walking for 3 months to do both trails, from September to December the north route and the french way.

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

Hi everyone,

Am off to do the north route first starting in Irun, then to start again from the beginning to do the french way, so its a lot of different layers, I need to bring for the different seasons.

worried about the weight am carrying, I have done long distance walking, Mont Blanc and Scotland.
but nothing off this scale,

I just weighted my backpack its 10,9kg I weigh 57 kgs, knowing from experience your body get used to the extra weight,
am I being silly caring this much?
But I'm planning to be away, attest for three months.

should I just ask family to send the winter things alone? I rather not do that, and just send things back to the UK.
Making it lighter as I go along.

There's are all sorts of things on the net body ratio to backpack weight, but I find its not really realistic.

Thank you.

MinaKamina · Sep 2, 2018

jsalt · Sep 2, 2018

walking away-on the way said:
I just weighted my backpack its 10,9kg I weigh 57 kgs

Hi, welcome, yes, it is heavier than need be. You could post what you are carrying here, and we could pick it apart for you, with suggestions on how to lighten your load.

New to the camino? Your first camino?

My suggestion is to pack only for the Norte in Sep and walk that route. When you get to Santiago you can then decide if you still want to go back to the beginning and walk the Francés. If you do, then just pick up another layer of warm clothes, like a beanie, gloves, buff and puffy jacket from a Decathlon store.

Personally, I’d do it the other way around, i.e. the Francés first (as a first camino), and then the Norte. A lot can happen in 5 weeks while walking any camino, like asking yourself why are you doing this, so it's good to be flexible, as you might well develop other plans by the time you get to Santiago the first time.
Jill

domigee · Sep 2, 2018

Hello and welcome!

Lots of people will probably disagree with me but I think it is much too heavy a weight to carry...
You don’t necessarily need to carry more because you are walking for longer...
I walked for six months and I couldn’t have managed it with such a heavy backpack (and my weight is similar). Remember you’ll need to carry water, too.

nycwalking · Sep 2, 2018

Lots of time does not equal tons of clothes.

Two or three clothing changes.

Lightweight gloves hat buff jacket poncho or raingear and maybe a fleece or merino sweater will suffice.

Buen camino to you. Three months of walking sound terrific.

Pieces · Sep 2, 2018

I agree that it sounds a lot so post a list, also the suggestion to post to Ivar and then exchange gear in Santiago is excellent

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

jsalt said:
Hi, welcome, yes, it is heavier than need be. You could post what you are carrying here, and we could pick it apart for you, with suggestions on how to lighten your load.

New to the camino? Your first camino?

My suggestion is to pack only for the Norte in Sep and walk that route. When you get to Santiago you can then decide if you still want to go back to the beginning and walk the Francés. If you do, then just pick up another layer of warm clothes, like a beanie, gloves, buff and puffy jacket from a Decathlon store.

Personally, I’d do it the other way around, i.e. the Francés first (as a first camino), and then the Norte. A lot can happen in 5 weeks while walking any camino, like asking yourself why are you doing this, so it's good to be flexible, as you might well develop other plans by the time you get to Santiago the first time.
Jill

Thank you, for your reply, one of the reason I want to do the North route is that I have heard St James route is still very crowded in September and sometimes hard to find a bed, also wanted some me time at the beginning, do realise its a bit strange to want to do them both one after another, but I feel I need that much time away walking...

Will repack my bag again and again this week, to get those extra kg out,
I fly to Biaritz on Saturday, still in two minds which one first, please tell me why you think the french route?
My main worries is that I suffer from bunions, not good at map reading, and pretty bad with language even english!
so I want to take it slow, better on uphill and down then the flat.
Did the great glen walk recently, that almost killed my feet, but I wasn't wearing the right foot wear.
a lot of people think the french way is a better place to start.

Thought of walking down though spain after Santiago, but wouldn't it be difficult walking the opersit way from the other pilgrims signs etc am open minded to changing my planes?

Thank you C

trecile · Sep 2, 2018

Don't worry about the so called crowds on the Frances! The infrastructure is much better with a lot more albergues, restaurants, etc. You will have plenty of opportunity to be alone if you want. I would highly recommend that you do the Frances first.

Pieces · Sep 2, 2018

you could also do the french to Santiago and the head south through Portugal to Fatima, will make the weather nicer also

(if you want alone time on the french it is totally possible even when it is crowded, lots of "loners" out there)

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

Pieces said:
you could also do the french to Santiago and the head south through Portugal to Fatima, will make the weather nicer also

(if you want alone time on the french it is totally possible even when it is crowded, lots of "loners" out there)

Thank you, thinking off combining the routes

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

trecile said:
Don't worry about the so called crowds on the Frances! The infrastructure is much better with a lot more albergues, restaurants, etc. You will have plenty of opportunity to be alone if you want. I would highly recommend that you do the Frances first.

Thank you!

jsalt · Sep 2, 2018

walking away-on the way said:
I fly to Biaritz on Saturday, still in two minds which one first, please tell me why you think the french route?

