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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

Lot's of questions from newbie, please help!

dry_gin

New Member
Hi,
I've decided to take Camino Frances at the beginning of September.
I'll be going from Canada
here goes my questions:

1. I never been in Europe, Originally I've been planning to book both in and out flights to Madrid
but now I'm considering an option to fly to Paris and after a day in Paris to go from it by train , and at the end of the journey go to Madrid and fly back to Canada from where.
Is this way make sense? Did anyone went this way ? (i guess it will be harder to book, and it will be more expensive but unless where is some hidden things i need to know about i think this will be my way of getting in and out...

2. Boots:
everybody saying to buy the most expensive hiking traveling waterproof boots. I have kinda flat foot, and my legs got tired after about 3-4 kilometers, I recently bought adidas adizero running shoes
adidas_adizero_mana.jpg

and they feel so comfortable, plus a lot of ventilation, ultra light and easy to dry.
Could i walk in them? Money is not a problem, I can buy 200$ shoes but i tried few pro hiking shoes and they just flat inside and kinda uncomfortable, why is people insisting it should be boots? I understand that in case of rain it will be uncomfortable to walk, but in worst case i can put some plastic bag wrappers, or just walk wet and when dry them out. Could you please explain other reasons to go in hiking(travel) boots/shoes not running shoes? I never walked long distances, so i have no idea of whats its like...

3. Camping tent. Reading a lot about waiting lines for hospice, and snoring and ear plugs for the night i was thinking to take my own camping tent and mattress on top of sleeping bag. I already got super light mattress it's 600 grams and its extremely comfortable. For the tent- instead of tent (1.8 kg minimum) i was thinking to buy a bugs (fly ) net, it's like a tent with no waterproof and a net on top, not solid material, so if i decide to sleep in a wild at least i will not be scared of bugs and snakes and it's about 1 kg... So what you think guys? Should I carry camping tent (2kg) anti-bugs tent (1kg) shelter (600grams) or nothing...?

4. DSLR camera. I'm not a professional photographer, but my friends are, and I like photography in general, so initially I was thinking that it's a good idea to learn photography while walking for 40 days, since that after 1 pm usually people arrive the destination and they have reminder of the day just to waste. So I'm planning to take my camera D90 with two lenses 35 mm and 18-200 around 1.8 kg plus net book around 1 kg (3 kg altogether with chargers) to learn photography while walking. But when I realized this camera could be stolen among the way, so instead of thinking about my soul and doing something for myself I will be carrying camera in a bag around and watching for it – For people who walked with expensive items – how bad was it? How much of your attention was devoted to protection of your stuff instead of the spiritual growth? I don’t want this camera to make me a carrier instead of pilgrim, while at the same time the landscapes are amazing and if I wont take it I'll probably will bite myself every time I see the sun set...
So again, regardless of extra weight, Will it kill the spirit of walking De Camino? Should I be without hi-tech to truly enjoy it?... I mean even without the constant watchin for my camera and net book, my brain- should it just get into the mood of wake up, eat walk walk walk sleep, or some photoshoping in the middle is fine...?


5. Is your favorite song “I can walk five hundred miles, and I can walk five hundred more..” ;)

Thank you for your replays!
 
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Hello, you have good questions and you will receive a broad range of answers. The following is my two cents:
1) If you are staying in Paris for one day, why go? You will be getting over the time lag making your opportunity to see much in Paris minimal. In fact, one day in Paris really is no time. It may be better to fly into Toulouse or Bordeaux and then take the train down to SJPP. If you have two or three days to spare, then I would suggest going to Paris first; that will give you enough time to become accustomed to the time change and see enough of the sights to appreciate them.
2) Boots on the Frances is only recommended for older hikers with weaker ankles. The younger you are and the stronger your ankles should dictate which foot wear is best for you. The Frances does not need a serious hiking boot; it is just not that challenging. Whatever you chose, make sure it is light, comfortable, and with a decent sole. I prefer boots, but I am older and I have weak ankles; I like the support of the boot I wear, which are Keens. When it is really hot some hikers actually prefer hiking sandals. There are several rocky areas where it is best to have a shoe or boot, so they take both kinds: sandals and shoes.
3) Camping tent - if you bring it you may not use it always. I would recommend something waterproof for the worst occaisions where no room is available and it is raining. Most enjoy the experience of staying in the albergues; the comraderie of the pilgrims is a highlight for most. It is your call.
4) If you are not a professional, bring a small, light quality camera and you will be grateful. You won't be weighed down.
5) Just sing anything that strikes your fancy; Ultreia is wonderful.
Have a great Camino!
 
