For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Hello there, everyone!
I am going to walk the camino in September-October this year (2014) and I know many of my questions have probably been asked before and I apologize for that.
I am a 19-year old female who have never walked long distance before. I am not in any special physical shape, meaning I am not very sporty. I have no time limit to my journey, so I don't have to plan how many days I am going to use nor am I going to buy any ticket home beforehand.
I realize time is not a factor but 6 weeks should be more than enough time to walk. This would allow you to purchase round trip ticket and maybe save some money.
My weight is 50 kg so I can't pack very much. So my questions are as follows:
There are some very good packing list recommendations in the equipment section. Give it a look and remember the time of year you are walking. Ponch or rain gear is a must.
What kind of boots would be best for this time of year and for an untrained walker like me? I have already bought these http://www.spejdersport.dk/mammut-nova-vandrestoevle-lady.aspx but I am thinking that maybe they are overkill.
There is no such thing as overkill. Buy a pair of shoes or boots that fit you and are comfortable. Make sure you break them in some before you leave. Your feet will have a big impact on the enjoyment of your Camino. Listen to them and take care of them.
Where would you recommend that I start? Like I said, I have no time limit so I don't have to consider that. Of course the weather changes if I use too much time. I was thinking about starting in Pamplona but then I thought I could also just start in St. Jean Pied de Port but I've heard the route from there to Pamplona is a tough one to begin with and I don't want to destroy my body!
The first day is tough from SJPdP but if Orisson is still open, I recommend you make a reservation and spend the first night there. Otherwise Pamplona is a good starting place.
Can you walk the camino without having prepared very much and without alot of training?
A lot of training is not necessary. That said, you should take a few walk prior to departure. First, you need to breakin your boots/shoes. Second, get your feet prepared for a month of walking everyday.
I am also worried about the bed bugs issue! I am going to buy a bed bug sheet, but is that enough? What precautions should one take?
Spray sleeping bag and backpack with permethian.
Is there anything else I should consider?
Again, I am sorry for repeating any questions. Any answer is much appreciated!
As you may be Danish, then I suggest you buy Ecco boots. I bought some 10 years ago for around $300 in Australia and they are still going strong.
How can you suggest such a thing, such an important thing, purely based on someones nationality? What should i get then? Wooden shoes ?
As you may be Danish, then I suggest you buy Ecco boots. I bought some 10 years ago for around $300 in Australia and they are still going strong.
I don't want to scare you but all the talk about taking it easy the first few days is not going to happen, the first day is 17 mls up hill most of the way and if you haven't done at least that on a test hike at home you will be totally shattered by the time you stumble in to Roncevalles.
A word about footwear, I wore a £20 pair of sandals all the way and not one blister. They dry out in no time, your feet keep cool and they acomodate any swelling in your feet and as said before the mud is rarely above the sole (eccept coming down the Pyrenees).
Spraying all your kit with Permathrin is also good advice (I had one bedbug but no bites)
thats a very kind offer , ,nice to see someone offering to help out a stranger.warms the heart !Hej, Anotherpilgrim. - I would suppose you are from Denmark ? (the link you posted) as am I. You are welcome to PM me. I might even have some equipment that I could lend to you.
Best, annelise
PM = Private converstation
Chiefly I expect because the OP hs quoted a Danish website for her bootsHow can you suggest such a thing, such an important thing, purely based on someones nationality? What should i get then? Wooden shoes ?
I think Margaret was suggesting a boot based on availability in your local, rather than nationality. I know when I tried to find the boot I had originally purchased in Borgos I couldn't find it in the States. I had to go directly to the company and ask where I could get them. On this forum we are from all over the planet and I find most people's suggestions come from a wonderful place of generosity.How can you suggest such a thing, such an important thing, purely based on someones nationality? What should i get then? Wooden shoes ?
