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Three full Camino Frances’ and a Leon to Santiago, and starting again from SJPDP in three days. Notwithstanding the “it’s too crowded” rending of garments so ubiquitous on our forum, I never saw any shuffling along or jostling of shoulders, actually or metaphorically, even on the much denigrated post-Sarria. The over-crowded meme, in my experience is simply without merit. But it lives and seems to get a new infusion of memeosity every year.
Exactly. That is inarguable. As I think I have said repeatedly in my previous posts, I would not deign to dispute a veteran pilgrim’s views on virtually anything, whether pack weight, shoes, or Camino route. You know from experience what you prefer and like. It is the not quite newly minted pilgrim who reads our forum who has seen the Movie and read and heard about wonderful and even life changing Camino experiences, the vast majority of which are about the Frances, which motivates me periodically to dispute what has become conventional wisdom here on the forum. I had decades of wilderness backpacking solitude, and loved it. And I have developed the same affection for the Camino. Again, my sole concern is what the takeaways a curious soon to be Pilgrim gleans from our discussions, with the Camino Frances is too crowded meme being front and center.A person's perception of "too crowded" is relative and depends a lot on their previous experience and personal preferences.
Being someone who walked in 2016 from SJPDP on 1st Sept, there were more people than beds. (I wasnt aware of this when I set out, and fortunately was a fast walker)I think I am almost definitely decided on the Frances. Almost probably sure. And starting in Pamplona without a great desire to walk the last 100k into SdC
I have flexibility on when I do it and was thinking of starting in September and walking for about 4 weeks.
On the one hand I know that September is a busier month so it would make more sense to start late in September.
But on the other hand the weather will become less certain as the days tick by so that would suggest starting sooner.
And on yet another hand as I am only planning on 15k a day any "crowds" that I experience are likely to leave me for dust after a few days so I should start earlier.
I have no wish to walk alone but nor do I want to jostle shoulders as if shuffling along Wembley Way for the FA Cup Final.
So when is the best time to start? A precise date would be enough. I don't need to know what time of day.
Anamiri, many thanks for taking the time to write such a complete and detailed response. This is so very helpful.I wouldnt walk in that first week of Sept again, I'd leave later in Sept, or late in August
I noticed the crowds more at the beginning of the day, but then I walk fast, and started early.Anamiri, many thanks for taking the time to write such a complete and detailed response. This is so very helpful.
I am NOT a fast walker so it seems to me prudent that I leave later in September. If I left in August I would be forever expecting "the wave" to catch up with me.
Would I be right in thinking that your experience of crowds on the Camino was not so much when walking but on arriving? As you say, the crowds fairly quickly thin out on the trail but I imagine you felt it again when there were more people than beds at the end of a day.
Your post and those of others have made me think about what "crowded" means to me. I think I feel crowded when the presence of other walkers impacts on my own experience. Let me be honest, I get irritated when I am constantly listening to the tap, tap, tap of others' poles, or to incessant chatter, or even worse.....music. I want space to walk my own Camino and the opportunity to meet with others over a coffee, or lunch or dinner.
Well put Bob ... it seems that the camp who say the Camino has been ruined or not as good as it was are trying to dissuade new potential pilgrims from going. Again, my sole concern is what the takeaways a curious soon to be Pilgrim gleans from our discussions, with the Camino Frances is too crowded meme being front and center.
Tap, tap tap. Ouch! Last week a guy passed me in the woods - or forest, as they say in Warsaw - who didn't seem to know about shoes for his walking polesAnamiri, many thanks for taking the time to write such a complete and detailed response. This is so very helpful.
I am NOT a fast walker so it seems to me prudent that I leave later in September. If I left in August I would be forever expecting "the wave" to catch up with me.
Would I be right in thinking that your experience of crowds on the Camino was not so much when walking but on arriving? As you say, the crowds fairly quickly thin out on the trail but I imagine you felt it again when there were more people than beds at the end of a day.
Your post and those of others have made me think about what "crowded" means to me. I think I feel crowded when the presence of other walkers impacts on my own experience. Let me be honest, I get irritated when I am constantly listening to the tap, tap, tap of others' poles, or to incessant chatter, or even worse.....music. I want space to walk my own Camino and the opportunity to meet with others over a coffee, or lunch or dinner.
I found October a very nice month for a Camino but others really like the springtime.I think I am almost definitely decided on the Frances. Almost probably sure. And starting in Pamplona without a great desire to walk the last 100k into SdC
I have flexibility on when I do it and was thinking of starting in September and walking for about 4 weeks.
On the one hand I know that September is a busier month so it would make more sense to start late in September.
But on the other hand the weather will become less certain as the days tick by so that would suggest starting sooner.
And on yet another hand as I am only planning on 15k a day any "crowds" that I experience are likely to leave me for dust after a few days so I should start earlier.
I have no wish to walk alone but nor do I want to jostle shoulders as if shuffling along Wembley Way for the FA Cup Final.
So when is the best time to start? A precise date would be enough. I don't need to know what time of day.
Well, "not too bad" is a relative concept, which I'd agree with BTW ; but for illustration purposes, last October on my Santiago to Sarria stretch, and so walking the opposite direction to most, what I'd find is that most of the time there were not too many coming towards me, but at times there would be actual crowds. At times, I could walk past several hundreds of pilgrims in the space of 10 minutes.I found October a very nice month for a Camino but others really like the springtime.
I will add one more comment not to write off the last 100 km and let the scare mongering deter you. In October it really should not be too bad.
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