Hi,
I too am a newbie as far as the Camino is concerned but I do quite a bit of mountain walking so here's my opinion on the shoes/boots issue:

I use low walking shoes when the terrain is more or less flat and not too rocky. I almost always use boots in mountainous areas. (I'm fairly fit and aged 53)

If you're only leaving in September, you'll have time to break in your shoes and try them out on a 2-3 hour walk. If they're comfortable and your feet are ok - then go with it. Use 'em.

The ankle support question is very important and I quite frankly don't know if there are any spots on the Camino that really require this. More experienced members will answer that.

Have a great walk.
Richard
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Hey there,

I think that if you're simply only spending one day in the major cities of Madrid and Paris that you would instead want to simply start in Paris take the train down, and then take the bus or the train back to Paris meaning that you'd get to actually spend some time in a major European city.

The thing about the shoes - boots provide you with a bit more support and protection, and yeah they are heavier but they do seem to work alot better. When i hiked there were a bunch of Grade 9 to 12 students walking as well, and they all wore sneakers/trainers. However a fair amount of them had some really nasty blisters. One girl's blister practically doubled her toe size. I think that there are quite a few areas where boots are more beneficial, but i did hike with one pair of the new sort of hybrid boots which are a mix of boots and normal sports shoes, and they provide all the protection you need.
If your feet hurt alot after your practice hikes of 10km or so in Canada I advise you to go visit a doctor or a foot specialist (dunno the name for them) in order to see if you should have a special sole for your shoes be they running shoes or boots.

For the tents I have no idea, but do remember you will be entering Galicia, where its wet and it rains alot. a bug net might not be enough... There are many albergues though and if not then there are hostals, hotels... then again this is up to you. but if you take to living outdoors - you need to waterproof yourself.

for the camera issue, just bring a small normal digital camera, a few extra battery packs or AA batteries (depending on what sort of batteries it uses), and a few extra memory cards. 4GB wasn't enough for me. I dont think that carrying all that technology would be such a good idea as it does take away from the entire experience. Whilst i did see some people carrying the massive cameras which were like 1/3 the size of all their other equipment and probably weighed half of their entire baggage; there just weren't too many of them and I don't think that carrying that much is really necessary especially if you're not a professional photographer.
I don't even think a phone is necessary, just a watch with an alarm, and maybe an Ipod for the night would suffice, on top of the camera.
Just remember unless you use the mochila service - where you have to know where you're staying next, every single little thing you have should be stripped down to as light as possible.

As for music? - listen to and enjoy the sound of nature, and the local music. Immerse yourself in the local Spanish and provincial cultures. Once you reach Galicia believe me the culture is astounding. and yes Ultreia is great :)

Head back to the simplicity of life and bring as little as possible. :) try not to bring more than 10kg or so

Buen Camino!
Chris
 
Hi -
Good questions. I have a comment on only one. Boots vs shoes are certainly a personal preference, but weak ankles and age are not the only considerations. Many parts of the way are very stony - small stones and large stones, so you really have to test your footwear on this kind of surface. Walking on this terrain can really hurt and bruise the bottom of your feet if you can feel every stone.
Happy planning and buen camino!

lynne
 
. I never been in Europe, Originally I've been planning to book both in and out flights to Madrid
but now I'm considering an option to fly to Paris and after a day in Paris to go from it by train , and at the end of the journey go to Madrid and fly back to Canada from where.
Is this way make sense? Did anyone went this way ? (i guess it will be harder to book, and it will be more expensive but unless where is some hidden things i need to know about i think this will be my way of getting in and out..
Questions- how much time do you want to spend in Europe? how much time to you plan on walking on the camino? the answer will enable me and us to guide you better.


