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I will be walking a long day from Hospital de Orbiga to Rabanal in a couple days. Since it's a long one I'm not sure how easy it will be to find others to walk with from Astorga. I know there were concerns in 2015 about this section. Any current safety updates?
I walked alone from Astorga middle of May last year. But I was nearly never alone on a visible strecht along the path.
Was reminded about Denise by posters on the way, so I must admit I kept my eyes open, looking into ditches and so on. Glad she at last was found so that her family could get an answer.
After all I think the CF must be the safest place to walk for women alone. Buen camino, Hilary!
Hi Laurie, you stated that numbers are already in this Holy Year, after I walk the Levante I am meeting up with some friends in Sarria to walk in to Santiago around the 13th Oct. as I never pre book would you suggest maybe this year. I just do not like walking to a fixed schedule. Keep weel.Hi, Erin,
I think the earlier posts should answer all your concerns. There will be other pilgrims around, I'm sure (if the Vdlp is crowded now, there are surely a lot of people on the Frances). I don't think this section (Hospital to Rabanal) currently poses any safety concerns that are any different from any other section of the Camino Frances. Buen camino!
Hi Hilary,Hello,
I plan to complete the remaining 215 miles remaining after 3 previous trips - the first with a friend and because I enthused so much about how fantastic the experience was, the following two years I returned with my husband.
We made many friends who we have kept in touch with and visited one in Denmark when we were on holiday there the following year.
I was really looking forward to coming back, this time alone.
I have found other threads on the forum very useful - about making friends, taking my diary with me to dinner outside the albergue, taking my valuables into the shower, being careful amongst traffic, smelling the roses along the way...... then I was downloading a Camino app onto my phone and discovered about the distressing issues around Astorga and the advice about avoiding walking alone between Astorga and Rabanal.
Can anyone give me an update on advice, please as I am becoming apprehensive about coming on my own.
I would really appreciate any input on this topic.
Many thanks,
Hilary
Hi Hillary:
I just recently walked from Astorga to Rabanal, just a few weeks ago! Last September, I walked from Astoria to Rabanal, stopping for an overnight at El Ganso.
A few comments: as a wary traveler, I try to keep my ears and eyes open at all times, and last September, Denise Thiem's body had just been found. As Peregrina2000 noted, her murder appears to have been the exception to an otherwise safe journey. In fact, most of us on the forum followed her disappearance and all that occurred with the case very closely, and I will have to agree that I was so glad that the murderer was caught and put in jail. While we grieve the loss of a fellow pilgrim, we can appreciate that the fiend is now behind bars.
Anyway, I found the journey from Astorga to Rabanal to be one of my favorites this time. Last September, it was too recent, and I found myself upset, rushing through the beautiful city of Astorga, feeling nervous walking alone to El Ganso. These were all place names that rang a too-familiar bell. Now, however, you can walk in relative security.
I will share that on this most recent trip--walking from 17 March through 3 April--I had one situation on the trail in which I called out to another pilgrim for assistance. An odd fellow was on the trail, and appeared to be standing and waiting for me to walk by. I called ahead to a gentleman just ahead, "Jose! Esperame!" (Jose, wait for me), and he not only waited, but walked back to meet me. I don't know that the rather strange person--who looked to be living on the trail--would have caused me any harm, but I thought that it would be better safe than sorry.
I do so much hiking and walking in various remote areas that I've found that keeping aware, keeping one earbud out (at least), and maintaining a healthy skeptical attitude toward strangers is a good idea.
Buen Camino--
Deb
Which is exactly what I did! The very savvy Spanish gentleman understood what I was doing, and all credit to him, was there for me.Even if you don't know someone ahead or behind you, if you pass by someone who makes you feel uncomfortable it might be a good idea to shout out something like, "wait" or "hurry up!"
I should have said whether you know IF anyone is ahead or behind you.Which is exactly what I did! The very savvy Spanish gentleman understood what I was doing, and all credit to him, was there for me.
I should have said whether you IF anyone is ahead or behind you.
I have a friend that does this when hiking. She will ask people that she passes, in a loud voice "did you see those guys, how long ago did they walk by?"You are so right! "Hey, wait up!" shouted in the loudest voice possible, then a big booming laugh and an apology to the unusual person....
