CowboyJoe
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015
I'm six days into the Camino. Here's what I've learned so far;
1. The Pyrenees route is steep and hard. Especially if you're in your 60s-70s. If you are in your 20s, not so much. But if you are not in good physical condition with a backpack, it can be a tough go. Best to overnight at Orrison. The uphill is hard, but the downhill afterwards is a killer. And if the weather's bad or raining, the downhill can be downright treacherous. But if the weather is good, the views can be stunning.
2. There seems to be plenty of rooms available.
3. There are numerous very steep ascents and descents for several days after the Pryenees that the guidebooks seem to gloss over.
4. A lot of advice has been given about the kind of shoes to wear, but I've not seen anything about the kind of soles you should have. Read the spec sheet on the boot and be sure that the sole is good in wet conditions--many are not. You do not want boots with soles that are slippery--especially in those down hill descents. Just because it says Vibram doesn't mean anything--Vibram makes all types of soles. I have s pair of Merrill's with Vibram that I wouldn't wear on wet pavement to take out the trash--and I have a I pair of Merrill's with Vibram soles I'm wearing on the Camino now.
5. Wear thin liner socks under mid-weight to heavy Smartwool socks. The liner is the key to prevent blisters.
6. Be prepared: it's not a leisurely walk from village to village. Most so far has been across steep hills ranging some 20km apart.
For more. See my blog:
Caminojoe.com
Spain is beautiful, your fellow pilgrims can become friends for life and the experience can be amazing. And I'm just a few days into it!
Bien Camino!
1. The Pyrenees route is steep and hard. Especially if you're in your 60s-70s. If you are in your 20s, not so much. But if you are not in good physical condition with a backpack, it can be a tough go. Best to overnight at Orrison. The uphill is hard, but the downhill afterwards is a killer. And if the weather's bad or raining, the downhill can be downright treacherous. But if the weather is good, the views can be stunning.
2. There seems to be plenty of rooms available.
3. There are numerous very steep ascents and descents for several days after the Pryenees that the guidebooks seem to gloss over.
4. A lot of advice has been given about the kind of shoes to wear, but I've not seen anything about the kind of soles you should have. Read the spec sheet on the boot and be sure that the sole is good in wet conditions--many are not. You do not want boots with soles that are slippery--especially in those down hill descents. Just because it says Vibram doesn't mean anything--Vibram makes all types of soles. I have s pair of Merrill's with Vibram that I wouldn't wear on wet pavement to take out the trash--and I have a I pair of Merrill's with Vibram soles I'm wearing on the Camino now.
5. Wear thin liner socks under mid-weight to heavy Smartwool socks. The liner is the key to prevent blisters.
6. Be prepared: it's not a leisurely walk from village to village. Most so far has been across steep hills ranging some 20km apart.
For more. See my blog:
Caminojoe.com
Spain is beautiful, your fellow pilgrims can become friends for life and the experience can be amazing. And I'm just a few days into it!
Bien Camino!