2. Boots:
everybody saying to buy the most expensive hiking traveling waterproof boots. I have kinda flat foot, and my legs got tired after about 3-4 kilometers, I recently bought adidas adizero running shoes

and they feel so comfortable, plus a lot of ventilation, ultra light and easy to dry.
Could i walk in them? Money is not a problem, I can buy 200$ shoes but i tried few pro hiking shoes and they just flat inside and kinda uncomfortable, why is people insisting it should be boots? I understand that in case of rain it will be uncomfortable to walk, but in worst case i can put some plastic bag wrappers, or just walk wet and when dry them out. Could you please explain other reasons to go in hiking(travel) boots/shoes not running shoes? I never walked long distances, so i have no idea of whats its like...

Questions- how much do you weight? what will your pack weight without water and food? how old are you? do you wear specially prepared insole? do you have any feet\knees problem? normally if you are medium size woman, these shoes will suffice. But if you plan to walk more then one month, you are likely to have rain, although these shoes dry fast you will have to live with wet shoes, you can buy light shoes with Goretex if you dislike wet shoes and socks. No ned to spend 200$ on heavier sho' no need to put plastic bags in your shoes.es.

3. Camping tent. Reading a lot about waiting lines for hospice, and snoring and ear plugs for the night i was thinking to take my own camping tent and mattress on top of sleeping bag. I already got super light mattress it's 600 grams and its extremely comfortable. For the tent- instead of tent (1.8 kg minimum) i was thinking to buy a bugs (fly ) net, it's like a tent with no waterproof and a net on top, not solid material, so if i decide to sleep in a wild at least i will not be scared of bugs and snakes and it's about 1 kg... So what you think guys? Should I carry camping tent (2kg) anti-bugs tent (1kg) shelter (600grams) or nothing...?
It will be heaviy, you will sleep alone, away from people you will walk all day long with, you will still need the albergue services for water, shower, cooking- too complicated, I almost never saw campers on the camino and I have walked it twice. it's not that bad, albergues.

4. DSLR camera. I'm not a professional photographer, but my friends are, and I like photography in general, so initially I was thinking that it's a good idea to learn photography while walking for 40 days, since that after 1 pm usually people arrive the destination and they have reminder of the day just to waste. So I'm planning to take my camera D90 with two lenses 35 mm and 18-200 around 1.8 kg plus net book around 1 kg (3 kg altogether with chargers) to learn photography while walking. But when I realized this camera could be stolen among the way, so instead of thinking about my soul and doing something for myself I will be carrying camera in a bag around and watching for it – For people who walked with expensive items – how bad was it? How much of your attention was devoted to protection of your stuff instead of the spiritual growth? I don’t want this camera to make me a carrier instead of pilgrim, while at the same time the landscapes are amazing and if I wont take it I'll probably will bite myself every time I see the sun set...
So again, regardless of extra weight, Will it kill the spirit of walking De Camino? Should I be without hi-tech to truly enjoy it?... I mean even without the constant watchin for my camera and net book, my brain- should it just get into the mood of wake up, eat walk walk walk sleep, or some photoshoping in the middle is fine...?
you will find yourself taking photos instaed of enjoying and really getting the spirit of the camino, take a simple camera, learn how to use this heavt machinery some other time, too complicated, too heavy, charging, carrying.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
Hi, I will Fly into London Gatwick,take Easy jet or Ryan Air to Biarritz France then bus to SJ.Seems the easiest for me,also from Canada NS,Nancy :D
 
