Two pensioners get ready

[Former member 8162]

Hallo ,

To all the kind pilgrims that have shown concern for our welfare. We are going on a two day training exercise in Derbyshire, in readyness for our departure on March 11,which we hope will toughen us up.The problem of should we take winter sleeping bags or summer ones still divides us, Weight versus hypothermia is a moot point. Another little problem has occured ,our Knees are starting to hurt .This we think, is down to excitement !

Two Pensioners

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Blankets are everywhere to supplement the summer bag.

 

[grayland]

Go with the lightest sleeping bag you can find. The weight is crucial....nothing will bother you more and ruin your enjoyment more than weight.
Clolthes can be worn to sleep in if you were to encounter cold.
Get that pack weight down.

 

[JohnnieWalker]

Hello

I think it depends what you mean by a summer bag? If you mean a silk liner which a lot of people use in summer my view is that it would be too early in the year for me to abandon my winter sleeping bag and rely on blankets - what do others think?

John

 

[palmah]

The problem of should we take winter sleeping bags or summer ones still divides us,

Have you already purchased your sleeping bags? If not, we purchased "3 season" sleeping bags each weighing about 48 ounces.

As for the knee issues, I too have had this problem. What really helps me is simple stretching the back of the knee/quadricep area, flexing the foot. I try to do this in the morning and before bed. Also, putting a bag of ice on the knee for 5-10 minutes helps me.

Hope to see you on the Camino!

Palmah

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A light summer bag should be under 2#. Mine is 21.6 ounces (Lafuma from France good to 40 degrees F). My silk liner for summer weighs 4.3 ounces and adds about 10 degrees of warmth. A three pound sleeping bag will be more than you need. After all, you are sleeping indoors, not out in a snow bank. Even in the fall/winter when the heat may not be abundant, albergues will be well above freezing! And is often repeated, they have blankets AND you can wear your long underwear and clothes when necessary.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Hallo ,

............ Another little problem has occured ,our Knees are starting to hurt .This we think, is down to excitement !

Two Pensioners

As 2 more pensioners we sympathise with the knees hurting sometimes. 'Just in case' we have a tubi-grip each (Boots or Lloyds Chemists and they will advise re the correct fit) We cut one in two pieces not quite even. The longer one makes a full knee cover/support folded over per instructions. The shorter should fold into 3 and can be worn just under the knee as a support. Use whichever seems to help most. Terry favours the over knee support and I am better with the under knee style. Cheap, and easy to carry if you are not wearing it.
Have a wonderful Camino
Terry and Valerie

 

[alipilgrim]

My first Camino was on the Frances, March + April 2007 and I was very very cold many nights. With the number of pilgrims expected this year you cannot rely on always finding a blanket available and some albergues are darn cold! Please consider taking more than just a summer bag... being cold is the worst!

 

[Former member 8162]

Thank you,

A decision has been made, the winter bags win. Sadly we have been told we are unable to attempt the Route Napoleon ,as the passes are all snowed in. A little dissapointing as we had set our hearts on achieving this moral boosting route. The doctor would like to see me tomorrow to discuss the x ray on my knee, we leave the day after! I hope he gives me the all clear as I shall look pretty silly sitting at home with all my gear and nowhere to go. My partner however is upbeat despite her bad hip.

Two Pensioners

 

[Sagalouts]

hey
Respect to you both,please continue to write and let us know how your getting on.
slowly does it.
buen Camino
Ian

 

[lynnejohn]

Ah, I'm so sorry for this awful situation you're in. :| Hopefully you soon will be in good shape and the snow will leave and you can still walk your camino very soon!

Take good care.

lynne

 

[grayland]

Thank you,

A decision has been made, the winter bags win. Sadly we have been told we are unable to attempt the Route Napoleon ,as the passes are all snowed in. A little dissapointing as we had set our hearts on achieving this moral boosting route. The doctor would like to see me tomorrow to discuss the x ray on my knee, we leave the day after! I hope he gives me the all clear as I shall look pretty silly sitting at home with all my gear and nowhere to go. My partner however is upbeat despite her bad hip.

Two Pensioners

I am curious as to where you got the information on the pass being closed. I am not aware of a source other than the Pilgrim office in SJPP.....and that would just be for the current day or so. Your information seems to be several days in advance.

I will be leaving SJPP on the 13th or 14th and am planning on taking the upper path unless the weather precludes this.

 

[FatmaG]

Hello, the 2 of you!!!

I wish you ALL THE BEST for your Camino.
Just find your own rhythm, don't get stressed by anything or anyone.
I have still some years to work before me, but I already have a hip and knee frailty.
And I did it. So can you!
I just put from Puente la Reina onwards - that is pretty at the beginning - some elastic knee bandages every day without exception, which was really helpful; and when descending hills or mountains, I made pretty short steps.
And I had a walking stick helpful as well especially for descents.

The warm sleeping bags are the right decision, if you cannot sleep because you are cold, how could you manage to do all the Camino.

And as to the Napoleon road : well I absolutely wanted to do it, and I did it. But it was so cold, rainy and FOGGY, I didn't see anything of the landscapes... It was just ridiculous to insist.

So : BLESSINGS, I cross fingers for you, that the doctor will just give some good advice how to be careful with your bones...