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It is not particularly steep, and is virtually all road except by Mercadoiro.My questions re Portomarin
Is this descent still steep on an exposed surface?
The road is lightly traveled, but much longer than sticking to the rather awful trail. Younger walkers bounded from rock to rock as I carefully trudged the rocky and muddy trail.My questions re Molinaseca
Would I be safer taking to the road?
Why not trekking poles?
I remembered a thread about the steepness of the new descent to Portomarin. You had added a post to the thread.
My Parkinson's makes every step and every position an experiment! Two points of contact at all times; two feet or one foot and one pole. On slippery spots, rocks in rain for example, I just slow my pace from very slow to dead slow...my condition called acute benign positional vertigo
At some point I walked on the steep part downwards - just for fun - for about 5 meters with eyes closed. In the night I changed from "very slow to dead slow". Pole - next step - test: Is it fixed? Foot - next step - test: Is it fixed? ... If this position has no grip I test the next position. So I put pressure on each foot or pole only after testing the grip. This "testing-process" plus the "Two points of contact at all times" gives safety....On slippery spots, rocks in rain for example, I just slow my pace from very slow to dead slow...
...
If you are worried, why not stop at the coffee caravan just after Manjarin and call a taxi for the trip down the Hill? Might be a more sensible option that ending your Camino by falling.
If you are worried, why not stop at the coffee caravan just after Manjarin and call a taxi for the trip down the Hill?
... This "testing-process" plus the "Two points of contact at all times" gives safety.
@Robo a most useful suggestion
The coffee caravan will probably have posters with taxi numbers
that stretch is one of the most beautiful
I have prepared this dialogue.
Please speak to the taxi company for me. Please say:
I am on the road below the Military Radio Mast. I wish to go to Molinaseca. What will the cost be?
Thank you.
And an online translation service suggests.
Por favor, hable con la compañía de taxis para mí. Por favor di:
Estoy en la carretera por debajo del mástil de Radio Militar. Quiero ir a Molinaseca. ¿Cuál será el costo?
Gracias.
@Robo , thanks again
This year, we took the road down to Molinaesca (from the last village before you get there - I forget the name).
There are several YouTube videos on the use of trekking poles I found them use full and will not be without them.Thanks for the suggestion. I have two and may not be using them properly.
My experiences are of loose rubble slipping under my feet, even though taking slow short deliberate steps, causing a sudden fall. And while normally quite agile on my feet when walking I find, once the feet are slipping, nothing I do can control the consequences.
The anxiety I have is about my condition called acute benign positional vertigo. The last episode was more than 15 years ago and laid me up for 10 days in bed just looking straight ahead. There is no cure following an episode: only meds to relieve the extreme nausea caused when the head moves.
And it is anxiety and/or tiredness together with a sudden head movement that can start another episode.
So hence my desire to avoid situations in the middle of nowhere ...
I find it very important to not stiffen up when going downhill--but to remember to plant my heels first, keep my body relaxed, and keep my knees bent
The only traffic we saw on the road were a bike team, a couple of their support crew in vans, and a few cars.
In Sept 2011, I walked the section from Acebo to Molineseca and hated every minute, including getting lost. In June 2015, I walked down the road... very carefully, and was glad. At that point I was leading a group of 6 pilgrims, one of whom was ill and one who had bad knees. Based on your conditions, I think it is safer to take a taxi.Background
In April 2016 I walked from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Estella-Lizzara.
During that jaunt I encountered only one really steep descent on unsealed (loose rubble) surfaces. This was the first 900 metres or so from Alto del Perdon towards Uterga. I dreaded the surface as I find the thought (fear) of having my feet slip from under me often gives rise to it actually happening.
In two weeks I return to Estella-Lizzara to continue westwards. And wish to avoid really steep descents on rubble (unsealed) surfaces.
Molinaseca
My research suggests the descent into Molinaseca has several such sections. While the average gradient is 10%, my research suggests some sections of this 12 km stretch are much steeper. Using Street View (images taken August 2012) I can see sections that have a dedicated (and well sealed) paths and sections that use of the nearby sealed road. And I can see at least one really really steep descent on rubble. And a thread from 2013 suggests several others.
My questions re Molinaseca
Would I be safer taking to the road?
(I know to walk on the left, facing oncoming traffic - except when going around left hand bends against embankments, when I would cross to the outside of the bend well in advance).
