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You were actually on the Camino del Salvador, which goes to Oviedo, and is a spectacularly beautiful route, but a bit difficult, and you need to be a bit more prepared for it.I began meeting people who explained I needed to go back to Leon as I somehow got on the San Sebastián Camino route.
Yep. While most yellow arrows lead you to Santiago some lead to local bars. And at least one leads you to Oviedo.Glad to hear you got "back on track" and seem undaunted by your adventure - perhaps we should flag this thread for the next time somebody says you don't need a gps track - you might not need one but they do come in handy sometimes!
Enjoy Rabanal (and the rest of your Camino).
In March, 2018 I started the Camino Frances and on day 7, was forced to suspend my journey with an injury. I could not walk then, and 3 weeks’ subsequent to returning home. It was devastating. Happily I returned to Logrono on sept 1 and began where I left off the next day. I make no excuses or feel any guilt in sending my backpack ahead each day to ensure my foot injury doesn’t return. It is my Camino - my Way!
On Monday morning, I left Leon at 0600. My mates were still sleeping but as I figured the street lighting would see me through til daylight, I was on my way. I was not aware at all that there are 2 forks in the path that need attention. I was focused on the yellow arrows all the way. By 1030, I was not seeing any anticipated coffee stops, I seemed to be going further into a mountain, away from civilization, more remote, not seeing any perigrinos, and noticing villages from afar (getting further away). I reluctantly decided to turn back, I had food, running out of water but was trying not to panic. I must have walked at least 10-15 km straight up. I began meeting people who explained I needed to go back to Leon as I somehow got on the San Sebastián Camino route. I got to the outskirts of Leon, composed myself, got a bus to the city, then a rural bus to San Martin del Camino where my bag was going. I was welcomed by a new group that helped me cry, tell my story, enjoy a community meal and move forward the next day. The purpose of this post is to warn people who don’t know (as I didn’t) that there are other Camino routes out of Leon - not just Camino Frances. Am presently in Rabanal del Camino and looking forward to Gregorian Chant tonight!
Ola from Camino de Santiago wishing all safe journeys!
NancyLee
Ahhh, the perils of walking on the dark! A similar thing happened to me (at a different location) and I resolved not to leave until nearly light- unless I was very sure of myself. It is certainly no fun to walk a long way off course... I hope this is a humorous memory by now, and that you are enjoying your CaminoIn March, 2018 I started the Camino Frances and on day 7, was forced to suspend my journey with an injury. I could not walk then, and 3 weeks’ subsequent to returning home. It was devastating. Happily I returned to Logrono on sept 1 and began where I left off the next day. I make no excuses or feel any guilt in sending my backpack ahead each day to ensure my foot injury doesn’t return. It is my Camino - my Way!
On Monday morning, I left Leon at 0600. My mates were still sleeping but as I figured the street lighting would see me through til daylight, I was on my way. I was not aware at all that there are 2 forks in the path that need attention. I was focused on the yellow arrows all the way. By 1030, I was not seeing any anticipated coffee stops, I seemed to be going further into a mountain, away from civilization, more remote, not seeing any perigrinos, and noticing villages from afar (getting further away). I reluctantly decided to turn back, I had food, running out of water but was trying not to panic. I must have walked at least 10-15 km straight up. I began meeting people who explained I needed to go back to Leon as I somehow got on the San Sebastián Camino route. I got to the outskirts of Leon, composed myself, got a bus to the city, then a rural bus to San Martin del Camino where my bag was going. I was welcomed by a new group that helped me cry, tell my story, enjoy a community meal and move forward the next day. The purpose of this post is to warn people who don’t know (as I didn’t) that there are other Camino routes out of Leon - not just Camino Frances. Am presently in Rabanal del Camino and looking forward to Gregorian Chant tonight!
Ola from Camino de Santiago wishing all safe journeys!
NancyLee
I’m a few days behind you, Nancy.In March, 2018 I started the Camino Frances and on day 7, was forced to suspend my journey with an injury. I could not walk then, and 3 weeks’ subsequent to returning home. It was devastating. Happily I returned to Logrono on sept 1 and began where I left off the next day. I make no excuses or feel any guilt in sending my backpack ahead each day to ensure my foot injury doesn’t return. It is my Camino - my Way!
