In reading her blogs, I was wondering what the 'filter' was in her assessment of Norte, and Caminos in general. Almost immediately into my read, it was obvious that her 'filter' is backpacking on wild trails. No biggie at that point; as a PCT thru-hiker, and having thousands of wilderness backpacking miles under my feet, this is not really a disqualifier to providing an objective critique.
For me, this quote sums up the nexus for my evaluation of her evaluation: "Bottom line: If you are a new to hiking the Caminos might be a good and easy way for you to get started. But if you have already hiked other more nature oriented long distance trails you will most probably be very much disappointed with the Caminos."
Bovine poop.
She appears to not be willing to separate Camino walking from wilderness backpacking as unique and different experiences. She judges these two different experiences as one generic activity, using the same set of criteria for both. As such, her critique is worthless in terms of meaning, quality, experience, and guidance as to whether or not to do a Camino. Viewing her concerns from the perspective of my backpacking background, hers are only valid if these issues occur on a wilderness backpacking trip. As a pilgrim, I cannot fathom her attitude and sense of superiority and elitism as a partaker of the "pure" wilderness backpacking experience vs her view of the Camino as being slightly higher in quality than a slum walk.
I can tell you, that is not an attitude that the hardcore backpackers within my sphere of influence hold. They might not choose to go on Camino, but they would never judge it based on wilderness filters.
I'm shaking my head. She just doesn't get it.
