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All year. I'm always planning.I'm assuming that Spring is the high season for most non-Spanish pilgrims. But my question is when do these people do their planning, what time of year, how early or late leading up to their Camino?
Thanks Much,
I hear ya. I'm letting the idea of another Camino next fall brew in the old grey matter.All year. I'm always planning.
I prefer the fall myself.Actually the statistics show September is a very busy month, you can see that on the statistics on the bottom right hand side of this page. I found it much busier than spring.
As for planning, I dont know many actual (as opposed to online pilgrims), but the planning can take years, or very little. For me not much, for others a year or more.
My planning consisted of working out what to bring, and working out how to get to SJPDP, others plan everything.
I think it depends on your comfort level for winging it.
That was the general time of year I was thinking the answer would be from most folks.I do my best thinking during the year end holidays
I'm always recommending the "wing it" approach, but it seems that many people are too scared to do that.Not a day goes by that I am not looking online or thinking about my next long walk.
I usually buy plane tickets about 6 months out, then “wing it” once I get to Spain.
I used to be a project manager. We had this saying, "Plan, plan, plan, and then throw it out the window the first day of the project—'cause nothing goes according to plan." So, now I do as little planning as I have to. I was just asking in general, as a curiosity more than anything.About an hour before my train left, that was my preparation time for my last camino..
For the other longer ones, about 3 or 4 months before. It never works out the way you planned it so I just don't see the point.
I'm assuming that Spring is the high season for most non-Spanish pilgrims. But my question is when do these people do their planning, what time of year, how early or late leading up to their Camino?
Thanks Much,
I used to be a project manager. We had this saying, "Plan, plan, plan, and then throw it out the window the first day of the project—'cause nothing goes according to plan." So, now I do as little planning as I have to. I was just asking in general, as a curiosity more than anything.
On my first Camino (with my 19 year old daughter) I tried to plan every day. I think I was scared for her. After Roncesvalles I gave up on my plan and we just walked. It was so good to let go and let things “unfold”.I'm always recommending the "wing it" approach, but it seems that many people are too scared to do that.
I think we're a bit off subject, but I think—after two Caminos and many other long-distance adventures—I'm tired of taking it all too seriously. And thanks for your thoughts, Robo.It's a very important DAILY task if you are serious about walking the Camino!
Jeez, you don't seem to be taking this seriously at all. It's almost like you think you'll spend a couple of evenings at the dining table and have your planning done and dusted! You'll just head on over there and start walking and it will just fall into place and life will be beautiful.
There are SO many things to plan, it's a never ending task.
Where will you start?
How many kms per day do you plan to walk
What type of accommodation you'll use
Pondering over the route and looking at places you might like visit along the way
Endlessly reading this forum and blog posts, to find out if that font is still working or where the best lunch in that village of if that albergue has a washing machine
It's endless!
And clothing and equipment!
What the best footwear, poncho, do I need Poles........
These are all things to be constantly reviewed, refined, discussed..........
When to do your planning??
Man it's almost a full time job in itself!!
And then of course when you get there, finally, and you start walking.
Plan? What Plan?
It all goes out the window anyway.
But it passes the time between Caminos
Thank you for your thoughts, Tom. Planning after the holidays seems to be the most common answer to my question. In 2016, I walked the Via de la Plata during the fall season. You just don't do that route in summer. The heat is too dangerous. And springtime, as you've noted is very busy. Walking the VDLP in fall was awesome. The weather was about perfect. I started in Seville with temps in the 80s, and finished in Santiago in a light rain with temps in the 60s. I saw a little frost some mornings and snow on mountain peaks, but all in all, that season is magical. There was never pressure for a bed and though villages are generally farther apart on that route, it was no problem. Thanks again.I view doing annual Caminos as a form of process improvement. I am the process seeking improvement. The Camino is my parallel process that creates opportunities for self-improvement.
I am constantly trying to get more from the experience. As a result, each Camino provides immediate feedback to the planning process for the next Camino. It is a continuous cycle...
In this regard, planning for the next Camino never really ends. However, each new year, after the winter holidays, my logistical research and planning kicks into high gear. I plan in January and February, buy air tickets in March, start making advance housing reservations in early April, and typically fly over in the second half of April.
I prefer to walk my Caminos during the time from late April to early June. That avoids MOST of the snow and ice, and gets me off the Camino before the summer crush. However, I do, increasingly have to contend with competition for finite commercial housing with increased university class groups, and organized commercial tour groups. It happens. I simply adjust and overcome, or avoid the problems as they crop up.
Also, once I have visited my friends and colleagues at the Pilgrim Office in Santiago, I have reconfirmed my summer volunteer dates. As soon as I return home in May or June, I make the necessary air reservations for this, next trip over. This is usually around mid-July.
It works for me...
Hope this helps.
I'm assuming that Spring is the high season for most non-Spanish pilgrims. But my question is when do these people do their planning, what time of year, how early or late leading up to their Camino?
Thanks Much,
I'm assuming that Spring is the high season for most non-Spanish pilgrims. But my question is when do these people do their planning, what time of year, how early or late leading up to theirCamino?
Thanks Much,
Robo, don't forget to add in the question of "how do I fit that rice cooker into my backpack with everything else taking up space?"It's a very important DAILY task if you are serious about walking the Camino!
Jeez, you don't seem to be taking this seriously at all. It's almost like you think you'll spend a couple of evenings at the dining table and have your planning done and dusted! You'll just head on over there and start walking and it will just fall into place and life will be beautiful.
There are SO many things to plan, it's a never ending task.
Where will you start?
How many kms per day do you plan to walk
What type of accommodation you'll use
Pondering over the route and looking at places you might like visit along the way
Endlessly reading this forum and blog posts, to find out if that font is still working or where the best lunch in that village of if that albergue has a washing machine
It's endless!
And clothing and equipment!
What the best footwear, poncho, do I need Poles........
These are all things to be constantly reviewed, refined, discussed..........
When to do your planning??
Man it's almost a full time job in itself!!
And then of course when you get there, finally, and you start walking.
Plan? What Plan?
It all goes out the window anyway.
But it passes the time between Caminos
I consider gear selection to be a big part of planning.No planning whatsoever. I focus all my pre-Camino attention on keeping my pack weight down to a minimum
Exactly. That's about all the planning I do, and that keeps the weight of my pack down.I consider gear selection to be a big part of planning.
I am planning right now and I have been since I came back end of August
And that is for a July start Camino!
No planning whatsoever. I focus all my pre-Camino attention on keeping my pack weight down to a minimum. Other than that, I just hit the trail and start walking. While I'm out walking I keep a list of towns, albergues, services and distances so that I'll know more or less where I'll sleep that night and perhaps the next night but all that often changes once I'm out walking.
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