Or should I take public transport from Astorga?
Portomarin
In 2010 I negotiated this descent when it was exposed, but rutted, clay or similar. I understand the exact route has been moved a little since then.
My questions re Portomarin
Is this descent still steep on an exposed surface?
If so, can I safely take the road?
Any other steep descents on unsealed surfaces?
Any other things to think about on this topic?
Is there any other advice for me, por favor?
In Sept 2011, I walked the section from Acebo to Molineseca and hated every minute
Well, that just goes to show how different we are.... I loved every minute of it and as I walked from Rabanal del Camino there were a lot of them (minutes I mean)
Exactly!Take your time, spend a night in el Acebo, crab walk the bad parts, use poles and remember there is never a race to the bottom.
Take your time in the swimming pool at the new albergue in El Ganso
That is rare in Spain. Swimming pools are rarely heated!to stay forever in a (warm/hot ) swimming pool
Exactly!
Take your time in the swimming pool at the new albergue in El Ganso and enjoy the evening views from it!
We did not see any albergues with pools in El Gonso and definitely no wenches. A pool would have been great as it was extremely hot while we were there! I think you probably meant Acebo??Oh, to stay forever in a (warm/hot ) swimming pool, especially in late October, taking in the views with a serving wench (preferably blonde, but any colour and age may apply) bringing a never ending supply of complimentary tapas and sangria.
However one needs must move forward to the climax of arrival at SdC and again at Muxia / Finisterra.
Kia kaha
Of course you are right, I meant El Acebo. Thank you!We did not see any albergues with pools in El Gonso and definitely no wenches. A pool would have been great as it was extremely hot while we were there! I think you probably meant Acebo??
...
I remember taking a photo of that radio mast while sitting by the coffee caravan and wondering how I could possibly be so close to an aerial with absolutely no telephone signal !!The coffee caravan will probably have posters with taxi numbers, and as I recall there were plenty posted up around that area. You just need to work out what that location is called in Spanish!
On the road below the Military Radio Mast! (I think that's what it is)
Ah - that Albergue had just opened when I walked through in 2014. The pool was heaven sent. Not only that, 7 of us who had met and walked together from Orisson, but eventually lost each other back in Burgos, all met there by chance that night and stayed together from there till the end. It's a really lovely spot and a very sensible stopping point.Exactly!
Take your time in the swimming pool at the new albergue in El Acebo and enjoy the evening views from it!
Thanks for the suggestion. I have two and may not be using them properly.
My experiences are of loose rubble slipping under my feet, even though taking slow short deliberate steps, causing a sudden fall. And while normally quite agile on my feet when walking I find, once the feet are slipping, nothing I do can control the consequences.
The anxiety I have is about my condition called acute benign positional vertigo. The last episode was more than 15 years ago and laid me up for 10 days in bed just looking straight ahead. There is no cure following an episode: only meds to relieve the extreme nausea caused when the head moves.
And it is anxiety and/or tiredness together with a sudden head movement that can start another episode.
So hence my desire to avoid situations in the middle of nowhere ...
I don't know about Portomarín. First time I was there the trail took me in a different way to my second which was different again to my third. On the third, I missed the turn that is apparently a bit steep and walked down the road. Molinaseca is not so much rubble as hard bedrock that can be slippery. But nothing on the camino, in my opinion, is as scary as the descent from Perdon. If you can handle that, you can handle anythingBackground
In April 2016 I walked from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Estella-Lizzara.
During that jaunt I encountered only one really steep descent on unsealed (loose rubble) surfaces. This was the first 900 metres or so from Alto del Perdon towards Uterga. I dreaded the surface as I find the thought (fear) of having my feet slip from under me often gives rise to it actually happening.
In two weeks I return to Estella-Lizzara to continue westwards. And wish to avoid really steep descents on rubble (unsealed) surfaces.
Molinaseca
My research suggests the descent into Molinaseca has several such sections. While the average gradient is 10%, my research suggests some sections of this 12 km stretch are much steeper. Using Street View (images taken August 2012) I can see sections that have a dedicated (and well sealed) paths and sections that use of the nearby sealed road. And I can see at least one really really steep descent on rubble. And a thread from 2013 suggests several others.
My questions re Molinaseca
Would I be safer taking to the road?
(I know to walk on the left, facing oncoming traffic - except when going around left hand bends against embankments, when I would cross to the outside of the bend well in advance).
