10 Tips from my 4 Caminos...

[JAL]

Hello Pilgrims!

Here are some things that have worked well on my past 4 Caminos:

1. Credencial. Order by mail before you leave home, saves hassle on arriving. I have gotten them from St. James Confraternity online.

2. Order some Euro cash from your bank at home before you leave. Saves panic if your card has problems when you arrive in Europe. So nice to hit the ground ready to walk.

3. Compass. I attached a small liquid-filled compass to my packstrap and found it quite useful.

4. Xtenex shoelaces. These are stretchy laces that turn your shoes into glove-fit slip-ons. You'll slip your shoes off more often with these which is good for your feet.

5. Smartwool T-shirts. "Microweight". Machine washable and dryable and don't get smelly after one wearing.

6. Pepto Bismol. It is magic for curing tummy bummers. Use the tablets, not the liquid. Lighter and can't spill.

7. Leukotape. Supersticky tape for spots like toes that Compeed won't stay stuck to. Amazon has it. Good stuff, stays stuck for days.

8. Sealskinz socks. Waterproof/breathable socks to wear on rainy days. Expensive (US$30) but very much worth it.

9. Don't carry all your money and credit cards in one place. Split them up so you won't be sunk if they are lost or stolen. I keep my passport, some cash, credencial, and a credit card with me at all times. I keep another credit card, cash, and a copy of my passport in my backpack.

10. International Dialing. Dialing a phone number was so much easier once I learned that all calls start with a "+" symbol. You get a "+" by holding down the "0". So simple and saved me so much trouble! "+" and then the country code (Spain is 34) and then the number. Peasy.

I hope these suggestions help. Buen Camino!

John

 

[movinmaggie]

Thanks for this John. I couldn't agree more about the Pepto Bismol (tablets). I was able to help a couple of people on the Camino with these. They seemed surprised that it helped so much. It's the only 'medication' I take when volunteering in India.

 

[Mark Lee]

Some good tips there, and my own experience is only with the Camino Frances, but I never had to wait in a line to get my credential in St Jean, and it was always easy and fast. Also, I enjoy getting the credential there, and picking up the latest list of albergues on the CF and chatting with the volunteers. All part of the total experience for me.
Compass? Never needed on on the CF, but still good to have I suppose. Doesn't hurt to bring one.
Never needed waterproof socks. Was never cold on the days I was rained on, so no problem with feet getting wet. I suppose on a colder weather Camino could come in handy.

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Sealskins socks?

 

[fenix]

Sealskins socks?

No, Eve, no! You're good. Back away from this thread......

 

[Mark Lee]

No, Eve, no! You're good. Back away from this thread......

ditto....

 

[Eve Alexandra]

Bahahahahaha!!!!! Omg you guys totally made me laugh out loud in my empty living room.

Backing away....

 

[Kiwi-family]

haha - @Eve Alexandra hasn't been around long but she's well on the way to becoming one of the forum characters!
She'll be back at the end of summer telling newbies not to worry, everything works out just fine, most of our choices are between two good options and not good or bad!

 

[KinkyOne]

haha - @Eve Alexandra hasn't been around long but she's well on the way to becoming one of the forum characters!
She'll be back at the end of summer telling newbies not to worry, everything works out just fine, most of our choices are between two good options and not good or bad!

DITTO

 

[Eve Alexandra]

haha - @Eve Alexandra hasn't been around long but she's well on the way to becoming one of the forum characters!
She'll be back at the end of summer telling newbies not to worry, everything works out just fine, most of our choices are between two good options and not good or bad!

lol Well yeah, maybe....

 

[Mark Lee]

lol Well yeah, maybe....

trust me, you will

 

[Swift3]

No, Eve, no! You're good. Back away from this thread......

 

[HedaP]

Oh no! Are you serious? What are you saying? Having watched a few snowy youtubes taken around the time I'm walking, I've just bought online an expensive and rather heavy pair of waterproof socks. Did a test wash and drying time was way longer than anything else I am carrying. But I'm walking across the Pyrenees starting 2 April in trailrunners that are most definitely NOT water/snowproof. These socks are supposed to be my insurance against frost bitten toes.

