Pilgrims Office, SJPP - Hiking Poles

[BabzHikes]

Does anyone know if the Pilgrims Office in St Jean have free trekking poles (donated from previous hikers) available to give for a donation? I live here in the United States and don't want to bring my hiking poles with me. I dislike the thought of buying a pair just for this one trip.
I did try searching prior to posting this, and couldn't find anything that gave me an answer. So, I apologize if this is a redundant question. Thank you in advance. Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

No, I don't believe that they do.

 

[C clearly]

Does anyone know if the Pilgrims Office in St Jean have free trekking poles (donated from previous hikers)

There is always the slight possibility, but there is really no system that gets poles from the end of the Camino (usually Santiago) where they are abandoned/donated, back to the common starting points such as SJPP.

There are nearby stores selling poles.

 

[BabzHikes]

Okay, great. Thank you! Such a shame.. you'd think that maybe one of the baggage transportation companies could grab them every so often. Just a thought...

 

[C clearly]

you'd think that maybe one of the baggage transportation companies could grab them every so often. Just a thought

Yes, that thought has been expressed. Perhaps it is done occasionally.

However, it would take a significant overall effort - promoting and managing a central drop-off point in Santiago, processing the packaging for shipping back to various starting points (Sarria, Leon, Burgos, Pamplona, Roncesvalles), and paying for that shipping through commercial shipping companies. There is not likely to be a volunteer driver to do the 1600 km return trip on a regular basis. Then there is the question of what the various equipment stores would think.

So, it's a nice idea, but not as easy as it might seem at first!

 

[BabzHikes]

Yes, that thought has been expressed. Perhaps it is done occasionally.

However, it would take a significant overall effort - promoting and managing a central drop-off point in Santiago, processing the packaging for shipping back to various starting points (Sarria, Leon, Burgos, Pamplona, Roncesvalles), and paying for that shipping through commercial shipping companies. There is not likely to be a volunteer driver to do the 1600 km return trip on a regular basis. Then there is the question of what the various equipment stores would think.

So, it's a nice idea, but not as easy as it might seem at first!

I hadn't thought about how the various stores would take it... Good point. Need to keep them in business.

 

[lovelyshell]

Yes, that thought has been expressed. Perhaps it is done occasionally.

However, it would take a significant overall effort - promoting and managing a central drop-off point in Santiago, processing the packaging for shipping back to various starting points (Sarria, Leon, Burgos, Pamplona, Roncesvalles), and paying for that shipping through commercial shipping companies. There is not likely to be a volunteer driver to do the 1600 km return trip on a regular basis. Then there is the question of what the various equipment stores would think.

So, it's a nice idea, but not as easy as it might seem at first!

The Pilgrim House in Santiago collects poles but I don’t know what they do with them. I assume some have made their way to Saint Jean.

 

[Robo]

Maybe an opportunity for someone like Express Bourricot?
They transport luggage from St Jean to Santiago.
They could bring back poles.
But I suspect it's very much a 'one way' operation, in stages perhaps. not a dedicated van barrelling down the road and back again.

The logistics and economics of it just don't make any sense sadly.
(Sorry, I consult in Logistics)

The only reason to do it might be from a sustainability point of view with some funding to support the initiative.

On the flip side, poles can be bought almost anywhere inexpensively

 

[BabzHikes]

I was thinking of Express Bouricott!! They will be doing my transfer from SJPP to Santiago. (They are also picking me up at the airport when I arrive) I think I'm going to ask them what they think.
I'm just thinking of the hundreds of poles. Seems like such a waste. I understand that it may not be feasible. I also understand that it's not funded. I would just think that the Pilgrims Office is "connected" to Santiago's office, right?
Anyway, I was just hoping to recycle.
Thank you, for your input!!

 

[Robo]

I was thinking of Express Bouricott!! They will be doing my transfer from SJPP to Santiago. (They are also picking me up at the airport when I arrive) I think I'm going to ask them what they think.
I'm just thinking of the hundreds of poles. Seems like such a waste. I understand that it may not be feasible. I also understand that it's not funded. I would just think that the Pilgrims Office is "connected" to Santiago's office, right?
Anyway, I was just hoping to recycle.
Thank you, for your input!!