Or should I take public transport from Astorga?
Portomarin
In 2010 I negotiated this descent when it was exposed, but rutted, clay or similar. I understand the exact route has been moved a little since then.
My questions re Portomarin
Is this descent still steep on an exposed surface?
If so, can I safely take the road?
Any other steep descents on unsealed surfaces?
Any other things to think about on this topic?
Is there any other advice for me, por favor?
Hola @AlwynWellington , can't say I have less than happy memories of the walk into Portomarin - apart from having to hang on to my hat with the 20-30 km winds whilst crossing the river.
Totally agree about the Alto del Perdon - really needed to keep eyes open and tread carefully.
Molinaseca (or generally all the way from the Cruz de Ferro) - I have both walked and cycled this section of the Camino and totally advise against the road if you are walking. Whilst its a more even surface there are some steep sections, but even more importantly there are virtually no "shoulders" (at the side of the road) for one to walk facing the on-coming traffic, also there a quite a few blind corners were the drivers would not see you until they were virtually on you.
The walkers Camino (especially from Manjarin to Acebo) has some steep, rocky sections were again you do really need to keep eyes peeled and tread carefully. If its wet those rocks would be extra slippery. \
Cheers for now, Buen Camino
Thanks for the suggestion. I have two and may not be using them properly.
My experiences are of loose rubble slipping under my feet, even though taking slow short deliberate steps, causing a sudden fall. And while normally quite agile on my feet when walking I find, once the feet are slipping, nothing I do can control the consequences.
The anxiety I have is about my condition called acute benign positional vertigo. The last episode was more than 15 years ago and laid me up for 10 days in bed just looking straight ahead. There is no cure following an episode: only meds to relieve the extreme nausea caused when the head moves.
And it is anxiety and/or tiredness together with a sudden head movement that can start another episode.
So hence my desire to avoid situations in the middle of nowhere ...
I, too, absolutely loved the whole stretch and has provided some of my most vivid memories from Foncebadon up to Cruz de Ferro and on to Acebo, where I spent the night. The next day down to Molinaseca was enchanting, walking on lots of bluestone trails and I loved seeing Ponferrada in the distance nestled down in the valley. I went in early May and the groupings of profuse flowers in yellow, white, pink and lavendar took my breathe away, and the mountain vistas...ooh la la!Well, that just goes to show how different we are.... I loved every minute of it and as I walked from Rabanal del Camino there were a lot of them (minutes I mean)
I loved that beautiful place, but the pool was not yet open in early May.Ah - that Albergue had just opened when I walked through in 2014. The pool was heaven sent. Not only that, 7 of us who had met and walked together from Orisson, but eventually lost each other back in Burgos, all met there by chance that night and stayed together from there till the end. It's a really lovely spot and a very sensible stopping point.
Background
In April 2016 I walked from Le-Puy-en-Velay to Estella-Lizzara.
During that jaunt I encountered only one really steep descent on unsealed (loose rubble) surfaces. This was the first 900 metres or so from Alto del Perdon towards Uterga. I dreaded the surface as I find the thought (fear) of having my feet slip from under me often gives rise to it actually happening.
In two weeks I return to Estella-Lizzara to continue westwards. And wish to avoid really steep descents on rubble (unsealed) surfaces.
Molinaseca
My research suggests the descent into Molinaseca has several such sections. While the average gradient is 10%, my research suggests some sections of this 12 km stretch are much steeper. Using Street View (images taken August 2012) I can see sections that have a dedicated (and well sealed) paths and sections that use of the nearby sealed road. And I can see at least one really really steep descent on rubble. And a thread from 2013 suggests several others.
My questions re Molinaseca
Would I be safer taking to the road?
(I know to walk on the left, facing oncoming traffic - except when going around left hand bends against embankments, when I would cross to the outside of the bend well in advance).
Or should I take public transport from Astorga?
Portomarin
In 2010 I negotiated this descent when it was exposed, but rutted, clay or similar. I understand the exact route has been moved a little since then.
My questions re Portomarin
Is this descent still steep on an exposed surface?
If so, can I safely take the road?
Any other steep descents on unsealed surfaces?
Any other things to think about on this topic?
Is there any other advice for me, por favor?
Sittting at my desk my preference is to dig in my heels.
having to deal with recalcitrant clients?
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