Aging On The Camino

[Kevin Considine]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

On another Camino, I had left Pamplona one early morning and was heading up the mountain to Alto de Perdon and came across Jose and Encarnacion, an 85 year old couple from Madrid who had walked 760 kilometers across Spain on the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago each of the previous 30 years. I had to ask Jose, “Why?” Jose explained; “For 3 reasons. One we enjoy walking and making a vacation of it. 2 for Jesus as we are catholics 3 for our souls. Beautiful.

Of course all of us Camino lovers face the challenges of aging. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

 

[CTLawGal]

Loved this! I am awestruck! Thanks for sharing. I am 65 and did my first Camino at 64 and planning my second for this spring when I will be 66 and don’t know how many more I have in me, slowly or otherwise. I can only hope to age in as gracefully as you and your aging friends. Respect.

 

[J Willhaus]

We always treat every Camino and for that matter everything we do as if it it could be our last. We need to do what we can do, while we can still do it!

I've watched my parents physically decline rapidly in recent years and it has spurred me to celebrate what we can do now. We don't know how many Caminos, volunteer gigs, or camping adventures we have left in us, but we'll keep going as long as we are physically and financially able.

 

[bestfootforward]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

Of course it is the same for many of our aging Camino buddies. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

Go you! What an inspiration. Keep on walking because as we all know motion is lotion. Buen Camino!

 

[duncanwhyte]

I'm 68 and most people I meet on route talk about it being their last Camino. It usually isn't and probably wasn't and unlikely to be.

 

[MARSKA]

At 67 this is something I take seriously. I'll keep doing all I can to keep doing all I am able as it is all I can do.

I'm ok with my decay; I have no choice, so I'll rejoice.

 

[Peregrinopaul]

What will ultimately stop me, as I approach 80 early next year, will be the ever-increasing health insurance premium as the problems with underlying conditions gradually mount up and have to be declared.

 

[Flog]

Kevin, I had the pleasure of meeting you briefly, in the Dublin Mountains in 2018. I was doing a short hike with my son, you were facing into a much longer one. I said to my son afterwards: 'Now there's a man on a mission!'

Good luck with this one, and the ones that follow.. ultreia!

 

[Roland49]

So which Camino to do?

Any!

Beautiful spoken!

It may be slow, it may ache, but I will walk!

 

[Frans57]

Kevin, what a story! And all this hiking at 69! Respect!
I am 67 right now and hope to walk my first Camino next spring.
And yes, I have aches as well, in fact it is mainly a painful meniscus that is bothering me.
But, I won't let physical discomfort keep me from walking The Way.
I train a lot and try to be prepared as good as possible.
So, let's hope everything will turn out fine.

 

[CWBuff]

The oldest Pilgrim on my Frances that I met was an 83-yo German named Peter.
I celebrated my 63rd birthday on the way to Finisterre and "attacked" TMB about a week after turning 65.
Looking forward to return to Frances (Good Lord Willing) and celebrate my 67th while on it.
I'm with @Roland49: I may be slow, it may ache, but I will walk!

 

[CTLawGal]

We always treat every Camino and for that matter everything we do as if it it could be our last. We need to do what we can do, while we can still do it!

Yes! THIS! I like to look at it as, when I get to the point where I can't keep doing these kinds of things, I don't want to look back and think, if only I had done it while I still could! Keep doing it while you can! No regrets!

 

[backlasher]

My father passed away at 92 and he told me " if there's something you want to do , do it while you can because the day will come when you can't " At 78 I may have waited too long for many things.

 

[J Willhaus]

My father passed away at 92 and he told me " if there's something you want to do , do it while you can because the day will come when you can't " At 78 I may have waited too long for many things.

I hope not!

 

[LTfit]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

On another Camino, I had left Pamplona one early morning and was heading up the mountain to Alto de Perdon and came across Jose and Encarnacion, an 85 year old couple from Madrid who had walked 760 kilometers across Spain on the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago each of the previous 30 years. I had to ask Jose, “Why?” Jose explained; “For 3 reasons. One we enjoy walking and making a vacation of it. 2 for Jesus as we are catholics 3 for our souls. Beautiful.

Of course all of us Camino lovers face the challenges of aging. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

This 68 year old body sure hopes to be walking Camino's for years to come! Since 2010 I've only missed one year (2020) although I was in Spain and took daily walks on the Camino. I'm also a lover of Nepal and hiked the Three Peaks, Three Passes climbing to 5530 meters in 2022. I was planning to return this fall but I stayed home to welcome the arrival of my second grandchild.

Last March I got a hip replacement but (touch wood) that has yet to slow me down, in fact I seem to walk faster than even.

The time will eventually come to slow down but I'll keep trucking along as long as I can.

Lucky you to be trekking in Nepal again!

 

[trecile]

I have a friend who walked his first Camino (SJPdP to Santiago) for his 75th birthday in 2017 and completed his 7th at age 82 this year.

 

[CTLawGal]

I have a friend who walked his first Camino (SJPdP to Santiago) for his 75th birthday in 2017 and completed his 7th at age 82 this year.