It will be interesting see what responses you get.
The people at Express Bourricot are wonderful.
But at the end of the day........they are running a business.
It's hard to imagine how it might work.


We've used their transfer from St Jean to Santiago for 'post Camino' luggage.
(as well as airport/station pickup and mountain shuttle)
The luggage service to Santiago worked really well.
On the surface, it seems expensive at I think 70 euros, it's well worth it.
Cross border postage (post office), I haven't tried, but the post office has limits on how long they will hold stuff in Santiago.
Transporting luggage day to day can become a logistics headache and gets costly. Way more than 70 Euros.

Sorry, I'm just a fan, and I think it's good that new Pilgrims understand the options they have regards luggage.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[BabzHikes]

It will be interesting see what responses you get.
The people at Express Bourricot are wonderful.
But at the end of the day........they are running a business.
It's hard to imagine how it might work.


We've used their transfer from St Jean to Santiago for 'post Camino' luggage.
(as well as airport/station pickup and mountain shuttle)
The luggage service to Santiago worked really well.
On the surface, it seems expensive at I think 70 euros, it's well worth it.
Cross border postage (post office), I haven't tried, but the post office has limits on how long they will hold stuff in Santiago.
Transporting luggage day to day can become a logistics headache and gets costly. Way more than 70 Euros.

Sorry, I'm just a fan, and I think it's good that new Pilgrims understand the options they have regards luggage.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT - Express Bourricot

www.expressbourricot.com

I couldn't agree more. I had heard such wonderful things about them. I'm glad I have asked them to pick us up and transfer my after Camino luggage on to Santiago.
I'm going in October. I will try to make a post, letting you know what they say.
I still wonder if they're driving luggage to Santiago, it just doesn't seem like it would be that hard for someone from the pilgrim's office to drop by a bunch of poles at the hotel where they drop off the luggage and they can bring it back to the pilgrim's office in St. Jean... Then again, that all just seems too easy.

 

[henrythedog]

Anyone wanting to actually manage a process by which discarded equipment from Santiago is deployed back to St Jean or Pamplona would be welcomed in so far as their funds lasted.

It’s one of those ‘obvious’ opportunities which has, so far, been disregarded by anyone who has to live on euros as opposed to dreams.

 

[Martin Cole]

Does anyone know if the Pilgrims Office in St Jean have free trekking poles (donated from previous hikers) available to give for a donation? I live here in the United States and don't want to bring my hiking poles with me. I dislike the thought of buying a pair just for this one trip.
I did try searching prior to posting this, and couldn't find anything that gave me an answer. So, I apologize if this is a redundant question. Thank you in advance. Buen Camino

I went back to find one I left next day a few years back and they had a cupboard full, worth asking before buying. Offer a donation as they are a charity!
Worth a try.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

There is a sports equipment shop a bit more than half way between town centre and the big supermarket (itself well worth the visit).

 

[jillianbausch]

Okay, great. Thank you! Such a shame.. you'd think that maybe one of the baggage transportation companies could grab them every so often. Just a thought...

If you are flying into Madrid, I'm sure the security staff has a slew of them. They took mine.

 

[BabzHikes]

If you are flying into Madrid, I'm sure the security staff has a slew of them. They took mine.

I'm flying into Paris, then on to Biarritz. However, I will look there! Great idea!!!!!

 

[Landstar]

Yes, that thought has been expressed. Perhaps it is done occasionally.

However, it would take a significant overall effort - promoting and managing a central drop-off point in Santiago, processing the packaging for shipping back to various starting points (Sarria, Leon, Burgos, Pamplona, Roncesvalles), and paying for that shipping through commercial shipping companies. There is not likely to be a volunteer driver to do the 1600 km return trip on a regular basis. Then there is the question of what the various equipment stores would think.

So, it's a nice idea, but not as easy as it might seem at first!

