Worldwithamy
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June/July 2023
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Not too worn in, you don't want then falling apart on the way. Just kidding. It all sounds good except that make sure you really do have enough water and food to keep you going. Buen camino.I have the worn-in shoes,
Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
In GENERAL less is more on the Camino. Packing less is a good idea - you have to carry it. Planning less opens you to more experiences.Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
I'm just about to finish the Camino Frances ( started at SJPDP).Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
I think your walking plan is good because the first rule of thumb for me is to listen to your body. (f you like your trail runners buy a new pair of the same ones). I will be walking the variante later this year and I would just check out about the boat situation. Lots of information regarding this.Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
Having no plan sounds like a good plan to me!Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
Sounds like the right attitude, Buen caminoEver since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
This Peregrina agrees with your plan.Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
This is one of those personal preference things. It's definitely good to be forewarned about what the trail is like, but there are many who find trail runners, light hiking shoes, and even sandals to be the perfect footwear for them.Wear boots (not shoes, as I did). There are rough uneven paths and boots will definitely give you more stability. People do wear shoes hiking but I will never again.
Agree, I love walking in my super light trail runners with good grip but what you wear is up to you.This is one of those personal preference things. It's definitely good to be forewarned about what the trail is like, but there are many who find trail runners, light hiking shoes, and even sandals to be the perfect footwear for them.
I wouldn't say so. There is no universal "point" to the Camino. Each person goes for their own reasons, whether clear or not. The point of my Caminos is not to "not have a plan." However, if that is the experience you seek, it sounds like you are reasonably prepared, and will have a great time. Buen Camino!That is the point right?
Sounds perfect!Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
Nothing like a bit of excitement to shake things up!I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
4 hours will take you a good way towards your daily goal of 20-25 km. You have the rest of the day to make up the difference.I have never hiked longer than 4 hours.
Let's be straight here. We're talking a 125 km walk spread over several days on a popular route with lots of services. Lots of fallback options. It'll be fine.I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route.
Some can do this, some can't and some can learn to do it. The trick, I have found, for spontaneous travel in strange places is not to pack any expectations.I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance
Smart.But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable
Sometimes there just isn't a place to stop right when you need it. At those times it's no harm to have a few mental tricks to get you to the next rest place or the facility to see how far it is to the next rest place. Or the ability to make do with what is available.stopping whenever needed
Don't assume that about water. And always carry some food. Whatever about nutrition, a bit of food can be a great mood lifter. A little food or water to share along the way is a great way to make friends!For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
It sounds perfect to me......... but it really depends on you!Is that good enough of a plan?
The "point" differs for everyone. Only you have the ability to know why you're doing this.I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
It's whatever you make of it. Some people can drop right into it, others resist. Two people can walk the same way on the same day and have very different perceptions.What is life like on the Camino?
I carry a 22 liter Osprey Talon and still pack too much.In GENERAL less is more on the Camino. Packing less is a good idea - you have to carry it. Planning less opens you to more experiences.
Everyone is different. I trend toward obsessive compulsive behavior, so I need a little more planning, and a few kilos more in my rucksack. But, over ten years and six Caminos, I have never encountered anything that I was unprepared to handle.
Consider what you would pack for a long day hike. This includes things like first aid, rain gear, hiking poles, flashlight (head lamp preferred), water bottle(s), wide-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses & spare eyeglasses, personal medications, electronics (recharge or battery pack) and stout, snacks, and well broken-in shoes or boots. You can do this in less than 25 liters.
Start there, and add at least one change of clothing, and perhaps a third set of underwear and socks. Also, add a fleece outer garment to layer under your raingear, or to wear to sleep in on a cool night. Albergues are notoriously stingy with heat - it is very expensive in Spain.
This might boost your total volume to around 30 liters.
Depending on the time of year and route, some people bring a light / summer sleeping bag or quilt. Others swear by a sleeping bag liner. I found the perfect compromise at Alps Engineering. They sell several sleeping bag liners that look like lightweight microfiber sleeping bags. They have a full zip, open into a large full-size sheet and can be machine washed. Best of all, they only cost @ USD $30. I use this with a Sea to Summit air pillow.
This increases your volume to between 32 and 40 liters, depending on your sleeping system, solution.
When I first began walking the Camino 10 years ago, I carried a 48 liter Osprey Kestrel rucksack. After two French Caminos, I switched to a 38 liter Osprey Kestrel rucksack - with a 3 liter belly bag and front water bottle holders. Presently, I plan to do my next Camino with a 32 liter rucksack, combined with a 3 liter belly bag, and front water bottle holders.
