I imagine the summer glut of pilgrims is mostly young.

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Thank you all for encouraging me.
Yes Smallest_Sparrow I am Dutch and I walked Nijmegen this year for the fifth time 4x40 km,also year before.
2014 I could not,because of bowel and stomach cancer from which I fully recovered.
Also I have no medication at all.
I have now concluded to walk the Camino next year end of April May June thanks to you encouraging me !
Thank you all.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

tots zeins en Buen Camino

 

[SabsP]

Hi Jan,

I know a Belgian fit man of 84 who walked two years ago from his front door here in Belgium to Santiago.
He took his time and did well!

All the best en veel sukses!

 

[Jan de Kaper]

tots zeins en Buen Camino

tot ziens Maybe in Nijmegen ?

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

tot ziens Maybe in Nijmegen ?

every day I would promise God that if He just let me get back to the military camp on my feet instead of an ambulance, I would NEVER do something this foolish again. Then there I would be the next morning, eating some cheese on a roll, standing in the dark waiting for our starting time.
The finish, with the flowers, is the most moving thing I've ever experienced, all the love and support from the crowd...I have never lived among people so tolerant, open, and kind...and tall
ok...maybe Nijmegen

 

[Jan de Kaper]

every day I would promise God that if He just let me get back to the military camp on my feet instead of an ambulance, I would NEVER do something this foolish again. Then there I would be the next morning, eating some cheese on a roll, standing in the dark waiting for our starting time.
The finish, with the flowers, is the most moving thing I've ever experienced, all the love and support from the crowd...I have never lived among people so tolerant, open, and kind...and tall
ok...maybe Nijmegen

 

[Jan de Kaper]

I understand fully what you mean .
It is one big party.
All along the march.
It makes marching a lot easier

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Only the Dutch could make carrying 40 pounds for 40km for four days fun

 

[SabsP]

every day I would promise God that if He just let me get back to the military camp on my feet instead of an ambulance, I would NEVER do something this foolish again. Then there I would be the next morning, eating some cheese on a roll, standing in the dark waiting for our starting time.
The finish, with the flowers, is the most moving thing I've ever experienced, all the love and support from the crowd...I have never lived among people so tolerant, open, and kind...and tall
ok...maybe Nijmegen

Yes they are tall...academic studies say it is because of the daily consumation of dairy products. One of the highest worldwide.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Yes they are tall...academic studies says it is because of the daily consumation of dairy products. One of the highest worldwide.

I always assumed it was good fresh dairy, the crazy amount they hike and bike...and maybe living at or below sea level...even the babies born to our American families stationed there were big
at 65 inches I often have to remind Americans that I've average height for a female (especially always working with men)...but there, the children looked down at me.

 

[SabsP]

I always assumed it was good fresh dairy, the crazy amount they hike and bike...and maybe living at or below sea level...even the babies born to our American families stationed there were big
at 65 inches I often have to remind Americans that I've average height for a female (especially always working with men)...but there, the children looked down at me.

I hear you ...must converse your inches. I am 1 m 72 cm which is an average for us Belgian women but indeed when I'm visiting in the north of the Netherlands I feel so mini....

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I hear you ...must converse your inches. I am 1 m 72 cm which is an average for us Belgian women but indeed when I'm visiting in the north of the Netherlands I feel so mini....

about 165 cm...a bit shorter than you...I lived there for three years...imagine my challenges shopping for clothes

 

[SabsP]

about 165 cm...a bit shorter than you...I lived there for three years...imagine my challenges shopping for clothes

I'm sure Jan will be way in front of us when walking together .
Again all the best Jan!!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

Hi Jan, welcome to this wonderful forum.
You will do just fine as long you listen to your body.
Wish you a wonderful journey and a Buen Camino.
Veel succes, Peter.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I hear you ...must converse your inches. I am 1 m 72 cm which is an average for us Belgian women but indeed when I'm visiting in the north of the Netherlands I feel so mini....

Hi Sabine, my wife is just 1.59mtr and I'm 1.97mtr. Comparing to my wife you are not so mini as you think.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[Jan de Kaper]

about 165 cm...a bit shorter than you...I lived there for three years...imagine my challenges shopping for clothes

I understand fully what you mean .
It is one big party.
All along the march.
It makes marching a lot easier

every day I would promise God that if He just let me get back to the military camp on my feet instead of an ambulance, I would NEVER do something this foolish again. Then there I would be the next morning, eating some cheese on a roll, standing in the dark waiting for our starting time.
The finish, with the flowers, is the most moving thing I've ever experienced, all the love and support from the crowd...I have never lived among people so tolerant, open, and kind...and tall
ok...maybe Nijmegen

What happened to you then because you are talking about an ambulance etc ?