On Monday morning, I left Leon at 0600. My mates were still sleeping but as I figured the street lighting would see me through til daylight, I was on my way. I was not aware at all that there are 2 forks in the path that need attention. I was focused on the yellow arrows all the way. By 1030, I was not seeing any anticipated coffee stops, I seemed to be going further into a mountain, away from civilization, more remote, not seeing any perigrinos, and noticing villages from afar (getting further away). I reluctantly decided to turn back, I had food, running out of water but was trying not to panic. I must have walked at least 10-15 km straight up. I began meeting people who explained I needed to go back to Leon as I somehow got on the San Sebastián Camino route. I got to the outskirts of Leon, composed myself, got a bus to the city, then a rural bus to San Martin del Camino where my bag was going. I was welcomed by a new group that helped me cry, tell my story, enjoy a community meal and move forward the next day. The purpose of this post is to warn people who don’t know (as I didn’t) that there are other Camino routes out of Leon - not just Camino Frances. Am presently in Rabanal del Camino and looking forward to Gregorian Chant tonight!
Ola from Camino de Santiago wishing all safe journeys!
NancyLee
I've seen that Arrow twice on the side of the Parador in Leon and sighed as I crossed the river...one day in the next year or two I hope to walk the Salvador!Wow, what a day. I am glad that everything turned out fine, and I am sure this will become one of your strong camino memories, as it spanned such a huge range of human emotions!
I am guessing that you found yourself on the Camino Del Salvador, which is just as @trecile describes. For others leaving León on the Francés, the split comes right at the parador San Marcos. There is in fact a pilgrim statue in front that displays the options. For the Salvador you do not cross the river, but continue on the side of the parador and along the river. For the Francés, facing the parador you turn left and walk on the bridge over the river.
When you are walking in early August on the meseta with a teenage son who really doesn't like the heat, then an earlier start, even in the dark, starts to be really appealing.I still over the years can't understand people starting walking in the dark.
Or as I already said: "If I want to walk in the dark I would take circles around my own house and wouldn't travel to Spain to do that."
I mean if I spend money and time to get to Spain WTF is wrong with me to walk in the dark and not being able to see the Spain!!!???
That's just so stupid me thinks.
Or at least check the exit from village/town the afternoon before...
I don't want to hijack this thread to talk about night sky or Milky Way or anything else seeable in the sky during the night. Maybe you should move to a countryside and you'll be able to admire the stars every night? Maybe you should start an initiative to use less street lights or big screen adds or ... or ... where you live? But that's not the topic. I did have the opportunity to see nightsky regularly in my life (if not for the clouds) and I still do. Lucky me. But I would definitely not travel to Spain to see it. Go 100 miles in either direction from where you live and there you'll have it.When you are walking in early August on the meseta with a teenage son who really doesn't like the heat, then an earlier start, even in the dark, starts to be really appealing.
And when you are in a village many miles from the nearest city and its light pollution, heading out before first light when you can really see the stars and follow the Milky Way also starts to be really appealing - especially if you live in a big city regularly where you are lucky to be able to see the few stars of Orion.
People who go to sleep early (as is the norm for pilgrims) and get up and start walking when it is already light don't know the spectacle they are missing in the night sky. That same night sky is not available where I live.
You asked why would someone start to walk in the dark. I answered with two reasons. I'm sorry if you felt they were taking the discussion in a direction that you did not want with your question.I don't want to hijack this thread to talk about night sky or Milky Way or anything else seeable in the sky during the night. Maybe you should move to a countryside and you'll be able to admire the stars every night? Maybe you should start an initiative to use less street lights or big screen adds or ... or ... where you live? But that's not the topic. I did have the opportunity to see nightsky regularly in my life (if not for the clouds) and I still do. Lucky me. But I would definitely not travel to Spain to see it. Go 100 miles in either direction from where you live and there you'll have it.
Again it's not about seeing the stars it's about start walking in the dark
I used to get pains from my pack. The back was not quite the correct size for me. I shortened it (2 notches--it had adjustment mechanisms) and it was much, much better.I’m a few days behind you, Nancy.
Wishing you a more Conventional experience in the rest of your Camino.
I’m considering the pack transport option. I’m getting pains from my pack and think it might be time to do something about it.
Buen Camino.
