Pensionista Pilgrims Planning for May 2019 Camino

[kclem]

Hi
Thanks for the add.
We are planning our Camino Sarria to Santiago de Compostela May 2019.
My biggest fear is the downhill sections, I have a real fear of walking downhill.
I have just read Mark McCarthy's Guide book and the elavation pages have me in a panic.
Looking for some reassurance from others please.

 

[Tincatinker]

@kclem Try working out your own elevations at true scale. From memory and without the book to hand the illustrations are "unhelpful". There is scarcely a slope between Sarria and Santiago worth the title of elevation.

If you plot at true scale: 1 kilometre of distance to 1 kilometre of height you'll be much reassured.

And if walking downhill is a serious challenge try turning around and walking backwards. The mind is easily fooled.

 

[CdnDreamer]

I took a look at one of his elevation pages. They do look very steep, but the page shows 18 km so the hills are squished to fit on the page. What is it that you don't like about hills? A lot of the hills on this section are walking beside roads. I don't remember anywhere that felt like you could fall off. Poles are also helpful for walking downhill. We all have to face fears on the camino. That is part of the journey.

 

[trecile]

I don't remember anywhere that felt like you could fall off.

There's not a single spot on the Camino Francés where I felt that I could fall off the trail.

 

[kclem]

I took a look at one of his elevation pages. They do look very steep, but the page shows 18 km so the hills are squished to fit on the page. What is it that you don't like about hills? A lot of the hills on this section are walking beside roads. I don't remember anywhere that felt like you could fall off. Poles are also helpful for walking downhill. We all have to face fears on the camino. That is part of the journey.

Thanks for your responses. I feel reassured.

 

[Colette Z]

I agree 100% with previous comments. I walked both the Frances and el Norte and tracked my walks each day. I was able to also show my elevation and descents all day long. I can say that it made for a lot of WOW moments on paper but there was never any ascent or descent that matched those in the guides. My answer is to,always use my hiking poles and descend slowly cautiously and to focus on eac( step. You can do it !!!

 

[Mark McCarthy]

I am really sorry, I don't want to panic anyone. Its a fabulous part of the Camino where all the steepest descents are all on Tarmac. The elevation charts are accurate but they are scaled slightly differently to give as large an image as possible. I have been through my data and the steepest slope is 31% on a very small section in to Portomarin. This, however, can be avoided by taking the complimentary route on your left. Apart from this the next toughest descent tops out at 21% on the way in to Ribadiso. On reflection perhaps this is data I should include with the elevation charts which I will do for the next edition. If you have any more questions you are more than welcome to message me here or on the email address given in the guide.

 

[kclem]

Thanks for your response Mark. I guess this is a Pilgrimage and my fears need to be faced. Just had visions of having to bum slide downhill and that wouldn't be a pretty sight.

 

[kclem]

I agree 100% with previous comments. I walked both the Frances and el Norte and tracked my walks each day. I was able to also show my elevation and descents all day long. I can say that it made for a lot of WOW moments on paper but there was never any ascent or descent that matched those in the guides. My answer is to,always use my hiking poles and descend slowly cautiously and to focus on eac( step. You can do it !!!

Thanks for responding I'm going to face my fear and do it.

 

[C clearly]

Two tips to help on steep downhills are:

1. Use hiking poles. Just go slowly and plant the poles deliberately.
2. Zigzag down the hill (like a slalom skier). Walk to the right, pause, turn, walk to the left. Stop and rest at the turn point if your knees are getting wobbly. Take your time!

 

[Mark McCarthy]

Go for it! Buen Camino and enjoy, May is a fab time to walk.

 

[Sixwheeler]

Use two trekking poles and watch the YouTube videos on how to get best use from them, this really makes a big difference. They're also very useful going uphill too.
Ultreïa

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks for your response Mark. I guess this is a Pilgrimage and my fears need to be faced. Just had visions of having to bum slide downhill and that wouldn't be a pretty sight.

You will have no bum sliding on the Camino Frances so you will not have to face your fear! Enjoy the journey, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

 

[Colette Z]

Thanks for responding I'm going to face my fear and do it.

That’s the spirit! Buen Camino!