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Thank goodness nothing happened...but at the midway point, after eating lunch, I wanted to rest, to sleep, not to be carrying almost half my weight in an ill fitting pack on my back...and then the ambulances would ease past our squad, carrying off someone overheated.

you know near the end of the march, the tent where the military teams change out of marching clothes into fresh uniforms to wear into town? My unit insisted we wear our dress uniforms, and that I had to wear a skirt. those last few km, in high heels, were the hardest of all!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

Hi Jan , in 2013 my wife and I walked the 4 days of Apeldoorn. We met a man there with the respectable age of 81.
He walked 4 days of 50 km. The week after he walked in Nijmegen again 4 days of 50 km.Respect I would say.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[KinkyOne]

those last few km, in high heels, were the hardest of all!

Seriously? High heels and skirt???

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Seriously???

unfortunately, yes.

 

[KinkyOne]

WOW!
I know that can be painful but I do like women in high heels
Although not on the Camino, hahaha.

 

[Marion-SantiagoInLove]

Hi Jan
I had the honor to celebrate a fellow pilgrim's 90th birthday on my last Camino. It was quite a party!
Fresh as a daisy, hopping around happily...
... easily passed me.
Don't worry
Buen Camino!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The stat of 7% of those walking is skewed as it is for the month of August of 2016, a time when university students are out in force.

The stats for the whole of 2015 show that is is close to 17% of those walking who are over 60.
https://oficinadelperegrino.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/peregrinaciones2015.pdf

Now, what if the stats were for 50 and above? I think the number would easily to up to 50% of the span of a full year.

 

[AlwynWellington]

@Jan de Kaper , hi

In my youth I was blonde, now ...

This year I walked from Le Puy in south central France to Estella in north eastern Spain until I had to retire, hurt for this innings.

On the evening of two in Spain the under 30's wanted to know why I was so fast, compared to them. We had an interesting discussion.

But much earlier, on day four in France, I had come done about 1,200 metres of elevation and paused at a small pool before doing the last stretch. Within the space of about 10 minutes several other over 70's came past and there was discussion about someone over 80 a bit further back.


The statistics from Santiago Cathedral record completions there. My observations on the chemin from Le Puy was for a very good proportion to be over 50 and a significant number of those to be over 60.

In early May in Spain the weighting was more towards the younger age for the cohort I saw.

So, you will be in good company. And a Kennedymars will be a good start to your training.

One aspect of your training you might find challenging in the Netherlands is training for ascents. I always suggest working up to an achievement of 700 metres of elevation gain in about 2 hours. And if you have stamina (Kennedymars) then you can expect to have minimal difficulties along the way.

Kia kaha (have courage, be strong, get going)

 

[marbuck]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

In 2014 we walked with Hanna from California on the Camino Frances when she was 79. In 2015 at 80 years of age Hanna joined us at Le Puy to walk the Le Puy route to SJPDP. This year she walked by herself from Lisbon on the Portuguese Camino to Santiago. So Jan if you are fit don't worry about your age, get out there and enjoy your Camino's.

 

[Pingüigrino]

Hi. This man is 77 yrs. old. He runs The Spanish Legion 101 km in 24/ hours yearly, and many other long distance runs. He is called Super Paco. But he said " No I´m not. To endure the running is something about will and hearing our body.


http://www.elmundo.es/deportes/2015/05/12/5550e20e268e3e6f668b4580.html

 

[Pelegrin]

Carlos Soria (77) climbed this year Mount Annapurna (8091 m) that is one of the "difficult" 8000 in Nepal.
https://www.bbva.com/es/noticias/es...-sabias-de-un-alpinista-llamado-carlos-soria/

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Thank you all
Your reactions were very usefull
We might meet sonewhere !

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

One aspect of your training you might find challenging in the Netherlands is training for ascents.

True...but somehow hills are found for the third day of Nijmegen Thank goodness a unit of Dutch Marines walked next to ours that day, trading souvenirs and laughing at my ability to speak Dutch, or I'd still be huffing and puffing up one of them. I suspect they build those hills just for the march.

edit: INability to speak Dutch.

 

[wonzi]

In 2013 at the age of 76 I did my first Camino Frances; in 2015 I turned 78 on the Le Puy to Santiago Camino and I am hoping to go back in 2017 and celebrate my 80th in May/June! Haven't decided whether to redo the Frances or hop over to the Norte! Buen Camino to you!

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Now you got me puzzled Smallest_Sparrow....what nationalty are you then ?
And will you do Nijmegen again ?
And yes those hills at the third day were actually build for the marches !

 

[Jan de Kaper]

In 2013 at the age of 76 I did my first Camino Frances; in 2015 I turned 78 on the Le Puy to Santiago Camino and I am hoping to go back in 2017 and celebrate my 80th in May/June! Haven't decided whether to redo the Frances or hop over to the Norte! Buen Camino to you!