Andrew/Andy
Sabine, can I use this photo to show my group folks?
I don't want to hijack this thread to talk about night sky or Milky Way or anything else seeable in the sky during the night. Maybe you should move to a countryside and you'll be able to admire the stars every night? Maybe you should start an initiative to use less street lights or big screen adds or ... or ... where you live? But that's not the topic.
Again it's not about seeing the stars it's about start walking in the dark
If you would turn left and walk to the corner then you would see the Salvador/Frances splitHola @peregrina2000 . Thanks Lorrie for the explanation. I have been through Leon twice - 2015 & 2017 but as I stayed in the Parador (now under renovation) I just turned right and followed the shells over the bridge.
I was wondering how one managed to get lost or on the wrong/incorrect camino. Cheers
No need for that. I can see them on every clear night even in a city with 300k inhabitants. @David Tallan has that problemMaybe move to rural Australia where it is still possible to see all of the Milky Way and other night sights.
Photo of what, Annie? The Frances/Salvador split?Does anyone have a photo of this I can use?
I don't want to, but...I don't want to hijack this thread to talk about night sky or Milky Way or anything else seeable in the sky during the night.
AmenYou asked why would someone start to walk in the dark. I answered with two reasons. I'm sorry if you felt they were taking the discussion in a direction that you did not want with your question.
You're on your own journey Nancy, and I applaud your courage to share your experience. It's something that you could have just kept to yourself for any number of reasons (embarrassment, personal growth), but you've chosen to allow us to benefit from your experience, and I for one will keep this in mind during my Camino next month.I was welcomed by a new group that helped me cry, tell my story, enjoy a community meal and move forward the next day. The purpose of this post is to warn people who don’t know (as I didn’t) that there are other Camino routes out of Leon - not just Camino Frances.
Photo of what, Annie? The Frances/Salvador split?
A valid point to make. Any endeavour is laden with inherent risk, which needs to be tempered with information that permits us to each make our own informed decisions. That's what I love about this forum.Walking on a sharp edge here, but needs to be said.
Everyone is trying to be so nice but,
Please look this link up and wake up, the camino is not all
expressos and lentils ...
I walked the Frances in April and May of 2015 and saw the posters of the missing pilgrim. We all need to be vigilant and aware, but with nearly 300,000 now walking the camino routes yearly, this one hideous, unfortunate death speaks incredible odds on the safety of these pilgrimages. Any medium to large sized city in the U.S., where I am from, has many multiples yearly of poor Denise's fate.Walking on a sharp edge here, but needs to be said.
Everyone is trying to be so nice but,
Please look this link up and wake up, the camino is not all
expressos and lentils ...
Arizona woman who was murdered may have been lured by fake arrows
Spanish police are investigating whether a man accused of murdering an American tourist on the Camino de Santiago painted his own arrows to misdirect the missing woman.www.dailymail.co.uk
This is very old news, and an unspeakable tragedy. Many here lived through that, and know it, @ortemio (I was one day ahead of Denise on the Frances and we had met). But not to freak out. It's a whole lot safer walking the camino than it is shopping in other parts of the world.Walking on a sharp edge here, but needs to be said.
Everyone is trying to be so nice but,
Please look this link up and wake up, the camino is not all
expressos and lentils ...
Amen. I downloaded the Guthooks app before I left. Felt like an idiot, the Frances is not the AT. So many people say that one should just be free and follow the way marks, that's all that's necessary. But I did use it, especially at ambiguous crossroads where the marker may not be immediately apparent. There are always opportunities to go off-piste, and as a woman alone, I realise that I will be more vulnerable. Not to mention that with dodgy knees I'm never in the mood to walk any extra kms.But just to know that there are plenty of bogus arrows out there, pointing us to albergues, bars, and towns that want our business. So it pays to do your own wayfinding, rather than tuning out and then blaming the arrow for getting lost.
You have to watch out for errors like this between Finisterre and Muxia too as arrows point both ways.On the Le Puy much of the route is shared with the GR65. The red/white stripes are on both sides of trees because you walk it in either direction as Santiago is not the destination. I got turned around once following the wrong side of the tree. The sun didn't seem facing the right direction to me so was able to correct myself and thankfully only had to backtrack about 1k.