Like Da Vinci's Vitruvian Man, I am a work in progress. Knowing my luck, I will get this all tuned in a sorted around the time that I have to hang up my hiking boots.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Just wondering did you stay in private albergues or hostels only? Did you stay in any donativos or municipals that do not take reservations? If you did where those albergues filling up? Just wondering. ThanksI did the CP in April and I would recommend booking a night in advance after Barcelos and definitely after Valenca/Tui as many groups start there. Have a great time!
Great post, @FlatlanderNothing like a bit of excitement to….
Spot on. Pilgrims are killing the Caminos by booking well in advance. No adventure. Go with the flow. Do as much as you feel like doing for the day. The spark of adventure. Not sure what YOLO means though!Ever since I read about the Camino de Santiago last year, I’ve wanted to do it. It’s difficult to find the time off and money, but I had a bit of a YOLO moment and bought my flights to Porto.
I have never hiked longer than 4 hours. I have the worn-in shoes, and will be buying more gear (the pack). I will have my rough itinerary, which includes the last 100-125KM of the Portuguese coastal/Variante route. I’ll likely have a list of accommodations and sights to see, but not booked in advance (as I don’t know how long it’ll actually take me)
I’ll pack light. I’ve read that it’s easier to walk in the early mornings, and do about 20-25KM a day. But I will let myself go easy and do it at a pace that my body will feel comfortable with, stopping whenever needed. I’ll take precautions for bedbugs.
For food/water, I assume there will be plenty on the road? But will bring some snacks and a water bottle.
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
What is life like on the Camino?
It means we all die at some point so may as well enjoy doing what I am doing now.Not sure what YOLO means though!
You Only Live Once.Not sure what YOLO means though!
Since the OP hasn't been back I hope they haven't read this!Propper Planning Prevents (Piss) Poor Performance!
If you have never walked more than 4 hours, what makes you think that you can walk longer in Spain over multiple days without injury to yourself?
Do you know anything about travel skills in Europe, so you won't get pickpocketed?
-Paul
Is that good enough of a plan? I want to go with the flow. That is the point right?
Wow! Well hopefully after 10+ years of additional online blogs and resources invested it’s even easier nowOur first Camino back to 2009 was similar. We had no real information, no knowledge of the forum or other information.
Our plan was to plan how to get to St Jean, book the first night and then get up and head toward Santiago.
After that it was walk...eat....sleep and then do it again the next morning. A simple plan without expectations made everything new and exciting with no let down or disappointment'
It worked great. I still use the same basic concept with the addition of GPS on the lesser traveled routes.
Enjoy your adventure....you got it!
Thank you! I’ll make sure to report backNothing like a bit of excitement to shake things up!
Buen Camino!
4 hours will take you a good way towards your daily goal of 20-25 km. You have the rest of the day to make up the difference.
Let's be straight here. We're talking a 125 km walk spread over several days on a popular route with lots of services. Lots of fallback options. It'll be fine.
Some can do this, some can't and some can learn to do it. The trick, I have found, for spontaneous travel in strange places is not to pack any expectations.
Sometimes, that cold glass of water can be nicer than the finest wine vintage, that bunk under a snorer can be more like "home" than the fancy four poster overlooking a swimming pool.
To quote from a country song "The days I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations I have pretty good days".
Smart.
Sometimes there just isn't a place to stop right when you need it. At those times it's no harm to have a few mental tricks to get you to the next rest place or the facility to see how far it is to the next rest place. Or the ability to make do with what is available.
Don't assume that about water. And always carry some food. Whatever about nutrition, a bit of food can be a great mood lifter. A little food or water to share along the way is a great way to make friends!
It sounds perfect to me......... but it really depends on you!
The "point" differs for everyone. Only you have the ability to know why you're doing this.
It's perfectly alright to not know and answer the call. Maybe you'll figure it out along the way. Maybe not.
Either way, it's an experience. What you get out of it is up to you.
I have developed a habit of stopping every now and then and absorbing where I am. I'll tell myself where I am, and remind myself how lucky I am. Sometimes, what I'm seeing or feeling is reason enough to be there.
It's whatever you make of it. Some people can drop right into it, others resist. Two people can walk the same way on the same day and have very different perceptions.
It really depends on you.
Good luck!
(And maybe come back and give an update? Most of this forum is filled with plans, a counterpoint would be interesting to digest)
Ah! I loved the look of the Osprey Talon 22L and found it on sale but worried it may be too small since I have not finished packing and have no idea what to fully bring! I went with a vaude 30L thinking I don’t have to fill it up if I don’t need toI carry a 22 liter Osprey Talon and still pack too much.