 

[Jan de Kaper]

In 2013 at the age of 76 I did my first Camino Frances; in 2015 I turned 78 on the Le Puy to Santiago Camino and I am hoping to go back in 2017 and celebrate my 80th in May/June! Haven't decided whether to redo the Frances or hop over to the Norte! Buen Camino to you!

I plan also walk the Camino Frances the end of April May June

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

Now you got me puzzled Smallest_Sparrow....what nationalty are you then ?
And will you do Nijmegen again ?
And yes those hills at the third day were actually build for the marches !

sorry, just edited my last post...they laughed because I always try to learn/speak the host country language...but I mix up words, murder the syntax, and in general have the worst American (US) accent ever heard. But I try. In college, my Russian professor stopped calling on me, he said I sounded Polish and it hurt his ears (sorry, his words, no offense to Poland).
When I was in Iraq, working in the ER one day, I treated an Iraqi by speaking broken Arabic (or writing, I write much better in any language), then for a Kurdish patient struggled along with Farsi until a translator appeared. Later in the day I dusted off Spanish for a Chilean contractor; as a South African contractor was heading out the door I called 'tots ziens' which brought a lot more Afrikaans in my direction, none of which I understood...but the medics were very impressed
most of the words I recall in any language revolve around food, pain, or danger

 

[IngridF]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

JAN, in 2012, I walked my last 4 days with my 81 year old Camino Arch Angel Stuart. He made sure I reached Santiago for my 60 birthday. He still, each year, walks the Camino shorter distances and he is now 84. Each year he says it is his last... each year I tell him "not a chance". Take your time, don't hurry, you still might outwalk the younger folks. I wish you a wonderful Camino.. the path and the people will love you. Buen Camino. Ingrid

 

[movinmaggie]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

Welcome to the forum Jan. This date last Sept, I was one day into my walk from StJPdP. 36 days later, I walked into Santiago in time to celebrate my 80th, so this week I'm particularly steeped in the warm and rich memories of it all. I did find it odd that so many wonderful pilgrims I met along the way seemed somewhat astounded I was doing this at all. Between my own family (including 4 adult grandsons) the friendships formed along the way and the amazing support of forum members here, there was never a doubt I would realize the most meaningful birthday ever. I'll be walking in Scotland May/June 2017, and am hoping to return to the Camino in 2018 as a Hospitalera, the training for which, I did here in Victoria, Canada. I wish you heartfelt Buen Camino.
P.S. When many younger women would ask "What is you secret"? My only answer was "Just keep moving".

 

[MinaKamina]

Hello
Next year I will become 80 (male)
I am planning to walk the Camino Frances
I am wondering what ages people are that walk the Caminos.
Last week I walked a Kennedymars 80 km with no problems

Hi Jan...

Some readers may not be aware that the Kennedymars involves walking 80 kms within 20 hours ...!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Some readers may not be aware that the Kennedymars involves walking 80 kms within 20 hours ...!

President Kennedy advocated physical fitness. The following is just a few lines from Wikipedia's page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_march

Perhaps Kennedy's most famous intervention in the area of fitness, and an indicator of the extent to which the Council became identified with him, was the fifty-mile march. The idea of the march developed from Kennedy's discovery in late 1962 of an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt challenging U.S. Marine officers to finish 50 miles (80 km) in twenty hours. Kennedy passed the document on to his own Marine commandant, General David M. Shoup, and suggested that Shoup bring it up to him as his, Shoup's, own discovery, with the proposal that modern day Marines should duplicate this feat.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi Jan...

Some readers may not be aware that the Kennedymars involves walking 80 kms within 20 hours ...!

President Kennedy advocated physical fitness. The following is just a few lines from Wikipedia's page at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_march

Perhaps Kennedy's most famous intervention in the area of fitness, and an indicator of the extent to which the Council became identified with him, was the fifty-mile march. The idea of the march developed from Kennedy's discovery in late 1962 of an executive order from Theodore Roosevelt challenging U.S. Marine officers to finish 50 miles (80 km) in twenty hours. Kennedy passed the document on to his own Marine commandant, General David M. Shoup, and suggested that Shoup bring it up to him as his, Shoup's, own discovery, with the proposal that modern day Marines should duplicate this feat.

I think it's too bad that in his very own country, there are no Kennedy walks!

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

I think it's too bad that in his very own country, there are no Kennedy walks!

everyone who remembers sewing award patches onto your PE uniform raise your hand

I hated PE for the first 12 years of my education, but in retrospect (even in my 20's and 30's) was very grateful for it, even the shuttle run (actually, I liked the shuttle run, even as a child). 'Go outside and play' was one of the many great things my mother taught me.

