Erin walks 50 before 50
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2026
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With that one sentence I can tell that you are Canadian.Lastly is it illegal to use the washroom outside on the trails
I am another sandal (always with socks!) fan; you can wade rivers, walk through mud, and then rest assured that everything will be dry in a few minutes if you keep walking.With that one sentence I can tell that you are Canadian.
No, not illegal to "answer the call of nature" outside where there are no washrooms. Of course you would be respectful and leave no trace.
As far as wet/muddy trails - on the Norte, yes you may encounter some ankle deep mud. That's one of the reasons why I like wearing sandals on the Camino. They are so much easier to clean than shoes.
No, there are snakes in Spain including the (slightly) venomous adder or viperBeing a son of the south I have similar questions about snakes. From lack of postings and the irrational fear some people have of them I assume there simply aren't any?
Always check before you squatI plan to walk the Northern Way, Muxia and Finisterre. In YouTube videos, I see people having to walk through wet ground on the caminos maybe up to their ankles or lower shins. Is this common in Jun/July?
Also, in similar videos I hear dangerous dog barks and also see walkers opening up fences and walking through pastures with cows/bulls/horses etc in them. Are there dangers of wild or farmed animals or pet dogs?
Lastly is it illegal to use the washroom outside on the trails (of course not while traveling through the cities/villages)?
If you are speaking about the Norte, there are a lot more up and downs (500m) climbs and descents. This is particularly true in the early part of the Norte. The route, imo, gets easier as you go.I’m not as worried about wild and domestic animals as I am about the terrain because of my knees. I’ve walked the Frances and Portuguese Caminos (using poles and sometimes not carrying my pack to reduce weight) but I’ve heard that terrain is tougher on this Camino.
Thanks.
Being a son of the south I have similar questions about snakes. From lack of postings and the irrational fear some people have of them I assume there simply aren't any?
I recall gates on the Vasco, San Salvador and VdlP.I plan to walk the Northern Way, Muxia and Finisterre. In YouTube videos, I see people having to walk through wet ground on the caminos maybe up to their ankles or lower shins. Is this common in Jun/July?
Also, in similar videos I hear dangerous dog barks and also see walkers opening up fences and walking through pastures with cows/bulls/horses etc in them. Are there dangers of wild or farmed animals or pet dogs?
Lastly is it illegal to use the washroom outside on the trails (of course not while traveling through the cities/villages)?
With that one sentence I can tell that you are Canadian.
No, not illegal to "answer the call of nature" outside where there are no washrooms. Of course you would be respectful and leave no trace.
As far as wet/muddy trails - on the Norte, yes you may encounter some ankle deep mud. That's one of the reasons why I like wearing sandals on the Camino. They are so much easier to clean than shoes.
WashroomWhat is Canadian about that sentence?
Washroom
It reminds me of the first time I went to visit my now husband in Vancouver. After picking me up at the airport we went out to lunch, and I had to use the "facilities." When I asked the waitress where the bathroom was (or I may have said restroom) she looked somewhat puzzled and said "oh, the washroom."
Nothing cute about that, looks dog eared to me!Above all, beware the Camino Sheep, as they can flock across your intended path. Should you stare at the fleeting flock, you may suddenly find yourself being shaken awake, hours later, by passing pilgrims,
In truth, AncientMariner, human-animal interactions of the dangerous sort are exceedingly rare and I have not heard of any related to wildlife, though others may have.
Gnats and flies can be a brief annoyance that is easily dealt with by covering nose and mouth loosely with a shemagh or bandanna. I suppose mosquitoes could be encountered depending on location and season, although I haven't encountered any during my preferred season to walk Camino in the Fall.
I have seen 1 live snake, which didn't appear of the viper variety, and 2 dead viperish types. Salamanders and snails aplenty depending on region. But I have never seen any bears, dangerous wild pigs, or other feral, toothy types during 3 Caminos, either while walking in very early morning when dark or while walking during daylight hours.
I have enjoyed seeing the periodic deer, predator birds (falcon and hawks, or what looked similar). The more into the 'wild' a Camino route goes, like those crossing into the Picos de Europa, the more likely such wildlife viewings.
Farm dogs are a different thing from the 'pet' dog variety. There are adorable dogs that seem to make it their mission to appear cute, cuddly, and irresistible to passing pilgrims. I swear, the Spanish must have a developed a genetic cross-mutation of dog species which force pilgrims to stop and mutter silly sayings of endearment while giving scratches and scritches galore. Some even have a velcro gene, whereby they will follow you around for a while until their quota of pets and scratches have been met.
Cats? Well, I am not a cat person, but I have seen cute cats, lots of kittens, and I prefer not to touch them out of concern over potential fleas and parasites and such. Unlike dogs, who usually have owners, and barring what I know are barnyard cats, it seems that many cats are unattached street cats. If you are into cats, and even if not, it can be a bit heartbreaking.
"You are powerless. Scratch me"
View attachment 94099
Wrong kimosabi! There are some 13 species of snake in Spain, though only 5 are poisonous. That said, you have a better chance of stepping in a cow patty than being bit by a snake.Being a son of the south I have similar questions about snakes. From lack of postings and the irrational fear some people have of them I assume there simply aren't any?
In my experience, stepping on cow patties have been a given on the Camino.you have a better chance of stepping in a cow patty than being bit by a snake.
AllanHG. Yes, it is tougher, but it is still one step at a time and not unsurmountable. I'll assume you use hiking poles (2) and use them as needed.I’m not as worried about wild and domestic animals as I am about the terrain because of my knees. I’ve walked the Frances and Portuguese Caminos (using poles and sometimes not carrying my pack to reduce weight) but I’ve heard that terrain is tougher on this Camino.
Thanks.
I have a fear of unleashed large dogs after being bitten by a Rottweiler a few years ago at home. I have been afraid of dogs more than a few times on the Camino and glad I had a hiking pole "just in case".If you have a fear of dogs, already, it can be a bit traumatizing.
Possibly a Stlip nosed viper. Too dark a pic to tell accurately.View attachment 94465
A viper (I think) on the meseta, maybe 15 centimetres.
Bob, July / August is when I'm walking. Will trail runners work OK? Scrape off the mud at end of day? And bring 3 wool socks instead of 2? I'm a nightly hand washer of clothes. I have Oofos flip flops, they have fatter soles than regular flip flops (~1") but IMO too slippery to walk in mud. Arizona girl - zero experience walking in mud. Maybe buy a pole, something I've only used on the slippery rock Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? What did other people wear for rainy season footwear? I'm walking the Thames Path (London) for 2 weeks before Camino Norte so expecting wet there tooCamino Norte wet?????
July and August 2018 - Rain for 10 days of the 42 days
I love Arizona! In addition to visiting the Grand Canyon in the past, I hiked with a friend last August on many of the trails that surround Sedona. Not a drop of rain or any mud, but the nearly 100°F heat...oh my!Arizona girl - zero experience walking in mud.
Bob, July / August is when I'm walking. Will trail runners work OK? Scrape off the mud at end of day? And bring 3 wool socks instead of 2? I'm a nightly hand washer of clothes. I have Oofos flip flops, they have fatter soles than regular flip flops (~1") but IMO too slippery to walk in mud. Arizona girl - zero experience walking in mud. Maybe buy a pole, something I've only used on the slippery rock Inca Trail to Machu Picchu? What did other people wear for rainy season footwear? I'm walking the Thames Path (London) for 2 weeks before Camino Norte so expecting wet there too
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