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Apart from getting bad advice, or blindly following pilgrims in front of you, the most likely pilgrims to lose their way are the ones that don’t have the magnetic north gene like we are blessed with. I’ve more than thrice turned Pilgrim 180 degrees while they were holding a map. For some reason that little blue dot is interactive enough for them to get their bearings and back on track.The only one I would suggest, besides of course Michael's excellent Wise Pilgrim, is a pocket size Michelin map book that can help guide you back to the Way if you wander astray. I have only used mine once and yes did it come in handy. It was after some fellow pilgrims gave me very bad route advice on a dismal, rainy morning before Leon.
I've never carried a physical guidebook on my recent Caminos (in 1989 there were no apps - or phones to carry them on) although when I walked with my son he carried one until he accidentally left it behind at an albergue. I carried a mix of Kindle guidebooks and apps. And one should never forget websites like Gronze.com.Hi all,
I am doing the Camino Francés (my first camino!) from Léon to Santiago starting on April 22nd. I prefer to pack light so I was inclined to follow the recommendation to leave any books at home and just use the various apps and other online information to find my way, plan my route and search for places to eat or sleep.
I also encountered other recommendations saying that an up-to-date guidebook tends to have better information, the maps are very useful, you avoid staring at a screen, it can help discussing things with other pilgrims etcetera. So they recommend bring a guide book.
I can image that it also depends on how old the advice is. After all, in the realm of apps things can change quickly. Can people that have recently done the camino with or without such a guide book give me any advice on this? Of course, I can always buy it anyway and give it someone if I don't like the weight - but it's still good to know
Thanks - Olivier
It is possible to use an app for directions but not while physically walking, just as one does with a book. It is also possible to walk with one's nose buried in a book (I've done that a lot when younger).... and besides who wants to be that pilgrim walking with their nose buried in a device.
To all the pro -tech mob, I have never used Gronze or Kindle. Books are at home on bookshelves to be taken down and read at leisure any time. Besides which, you cant get apps on the bookshelf! Nowadays as a kick starter I will look at the book FIRST and then check the apps on my phone. I still have paper maps as well to give me an overall view. Terrain doesn't change that much. I have a high tone hearing loss plus tinnitus and do NOT wear buds or anything else in my lugs! I use hearing aids so there isn't room for anything else! I am also under the Glaucoma umbrella and use medication for same plus I carry reading glasses. As I also have lung, heart and balance problems I use my Pacer poles to keep me upright as well as propelling me forward! I therefore prefer simplicity as my hands, eyes and ears are busyI bought a digital guide book and never read beyond the third page. I remembered that I prefer to find my own way. The very few times that I left the marked track I had memorable adventures and met nice people.
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