1)I walked the Frances from SJPDP last September with my husband. Starting in London we got the Eurostar to Paris, then got train to Bordeaux where we stopped one night at a hotel. Bordeaux is very pretty and has lots of pilgrim associations (plus great wine and food). The next day we got train to Bayonne and then to SJPDP where we again stopped at a hotel overnight before heading out over Pyrenees.
It should be easy to do Paris to SJPDP by train in one day, we extended our journey over 2 days as the time difference plus Eurostar journey meant we would catch last train to SJPDP with 15 mins to spare if we tried to do it all in one day.....
But try and work out how long you want to spend in Paris, or any other part of France/Spain etc before you decide on schedules, as someone suggested earlier.
The best info site on train travel is
http://www.seat61.com/

2) Boots v shoes. I wore goretex boots with padded ankle support as I was advised to protect my weak ankles as much as possible. My husband wore goretex walking shoes. It really is a matter of preference but I think you may need something more robust than a trainer to support and protect your feet. Whilst the Frances isn't challenging like some mountain walks it is stony and muddy in parts, plus some stretches are cambered tarmac and your feet will be subjected to a daily pounding. You can get inserts to support your arches, get advice from a good outdoor shop. Make sure you break your boots/shoes in before you start or you will get blisters.

3) Haven't a clue about tents...sorry! If it helps we started in mid-Sept and always got a roof over our heads. It was busy from SJPDP to about Castrojeriz, then got quite quiet until Galicia, with the exception of Leon on National Day weekend. We did stay in hotels or pensions sometimes. It is really a debate between how much weight you can spare for camping equipment and your budget for accomodation generally. If you are not planning to camp every night then you might find it is a nuisance to carry all that kit...

4) Camera...nope, don't know anything about cameras either. I took a small digital camera which fitted into bumbag, clipped that to bedframe overnight (had spectacles, torch etc in there too). 3kg of camera and electronic kit is a lot of weight. Generally you would not want to carry more than 9-10kg of kit altogether. Plus, with all the walking, finding somewhere to stay, washing yourself and clothes, making friends, looking round towns and villages, going to church, shopping, eating etc, will you have time to learn photography? Security was not a problem for us as we could always look after each other's kit whilst showering etc, but if you are planning to go alone you might find constantly having to mind your stuff a real nuisance. Take a small lightweight camera and enjoy the sunsets (and the sunrises too).

5) No music for me, just enjoyed the surroundings and meeting new people. My husband heard a lot of "are we there yet?" and "who's idea was this?" :D
 
Hello,

I've walked the French Camino, the Aragones, and portions of the VDLP and Portuguese. Here are my suggestions:

1. Your plans make sense to me. Paris is wonderful and be sure to give yourself a day or two at the Louvre! Taking the train from Paris to St. Jean PP is simply and is a beautiful journey in itself. Madrid is also spectacular and if you're in Europe, you may as well see it too!

2. Boots: I do not think boots are necessary on the Camino. It is not so much a "HIKE" as it is a "LONG TREK" and there are few places that are rough enough to warrant boots. Trail shoes dry MUCH faster than boots, and the thought of putting on stiff wet boots each morning just doesn't sound good to me.

On the other hand, I do not suggest you wear your Adidas for the simple fact that your feet are going to swell a LOT. It is suggested you purchase your shoes one size larger than you wear, and that you wear liner socks with heavier socks. This is to prevent blisters. Blisters are one thing that will stop you in your tracks and ruin your walk.

So that said, I suggest rather than spending $200 on boots, you spend $70 to $100 on a good pair of running or trail shoes like your Adidas, only a larger size and with a larger toe box. I wore New Balance trail shoes and never had a problem with them. They make one type with a wider toe box, and it worked great for me.

If you can't afford that, I'd wear the Adidas, as long as they're well broken in, but you may find them pinching your toes after walking 6 hours. Your toes like to spread, and will be rubbing against each other if the shoes are too tight.

Boots? No
Adidas? Yes, but maybe a larger size?