This might sound silly, but where do you go for water? Is the water safe to drink without a personal filter at the fountains?i went on a spontaneous basis last year but came up short on water a couple times due to the zero planning so it's worth double checking that for the day! otherwise i vote for pack light and go where you want! (i stayed in a mix of albergues and some private by choice not necessity)
I’ve travelled to 25+ countries on my own. I’m not much of a hiker but am very active and wanted to take on a challenge!Propper Planning Prevents (Piss) Poor Performance!
If you have never walked more than 4 hours, what makes you think that you can walk longer in Spain over multiple days without injury to yourself?
Do you know anything about travel skills in Europe, so you won't get pickpocketed?
-Paul
What’s the best 1-2 resources you used to keep track of the necessities (supermarkets, bars etc) along the way? An app? Map?Over a number of Caminos I've planned less and less. Now I have a loose plan for the day in mind which considers available resources (am I flush with cash? what, exactly, is in my pack? are there bars and supermarkets available?) along the way (which may or may not be open), terrain, indicated weather forecast (always somewhat sketchy) distance to the proposed nights lodging (and alternatives if needed), and the way I feel mentally and physically before heading out. My day out time horizon works pretty well for me.
That's actually a lot of things to consider. They are considered - kind of automatically, due to the experience taught by several Caminos. I'm generally ok being somewhat sore, tired, and hungry. I function pretty well with two or three smallish blisters. Throw in wet (which happens often) and lost (which almost never happens) and I start to get ornery though.
Its not exactly spot on as it refers to camping rather than Camino-ing, but I like to re-read Patrick F. McManus's short story A Fine and Pleasant Misery before heading out. Excerpt: "When you did get back home you prolonged the enjoyment of your trip by telling all your friends how miserable you had been. The more you talked about the miseries of life in the woods, the more you wanted to get back out there and start suffering again". https://archive.org/details/finepleasantmise00mcma
I'd say make sure to take worst case scenarios off the table, and keep in mind that the Camino provides, but sometimes it does so in an expensive way, and you should have a good experience, possibly the best experience of your life. Good luck and Buen Camino!
Appreciate you!Since the OP hasn't been back I hope they haven't read this!
The OP probably won't need to walk much further than 4 hours per day.
By multiple days you mean about 5?
Do people prepare for the Camino by walking 30 days of 30km? In a row? Do marathon runners run a marathon before running The Marathon? I don't think so.
I think the skills to avoid being pickpocketed in Europe are pretty much the same as anywhere else in the world. Such a dark and scary thing to say. Far better to suggest the OP pick up a few words of Portuguese or Spanish.
Some people prefer a more spontaneous approach to things. I've certainly come around to that way of thinking. It would be helpful if they weren't scared off from attempting it.
Last year, I met a man who had travelled in places I can only dream of. Excited, I started a conversation. I was told how many kms he had travelled, how many meters climbed, the types and percentages of different surfaces he had travelled on. When asked him how he felt, what spoke to him of these places, he just looked at me blankly.
I take the view that our head only has limited space to store things, Fill it up too much with detail and plans there is little left over experiences. Too detailed a plan leaves us ticking off boxes in a mental checklist, or worse, getting anxious when we don't get to add that tick.
A few days walking in a first world country on a well serviced route with lots of company? Keep the sun on your right is about all the planning I'd need.
It depends on when you’re doing your Camino, in my opinion. If you’ll be walking during the shoulder months - April/May or late September/October, you’ll probably need to pack a little bit more. You might need a 30L. Otherwise, if you’re walking in the summer months, you’ll pack much lighter, hence, 22L I think will work. Buen CaminoAh! I loved the look of the Osprey Talon 22L and found it on sale but worried it may be too small since I have not finished packing and have no idea what to fully bring! I went with a vaude 30L thinking I don’t have to fill it up if I don’t need to
Camino Portugues, at least when I walked it from Lisbon to SdC a few years ago, was mostly populated by German pilgrims. Most of those I met and talked to could speak more or less only German or English. Or only German. But it seemed the ancient language (using your arms, mostly) worked well for them, too. So I don't think you'll have a language problem. Of course, you'll learn soon things like "obrigada" etc., and whatever else you'll want or need. Hope you'll love it. Buen camino. Or rather: Bom caminho!Please take some Portuguese with you. All of the small business owners and other residents along the Camino do not speak English, and it can be kind of awkward to have to do Google translate to ask a simple question and then understand the answer.
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