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That is my impression too. I am always a little concerned when I read a prospective pilgrim asking what the campgrounds are like or should they bring emergency locator beacons or satellite phones in case of accidents in remote areas. A hint of a mismatch between their expectations and the reality on the ground.So, imo, it has more to do with lack of knowledge/research than anything else - and that applies to other groups of pilgrims to. The Camino is simply not everybody's cup of tea - and that is OK.
an article by Francis Tapon entitled "10 Reasons Why El Camino Santiago Sucks". It is still in the top 20 Google results.
Equally absurd would be a veteran of the Frances thinking they could now walk the Pacific Crest Trail and it would be similar.
Spluttered my tea over my keyboard - now have visions of John Wayne drawling "Via con Dios, Pilgrim" running through my head. ThanksI have only met two thru-hikers on the Camino (del Norte, to be specific). One was a retired California parks ranger and she was delighted with the scenery, occasionally commenting on how much less trouble it is when one doesn't have to pack one's food, and cheerfully chatting with locals in her John-Wayne-accented Californian Spanish (not to mock her, as my pronunciation is even more bizarre, John-Wayne but with a Castilian lisp). The other spent much of his time recounting his WCT adventures and how the del Norte was not the west coast trail-- he was disappointed that I had not done the Vancouver Island Trail and perplexed when I told him that I cancelled all thought of it when I found out that there were no cafes with a menu de dia there. He seemed to think that I was joking.
As @NorthernLight notes, apples and oranges. Or, perhaps, gorp and figs.
I first learned about the Camino from my mother-in-law who is a remarkable woman in lots of ways. She walked the Camino Frances in 1985 as part of a large international group. A project put together and led by an eccentric who had some sort of religious revelation at Lourdes which led him to walk barefoot from Paris to Santiago. Fortunately when he got round to leading others he didn't insist they did likewiseI love the Tapon article - I'm sure he'd have had far a better time on the Camino if he'd walked it barefoot and self-flagellating.
I first learned about the Camino from my mother-in-law who is a remarkable woman in lots of ways. She walked the Camino Frances in 1985 as part of a large international group. A project put together and led by an eccentric who had some sort of religious revelation at Lourdes which led him to walk barefoot from Paris to Santiago. Fortunately when he got round to leading others he didn't insist they did likewise
I'd edit that to shoes v boots v sandals if I were you or face the wrath of @trecile*Well, that's one way of avoiding the shoes v boots controversy!
I'd edit that to shoes v boots v sandals if I were you or face the wrath of @trecile*
* who, I'm sure, is as nice as pie
an eccentric who had some sort of religious revelation at Lourdes which led him to walk barefoot from Paris to Santiago. Fortunately when he got round to leading others he didn't insist they did likewise
"Vaya con Dios, Pilgrim."Spluttered my tea over my keyboard - now have visions of John Wayne drawling "Via con Dios, Pilgrim" running through my head. Thanks
I finished my 1994 from Paris in a combination of barefoot or virtually barefoot -- not because I wanted to, but because my boots broke, and were irreplaceable not just from my lack of finance, but more importantly because replacements in my size pure and simple did not exist in Spain at the time.
Pure barefoot probably not more than 3-4K -- but I found that your soles do actually just toughen up, so that it's actually a lot more feasible than it sounds.
(though I was not super confident that one time I came upon an adder curled up in the middle of the path)
But no, I'd not recommend it to anyone either !!!
Gracias! I knew I should be refreshing my Spanish language skills rather than doing German this year!"Vaya con Dios, Pilgrim."
Equally absurd would be a veteran of the Frances thinking they could now walk the Pacific Crest Trail and it would be similar.
Apples and oranges.
Good point. The difference, IMHO, ought that many of these adventurers are focused on themselves whereas pilgrims tend to be interested in other people. Not always, and not all pilgrims, but my point is that the interest is in a different thing.Why force an artificial comparison between two very different types of experience?
I liked his article. By the way he was (is?) a forum member. Tapon is an ultra-light or hyper-light hiker that prefers doing long distance wilderness trails. His website is, I believe, geared to people interested in that type of walking. He wasn't thrilled with the camino but his article is fair, pointing out the pros and cons. His title isn't fair. I see it as clickbait ("Let's get visitors to this webpage"). But getting traffic is fair. He provides a lot of free information on adventure and maybe he gets something in return like a bit of advertising money or someone buying a book.For years now one of the first results which Google gives if you search for "Camino de Santiago" is an article by Francis Tapon entitled "10 Reasons Why El Camino Santiago Sucks". It is still in the top 20 Google results. Tapon's argument is basically (1) I like wilderness trails and (2) the Camino is not a wilderness trail and therefore (3) the Camino sucks. A very strange piece of reasoning.