What goes up, must come down.You have to watch out for errors like this between Finisterre and Muxia too as arrows point both ways.
I goofed like Chris once at home when I lost the trail markings and decided that an unmarked trail was the way to go. It led to the marked trail but the marks I followed were the ones leading me back up the hill I just came down instead of the marks leading to my destination. The good news is that I recognized a view from the hill so I turned back there instead of a hour later.
It's about walking your own CaminoI don't want to hijack this thread to talk about night sky or Milky Way or anything else seeable in the sky during the night. Maybe you should move to a countryside and you'll be able to admire the stars every night? Maybe you should start an initiative to use less street lights or big screen adds or ... or ... where you live? But that's not the topic. I did have the opportunity to see nightsky regularly in my life (if not for the clouds) and I still do. Lucky me. But I would definitely not travel to Spain to see it. Go 100 miles in either direction from where you live and there you'll have it.
Again it's not about seeing the stars it's about start walking in the dark
@KinkyOne yes I totally agree, check out the route in daylight the day before if possible.I still over the years can't understand people starting walking in the dark.
Or as I already said: "If I want to walk in the dark I would take circles around my own house and wouldn't travel to Spain to do that."
I mean if I spend money and time to get to Spain WTF is wrong with me to walk in the dark and not being able to see the Spain!!!???
That's just so stupid me thinks.
Or at least check the exit from village/town the afternoon before...
Well, this time of year, when you get kicked out of the albergue at 8 AM, it's still dark outside, due to the fact that clocks in Spain are an hour ahead of when they're supposed to be. Those ladies at the Burgos municipal don't play.I still over the years can't understand people starting walking in the dark.
Or as I already said: "If I want to walk in the dark I would take circles around my own house and wouldn't travel to Spain to do that."
I mean if I spend money and time to get to Spain WTF is wrong with me to walk in the dark and not being able to see the Spain!!!???
That's just so stupid me thinks.
Or at least check the exit from village/town the afternoon before...
Thanks for the suggestions re the pack adjustments. I have tried adjusting various things and concluded it was sitting well. But I noticed that moving two light items out of the pack and onto my belt at the front did reduce the pain. So at Leon I packed up some items I could say were not essential and sent them the Santiago post office. (Correos will hold for up to two months. I don’t know what happens after that. )I used to get pains from my pack. The back was not quite the correct size for me. I shortened it (2 notches--it had adjustment mechanisms) and it was much, much better.
Of course, if that is your problem it could be that the pack is too short for you instead of too long!
Also see if the load is out of balance, that can make a big difference.
Am presently in Rabanal del Camino and looking forward to Gregorian Chant tonight!In March, 2018 I started the Camino Frances and on day 7, was forced to suspend my journey with an injury. I could not walk then, and 3 weeks’ subsequent to returning home. It was devastating. Happily I returned to Logrono on sept 1 and began where I left off the next day. I make no excuses or feel any guilt in sending my backpack ahead each day to ensure my foot injury doesn’t return. It is my Camino - my Way!
On Monday morning, I left Leon at 0600. My mates were still sleeping but as I figured the street lighting would see me through til daylight, I was on my way. I was not aware at all that there are 2 forks in the path that need attention. I was focused on the yellow arrows all the way. By 1030, I was not seeing any anticipated coffee stops, I seemed to be going further into a mountain, away from civilization, more remote, not seeing any perigrinos, and noticing villages from afar (getting further away). I reluctantly decided to turn back, I had food, running out of water but was trying not to panic. I must have walked at least 10-15 km straight up. I began meeting people who explained I needed to go back to Leon as I somehow got on the San Sebastián Camino route. I got to the outskirts of Leon, composed myself, got a bus to the city, then a rural bus to San Martin del Camino where my bag was going. I was welcomed by a new group that helped me cry, tell my story, enjoy a community meal and move forward the next day. The purpose of this post is to warn people who don’t know (as I didn’t) that there are other Camino routes out of Leon - not just Camino Frances. Am presently in Rabanal del Camino and looking forward to Gregorian Chant tonight!
Ola from Camino de Santiago wishing all safe journeys!
NancyLee
People who go to sleep early (as is the norm for pilgrims) and get up and start walking when it is already light don't know the spectacle they are missing in the night sky. That same night sky is not available where I live.
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