3. Camping tent. Weight is going to be a huge issue. It is generally advised not to carry more than 10% of your body weight for a painless trek. A tent adds a lot of weight. That said, we carried a screen tent and used it a few times. In retrospect, a nysil tarp would have sufficed, using my poles. The bugs weren't that bad, I didn't see one snake, and an enclosed tent just didn't seem necessary. There were several great places to camp, and often the hospitalero would allow us to camp in the yard of the alburgue. Quiet cool uninterrupted sleep was like heaven to me, but I like sleeping outdoors. So I'd say take a small nysil tarp and leave the tent at home. Your pad??? Well, if you take the tent, you can carry it, but I saw more pads discarded in the Free Boxes than any other item.

4. DSLR camera. I would not even consider it. Besides having to worry about theft in the shower, finding places to charge batteries, etc., it adds too much extra weight and you'll learn after a few days that every single ounce counts. You'll be packing it up and sending it home, with a lot of expense. Leave it home. Take a tiny point and shoot, and PLEASE don't take your net book... just go and enjoy the Camino with no technology. Be FREE of all that! You will find computers along the way to keep in contact with friends.

5. Is your favorite song “I can walk five hundred miles, and I can walk five hundred more..” ;)

Yes! ::laughing:::
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
You have had a few answers to most of your questions so I will only comment on your Camera selection. If you are not atleast an advanced amateur don't bother with the DSLR. Its takes time to develop skills and I'm guessing you will resort to the auto settings rather than the manual settings, which is the whole reason of the SLR. If this is the case take a decent point and shoot. As a reasonally advanced amateur with the DSLR I am tossing up on whether or not to take mine next year, but will struggle to justify the extra 2kg on the 1600km I'm planning on walking, plus I would want to take a lightweight tripod aswell..
 
In all, the extra weight only for sleeping and photo equipement are more than 6,5 kg !?
It seems a lot to me !!!
Last year, my entire bagback was about that weight (plus water, fruit etc it was about 8kg).
This year, I wore 1 kg more (but walked in mountaineous regions) and had terrible back pains which forced me to see a doctor on the road. And I sent all I could by post to Santiago.

About the tent : there is a quite interesting lightweight item called 'Gatewood Cape' : it is both, tent and raincape. It is from http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/
I took it with me this summer and used it once as a cape and once as a tent (there is an inner mosquito tent available, lightweight as well). And it was fine and about only 600gr in all !!

Buen Camino !

FatmaG
 

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lynnejohn said:
Hi -
Good questions. I have a comment on only one. Boots vs shoes are certainly a personal preference, but weak ankles and age are not the only considerations. Many parts of the way are very stony - small stones and large stones, so you really have to test your footwear on this kind of surface. Walking on this terrain can really hurt and bruise the bottom of your feet if you can feel every stone.
Happy planning and buen camino!

lynne

I agree with this point, it will very important for you not to be able to feel the many stones that will be underfoot so the stronger the sole, the more comfortable you'll feel, especially if you have blisters as well. Just make sure whatever you wear are waterproof and a size bigger than you normally wear and I'd recommend wearing a liner sock as well.

Buen camino!
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Back this week from the Camino Frances I COMPLETELY agree with those above who mention stones/rocks/bolders etc.

I wore a low walking shoe with vibram soles and I STILL felt all the rocks and stones under my feet. Maybe I am more sensitive than the average walker but I personally can't imagine wearing running shoes. I saw enough Spaniard who did but most pelegrinos/as wore walking shoes or boots.

I bought walking shoes 1 size larger than normal and ended up sending them home when in Leon and buying the same brand (Merrill) 2 sizes larger than normal at Corte Ingles. My feet swell alot and although 2 sizes larger is a big exagerated the model did not come in 1/2 sizes. I wore an extra pair of socks to fill in the difference and my feet thanked me for the extra room.

Again keep your pack as light as possible. Mine was 6 kg without water/food and was perfect. After the first week I did not even feel that I was carrying a pack.

Good luck preparing!
Cheers,
LT
 
Walked the CF Mar/Apr of this year and though I'm not as experienced as some on this forum, I offer the following:

1. We flew into Paris and immediately took a train to Bordeaux for a couple of days. The train to SJPP was not in service when we were traveling so we took the train from Bordeaux to Bayonne and then a bus to SJPP. Bordeaux was a beautiful city and we toured a couple of wineries.