 

[camino-david]

Hi Jan
I am somewhat late in replying to your post so hope you read my bit of my history.
In 2006 (age 75) I had a hip joint replacement and 6 months later spent 2 months trekking the Himalaya.
In 2008 I had a heart valve replacement.
In 2010 (age 79) I walked my first camino from St Jean to Finisterre
In 2011 I walked from Oloron in France to Santiago (about 925km)
In 2013 attempted the VDLP but found it too hard for me so went to Pamplona and walked to Santiago, then walked the Camino Portuguese from Porto (total about 1300km) and celebrated my 82nd birthday with a huge chocolate cake sufficient for 32 helpings at an albergue in Portugal.
In 2015 (age 85) worked as a hospitalero in Estella and walked 300kms on the Camino Frances.
I am not unusual. Age is only a number.
Next year I hope to return to walk more and be a hospitalero
Oh and more. I never have health insurance because I cannot get it. I have never needed medical attention, and my children have enough money in my will should I die to cover my repatriation. I have never planned my stages - just walk until I am tired but not too tired. I never book and always get a bed. I have never had a blister or other feet problems. I cannot imagine a better way to go from this world than on the Camino.
Jan - I hope you are convinced that you can go and have a wonderful time.
David

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Thank you David
You convinced me !!!
So being 80 and walking the Camino is no problem anymore !
What is more of a problem is what I read a lot about the bedbugs !!!
That is a worry.
What you wrote about blisters.
I am lucky
I walk a lot
I never had one blister
Who knows I might meet you somewhere at the Camino
Regards Jan

 

[Fatma]

Hi Jan
I am somewhat late in replying to your post so hope you read my bit of my history.
In 2006 (age 75) I had a hip joint replacement and 6 months later spent 2 months trekking the Himalaya.
In 2008 I had a heart valve replacement.
In 2010 (age 79) I walked my first camino from St Jean to Finisterre
In 2011 I walked from Oloron in France to Santiago (about 925km)
In 2013 attempted the VDLP but found it too hard for me so went to Pamplona and walked to Santiago, then walked the Camino Portuguese from Porto (total about 1300km) and celebrated my 82nd birthday with a huge chocolate cake sufficient for 32 helpings at an albergue in Portugal.
In 2015 (age 85) worked as a hospitalero in Estella and walked 300kms on the Camino Frances.
I am not unusual. Age is only a number.
Next year I hope to return to walk more and be a hospitalero
Oh and more. I never have health insurance because I cannot get it. I have never needed medical attention, and my children have enough money in my will should I die to cover my repatriation. I have never planned my stages - just walk until I am tired but not too tired. I never book and always get a bed. I have never had a blister or other feet problems. I cannot imagine a better way to go from this world than on the Camino.
Jan - I hope you are convinced that you can go and have a wonderful time.
David

Wow u r almost superman!

May I ask you, why have u found the vdlp too difficult comparing to ur other trips they are not that easy. So what in particular was difficult?

 

[BiancaQ]

You'll be fine. Walk your own pace and enjoy it.

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Wow u r almost superman!

May I ask you, why have u found the vdlp too difficult comparing to ur other trips they are not that easy. So what in particular was difficult?

The hills....climbing-decending !

 

[Fatma]

The hills....climbing-decending !

Good to know

 

[Jan de Kaper]

Not "was" but "going to be"...
What about you ?

 

[Jan de Kaper]

The hills....climbing-decending !

What means vdlp ?

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

In 2015 (age 85) worked as a hospitalero in Estella and walked 300kms on the Camino Frances.

So, David, why are you using your son's picture?

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

What means vdlp ?

Via de la Plata...i often use abbreviations due to laziness and trouble remembering how to spell.
@SYates had a great post recently....someone (hear me mods) needs to put a pin in it some where...lots of some wheres
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/common-forum-abbreviations.43546/

 

[Penny Kingma]

Truly age is just a number. This summer I traveled with the very young to those in there 60-70 and 80s. I watched many leave due to stress injuries or just mentally done. I noticed that age truly wasn't the deciding factor in whom did not finish. The best advice ...carry light, drink water, rest, and take it slow. Listen to your body...it will tell you what it needs. You want to remember every step and view. Buen Camino.

 

[PattyKoed]

Thank you all for encouraging me.
Yes Smallest_Sparrow I am Dutch and I walked Nijmegen this year for the fifth time 4x40 km,also year before.
2014 I could not,because of bowel and stomach cancer from which I fully recovered.
Also I have no medication at all.
I have now concluded to walk the Camino next year end of April May June thanks to you encouraging me !
Thank you all.

Hello Jan, welcome to the forum! I am new here as well and plan to walk my first Camino in April 2017 beginning in Le Puy. I plan to just take it slow and have no set agenda when I must reach Santiago. If you are interested in a walking companion, I would be happy to walk with you.