I wonder if anyone has a link to a proper account of the murder. The idea that someone could place arrows to lead a hiker to his ranch and get just a lone female to follow those arrows strikes me as implausible.
Hello,
Can anyone give me an update on advice, please as I am becoming apprehensive about coming on my own.
I would really appreciate any input on this topic.
Many thanks,
Hilary
May we just let this rest.I wonder if anyone has a link to a proper account of the murder. The idea that someone could place arrows to lead a hiker to his ranch and get just a lone female to follow those arrows strikes me as implausible.
Seriously. Do people worry and research murders, thefts and misdirection this much everywhere they travel? I may be a bit naive (not having done the Camino yet), but what happens, happens, wherever you are. You just have to decide how to deal with it and hopefully keep your grace and good intentions along the way.May we just let this rest.
And consider this a huge gift to yourself…..the opportunity to be alone. Many never seem to find the opportunity even though they would welcome it. Wish you heartfelt Buen Camino.Thanks again......I really do appreciate all your posts of encouragement and reassurance...I guess travelling in pairs when I was a student and being subsequently married for 36 years has increased my sensitivity to the prospect of being on my own for the first time! I am confident that I will make friends along the way.
I have the blessing of my husband and children and now I am reassured and focused once again. Sincere thanks to you all.
I did not mean The detour is suburban but The regular Camino route between Astorga and Rabanal.Well, I would not call it suburban. It is rocky scrubby countryside. We did not see any houses or other people on the path and only a couple of cars on the minor road into the village. The Camino is rejoined across country on the other side of the village, so it really does not add more than a few kilometres.
I would hope that most pilgrims, having considered what they feel to be threats, would step out in faith. Fear and worry are human emotions which help us to look at possible challenges. I welcome you to walk with me if you have fears. I shall be on that section of the camino at some point in October (sorry that is not very specific, but others will make the same offer).One is sometimes bound to remark that questions of this nature seem slightly hysterical. What happened to Denise was appalling but it must be said that one can be murdered anywhere, anytime if you are unlucky enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Our cities in Europe and the USA are far more dangerous statistically than the Camino could ever be, not to mention our roads. The same goes for the anxious soul who was afraid of terrorism on the Camino!! Please live your lives in hope and peace and stop worrying about these things, otherwise stay at home!
I would hope that most pilgrims, having considered what they feel to be threats, would step out in faith. Fear and worry are human emotions which help us to look at possible challenges. I welcome you to walk with me if you have fears. I shall be on that section of the camino at some point in October (sorry that is not very specific, but others will make the same offer).
It can be a good idea for safety's sake to evaluate threats. For example, pilgrims have risked their own lives and some have died by ignoring official warnings not to take the Napoleon route from St Jean Pied de Port. Pilgrims have died, and continue to die, through being hit by motor vehicles when crossing busy roads on the camino. If you want to be safe, follow the directions of public authorities and be very careful when crossing busy roads.
If you feel uncomfortable with a particular situation or person when on camino, move away from that person and walk with someone with whom you feel safe. If you are afraid now, it is because you are going into a new and unfamiliar situation. Use this forum to help you feel more familiar with it and to evaluate what might feel like threats. When you are ready to go, all will be well. Buen camino.
Hi, Hilary,
I hope you won't let apprehension get the best of you. The terrible murder that occurred last year was, I believe, the only murder that ever occurred on any Camino in Spain. In fact, over the past 25 years, there has been a total of 15 violent crimes on all of Spain's many many Caminos, just to put it in perspective. Surely that makes it among the safest places on the planet. The accused is now in custody awaiting trial.
Denise's murder took place as she was walking an "unofficial" stretch, a little detour to see Castrillo de Polvazares, a historic, prettified old town. Apparently, the accused had painted some arrows taking her off that detour and to his ranch. I don't think you have any cause for concern, one because you will probably stay on the official Camino, and second because he is in jail.
I'm sure it will be a solemn time to walk that way and think of Denise, as many have, and you can read about carrying shells in her memory here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-memorial-tree-a-place-for-your-shells.39490/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/memorial-shells-for-denise.36391/
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