Haven't you been reading the thread on introverts on the camino?!pilgrims tend to be interested in other people
I think our very own @Sara_Dhooma would be a perfect person to help provide insight, as she seems to transition effortlessly between thru-hikes and caminos. But I think she is headed off on a new adventure now and probably won’t be back here till she is ready to start another camino.
Ahh.......you may not have to wait much longer as I believe @Sara_Dhooma was due into Spain today!
If I was a betting man I'd say Valencia or something more southerly
liked his article. By the way he was (is?) a forum member. Tapon is an ultra-light or hyper-light hiker that prefers doing long distance wilderness trails.
I have no idea why adventure snobs hate the camino.... Maybe it is just too late at night, but I don't actually get the point of the article. I might be more naive than I had thought, but apart from never having met any adventure snobs, I actually don’t care if they do exist. As is often said here in this little island country, pity about them...especially when we have other things to pay attention to. Such as fires in Australia, daily tragedies in any person’s life, joy in new life. Hmm. Maybe I do care...
Please forgive me if my reply is off the point. It is the extravert part of me that is putting its head above the parapet!
Hi guys!
I arrived in Spain this afternoon and had a very long train ride. I’m discombobulated from jet lag so thought I’d peruse the forum.
…..……………………..
So, its got to be Camino Levante from Valencia ????
I'm planning this for 2021...…….Levante to Ponferrada, then to Santiago via Inveirno.
I need to know that the beer is drinkable and the bridges are danceable
Buen Camino
The same critics might list preferences like Tours, Cruises, Disneyland, Skydiving, cliff jumping etc. Please leave the Camino de Santiago off the list.Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here....... Absolutely................nothing........
I think our very own @Sara_Dhooma would be a perfect person to help provide insight, as she seems to transition effortlessly between thru-hikes and caminos. But I think she is headed off on a new adventure now and probably won’t be back here till she is ready to start another camino.
IMO, the more the camino-reality news spreads among the “adventure community”, the fewer disappointed thru-hikers there will be, so spreading this message is a public service.
"The other spent much of his time recounting his WCT adventures and how the del Norte was not the west coast trail-- he was disappointed that I had not done the Vancouver Island Trail and perplexed when I told him that I cancelled all thought of it when I found out that there were no cafes with a menu de dia there. He seemed to think that I was joking."
Actually there is one snack bar with burgers and beer along the West Coast Trail. It's run by First Nations people, since it's on their land. I can't give a review because we didn't stop there, but I can see why it would be a welcome sight.
As for the other topic it seems really strange to contrast "adventure" hikes with the Camino since enjoying one type of experience doesn't rule out the other. I have done inter alia the West Coast Trail, the Inca Trail, and the infamous Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea (the latter two without guides back in the day when it was REALLY an adventure) and I can honestly say that my Camino experiences compare very favorably in terms of both enjoyment and personal satisfaction.
What I know is , they have banana beer in Belgium , Tanzania and Kenia .(b) Beer is not made from bananas - except possibly in Belgium where normal rules do not apply.
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! You have said it so well. If you want an "adventure," ride the rapids on the Colorado in Spring, or climb 14K foot peaks, or sail down the Amazon. A pilgrimage is a very human experience. Some call it spiritual or religious, and it may be for them. For all of us, regardless of our motivations when we take our first step, it is a very human experience that humankind has embarked on since pre-history. I truly feel there is something in our DNA that beckons us to pilgrimages. Despite my many adventures, none left the deep mark on my soul, my character, my personality, my relationship with others and my own appreciation and understanding of all this that a pilgrimage of some length and challenge will (not may...will do).Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here....... Absolutely................nothing........
It is what you want it to be. Stop judging.Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here....... Absolutely................nothing........
For years now one of the first results which Google gives if you search for "Camino de Santiago" is an article by Francis Tapon entitled "10 Reasons Why El Camino Santiago Sucks". It is still in the top 20 Google results. Tapon's argument is basically (1) I like wilderness trails and (2) the Camino is not a wilderness trail and therefore (3) the Camino sucks. A very strange piece of reasoning. An analogy: (a) I like bananas. (b) Beer is not made from bananas - except possibly in Belgium where normal rules do not apply. (c) Therefore I cannot enjoy beer. Why force an artificial comparison between two very different types of experience?
Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here....... Absolutely................nothing........
Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here....... Absolutely................nothing........
While at the cafe in Foncebadon, I meet a guy that had done a thru hike on the AT, he said without a doubt, if you can do the Camino de Santiago, Frances, you could do the AT,Here's an old post from another forum that may interest you:
https://tomallen.info/adventure-snobs-hate-camino-de-santiago/
Absolutely!For me, the Camino will ALWAYS be an adventure.
Sorry, but while that guy doesn't have any doubts I do. I've seen plenty of posts here about people just doing the CF but it isn't likely to be done on the Appalachian Trail. It is tough. Research before trying.While at the cafe in Foncebadon, I meet a guy that had done a thru hike on the AT, he said without a doubt, if you can do the Camino de Santiago, Frances, you could do the AT,
Hi guys!
I arrived in Spain this afternoon and had a very long train ride. I’m discombobulated from jet lag so thought I’d peruse the forum.
This topic is really interesting! I love long-distance walking and seeing the world slowly.
Backcountry trekking involves more physical and logistical challenges. There is a steeper learning curve and more risks involved. I get a huge sense of accomplishment when self-sufficiently traversing remote stunning landscapes. I’ve spend many lovely evenings in the mountains alone with my tent perched at the edge at a gorgeous sunset look-out.
I’m drawn to the Camino for different reasons. I love the pilgrim rituals of collecting stamps, sharing meals in albergues with new friends, and following the yellow arrows. As a history major, the heritage of the route is fascinating. I equally enjoy passing though big cities with huge cathedrals, and charming hamlets with more cows than villagers. The spirit of the Camino is difficult to describe - it exists no where else.
I often joke that the Camino is my vacation from wilderness hiking. Many days are *easier* than on a thruhike, but I definitely would not categorize it as a ‘piece of cake’. In fact, I know some accomplished thruhikers that got MORE injured on the Camino than in the wilderness. Repetitive walking on hard, flat surfaces can do serious damage to the body - plus the blisters!
I am an ambassador for a lightweight backpacking gear company. My next article for their newsletter will be about the Camino de Santiago. I am very curious how it will be received by the backpacking community.
So basically.... my heart belongs on the Camino, and my soul belongs in the wilderness. And my mind? My mind is usually on bridges & beers.
I better get some sleep.... I start another Camino in the morning!!! Don’t want to be looking rough in the video.
Dixie also did a follow-up video to her recent Camino vlogs where she compares walking a Camino to through hiking the Appalachian Trail that people on this thread might find interesting.Having just watched Sarah’s and Dixie’s recent Camino videos, both well known as through-hikers, there will be many of those in the Through Hike community who will want to experience the Camino.
Dixie’s recent experiences on the CF really shows how a through-hike expert compares the two experiences. It was insightful watching a US backpacking expert see the world in new ways as this was her first ever time outside North America.
Sarah‘s channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/saradhooma
Dixie’s channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhqmV26773qZhzqJz4VFcw
Having just watched Sarah’s and Dixie’s recent Camino videos, both well known as through-hikers, there will be many of those in the Through Hike community who will want to experience the Camino.
Dixie’s recent experiences on the CF really shows how a through-hike expert compares the two experiences. It was insightful watching a US backpacking expert see the world in new ways as this was her first ever time outside North America.
Sarah‘s channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/saradhooma
Dixie’s channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhqmV26773qZhzqJz4VFcw
1. It is an adventure. Try speaking Spanish, French, or Italian with the locals or fellow walkers. You might learn something.Amusing. These things often come up.
Why do they hate it?
It's a Pilgrimage.
- Because it's NOT an Adventure.
- It's NOT a Thru Hike
- It's NOT a nail biting challenge.
- It's NOT a 'unique' experience undertaken by a 'select' few.
Undertaken by hundreds of thousands every year.
Most 'searching' for something, that has little to do with 'adventure'
But has 'everything' to do with living...
Adventurers?
Move along now, nothing for you here 'Adventurer'....... Absolutely................nothing........
Dixie also did a follow-up video to her recent Camino vlogs where she compares walking a Camino to through hiking the Appalachian Trail that people on this thread might find interesting.
BTW: my mind boggled when I saw how many subscribers she has.
