Recent content by Vacajoe

  1. Vacajoe

    Getting from Oviedo to Somport

    That’s very unlikely as that train route (the first electric line in Spain!) was disbanded decades ago (1955). If you walk the alternative route through the Lumbier Gorge, you are actually utilizing the old rail bed. If you want to travel by rail from Pamplona to Canfranc nowadays, you’ll...
  2. Vacajoe

    Norte Mountain Route - Soto to Cadevedo

    I’ve been walking for two weeks from Bilbao. It’s rained probably 1/3 of those days. On the days it did rain, it lasted from minutes to hours. It’s weather - hard to predict what you are going to get.
  3. Vacajoe

    Norte Mountain Route - Soto to Cadevedo

    Our hospitalera had video of the mountain route from last summer: very overgrown, missing signs, but a beautiful view. She said only to do it if it’s absolutely clear and you have gps. As for the costal route, it’s poorly maintained. If it’s raining or been raining, stay on the road.
  4. Vacajoe

    Getting from Oviedo to Somport

    Yeah, all my favorite Camino folks (on this thread! Aragon forever! 😂. Okay, while you do take the train from Zaragoza all the way to Canfranc Estacion, you can also take a train from Madrid to Zaragoza, if that is any easier for you. I highly encourage you to walk from Oloron-Sainte-Marie...
  5. Vacajoe

    Carry-on packs

    Stopped recently because my bar of soap was next to a baggie of electrical device charging cables. While both are allowed, it comes up on the X-ray as a suspicious device. Now I place them in separate pockets on either sad of my backpack
  6. Vacajoe

    San Anton albergue (Castrojeriz) closes till further notice

    It’s not the same as being open as an albergue, BUT there is a donativo stand being operated at the site currently. It’s off to the side of the roadway and in what was the entryway to the accommodation. It allows pilgrims to still see inside the ruins without getting into the danger zone.
  7. Vacajoe

    LIVE from the Camino Counting pilgrims on the Norte AGAIN

    Loved the regular reporting! I know it’s difficult to post every evening, but so many of us really appreciated your insights into what was happening at each stage on the Norte. Thank you!
  8. Vacajoe

    Accommodations near Madrid airport?

    Search past threads - there were a number of great suggestions on this last year.
  9. Vacajoe

    current status of albergue bed availability on CDN

    Gijon! Turns out with the long days and no set destination, I tend to walk further than I expect (10 days from Bilbao to Gijon)
  10. Vacajoe

    Forecast arrival of pilgrims in Santiago

    A bit off-topic, but it’s about data: is there ever a “one day count” where all the pilgrims at albergues on a specific day are counted? While it would miss those at hotels, etc, it would be fascinating.
  11. Vacajoe

    Solar Storm Aurora Photos on the Camino?

    Saw nothing. Clear sky on the Norte.
  12. Vacajoe

    Phoenix Arizona person doing Frances starting Aug 28 2024

    On the positive side, being from Arizona you’ll be the only pilgrim out there saying, “wow, it’s not so hot out here!” Buen Camino.
  13. Vacajoe

    current status of albergue bed availability on CDN

    Albergue 25% full last night, while tonight’s is 50% full. Two stages before Oviedo.
  14. Vacajoe

    Ground conditions for cycling the CDN

    Tincatinker is absolutely correct: most of your ride will be on roadways. The few downhills suitable for a bike are muddy right now in the Llanes area, but the CdN is 800+ kms so it’s impossible to tell you the conditions over the entire route or when you eventually reach an area. Where you...
  15. Vacajoe

    Forecast arrival of pilgrims in Santiago

    Fascinating! I don’t think weather has any effect. I think the biggest factor is when pilgrims start walking (weekends, holidays, religious observances) but you won’t be able to judge that with your data. However, I think whatever you can figure out will be fascinating
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