james walter purdum iv
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- camino francés sept 1, 2015
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Thanks I read July August were ideal monthsNothing in particular for the Norte/Primitivo, other than checking for albergue availability on the Norte depending on the dates you will be walking. Eroski and Gronze will help you figure out stages.
I walked in April/May so I couldn't say about that, but one thing to keep in mind is 22-26 July 17 is the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Festival in San Sebastian...so rooms could be tight. At least when I walked some of the only albergue choices were youth hostals, which also might be busy in the summer...Thanks I read July August were ideal months
I start on August 1st so hopefully it will be back to normalI walked in April/May so I couldn't say about that, but one thing to keep in mind is 22-26 July 17 is the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Festival in San Sebastian...so rooms could be tight. At least when I walked some of the only albergue choices were youth hostals, which also might be busy in the summer...
this is my teeth clenched in envy emoticon
How was the up and down? Manageable? Obviously you came out of the other sideI walked in April/May so I couldn't say about that, but one thing to keep in mind is 22-26 July 17 is the 50th anniversary of the Jazz Festival in San Sebastian...so rooms could be tight. At least when I walked some of the only albergue choices were youth hostals, which also might be busy in the summer...
this is my teeth clenched in envy emoticon
I had just retired from the military and run marathons, including one that is done in a uniform with a military pack, so it didn't seem like a big problem...and I had already walked from SJPdP to Irache before I left to start the Norte so had a 'warm up'...but everyone is different. I also took rest days in several towns and had the perfect shoes and pack for me (probably the most important thing for anyone doing any camino as you know). Since I was walking in the spring, it seemed to me that of the few pilgrims I did see, half were below 30 and half above, at least one I met was in his 70s, and many more in 50's. So if we older folk can manage...but yes, there is a lot of up and down. I can recall thinking 'oh, come on, another one?'...I would take a picture of the mist shrouded foothills and snow capped mountains in the distance each morning, and email it to friends saying 'pretty in the morning light, until you realize you're going to go over them....again.'How was the up and down? Manageable? Obviously you came out of the other side
that was my only regret turning toward oviedo...I really enjoyed the Norte and was sad to leave it. How would you compare the second half to the first?I started with the intention of doing the Norte / Primitivo combination, but after a couple of weeks realised I'd be returning to walk more Caminos, so decided rather than do part of one and part of another, to walk all the Norte and return to do the Primitivo.
So pleased I did and now am looking forward to next year's trip and the Primitivo!
Pete
that was my only regret turning toward oviedo...I really enjoyed the Norte and was sad to leave it. How would you compare the second half to the first?
I am starting on August 1 and ending on to finish in Fatima on October 15th. So I hope to have time for everythingI had just retired from the military and run marathons, including one that is done in a uniform with a military pack, so it didn't seem like a big problem...and I had already walked from SJPdP to Irache before I left to start the Norte so had a 'warm up'...but everyone is different. I also took rest days in several towns and had the perfect shoes and pack for me (probably the most important thing for anyone doing any camino as you know). Since I was walking in the spring, it seemed to me that of the few pilgrims I did see, half were below 30 and half above, at least one I met was in his 70s, and many more in 50's. So if we older folk can manage...but yes, there is a lot of up and down. I can recall thinking 'oh, come on, another one?'...I would take a picture of the mist shrouded foothills and snow capped mountains in the distance each morning, and email it to friends saying 'pretty in the morning light, until you realize you're going to go over them....again.'
there's also a fair amount of road walking, which I know because I can see it in the guide, but I don't recall it as prominent probably because the woods and beaches took my breath away. The only times I recall the road was when it had a narrow shoulder on a winding mountain, like some of the end approach to grandas, and you hope the cars see you. but...make sure your footwear feels good on pavement as well as dirt--the price we pay for outstanding food, and all the natural beauty we walk through when not on pavement.
I'm curious about your month timeline for that entire trip though...on the 17th day of walking I reached oviedo and in ten more reached SdC and in three more Finisterre --that would take up all of August without the trip to Fatima, and does not count the rest days I took in Bilbao, Oviedo, Lugo, and SdC, and the half days in a few others). And I was usually leaving most other walkers behind with my pace (not fast, just longer periods of walking). I don't know how many more days are needed to reach Fatima but that is looking like pretty long walking days, even if you never take a day off to see the sights (and I would recommend it in those cities, and half days in a couple more---there is soooo much beauty and history on the route you've chosen).
I bet that will be very pretty that time of year, and perfect for the Norte where many albergues are only open in July and August. Have fun!I am starting on August 1 and ending on to finish in Fatima on October 15th. So I hope to have time for everything
Did you take the boat to Santander or do the 49km hike around?I bet that will be very pretty that time of year, and perfect for the Norte where many albergues are only open in July and August. Have fun!really...
I did the boat. I didn't meet anyone who walked around although I'm sure some do. Folks do with horses, I can't think of a reason I would. I walked the coastal variant to Loredo, from there my guide took me a bit inland a (if I recall correctly) but when I asked directions the gentleman walking his dog said I would reach the departure point for the boat by walking along the beach, which I did...the only tricky part was figuring out where to cross over the dunes so every so often I would walk up, poke my head up like a gopher to look around, then go back to the beach. I liked all the beach time during this stretch.Did you take the boat to Santander or do the 49km hike around?
How was walking on the sand? Is it firm?I did the boat. I didn't meet anyone who walked around although I'm sure some do. Folks do with horses, I can't think of a reason I would. I walked the coastal variant to Loredo, from there my guide took me a bit inland a (if I recall correctly) but when I asked directions the gentleman walking his dog said I would reach the departure point for the boat by walking along the beach, which I did...the only tricky part was figuring out where to cross over the dunes so every so often I would walk up, poke my head up like a gopher to look around, then go back to the beach. I liked all the beach time during this stretch.
edit: continuing my tradition of getting lost, the boat makes an intermediate stop...I did not know this and almost disembarked...luckily one of the young men running the boat stopped me
like sand anywhere, firm only when walking on the edge of the water. usually I left my boots on while cutting over to the firm area. If taking a break/playing I'd change into my sandals, but I didn't have good enough support in those to want to walk long distances in them... but that could just be me. some of the beaches are rocky. sometimes you are walking along cliffs along the water.How was walking on the sand? Is it firm?
well, boats existed then, though not with motorsSweet ! I thought the decision was easy but us true pilgrims want to do what is necessary to do the real Camino but this is fair to me.. lol
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