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grayland said:Something to consider when thinking of carrying a tent or other extra equipment:
2.2 lbs Ultralight tent (from above post)
3.0 lbs Averarge empty internal frame backpack
3.0 lbs 1.5 liters of water
That is 8.2 pounds (3.7 kg) before you start to pack anything else.
Adding 2.2 pounds for the tent is a serious matter and I would think that most lightweight tents would be a bit heavier.
sillydoll said:Keep an eye on the weather reports. April was great this year but in past years it has been a trecherous month with sudden snow falls heavier than in December, especially in the mountains.
From Astorga you start climbing to Rabanal and the next day to the highest point on the Camino Frances. In June this year it turned cold in the Irago mountains and we had to wear our fleece tops, scarves, buffs, and beanies. Plan on pitching your tents close to villages so that you are safe.
From my book:
Wild camping is legal in Spain but with some restrictions. You are not allowed to camp:
• In any urban area (these areas are prohibited for military or tourist reasons)
• Within 1 km of an official campsite
• On tourist beaches
• In the ‘Parques Naturales’
If you are sensible and ‘wild camp’ close to these areas have some sensitivity to the rules and you can camp almost anywhere in the countryside. It is illegal, however, to make fires so unless you have a camping stove, rather wait until you get to a café-bar for your daily fix of café-con-leche
Rabanal del Camino:
Wild camping possible in a field at Rabanal or the open area just beyond the village: No facilities
Santa Catalina de Somoza: 2nd class: 15/3 to 15/10 At Santa Colomba de Somoza – bear left on Le142 before reaching Santa Catalina
http://www.carbayal.com/b4_en.htm 240 persons: Post and telephone: Restaurant: Cafeteria: Mini-market: Hot water showers: Pets allowed: Post & Telephone: Credit cards accepted
O’Cebreiro:
Wild camping is possible in field at the back of the village.
Sarria: Wild camping possible on the banks of the river – access from Pont Riberio.
Portomarin:
Santa Maria – Turn right after crossing the bridge and then right again by the panaderia. 1 km down the lane. ARZUA: All year.
Don Manuel: Turn left 500 m from town centre – behind the hotel. Bar, restaurant, pool.
San Marcos: Restaurant: Pool: Bar – no shop
Useful websites
http://www.camping-spain.net: http://www.canalcamping.com
http://www.campingbungalow.com: http://www.vayacamping.net
Maps: For a map of all the camping sites in Spain:
elCaminosantiago.com/PDF/Map_Spain_Campings.pdf
Zoom in to about 400% on the map on page one and look at the green tent icons. You can also look at page two ‘per autonomia’ for camping locales
Hi Abbey,
There have been times when I've said I would never take a tent.
There have been times when I was happy I had one.
I can only tell you that having a tent on my last Camino worked great for me!
I plan on taking one next trip also.
Depending on the time of year (I should go back and read this post) you could just take a tarp tent. I used my trekking poles to set up, saving weight.
There were always places to camp when I needed, even in albergue yards.
I did not have to listen to snoring.
I did not have to breathe the air of people who were sick.
I did not have to fight to have the window open (or closed)
I went to sleep gazing at the stars.. it was awesome!
Regarding the weight, it wasn't much.
I carried the nysil tarp and Joe carried the lightweight screen tent.
My pack remained in the 10% of my body weight range.
I just packed lighter.
Regarding 3 pounds of water... I wouldn't ever consider carrying that much water on the Frances.
I carried a small bottle and filled it at each village.
Regarding the fragrance:
People who are not sensitive to fragrance often tell me about how there is "no" fragrance, or "just a little." That is a lot like saying to someone who will die if they eat peanuts, "There's only half a peanut in the soup." It matters.
The albergues are tight sometimes, and people DO wear scented deodorants, lotions, and use scented body wash. Some spray the room and themselves. You cannot control it. Also, if you stay in privates, they often use HIGHLY scented laundry products and/or floor washes. You can, however, control the air in your tent. So for me, a tent is a great backup.
I've seen quite a few people tenting on the Camino. Often you can pay a small fee to use kitchen or shower facilities, and just sleep comfortably alone outside. It was never an issue for me.
Anyway.. bottom line is do what works for you!
If you want to take the tent, go for it.
You can always ship it to Santiago and have it held for you.
Better to have it than not, say I.
Whatever you decide, have a wonderful Camino!
Annie[/quote
Thank you, Annie for this post. I have debated tent issue for a few months now. I'm walking in June and worry about overcrowding. I also suffer migraines and have a crowd-related phobia that I am hoping I can conquer through communal living. Having a tent could help cut down on stress when I need solitude.
To answer your last question , yes, you pay to camp at alburges..sometimes the same cost as a bed.
Sometimes you pay and sometimes you do not.
It depends on the hospitalero at the time.
If I use the shower or the kitchen, I offer to pay, always.
But there are many, many places a person can stealth camp on The Way and not pay.
The best places are often on the OTHER side of the villages.
And for me, the issue isn't the cost, it's the fragrance.
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