The Camino Francés as a first camino is the best because it has an excellent infrastructure for pilgrims; there are lots of places to stay; the stages are short if you want to walk a short day; there are others walking and looking out for you but you can walk alone if you want to; you can socialise or not depending on how you feel that day; and there is a “camino vibe” on the Francés that the other caminos don’t have. You won’t get that “camino vibe” on the Norte unless you are very lucky and hook up with a “camino family” (others walking parallel with you that you become good friends with). The Norte is very scenic (steep up and downs over headlands) but it’s more about the seaside tourist towns, which have little interest in providing an infrastructure for pilgrims, as the economy is aimed at tourism not pilgrims.
Jill

MinaKamina · Sep 2, 2018

It is indeed wise to walk inland later in the year, and the Norte in September.

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

MinaKamina said:
It is indeed wise to walk inland later in the year, and the Norte in September.

Thank you!

walking away-on the way · Sep 2, 2018

jsalt said:
The Camino Francés as a first camino is the best because it has an excellent infrastructure for pilgrims; there are lots of places to stay; the stages are short if you want to walk a short day; there are others walking and looking out for you but you can walk alone if you want to; you can socialise or not depending on how you feel that day; and there is a “camino vibe” on the Francés that the other caminos don’t have. You won’t get that “camino vibe” on the Norte unless you are very lucky and hook up with a “camino family” (others walking parallel with you that you become good friends with). The Norte is very scenic (steep up and downs over headlands) but it’s more about the seaside tourist towns, which have little interest in providing an infrastructure for pilgrims, as the economy is aimed at tourism not pilgrims.
Jill

Thank you, a lot to think about, sounds wonderful!

oursonpolaire · Sep 3, 2018

Carry much less than you think you need: one set of clothes on your back, and the other in the pack; perhaps a windbreaker, or a third pair of socks. I would strongly suggest that you take the Francese as a first Camino, and take it very slowly, perhaps planning about 7 weeks, with stages of 12km-20km a day, particularly at the beginning. You seem to have had some physical challenges over footwear, and a slow start to the Camino would ensure that they not defeat you. And, you will get your walking days in that way. Accommodation along the Francese has expanded to meet the demand, and you will have little real trouble-- the Camino provides (well, almost all the time!!). The del Norte is a September or a spring Camino, and is best for a 2d Camino.

trecile · Sep 3, 2018

oursonpolaire said:
Carry much less than you think you need: one set of clothes on your back, and the other in the pack; perhaps a windbreaker, or a third pair of socks. I would strongly suggest that you take the Francese as a first Camino, and take it very slowly, perhaps planning about 7 weeks, with stages of 12km-20km a day, particularly at the beginning. You seem to have had some physical challenges over footwear, and a slow start to the Camino would ensure that they not defeat you. And, you will get your walking days in that way. Accommodation along the Francese has expanded to meet the demand, and you will have little real trouble-- the Camino provides (well, almost all the time!!). The del Norte is a September or a spring Camino, and is best for a 2d Camino.

7 weeks seems like a really long time. I know that some people take that long to walk, but most probably finish in about 5 weeks, I think.

oursonpolaire · Sep 3, 2018

trecile said:
7 weeks seems like a really long time. I know that some people take that long to walk, but most probably finish in about 5 weeks, I think.

Of course, but as walking-the-way-on-the-way believes that they have need of walking time, such a schedule might meet requirements of foot health, time on the road, and with infrastructural support. If they find that they wish to go more quickly, then other options open up for extra days walking, such as the Inglese, Muxia and Finesterre, and so forth.

Anyway, it's just another thought for them to consider as they make their plans.

walking away-on the way · Sep 3, 2018

oursonpolaire said:
Of course, but as walking-the-way-on-the-way believes that they have need of walking time, such a schedule might meet requirements of foot health, time on the road, and with infrastructural support. If they find that they wish to go more quickly, then other options open up for extra days walking, such as the Inglese, Muxia and Finesterre, and so forth.

Anyway, it's just another thought for them to consider as they make their plans.

Thank you for your responses, taking it all into consideration, will post when am out there for sure.
think I will take my time to walk it, not in any race.

thank you everyone!

C clearly · Sep 3, 2018

walking away-on the way said:
I need to bring for the different seasons.

As you move from early autumn to late autumn and winter, there are only a few extras things you need. As the weather gets colder, you will probably appreciate having:

Down or puffy synthetic jacket or sleeveless vest - good for chilly evenings when your body is tired and also to supplement your lightweight sleeping bag at night
Gloves
Buff or scarf
Beanie hat - you can buy this later in Spain when you need it
1 additional layer of very lightweight wool long underwear

My normal walking clothes are long pants, short sleeve top, long sleeve top, walking/sun shirt; I wear a combination appropriate for the weather. For the evenings I put on a different pair of long pants, the "additional" long sleeve top I mentioned above, and a warmer medium weight zip top. I often add the down vest at night but never wear it walking.

In cold weather you can put your rain jacket and rain pants over your clothes to get good insulation. Your backpack will be quite light on those days!

I keep my evening clothes clean and my walking clothes can be dirty, so I only wash underwear and socks everyday.

You can see that the season does not mean you need to take a lot more or heavier clothes. My pack still weighs under 6 kg.

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walking for 3 months to do both trails, from September to December the north route and the french way.

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