Likely with some advice and strong encouragement from you I would imagine

 

[khiker9]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

On another Camino, I had left Pamplona one early morning and was heading up the mountain to Alto de Perdon and came across Jose and Encarnacion, an 85 year old couple from Madrid who had walked 760 kilometers across Spain on the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago each of the previous 30 years. I had to ask Jose, “Why?” Jose explained; “For 3 reasons. One we enjoy walking and making a vacation of it. 2 for Jesus as we are catholics 3 for our souls. Beautiful.

Of course all of us Camino lovers face the challenges of aging. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

Funny timing on your post - as I was reading it I was on the train from Santiago to Madrid to head back to the states after having done my 12th time on various Camino routes. I walked in on Monday, Nov 4th, my 75th birthday. I first walked the full Frances in 2012 & then walked 10 years ago on my 65th birthday & every year since (except 2020). I was never fast but this time noticeably slower than even last year on the Via de la Plata. I planned my distances less than 20K but the guide books & Apps lie - a couple of days were longer! . My thought was if I ever walk again my distances would be <15K! And truly thinking all along this will be my last, I sponsored the botafumeiro just to make sure I got to see it swing for this last time! We will see!
I trekked in Nepal to Mera Peak in 2001 & I have always said the Himalayas are the toughest mountains & I’ve done Andes, Caucasus, Kilimanjaro & others, so good luck to you & your group - that altitude is a killer!

 

[Scott Fraser]

First, Kevin, good luck on your trek in Nepal. I’m sure you need no advice other than that of Clint Eastwood, who when asked how he keeps up a vigorous professional life into his 90’s said something to the effect that “when he comes knocking you don’t let the old man in.”

My friend of 60 years and my walking buddy on five Caminos has some tips for people like us (Bob and I are 78) that I am sure he won’t mind me sharing with the forum.

Bob’s Rules for Old Men on Camino

1. Structure your day
   1. Schedule moderate daily leg distances that take topography, weather and physical state into consideration.
   2. Book far enough ahead that you’re never in the bed race.
   3. Start slowly, after a balanced breakfast; fight the tendency to sprint in the morning.
   4. Take regular breaks whether you feel you need them or not…..perhaps ten minutes per hour. It’s only a break if you get off your feet.
   5. Combine a balanced lunch with a rest; there is generally no important reason to arrive early if you’ve booked ahead.
2. Secure comfortable accommodations; avoid any sleeping arrangement that doesn’t enable you to get a genuine rest.
3. Stay light on your feet to protect your joints
   1. Spend the money to keep backpack, clothing and footwear weight low.
   2. Get your body weight to an appropriate range before the Camino, not during the Camino.
   3. Use mochila services not only to keep your backpack light, but to facilitate equipping yourself adequately for very wet or very cold weather and poor trail conditions. Ship the water-proof boots, full-body poncho, rain pants and foul weather jacket ahead if you don’t need them.
4. Take care of the machine
   1. Carry extra water and electrolytes at all times and hydrate more than you think you need to. (Availing yourself of mochila services makes room for that water safety margin.)
   2. Check bare feet a couple of times during the day, particularly early in the Camino; you can often see/treat a hot spot before you feel it.
   3. Avoid uncooked food when possible; a salad or a piece of unwashed fruit (or a sip from an “agua potable” local public fountain) can end your Camino.
   4. Drink alcohol in moderation, and only in the evening. (Alcohol screws up your body’s ability to manage fluid; it can both dehydrate and cause water—i.e., weight—retention. It’s poor fluid management that results in most of those memorial plaques on the Camino.)
   5. If you’re injured, don’t risk compounding the problem; stop and treat the injury/rest. If you don’t want to lose contact with your “pod,” cab/bus/train to keep up with them.

Ultreia!

(Sorry for the formatting errors)

 

[longlost18]

I'm ok with my decay; I have no choice, so I'll rejoice.

Is that a Grandaddy reference? At 74, I can relate!

 

[JackGraham]

I just had my 90th b'day and I'm planning to do the Camino May 2025, if I'm still in good health. I walk a couple of miles every day in the hills and go to the gym, so if I take it easy on the Camino I think I can do it. I'm looking forward to giving it a try. I enjoy reading about all of you peoples' walks.

 

[Purple Backpack]

“The thing is to become a master and in your old age to acquire the courage to do what children did when they knew nothing.”

Ernest Hemingway

I’m fighting the urge to jump on a plane to Nepal right now and go for a Bucket List hike. Anyone else?

 

[JerryStroebele]

I just returned from my 13th Camino last week and told my wife I only have one Camino left in my 80 year old body. However this week on realizing how much more active, agile and energetic I am than I was 6 weeks ago I am rethinking my earlier Doomsday outlook. ¿ Quien sabe? Except for not wanting to ship my pack ahead I have been diligent in following Scott Fraser’s good advice above. Buen Camino

 

[Pilgrim2022]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

On another Camino, I had left Pamplona one early morning and was heading up the mountain to Alto de Perdon and came across Jose and Encarnacion, an 85 year old couple from Madrid who had walked 760 kilometers across Spain on the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago each of the previous 30 years. I had to ask Jose, “Why?” Jose explained; “For 3 reasons. One we enjoy walking and making a vacation of it. 2 for Jesus as we are catholics 3 for our souls. Beautiful.