The answer is in the word 'snob' I would say.Here's an old post from another forum that may interest you:
https://tomallen.info/adventure-snobs-hate-camino-de-santiago/
Thanks for posting this. Worth watching. Dixie explains the same thing as Francis Tapon does but in a slightly different way than he does in his blog article that was commented on for the first time on 17 January 2010 on this forum. Its ten years anniversary is coming up! Would many care about what he said if he hadn't chosen the words "Why the Camino sucks" for the title? Or if the other writer hadn't used the words "Adventure snobs"? I have a strong suspicion that it's these words that trigger reactions and not the actual content.Dixie also did a follow-up video to her recent Camino vlogs where she compares walking a Camino to through hiking the Appalachian Trail that people on this thread might find interesting.
Yes, that's surprising. The readers of this forum must have contributed their fair share to its perpetual popularityFor years now one of the first results which Google gives if you search for "Camino de Santiago" is an article by Francis Tapon entitled "10 Reasons Why El Camino Santiago Sucks". It is still in the top 20 Google results.
"most popular"? English can be quite ambiguous at times: I am assuming you meant 'most frequently viewed' rather than 'most favourably received'I paid a visit to Francis Tapon's website just now and noticed that it says that Why El Camino sucks" is the most popular article on his website, read by 2.5 million people (!),
The mind boggles because I am used to following people like Sarah on YouTube, or the Worldtowning family who were so ecstatic to reach 10,000 followers. Dixie's following is orders of magnitude larger. I'm not saying her content isn't good, just that I had never seen anything remotely close to that kind of following for this kind of content. It wasn't meant to cast aspersions on the quality of her videos. If I didn't like them, I wouldn't have shared one.Not sure why the mind boggles? Her videos are absolutely awesome and very informative too. She will have inspired 1000s of people to get off their backside and go hike somewhere. Inspirational person and deserving of all the income she generates - and she will be making a fair bit!
It's because they are better than us but that's ok, I can accept it. Buen Camino.Here's an old post from another forum that may interest you:
https://tomallen.info/adventure-snobs-hate-camino-de-santiago/
During those showere could you ever figure out which was hot and witch was cold. I never could.Not better, just different. A work colleague of mine was walking the App Trail in stages. He said that after hiking for several days each hiker develops a smell that is horrendous stench. I love the fact that hiking the camino you can take daily showers, don’t need to carry camping equipment or food and can sleep each night in a bed. This appeals to a different audience than through hikers of other longer trails. Bob
The hot showers were the ones other pilgrims were using.During those showere could you ever figure out which was hot and witch was cold. I never could.
Not better, just different. A work colleague of mine was walking the App Trail in stages. He said that after hiking for several days each hiker develops a smell that is horrendous stench.
I've done both. No comparison. The AT will chew up and spit out the average Camino pilgrim.While at the cafe in Foncebadon, I meet a guy that had done a thru hike on the AT, he said without a doubt, if you can do the Camino de Santiago, Frances, you could do the AT,
Hi cbacinoto
I've done both. No comparison. The AT will chew up and spit out the average Camino pilgrim.
I've done both. No comparison. The AT will chew up and spit out the average Camino pilgrim.
Not me - I've read "A Walk in the Woods"But would the average Pilgrim even want to hike it?
No bravado or bragging about the AT, just stating that it's a difficult hike, especially in New England, not to be taken lightly. Only 20% who begin the hike complete it. It's not a race, but there are seasonal limitations (snow and cold) on both ends. It's not an endurance test, but there are episodes of challenge: a month of rain, drought, physical ailments, and mountains. The entire hike (2280 miles) traverses the Appalachian Mountains; one constantly climbs and descends. Like walking from New York City to Las Vegas and climbing Mount Everest 18 times, sea level to top.Hi cbacino
I am glad that as a pilgrim I do not view the Camino as a race nor look at the difficulties as purely endurance test...
I have respect for walkers that do tough trails,
So curious though, if you had to compare how did each enrich or change your life?
Bill Bryson hiked some of it, maybe 25%.Not me - I've read "A Walk in the Woods"
I realise that. In fact having been reminded of the book I have been listening to it as an audiobook todayBill Bryson hiked some of it, maybe 25%.
I would like to write lots about this but since one picture is worth a thousand words I'm inviting you to view this one hour video of hiking the AT in New Hampshire made by a through hiker. For some reason he is missing the last few days, including Mahoosic Notch, considered the toughest mile of the trail.No bravado or bragging about the AT, just stating that it's a difficult hike, especially in New England, not to be taken lightly.