2. I echo LTfit on boots. I wore a gortex boot, 1 1/2 sizes larger than my normal shoe size. Next time (hmmmm) I would go with 2 sizes larger. Apparently, my right foot is larger than my left and when we hit the Meseta my feet swelled up and I got my first blister on one of my right toes. This, after having walked for a couple of weeks without any feet trouble.

3. Cullen carried a 2 person tent. He is a worrier and thought we might have trouble finding beds since it is a holy year - we didn't have any problem. I would not recommend carrying a tent, but I'm pretty sure he would carry a tent again.

4. We carried a small digital which served our purpose.

5. Although "I can walk 500 miles.." is a close second, my favorite song for the Camino is "Caminando Por La Calle" by The Gypsy Kings.

Buen Camino
Palma
 
Dear fellow Canadian!
I walked the Camino Frances last September and as everyone else, can only answer your questions based on my personal experience.
1) I flew in and out of Paris. I stayed overnight in Paris on the way over and caught the trains to SJPdP. I was able to tour around Paris that day and get some rest without having to rush for connections that day. As well, I had a few weeks after my Camino so I went to the south of France and then back to Paris for almost a week. If I get the opportunity to do another Camino, I would like to go in and out of Madrid.
2) I wore Keen boots that I got at MEC. I cannot imagine doing it any other way. The trail is very rocky in a lot of places and you are constantly going both up and down hill on this rock...large and small...constantly sliding. I felt I needed the support of the boots.
3) Can't help you on tents.
4) The camera...wow, this is definitely a personal option and opinion. I took my Canon DSLR and would do so in a heartbeat. I rigged up a holder so I was able to wear it around my neck and rest it in the holder attached to the belt of my backpack. Were there times it was a pain, absolutely but I just got used to it. When I took off my backpack, the camera stayed with me at all times. Not convenient but so very worth it. And I do not feel that the taking pictures in any way, diminished the true enjoyment I had on my Camino. The bonus for me is that I have many many pictures that still roll over my screen saver every day and bring back so many fantastic, vivid memories that would not be as clear a year later if not for the pictures. The bottom line is, listen to your gut and do whats best for you. It's your Camino. If you decided to take the DSLR, then live with the inconvenience it may bring and then enjoy the reward. I also got pretty good at just unholstering it and taking the shot with one hand as I had my walking stick (best purchase on the Camino in SJPdP...LIFESAVER!) in the other hand.
If you need anything else, PM me.
Regards,
Bill
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
mosesmew said:
Hi, I will Fly into London Gatwick,take Easy jet or Ryan Air to Biarritz France then bus to SJ.Seems the easiest for me,also from Canada NS,Nancy :D

The flights to Biarritz are only with Ryanair from Stansted as far as I know. This is fine if you have allowed yourself a day in London visiting friends or family or sightseeing. Getting from Gatwick to Stansted with only a limited amount of time is a risk not worth taking and Ryanair will not care why you are late for check-in they will just turn you away.

You may know all this but it is always worth reminding people how long it can take to get from one London airport to another and how strictly the low cost carriers keep to their check-in times and baggage limits.
 
I am also coming in frm Canada, a small town 3 hours outside of Calgary the nearest international airport. My plan is to fly into Gatwick, take the train into London and stay overnight at a hostel and then the next morning take the train to Stanstead and fly from there. I find this works best for me. If I try to do it all in one go there is too much opportunity for things to go wrong and for me to arrive stupidly tired. Not the way I want to start the Camino.

