Wisdom Required!

[Mack]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Bradypus]

For question 1 - always carry your passport and money on your person. Never let them be carried on ahead. Rucksacks will be left unattended and stuff can and does go missing. You are also required by Spanish law to have an official national identity document - ID card or passport - on you at all times. Unlikely that the police will ever stop you to ask for it though. My money and passport stay in zipped pockets of the hiking trousers I always wear.

 

[HedaP]

I wore my rain overpants for warmth a few times in April and at other times to keep me dry. Wearing my thermals would also have worked to keep me warm but I preferred to use my rain pants because easy to get on and off. I started walking from SJPdP on 2 April.

 

[scruffy1]

Water-proof anything is a sure fire guarantee for sweat, stink, rashes scratching BO while trousers may encourage jock itch waterproof shoes are great for sprouting athletes' foot. Your clothes get wet? Throw them into a dryer that evening in the albergue.
A closer look at my picture <- you will see a passport sized pouch around my neck linked under my arm. Money and credit cards can be divided between wallet and pouch, since I carry my bag, I also have a stash way in the bottom there too. Never faced any desperadoes in Spain but it is so easy to walk off and leave a wallet or credit card on a counter somewhere.

 

[Adhemar78]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Hello Mack,

1. I would keep your passport and money with you. I remember coming across someone in Santo Domingo de la Calzada whose luggage had been transferred to the wrong albergue. I'm sure this was an unusual occurrence, and he was eventually able to locate his bag, but you might want to keep your passport and money with you in case there is some sort of mishap.

2. I walked in September and October 2014. I took waterproof trousers with me. I got reasonably lucky in that it didn't rain on many days during the five weeks I was on the Camino Frances, but one day when I was walking from Leon to San Martin del Camino it rained heavily for about five hours straight, and I was glad I had them.

Buen Camino!

Matthew

 

[Robo]

Always keep passport and money with you.

Rain wear is a very personal choice. Rain pants work well, if you buy good quality.
Pat and I wear them. Totally breathable, no condensation..........no problems.
We wear them as an extra layer if cold or windy. Not just for rain.

 

[FamPed]

Totally breathable, no condensation..........no problems.

What brand are they Robo? I´m looking to buy new ones soon and I have no clue at all what to buy. Exept that I really want them to be lightweighted and maybe be able to put them on without taking my hiking boots of.

 

[Robo]

What brand are they Robo? I´m looking to buy new ones soon and I have no clue at all what to buy. Exept that I really want them to be lightweighted and maybe be able to put them on without taking my hiking boots of.

They are made by Berghaus. Made of Gore-tex. 3/4 length side zips, for venting and also easy to take on and off without removing footwear. Very light. mine are 237 gms Pat's are 205 gms. We bought ours at Mountain Designs in Australia. Not cheap, but very good.
I think these are the ones we have.
https://int.berghaus.com/mens-paclite-gore-tex-pant/432373.html

 

[FamPed]

Thank you @Robo . These are the exact once I have been most intrested in, glad to hear that you recomend them.

 

[nycwalking]

Take money and passports into the shower with you all the time.

Buen camino.

 

[Piero Frustascarpe]

After many experiments (overpants, waterproof pants, Gore-tex stuff...), what me and many friends found most comfortable to wear under the rain in Spring to Autumn everywhere below 1500-2000 of altitude are the leggings. Yes, leggings:
- they keep you warm and allow 100% perspiration
- they are light
- the rain doesn't drip in your shoes
- they dry in few minutes when the rain stops, because of your body warmth

 

[RJM]

Waterproof trousers are not essential while walking the Camino Frances. Having your passport and money on you or attended to at all times is.

 

[kmrice]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

I would NEVER keep my passport and money (which weigh nothing and are easy to carry) anywhere but on my person (or just outside the shower stall and in sight). An argument might be made for a well hidden stash of money in your bag in case you lose your wallet, but I wouldn’t do that myself.

I always take waterproof trousers. They do add weight but, in addition to helping in the rain, they can provide extra warmth if needed.

 

[marilyn van graan]

What brand are they Robo? I´m looking to buy new ones soon and I have no clue at all what to buy. Exept that I really want them to be lightweighted and maybe be able to put them on without taking my hiking boots of.

I bought Salomons and the best investment ever - three caminos later and they are still fabulous - very light and completely breathable - a tad pricey but really worth itXX

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

It may be chilly in April if your pants are wet. Personally I would bring them but then I'm used to heavier packs. The rain pants could be worn while you are washing the rest of your clothes.

Keep your valuables with you.

 

[JabbaPapa]

1. Yes.

2. No.

 

[clivespicer]

I walked the CF in April/May last year. First day on the meseta experienced horizontal rain/sleet, it was brutal. Many arriving in the alberque that evening were verging on hypothermic. Be sensible with your gear and use a weather app to check the upcoming weather to enable you to be prepared.

 

[LakeMcD]

Regarding rain pants; I use a medium sized white kitchen garbage bag, the ones that have the plastic draw loops. I cut the bottom off so that it becomes a skirt that comes below my knees. The loops can be run through my pack hip belt. It takes up little space, weighs next to nothing, costs next to nothing, and goes on and off extremely quickly. Lots of airflow to things don't get too humid down below, and I'm not too worried about my calf and feet getting wet.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

I will wear a rain kilt over my shorts if the rain is hard enough; otherwise my poncho keeps most of the rain off my legs. I'd rather have a bit of rain on my skin and stay well ventilated, then to sweat up a storm in waterproof gear. If it is really cold enough, I will wear a base layer (sort of like tights) under my shorts.

Other folks have their own preferences.

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

1. Yes.

2. I used a poncho- big enough to cover me and my back pack inside!

Buen camino!

Best

Håvard

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

1. Yes. Keep it on you at all time.

2. I used a poncho- big enough to cover me and my back pack inside!

Buen camino!

Best

Håvard

 

[Seamus68]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Passport always on you n money

Waterproof yes

 

[Duayne Meyer]

I think the passport aueatio

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

I think the responses to passport question has been pretty much unanimous. Keep it on your person or at least very close.

As for rain pants, there are many preferences, I realize, but I wouldn’t go without them. My Marmots were $100 U.S. and they have been a life saver. I was also on the Meseta early last May in a long-lasting sideways blowing rain (30km sustained wind). My rain pants were a huge part of why I wasnt among those who nearly froze or the other group that took taxis ahead.
So, as for me, good, lightweight zip off rainpants are a must.
Buen Camino!

 

[Mack]

I much appreciate all the comments. I know know what to do!

 

[Laura Newell Smith]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Yes, carry your money and passport with you at all times. Even to the shower in the albergue. Yes you need either waterproof pants, or a long pincho and gaiters. Walked the camino frances last yeat

 

[Laura Newell Smith]

Walked the camino frances last April. In a record dry year, needed waterproof pants, or a long poncho and gaiters.without them rain runs down your legs and into your boots/shoes. Once your socks are wet its game over . Bring rain gear, leave something else home.

 

[SusanMB]

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I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Waterproof trousers some people use and others don't purely and individual choice. I have completed several Caminos and never used them. As for your passport and money - with you at all times.

 

[Liz Drew]

I would like some wisdom from experienced pilgrims as to:

1. Should I always carry my passport and money on me whilst walking or leave it in my luggage which will be transported to the next place.

2. Are a pair of waterproof trousers essential for the Camino Frances? I'm walking in April.

Any and all advice will be appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

Never ever be separated from your passport, money and any other valuable that you can’t lose! You carry them everywhere!

I am walking in April and not taking waterproof trousers.
Enjoy