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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

some general questions

Hello everyone,

I've been wanting to do the Camino for about half a year now, I'm planning on doing it after I finish school and before I start university. I'd be 17 and a half - is age an issue?
Also, unless I take a gap year, which I'm not planning on because I'm a natural scholar, it would be impossible for me to walk in the Spanish summer. What's it like in october/november? Is the difference in temperature so great that the amount of clothes you have to wear an carry is a lot more? Are the albergues closed in the winter time? (It would be silly if they were.)
Other than that, what sort of budget do I have to have? From Australia to Spain is about $2000 AUD just for a return flight, how much money on average will I need for, say, 5 weeks?

Thanks in advance!

~Jo.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Pricewise, once you're out there, it's an average of about €800 I think.
Agewise, I don't think you'll have a problem as I've seen young and old alike, doing it, so fear not.
Weatherwise, I think Ivar or one of the Spanish guys will be best suited to answering your question, but expect it to vary. I've always done it in August/September time. If it has any relevance, when I was in Navarra, it was wet, then from Rioja to Galicia it was dry, then Galicia was a bit damp.
 
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My daughter (a college senior) walked the Camino in October and had no real problem with weather or accommodation, but things start closing down and getting wintery in November.

Rebekah
 
Age won't be an issue- I walked it when I was 23, and was one of the youngest pilgrims during that time, but I met a few who were between 17 and 20. As long as you don't mind that you might not meet others your age, you will be ok! Age is one of those things that I don't think matters on the Camino so much- my I made friends in an age range of about 50 years. The only thing you should check is that if you need to sign something legal, like if you have to go to the doctor/hospital, that you can do that without a guardian present at your age.

I don't think you will have to take on too much more in regards to weight. Just make sure you have a warm fleece, maybe some lightweight long underwear (silk, while it can be more expensive, is very lightweight and holds heat well), and some good raingear- I recommend a poncho that covers your bag and goes as far down to your feet as possible. And perhaps some gloves. If you bring too much, you can ship it to santiago or home or give it away- if you bring too little (like I did), you can buy what you need in the bigger cities along the way. Also, most of the albergues should be open- I think some of them close from about November-March when there aren't as many pilgrims, but you should be fine.

As far as money goes, you can choose to spend more or less- for example eating at a restaurant vs preparing your own food, or buying a lot of coffee or beer can make a big difference in spending. You never know when an unexpected expense will come up so make sure you have more than you think you need available (for me, I lost my trousers on the second day and had to buy new ones. And a good poncho because my raincoat was inadequate, along with a few other things like walking sandles), A lot of people say that you should have 1 euro for every kilometer, which is about right. Some days you'll spend more, some less (most days I spend about 10-15Euro in total, when I didn't need to buy something like trousers :D )
buen camino!
 
Artemisofephesus said:
Hello everyone,

I've been wanting to do the Camino for about half a year now, I'm planning on doing it after I finish school and before I start university. I'd be 17 and a half - is age an issue?
Also, unless I take a gap year, which I'm not planning on because I'm a natural scholar, it would be impossible for me to walk in the Spanish summer. What's it like in october/november? Is the difference in temperature so great that the amount of clothes you have to wear an carry is a lot more? Are the albergues closed in the winter time? (It would be silly if they were.)
Other than that, what sort of budget do I have to have? From Australia to Spain is about $2000 AUD just for a return flight, how much money on average will I need for, say, 5 weeks?

Thanks in advance!

~Jo.
October is a great time to walk. It's not too hot and it is usually relatively dry. When I walk it in October we got some rain towards the end so you need rain gear. I'm from Ireland so I know quite a bit about rain! It's best to carry a minimum of clothes or anything else for that matter. If in doubt, leave it out. your age will not be a factor. There will be any amount of friends that you will make along the way. Iin fact some days you will long just to walk by yourself. i thi9nk you would need about €20 per day.
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Hey, thanks for all the replies!

Just following up on medical stuff - does anyone know if there would be problems if I had to go to hospital or something major happened? I mean, would I be able to sign stuff or would my parents have to be contacted? (All the way to Australia... Fun!)

I am the most hyped I've ever been about the camino. Everyone I see I start blabbering about the camino to... It's driving my family nuts.
 
I think that most Pilgrims will be treated on the Camino. If you are worried, have your parents write a short note stating that if you are in need of medical attention, doctors have the right to treat you, have them sign and date it and carry it with you. Should be no problem.
Buen Camino,
 
hmmmmm - this is an interesting question and I'll be interested to know the answer.

From what I can see it looks as if the legal Age of Majority ( adulthood ) in Spain is 18. The question is: does that apply to someone needing medical treatment under the age of 18? If so then parental consent would be needed. I don't think the suggestion of an advance or blanket letter of consent signed by parents would be acceptable - in the UK it wouldn't as "consent" has to be "informed consent" i.e. you give your consent with the full knowledge of the facts and the risks. However Artemisofephesus I am sure that the Spanish consulate will be able to advise - please share the info with us!

Consulate of Spain in Sydney, Australia - Level 24, St. Martins Tower.-31 Market St.-Sydney, N.S.W. 2000. Tel.: 9261 2433, 9261 2443 & 9261 1321. Fax: 9283 1695. Email: cgspainsydney@mail.mae.es

I also think the company you are arranging travel insurance with will know about this.

Best wishes

John
 
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You may be right, John. When I travel with my students, I always carry such a "release to treat" form - although I must say, I have never asked to show it in Spain when a student required medical treatment. However, since I am clearly over the "age of majority" and acting "in loco parentis", (some might say I am crazy to travel with teenage boys!) it may be a completely different thing than if a young person were there on his own. I didn't consider that.

The consulate might be just the thing.
Buen Camino,
 

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