John
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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1) I reached Bayonne from Paris via TGV train from Paris Monparnase station slept in Bayonne took the bus to St. Jean Pied de Port the next day and started the camino France on the 23.06.2010 at 10:30am arrived at Roncisvalle at 20:30 the same day. why... too heavy rucksack... record of 19,5 kg at the weighing scale at Roncisvalle! :oops:
reason:- 3) I had a Tent 2kg. a Quechua ("unofficial sponsor" in the camino) ultralight pro...I never used it during the camino in fact the Spanish Police discouraged me:- they can fine you for camping in the city :roll: so you have to risk camping out of town in private fields... hiding more or less.., plus no hot water,no showers, no cleaning of your cloths... NOT my sort of camino...I sent it back home via Post Office (Correos... in Spanish 3.7 Kg of tent and non used stuff at 37Euros to Italy ...my feet rejoiced ...I could fly!)...But I was still too heavy (should have had a 10kg max rucksack) but having an inflatable mat and integrated sleeping bag, not used except one night in Bayonne (I slept on a bench due to TGV train malfunction arrived at Bayonne at 23:30 no hotels are open execept for two:- at 91/51 Euros a night! )...So Sent that 2.7Kg to the Santiago Post office in my name) at los Arcos after seeing that i was only using my silk sheet mummy bag (only 350gms) due to hot weather. The albergues are cheap 5-8 Euros a night..at that price who needs a tent?, the albergues have HOT water, showers,cleaning facilities,toilets,bunk beds with blankets if needed, mats are easily found/lent if needed except for the last 68kms to Santiago where I wished I had by mat/Bag I slept on the floor without anything in the last 18kms to Santiago after 2:30 hrs sleep I woke up at 2 in the morning and did the last 14Kms in the night with a headlamp...out of desperation :cry: ...finally found at Monte do Gozo at 6:30 am a room for 4 days at 12 Euros a Day which I immediately took... I was too tired... and dirty ...to look for anything else and was not willing to walk to find other solutions. It was Great ! :lol: A Room with only 4 “normal” beds! and hot showers in a Posh setting! I slept and arrived in Santiago on the 23/07/2010 at 8:30 clean and fresh leaving my rucksack at Mont Gozo did the last final 4 Kms to Santiago. Mont Gozo is served by a N°6 bus every 20min (30min on Sundays) at 0.9 Euros a ride:- tickets are bought on the bus. (for more bus trips you can by a rechargeable card for 3 euros which can be charged with an min of 5 euros so the bus ticket is 0,5Euros per ride. This card is also bought/recharged on the bus by the driver.
2) As for shoes:- I had 4 types One for showers,one for hot weather/Asphalt, one for wet weather/small stones ,one mountain boot for rain,downhills,bigger stones,mud,or anything else...But the Leather mountain boots are very heavy 2.4 kgs. I kept them because of fear of rain and steep Downhills .the advantages of these are totally waterproof you can stand in running water and your socks are kept dry very important to avoid blisters which form when your foot is wet/humid and your foot is sliding around back and forth in your wide shoes..., they stop you from losing your toe nails in steep downhills as they block your feet from sliding forwards on the top front of your feet and not cramming in your toes (as in your Sneakers or running shoes do). Use Technical type socks to fill the space in your boots. So buy your (thick high Trekking type socks with reinforcement on heels/ toes ) First ...then your buy shoes to match them. The foot must not slide around but be comfortably snug. :wink: Ben Camino ...Ultreja! :D
 
I could respond to the 'more important' questions, but I think others have that covered already.

As far as the last one, I just got married 2 months ago to the man I met on the Camino 3 years ago (yippie!), and we blasted 'I will be (I will walk 500 miles)' as my entrance song at the ceremony :)
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Congratulations Fiddletree! Thanks for sharing this great story. Definitely one to tell the grandkids. May your lives together be as magical and joyful as the Camino.


Palma
 
Thanks! We do have a very joyful life, thanks to the Camino, and now my new sister in law will be starting the camino at the beginning of September as well! Dry_gin, if you meet a short haired Italian girl named Valeria, she is awesome (starting Sept 2 from St Jean)
 
Oh, and a practical note... if I were you I would NOT bring a fancy camera and netbook. Camera, yes, but I would take a small, relatively inexpensive one that still takes good shots. I brought a $200 cannon (which was held together by tape by the end) and I have stellar photos. You will kick yourself for the extra weight and be worried about protecting material things, which could distract you from some of the wonderous things happening around you. Things break, get lost, get stolen, or purposefully left behind on the Camino.... so anything that is heavy and expensive is probably best left behind.