 

[fenix]

Oh no! Are you serious? What are you saying? Having watched a few snowy youtubes taken around the time I'm walking, I've just bought online an expensive and rather heavy pair of waterproof socks. Did a test wash and drying time was way longer than anything else I am carrying. But I'm walking across the Pyrenees starting 2 April in trailrunners that are most definitely NOT water/snowproof. These socks are supposed to be my insurance against frost bitten toes.

HedaP, you're good too! No worries. If you've bought those socks, they fit you well, and they give you peace of mind, then wear them. We were just teasing Eve 'cause she keeps stressing about new things to buy when she's already gotten her kit together just fine. ( Eve!)

The bigger issue though is that April 2nd is early in the season, and if it is snowy enough for you to worry about slogging through with frost bitten toes, then it's probably not safe for you to take that route in the first place (if it's even open). If the trail is covered in snow, and you are not an experienced route finder, then walk the Valcarlos way.

 

[HedaP]

HedaP, you're good too! No worries. If you've bought those socks, they fit you well, and they give you peace of mind, then wear them. We were just teasing Eve 'cause she keeps stressing about new things to buy when she's already gotten her kit together just fine. ( Eve!)

The bigger issue though is that April 2nd is early in the season, and if it is snowy enough for you to worry about slogging through with frost bitten toes, then it's probably not safe for you to take that route in the first place (if it's even open). If the trail is covered in snow, and you are not an experienced route finder, then walk the Valcarlos way.

Phew!
BTW have already decided to walk the Valcarlos route but apparently it can get snowy too or at least that's according to various blogs and youtubes. What would we do without the Internet? Get less anxious maybe?

 

[Hiawatha]

I might buy some seal skin socks , they'll go well with my moleskin trousers
And , as an afterthought, my Hound's tooth jacket and Beaver tail hat .

 

[Deleted member 56069]

Oh no! Are you serious? What are you saying? Having watched a few snowy youtubes taken around the time I'm walking, I've just bought online an expensive and rather heavy pair of waterproof socks. Did a test wash and drying time was way longer than anything else I am carrying. But I'm walking across the Pyrenees starting 2 April in trailrunners that are most definitely NOT water/snowproof. These socks are supposed to be my insurance against frost bitten toes.

I would say your chances of being able to walk the Napoleon route on April 2nd would be 50/50 at the best. We started April 8th last year and it was closed until mid-April we heard later.
We walked the Vacarlos route and still walked in snow the last 2 hours into Roncesvalles.
In April, you will have lots of opportunity to test your water proof socks based on my experience on our past 3 Camino's in April!
Overall, April is a great time to go, less people, no accomodations worries and lower Temps make the walking very pleasant. Everything is so green and lush in the spring.

 

[Deleted member 56069]

[QUOTE="ZREXER, post: 486722, member: 56069"
In April, you will have lots of opportunity to test your water proof socks based on my experience on our past 3 Camino's in April!

Is there very much mud in early April?[/QUOTE]
Mud is actually a Spanish specialty. Much of Spain has a lot of clay in it's soil, so when it is wet, it becomes a greasy mess. We have been fortunate that when we encountered some of the worst muddy sections, it was not actively raining so with a little planning were able to skirt the deepest looking sections. Trekking poles are helpful when playing hopscotch over the muddy areas.
Keep in mind that many sections of the Camino are also used by local ranchers/shepherds to drive their animals, so in addition to the clay, you can also get some manure mixed in as well.
Overall, April can be a very rainy month, but in the last three years we have been fortunate. Our first couple of days to Roncesvalles and Zubri last year were probably the most challenging in regards to mud and snow.
Still April is a great month to experience the Camino as you avoid the biggest crowds and the often blistering temperatures of summer.

 

[Jenyat53]

Mud? The stream on the left of the photo was the path in April last year (before Rabanal). As the water subsided the mud was impossible to walk on in places. That said, I love that weather. One of my best days walking .