Hi cbacino,No bravado or bragging about the AT, just stating that it's a difficult hike, especially in New England, not to be taken lightly. Only 20% who begin the hike complete it. It's not a race, but there are seasonal limitations (snow and cold) on both ends. It's not an endurance test, but there are episodes of challenge: a month of rain, drought, physical ailments, and mountains. The entire hike (2280 miles) traverses the Appalachian Mountains; one constantly climbs and descends. Like walking from New York City to Las Vegas and climbing Mount Everest 18 times, sea level to top.
You need to be more resourceful on the AT and on the Via Francigena (especially in France) than on the Camino. Hostels can be few and far in between on the AT and VF. Wildland camping is prohibited in Europe, except Scotland and Norway, which can be problematic especially at the end of the day with no place to sleep. Few people speak English in rural France and Italy. If you need something, like a place to sleep, you usually need to communicate in their language or camp on the sly. In France people were so open and generous, taking me into their home to eat or sleep. Evening conversations were lively and informative.
None of the hikes changed my life; I'm late 60s, so that ship has sailed. The long hikes do, however, let me see and experience places and people in depth, otherwise not possible traveling conventional ways. I do feel gratified being able to use skills acquired during my life: foreign languages, physical fitness, flexibility (mental and physical), resourcefulness. These long trips I like to think of as my senior projects. I hike alone, but occasionally hiked with someone on the AT. On the Via Francigena, I met my first hikers since the start in Canterbury on the day before I entered Italy, after hiking 700 miles.
I hiked the Norte-Primitivo in 2018 and enjoyed it. The infrastructure for hikers is awesome: no worries about food, water, or a bed. I will hike another Camino in the future, but would like something different next, so in February I head to Israel to hike from the northern to southern border. Hope this explains my statement and answers your questions.
I really like this description. It applies to me as well.None of the hikes changed my life; I'm late 60s, so that ship has sailed. The long hikes do, however, let me see and experience places and people in depth, otherwise not possible traveling conventional ways. I do feel gratified being able to use skills acquired during my life: foreign languages, physical fitness, flexibility (mental and physical), resourcefulness.
Welcome to life in Montana: guns and bears. I too have had my run-ins with both.I realise that. In fact having been reminded of the book I have been listening to it as an audiobook todayI have never walked in areas quite as remote as the AT but I have been a backpacker in the Scottish Highlands, Australia, Japan, and in Sweden and Norway. Including camping in a Swedish forest alleged to have the greatest density of bears in Europe! My only visit to the USA was slightly less than one week long and memorable for two encounters on consecutive days in a forest in Montana: some large unidentified animal prowling around my tent breaking twigs and breathing heavily at 2am, and four members of a paramilitary militia group with automatic rifles blocking the gravel road I had taken by accident and making sure I turned around and left the area quickly. Taken together they were enough to knock forest walks in the USA a few places down my "to-do" list
Hi guys!
I arrived in Spain this afternoon and had a very long train ride. I’m discombobulated from jet lag so thought I’d peruse the forum.
This topic is really interesting! I love long-distance walking and seeing the world slowly.
Backcountry trekking involves more physical and logistical challenges. There is a steeper learning curve and more risks involved. I get a huge sense of accomplishment when self-sufficiently traversing remote stunning landscapes. I’ve spend many lovely evenings in the mountains alone with my tent perched at the edge at a gorgeous sunset look-out.
I’m drawn to the Camino for different reasons. I love the pilgrim rituals of collecting stamps, sharing meals in albergues with new friends, and following the yellow arrows. As a history major, the heritage of the route is fascinating. I equally enjoy passing though big cities with huge cathedrals, and charming hamlets with more cows than villagers. The spirit of the Camino is difficult to describe - it exists no where else.
I often joke that the Camino is my vacation from wilderness hiking. Many days are *easier* than on a thruhike, but I definitely would not categorize it as a ‘piece of cake’. In fact, I know some accomplished thruhikers that got MORE injured on the Camino than in the wilderness. Repetitive walking on hard, flat surfaces can do serious damage to the body - plus the blisters!
I am an ambassador for a lightweight backpacking gear company. My next article for their newsletter will be about the Camino de Santiago. I am very curious how it will be received by the backpacking community.
So basically.... my heart belongs on the Camino, and my soul belongs in the wilderness. And my mind? My mind is usually on bridges & beers.
I better get some sleep.... I start another Camino in the morning!!! Don’t want to be looking rough in the video.