Tent: there are lots of outdoors shops along the way and if you find you need one, you can always buy one. If you do, it will probably be in the last stretch of the walk. Same goes for the other things, for sleeping outdoors. See how busy it is and you can pick something up in one of the cities you pass through every couple of days. Also remember that the Camino provides... if you suddenly need a tent, it is likely that someone else will have one that they are tired of carrying. That is just how it works!

Shoes: I saw lots of people in adidas type shoes and they were just fine. Just know that if it rains... well, you will have very wet feet. I would bring a pair of walking sandles as well in case you get blisters from walking with wet feet (I did, and picked up the walking sandles which saved my feet for the rest of the walk). What you might want to do is get a sneaker/hiking book hybrid which feels and looks somewhat like a running shoe but is covered with goretex (to keep out the water... seriously, walking 30 km with wet feet is miserable) and has a more sturdy sole, which will make walking on rough trails easier on your feet. Remember that the socks you use are nearly as important as the shoes!
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
I had difficulty getting a train from Santiago to Madrid. (So many booked ahead) Paris both ways sounds like a better plan to me. As for the boots vs. shoes, I bought hiking boots and after crossing the Pyrenees I developed major blisters and lost toenails! Yuk. I threw my boots away in a little town outside of Roncevalles and did not regret it. You don't need boots on the Camino Frances. I walked in my Tevo sandals until I found a little market that was selling New Balance tennis shoes. I bought a pair and they were great! Light, supportive, and easy to walk in. I would never walk in anything else. Beds are readily available, and unless you really hate co-habitating, carrying a tent is a lot of weight. It also gets pretty wet in Galicia. I took a really great lightweight digital camera and I also had my cell phone (which took pics) Most good digital cameras today take excellent pics. I wouldn't carry the SLR. Remember, everything you take you carry and it feels really heavy, really quickly. Buen Camino!
 
Hi,

I was strongly considering walking the Le Puy to Conques root next month but have been disuaded. I bought the FFRP Topoguide and can see that large stretches are on tarmac. I am not a pilgrim but a hiker who wants to get away from modernity and that includes tarmac roads.

Are there any Camino routes in France that have good accommodation AND off-road trails? I doubt it!

Cheers!

Milli
 
No. The two are almost mutually exclusive. Even along roads, the small towns in France are dying, so accommodations and food, and particularly coffee, are disappearing. The more remote, the less the ease of finding accommodations. Fortunately, many French open their homes to pilgrims along the established routes, so as gites disappear, beds in homes appear. That does not happen on remote routes.

The Le Puy route has paving, but it also has lots of scenery. The French love weekend hikes and vistas, so the trail often diverts intentionally from the most direct route and the road, to high spots with great views. It triples the difficulty of the walk, but is worth it.

With 6 1/2 billion people in the world, remoteness and wilderness have to be taken where they are, and a lot of France is built up and the trails partly follow the roads.
 
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Hey there drygin,

Regarding footwear, it's sometimes down to personal choice.
I've walked twice, once in light hiking shoes, once in waterproof leather boots. Both got me to the end no problems. A friend of mine also walked once in trainers/sneakers like those but I can't say that they will give you much support or grip when the rain comes, which it will.

This short video I made may help you out.
http://youtu.be/rMdJm6Ze_D4

Buen Camino
 
Regarding the issue of stones and rocks.
One of the reasons to buy walking shoes or trail shoes a size larger is so you can take out the regular shoe liner and put in a cushioned shoe liner, which I did. It was a gel liner they also sold at the New Balance store. I had absolutely no problems with stones and rocks.

Also, I forgot to mention that I walked the Camino the first time beginning September and did NOT need the tent as there really was no rush for beds, especially if you walk BETWEEN the suggested stages instead of following a guidebook like the rest of the herd.

Buen Camino!
 

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