I don't want to scare you but all the talk about taking it easy the first few days is not going to happen, the first day is 17 mls up hill most of the way and if you haven't done at least that on a test hike at home you will be totally shattered by the time you stumble in to Roncevalles.
A word about footwear, I wore a £20 pair of sandals all the way and not one blister. They dry out in no time, your feet keep cool and they acomodate any swelling in your feet and as said before the mud is rarely above the sole (eccept coming down the Pyrenees).
Spraying all your kit with Permathrin is also good advice (I had one bedbug but no bites)
Hi Pilgrim,Hello there, everyone!
I am going to walk the camino in September-October this year (2014) ....
What kind of boots would be best for this time of year and for an untrained walker like me? ....
Is there anything else I should consider?...
£20? Wow! On my last Camino I wore a £38 pair of boots and I thought that was good!I wore a £20 pair of sandals all the way and not one blister.
Hello there, everyone!
I am going to walk the camino in September-October this year (2014) and I know !
Karrimor, I've done 700 mls in them and there's still twice that left in them, by the way I'm 67, just wear what suits youI totally agree with the Permathrin suggestion. I did that the first time too. Took everything out onto the clothesline and sprayed it all well and let it hang and dry thoroughly. I am a retired Flight Attendant also and I used it on my flight bags and we stay in hotels all around the globe. I've never had an issue with bedbugs. We live on a farm here in New Hampshire in the States and I spray all of my Husbands work clothing and our outdoor gear with Permathrin. He's never had an issue with ticks, which are seriously thick in the Spring. It is safe to use on produce too so I felt ok using it. I couldn't use the sandals as I'm 62 and the padding on my feet is thinner. the sandles (TEVA) have so many straps that rub. What brand of sandals did you wear?
So were my £38 boots.Karrimor, I've done 700 mls in them and there's still twice that left in them, by the way I'm 67, just wear what suits you
Yes, yes....so true.one aspect of my first pilgrimage that i truly enjoyed, continue to enjoy, and which can never really happen again is that i. didn't. know. squat! hahah
How can you suggest such a thing, such an important thing, purely based on someones nationality? What should i get then? Wooden shoes ?
Marylin, love the Monkey-Mind reminder. This will be Camino No. 4 for me, and yet, there's the Monkey-Mind. This time because it's del Norte vs CF, but also because on CF3 in May of '13 it was COLD. So all that I had with me, based on CF1 and 2 went out the window. The truth is every time we go on the Camino conditions will be different, areas will be different, and so the Monkey goes to work, and perhaps rightly so. Saw Walking the Camino Documentary last evening; could not believe the Danish woman shed 9 pounds off her bag! Nor her companion who may have walked with under 6 pounds all together. One would think that by now I would have all I need and wouldn't need to re-think, re-shop. But I do every time. I think there is a whole lot of shopping and planning to achieve that look of 'Ideal simplicity I didn't have to think about' ;0). New, lighter but larger backpack (to fit a sleeping bag for the first time after having been so cold in May of '13), different Crocs, cause the old one have no grip what so ever and the current ones I use locally do not let the foot breath, no more merino wool socks because unless it hot and sunny they do not dry by the next morning, and buying nylon mesh bags so I no longer use NOISY plastic bags that wake others up. Yes, I am hoping my local Camino Society will have a garage sale one of these days ;0)I think your concerns are valid as a newbie. I'm also walking for the first time in 2 weeks and having never walked it before I'm feeling anxiety, excitment and fear. So in this respect I think those feelings are common among us. In preparing for the Camino I have second-guessed myself with many things. . boots, where to start, spray with permathrin or not, etc. etc. I try very hard to quieten the monkey-mind that is questioning my decisions. Easier said than done. Perhaps you are wiser than you think because you are asking some good questions. Its easy to get side-tracked with everyone's opinions (which is great to have) but whatever you decide, just stick with it and not waver and then make it your experience. All is well.
I'm also starting from Pamplona on Sept 17th. Buen Camino
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?