Dixie also did a follow-up video to her recent Camino vlogs where she compares walking a Camino to through hiking the Appalachian Trail that people on this thread might find interesting.
BTW: my mind boggled when I saw how many subscribers she has.
You need to be more resourceful on the AT and on the Via Francigena (especially in France) than on the Camino.
HYOH, love it, no one will know what I'm talking about, YOLO was good, but HYOH is better, as I found out it's your camino, and it is way harder than I imagined,Not sure why the mind boggles? Her videos are absolutely awesome and very informative too. She will have inspired 1000s of people to get off their backside and go hike somewhere. Inspirational person and deserving of all the income she generates - and she will be making a fair bit!
I think the snobbery cuts both ways. There seems to be a lot of camino devotees who get snooty about people that choose to camp, or the backpacking/camping style of hiking in the wilderness.
I love the caminos because of the albergues and comfort they provide. I also love wilderness hikes because sleeping under the stars is just the best thing!
We are comparing apples and oranges here. Best advice is to HYOH (hike your own hike) and be respectful of others and their hiking styles.
And a very good evening to you too!I've done both. No comparison. The AT will chew up and spit out the average Camino pilgrim.
I would like to write lots about this but since one picture is worth a thousand words I'm inviting you to view this one hour video of hiking the AT in New Hampshire made by a through hiker. For some reason he is missing the last few days, including Mahoosic Notch, considered the toughest mile of the trail.
I must beg to disagree with a basic assumption hidden in what you write. You use "wild country" to describe the true sense of the word "adventure", implying that it is the only true sense of the word. In fact, it is a true sense of the word. It is quite possible to have an adventure that does not involve wild country. If you look at modern definitions of the word, you will find that it refers to any experience that is exciting and unusual (and possibly dangerous). None of these characteristics are unique to wild country.I have yet to find someone, fellow pilgrim etc, who actually describes/defines any of the Caminos as "Adventures" in the true (wild country) sense of the word.
Beautifully written.The Francigena and the Camino, and the Way to Jerusalem, are one and the same.
Most American thru-hikers quite frankly have not the slightest idea of what the "real" Camino is like, outside of the kindly and very beautiful short versions of it that most people follow outside of the more stark non-waymarked DIY routes without safety nets nor even just one single other pilgrim.
I walked in 1994 from Paris to Compostela along a route lacking any major physical difficulty whatsoever, but that was 1000K entirely alone 'til I reached SJPP and finally came across some other pilgrims for the final 800.
Not until about 15 years later did I ever meet anyone else who had walked the Paris Way.
I walked through some villages where they had not seen a Pilgrim in 40 years. In this, I will never forget the simple country Catholic kindness of that lovely and lonely old lady who offered me a simple, small omelette in her hamlet home with a glass of tap water -- it is hands down the best meal I have ever eaten on the Way to Compostela.
The Camino is centred in Humility, not in Hiking.
There's a forum thread for that:I imagined Spain to be like a spaghetti western, where the locals sat dozing under their sombreros watching donkeys, and imagined myself as Clint Eastwood, sleeping out below the stars and coming in from the barren land to restock my supplies in the sleepy villages. Well I was only 17 and a while ago.
I didn't have any expectations as I'd done no research. But I imagined Spain to be like a spaghetti western, where the locals sat dozing under their sombreros watching donkeys, and imagined myself as Clint Eastwood, sleeping out below the stars and coming in from the barren land to restock my supplies in the sleepy villages. Well I was only 17 and a while ago.
It came as a bit of a shock to be walking along busy roads passing industrial graffitied areas and town shopping centres. I didn't then consider farmland as countryside and I remember standing on top of the pass looking down to Ronscessvales wondering where the Pyrenees where. Walking and camping the Frances I felt more like a bum living in a city park than on adventure.
I wouldn't describe myself as an adrenaline junky or an adventure seeker, but until then I'd only ever walked in the Scottish Highlands, where I was used to living alone for days or weeks at a time surrounded by nothing but rugged mountains and pathless moors, bivvying below rocks, fording rivers, scrambling along snow covered ridges, usually more than a days walk to the nearest road where the sheep like to sleep.
But I actually found the Frances more challenging and at times strangely more lonely, it wasn't until some time later that I really appreciated it and realized that I actually experienced more adventures on the Frances than in most of the wild places I'd been to. After that I started going on more "urban adventures" which can be as adventurous, sometimes a little too much so compared to in the wild.
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