Does anyone know if the Pilgrims Office in St Jean have free trekking poles (donated from previous hikers) available to give for a donation? I live here in the United States and don't want to bring my hiking poles with me. I dislike the thought of buying a pair just for this one trip.
I did try searching prior to posting this, and couldn't find anything that gave me an answer. So, I apologize if this is a redundant question. Thank you in advance. Buen Camino

Try some local albergues/hostels. People are always for getting their poles

 

[MethaV]

There is always the slight possibility, but there is really no system that gets poles from the end of the Camino (usually Santiago) where they are abandoned/donated, back to the common starting points such as SJPP.

There are nearby stores selling poles.

If you don't find them in SJPP, there is always a good possibility to find some in a pilgrim hostel.

 

[Susan Peacock]

I’m not sure there are “hundreds of poles” left in Santiago. I’ve taken and returned with mine (checked of course) on ten Caminos. I assume the poles left can be used by those walking from Sarria or only to Finisterre.
Also, Bouricott transport is a business in SJPdP and is unlikely to help take a big part of business away from their neighborhooding business in SJPdP. I suggest you either take your poles or buy a pair in SJPdP. They have all price ranges including inexpensive ones.

 

[BabzHikes]

Try some local albergues/hostels. People are always for getting their poles

Yes!!! Another great idea! Will do! Thanks

 

[slmoser]

Okay, great. Thank you! Such a shame.. you'd think that maybe one of the baggage transportation companies could grab them every so often. Just a thought...

We left ours with the pilgrim House in Santiago, I would check there!

 

[Roland Deschain]

Does anyone know if the Pilgrims Office in St Jean have free trekking poles (donated from previous hikers) available to give for a donation? I live here in the United States and don't want to bring my hiking poles with me. I dislike the thought of buying a pair just for this one trip.
I did try searching prior to posting this, and couldn't find anything that gave me an answer. So, I apologize if this is a redundant question. Thank you in advance. Buen Camino

Hello,
You can get them at the very friendly Pilgrim House for a donation.
I've used them for my last two Camino's.
Regards.
Roland.

 

[David Tallan]

Hello,
You can get them at the very friendly Pilgrim House for a donation.
I've used them for my last two Camino's.
Regards.
Roland.

For sure. But by the time the OP reaches Pilgrim House, having walked to Santiago from SJPdP, the need for them will likely have passed. It is leaving the acquisition a little late.

 

[henrythedog]

Hello,
You can get them at the very friendly Pilgrim House for a donation.
I've used them for my last two Camino's.
Regards.
Roland.

If I might point out a minor inconvenience. The Pilgrim House, splendid though it is, is at the opposite end of the OP’s journey.

 

[Roland Deschain]

If I might point out a minor inconvenience. The Pilgrim House, splendid though it is, is at the opposite end of the OP’s journey

Very true.
Must get my eyes tested soon.
Roland.

 

[BabzHikes]

For sure. But by the time the OP reaches Pilgrim House, having walked to Santiago from SJPdP, the need for them will likely have passed. It is leaving the acquisition a little late.

Exactly, worded quite eloquently. Glad someone chimed in. I'm not going to Santiago FIRST...lol.

 

[Debora]

I paid $65 euro for mine at a store in SJPDP. (Just for a point of $ reference) They made all the difference and it was the best purchase I made on the Camino!

 

[peregrina2000]

The Pilgrim House in Santiago collects poles but I don’t know what they do with them. I assume some have made their way to Saint Jean.

On my Torres/Geira, one of my Black Diamond folding poles broke a few days out of Santiago. I wanted to continue on to Muxia/Finisterre, and @natefaith led me to a bin in the back of the Pilgrim House where I had my pick of hiking poles. I then gave them to some Spanish friends outside Madrid, where they are still being used. So that’s one pair of poles that escaped the trash!

 

[VictorJW]

You could post poles to your starting hostel and in Santiago post them home again but tbh it’s probably cheaper to buy some at the start.

You could also look for a suitable wooden branch whilst walking

 

[David Tallan]

You could post poles to your starting hostel and in Santiago post them home again but tbh it’s probably cheaper to buy some at the start.

You could also look for a suitable wooden branch whilst walking

Although a suitable wooden branch will not provide the benefits to your knees of two trekking poles (speaking from painful personal experience). And two wooden branches, which I've seen some use, will not have the straps that facilitate their effective use.