The need for a headlight

[Waka]

Morning Pilgrims

I have been reading with interest the need for a headlight. I note that some pilgrims are early risers and get on the road as early as 6 or 7am, my first question is, what time is daylight.
Personally I tend to be an early riser but not an early starter, I was thinking of leaving around 7:30am - 8am.

I also know from reading numerous posts that using the headlight in the Alberque after lights out in a no no, so I will bring a very small flash light with me for those night time visits to the loo.

All comments appreciated.

 

[dougfitz]

@Waka, I cannot remember when you are walking, so its a bit hard to tell you when dawn and dusk might be. Remember, though, that Spain is unusual inasmuch as it is at the same longitude as Britain, but on a western European time zone. So dawn about an hour or so later than you might expect if the country were using a time zone more aligned to its geography.

You might also want to understand the differences between the various twilights. It is generally possible to walk in reasonable safety without a torch from the start of civil twilight, or about half an hour before sunrise and after sunset if you are in the open. It is more difficult if you are walking in woods or forests where it will still be too dark to walk until closer to sunrise. Wikipedia has a good description of the differences. I have walked from nautical twilight, but more care is needed if you don't use a torch or headlamp.

 

[Jan_D]

Morning Pilgrims
Personally I tend to be an early riser but not an early starter, I was thinking of leaving around 7:30am - 8am.

As Doug says it all depends on the time of year: mid-summer pilgrims tend to get up a lot earlier as sunrise is 6-ish so you might even hear rustling and packing from as early as 4:30am! However I've stayed in albergues in winter where the hospitalero has had to shoo us all out with a broom!

 

[SYates]

I never brought, nor needed a headlight. For those 'nightly wanderings to the toilet' - the emergency illumination is sufficient, it really is rarely completely dark in the albergues. And I start with first light, so no need there for me either. Daylight depends on the time of the year, obviously, but with a 07:30 to 08:00 start you should be in the clear. Buen Camino! SY

 

[John Finn]

I time my Camino treks to coincide with the full moon as I enjoy setting out a couple of hours before sunrise on one or two days in order to trek in the moonlight. It is wonderful to stand awhile in the Spanish countryside gazing up at the heavens while the landscape is illuminated by the moon. To me, walking from the darkness into the sunrise is an essential part of the Camino experience. A head-torch is a necessity though as it can be easy to miss the Camino markers in the dark. As regards, getting around albergues in the night I would suggest either the light on your phone or get a small key-fob light - a head-torch would be far too powerful.

 

[Felice]

I time my Camino treks to coincide with the full moon as I enjoy setting out a couple of hours before sunrise on one or two days in order to trek in the moonlight. It is wonderful to stand awhile in the Spanish countryside gazing up at the heavens while the landscape is illuminated by the moon. To me, walking from the darkness into the sunrise is an essential part of the Camino experience. A head-torch is a necessity though as it can be easy to miss the Camino markers in the dark. As regards, getting around albergues in the night I would suggest either the light on your phone or get a small key-fob light - a head-torch would be far too powerful.

Quite agree.

I'll never forget the morning I walked out of Cizur Menor. There was a full moon so although it was still dark in the town, the countryside ahead was beautifully illuminated. The chalk path was luminous in the moon light; it seemed to glow and looked quite magical. I found that I had to keep turning around to see if someone was following me with a head torch, it was just so bright.

I only had a tiny little torch with me, having not planned to walk in the dark but it did OK for checking for markers. I found that, even if there was little moon, my night vision was pretty good and reliable. The only times I consistently used my torch was when walking through heavily wooded areas.

One thing I disliked was to have someone with a strong head torch behind me. The bright light ruined my night vision, so I always let them pass as quickly as possible.

 

[Waka]

@dogfitz, Thank for the quick reply, I'm actually starting first week in Sept to whenever I finish.

 

[Waka]

@Felice & John Finn, Interesting that you choose to do some walking during the early hours of darkness, not sure that's up my street (not that it wouldn't be interesting), but after a full days walking I'll be needing as much sleep as I can get.

 

[dougfitz]

There is a good sunrise/sunset/etc calendar here. It should open in Pamplona for the Sep this year. It can be adjusted for city, date time etc.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

after a full days walking I'll be needing as much sleep as I can get.

Your albergue-mates may not let that happen!

Hence a lot of unplanned early starts...

 

[Felice]

@Felice & John Finn, Interesting that you choose to do some walking during the early hours of darkness, not sure that's up my street (not that it wouldn't be interesting), but after a full days walking I'll be needing as much sleep as I can get.

That was what I was thinking before I started - hence only the tiny torch, which I intended to use if I needed to go to the toilet during the night. It is far too small for night walking for most!

Unless you sleep like the dead, your room mates will disturb you early. As they did me. Accept it and adjust by going to bed early, or stay in a private room. Eye shades are a great help if you sleep in albergues. That way you are oblivious to the idiots who turn the main light on and off when they come in late as well as the other idiots with the too bright headlamps who specialise in swinging the beam randomly around the dorm. Ear plugs are good, but they only muffle the noise, not block it completely. The sound of rustling plastic bags is VERY penetrating!!!!

 

[Waka]

There is a good sunrise/sunset/etc calendar here. It should open in Pamplona for the Sep this year. It can be adjusted for city, date time etc.

That's brilliant, thanks for going to the trouble.

 

[Waka]

That was what I was thinking before I started - hence only the tiny torch, which I intended to use if I needed to go to the toilet during the night. It is far too small for night walking for most!