Of course all of us Camino lovers face the challenges of aging. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

What a wonderful message! I will be 70 in a couple of weeks and I have walked 4 Caminos, most recently the Camino Ingles which I completed a month ago. I think about doing the Norte but I don't know if my body is in the same frame as my mind.... Ultreia!

 

[Caomhin O Fearghaill]

Like many of my Camino buddies, the years are passing away and while I am not done, I do wonder how many more Caminos are in this 69 year old body. Having walked over 13,000 kilometers on The Camino since that late August day in 2015 when I walked my first starting in St. Jean Pied de Port, I certainly know that my spirit is still strong and hope to walk more.

Recently, I have heard and met with other old Camino friends and age is catching up to many of us.

We had dinner a few weeks back with Maggie from Australia, who is 69 and recovering from Cancer and most likely done walking the Camino. She explained this is quite possibly her last trip to Spain as well.

The week before, Jim, an American, was visiting us at our home in Muxia. In his late 70’s, he was considering renting our place and moving from Santiago but he struggled up our hill realizing he couldn’t handle it daily. Another Camino junkie whose body no longer may be able to handle a Camino.

Our friend Mick from Tipperary, who we visited recently on our way to walk one of the Celtic Caminos in Ireland, The Kerry Camino, is slowed down by a body racked with arthritis across all his joints. He is struggling with maintaining his health let alone walking a Camino.

Yet, we visited Maria at Albergue Leo in Villafranca a few weeks back and met 80 year old Giancarlo from Italy. He has walked many Caminos and has to go slow now, less than 15k per day but he is walking. Meeting him made me recall a stay here at Albergue Leo at the end of my longest walk, a 3,000 kilometer Camino in 2018. I happened to meet Jean, a Belgian, 84 years old. He told me he could no longer walk 20K but he could do 10-15k and slowly but surely he was going to make it to Santiago after 3 months.

On another Camino, I had left Pamplona one early morning and was heading up the mountain to Alto de Perdon and came across Jose and Encarnacion, an 85 year old couple from Madrid who had walked 760 kilometers across Spain on the Camino from Roncesvalles to Santiago each of the previous 30 years. I had to ask Jose, “Why?” Jose explained; “For 3 reasons. One we enjoy walking and making a vacation of it. 2 for Jesus as we are catholics 3 for our souls. Beautiful.

Of course all of us Camino lovers face the challenges of aging. 5 years ago I walked 6,000 kilometers over a 12 month period and as many as 56 kilometers in a day. Now after 2 hip replacements and some other issues, it is a struggle to walk 25 to 30 kilometers. But that is a great thing about the Camino. It is easy enough to just decrease your daily kilometers adjusting to your own limitations.

In September, our Dutch friends, Cornie 81 and Johanna 83 visited and we picked them up at the Muxia bus stop. We live on top of a small hill so I took Johanna’s backpack and carried it the last 5 minutes up. “ This is heavy. What’s in here Johanna?”

Johanna, “My pacemaker equipment.”

She later admitted that this is probably her’s and Cornie’s last Camino but they can come and visit still and at least walk around Santiago and Muxia and other special places on The Way to keep themselves connected to the spirit of the Camino.

So back to my own situation, after 2 hip replacements in 2022 and 2023, I am struggling with continued back and leg pain caused by deterioration in some discs. Last Wednesday, I had a cortisone injection into my spine.

So which Camino to do?

I should probably be walking a Camino in Spain, but I am in Kathmandu, and hoping to walk my final Nepal pilgrimage. It’s been 5 years since my last visit and trek. In March of 2019 I walked the Annapurna Circuit and part of Annapurna Base Camp which required a challenging 10 hour hike over the 5,416 meter/17,769 feet Thorong La Pass. This is my 9th trip to Nepal over the past 38 years and while the Camino is a passion of mine, walking in the mountains of Nepal is every bit as special. Unfortunately walking in the Himalayas is somewhat more challenging and requires one to be in a stronger physical condition.

So tomorrow Mika and I, along with our Camino buddy 65 year old John of Wexford, Ireland will set out for the small village of Machhakhola to begin the Manaslu and Tsum Valley Pilgrimage/Trek. Unlike my last couple of treks here which I did on my own, I decided to hire a porter realizing I needed all the help I could get to get over Larkya La Pass at 5,106 meters/16,753 feet.

With the help of Santiago and Kukai, hopefully we will emerge in Pokhara in 3 weeks time.

Buen Camino. From the blog of global pilgrim Aging On The Camino

Our knees and hips keep the score, as well as ankles, feet, toes etc,. you will know when to stop walking the Way, but memories are everlasting.