Unless you sleep like the dead, your room mates will disturb you early. As they did me. Accept it and adjust by going to bed early, or stay in a private room. Eye shades are a great help if you sleep in albergues. That way you are oblivious to the idiots who turn the main light on and off when they come in late as well as the other idiots with the too bright headlamps who specialise in swinging the beam randomly around the dorm. Ear plugs are good, but they only muffle the noise, not block it completely. The sound of rustling plastic bags is VERY penetrating!!!!

I don't mind being disturbed early it's just whether I get up or not. I certainly haven't planned on staying in any private rooms, to me living and sleeping in dorms is all part of the experience, having spent many years in the forces in a past life communal living is not a problem. Although I'm not to sure how I'll deal with the inconsiderate pilgrims, I guess wherever you are they'll always be someone who doesn't consider others.
I think I will carry a headlight with me in the off chance the night manoeuvres are required. As both you and @falcon269 have said the starry starry sky is (maybe) a thing not to be missed if you can't get back to sleep.

Buen Camino.

 

[Jo Jo]

Waka

The "start walking at the first hint of light in sky method" (which we finally adopted) is to avoid walking in the heat of the day during the summer (July/ Aug. 2014). You are walking at a much nicer time of year, so walking into the afternoon may not be as punishing as in the summer. I'd still take a Petzl e-lite. At one ounce, with a red light option for the alburgues at night, it is just about perfect.

Jo Jo

 

[Waka]

Waka

The "start walking at the first hint of light in sky method" (which we finally adopted) is to avoid walking in the heat of the day during the summer (July/ Aug. 2014). You are walking at a much nicer time of year, so walking into the afternoon may not be as punishing as in the summer. I'd still take a Petzl e-lite. At one ounce, with a red light option for the alburgues at night, it is just about perfect.

Jo Jo

Thanks Jo Jo,

I have to say that at my pace I could be walking all morning and afternoon, off course having had coffee and a substantial lunch break.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I left in the dark once, on my 2d Camino, with a flashlight, and promptly got lost.
I left in the dark a second time, two years ago, with a flashlight, and got lost and had to wait in the cold for dawn to see where the heck I was.

Never again.

There is no reason to leave in the dark, in my opinion.
If you are spending the money to fly to Spain and to walk the Camino, why not ENJOY the Camino?
There is beautiful countryside to see - birds to hear - people to talk to!

If it's hot, walk shorter stages or take a siesta during the heat and walk again later.

Afraid of not getting a bed?
Book ahead.

Wait until dawn.
It's safer plus you won't annoy your bunkmates.

 

[cheminHugh]

Morning Pilgrims

I have been reading with interest the need for a headlight. I note that some pilgrims are early risers and get on the road as early as 6 or 7am, my first question is, what time is daylight.
Personally I tend to be an early riser but not an early starter, I was thinking of leaving around 7:30am - 8am.

I also know from reading numerous posts that using the headlight in the Alberque after lights out in a no no, so I will bring a very small flash light with me for those night time visits to the loo.

All comments appreciated.

 

[cheminHugh]

Last Septe;mber on the Camino Frances we usually hit the trail (or cafe) by 7 am. Sun was up after 8am, so headlight was essential. I suggest getting a headlamp with red option which is more acceptable in albergues.

 

[DurhamParish]

I remember leaving Villamayor de Montjardin one morning, and I would have been in a world of hurt had I not had my headlamp.

 

[Pattii]

Quite agree.

I'll never forget the morning I walked out of Cizur Menor. There was a full moon so although it was still dark in the town, the countryside ahead was beautifully illuminated. The chalk path was luminous in the moon light; it seemed to glow and looked quite magical. I found that I had to keep turning around to see if someone was following me with a head torch, it was just so bright.

I only had a tiny little torch with me, having not planned to walk in the dark but it did OK for checking for markers. I found that, even if there was little moon, my night vision was pretty good and reliable. The only times I consistently used my torch was when walking through heavily wooded areas.

One thing I disliked was to have someone with a strong head torch behind me. The bright light ruined my night vision, so I always let them pass as quickly as possible.

I get that totally...I think walking in the moonlight and solitude then being up when the sun rises would be glorious. I would also like to do it when there is no moon at all...even if it is for a couple hours just to see all of the milky way spreading out before me. It must be a wonderful memory. One I would like to make.

 

[whariwharangi]

I walked in late October through early December.

I used my headlamp while walking once ... a couple of days before the clocks changed. Its not safe to walk in the dark on the narrow roads with drivers that tend to overdrive the curves. So if you exercise wisdom and stay off the roads in the dark you don't need a headlamp for walking the camino.

The headlamp got used in the albergue. Its a bright light but you can cover it with your hand so that only a sliver of light is visible between your fingers.

You need the headlamp in the washrooms. In all too many albergues the lights come on with motion sensors and turn off on a timer. Which is all good for saving electricity but not so good if you are standing with your pants around your ankles with a hank of soiled paper in hand at the moment of brenschluss.

 

[WalkonBy]

Waka

The "start walking at the first hint of light in sky method" (which we finally adopted) is to avoid walking in the heat of the day during the summer (July/ Aug. 2014). You are walking at a much nicer time of year, so walking into the afternoon may not be as punishing as in the summer. I'd still take a Petzl e-lite. At one ounce, with a red light option for the alburgues at night, it is just about perfect.

Jo Jo

Thanks Jo-Jo for mentioning the red setting on headlamps...that's my plan too

Walk guyWalk guy

 

[Pattii]

Oh to be a cat.