How do people 60-and-over plan their Camino?

IngridF · Feb 6, 2014

Sullykerry said:
Many thanks to all the comments posted.

I will be walking, trekking, crawling (?) through my first Camino beginning around May 8th starting in StJPP. I have not done much long distance walking in preparation. I have had two hip replacements (either side). I know that when I begin to walk the hip acts up. Nevertheless my cranky hips simmer down after thirty minutes of walking.

I will try to keep my backup weight under 12 - 15 kilos (no more than 35 lbs). Sadly I also suffer from a bad back which will necessitate my carrying a back brace.

After reading several books on the Camino, I know I will develop blisters. I intend to take vaseline, moleskin and a first aid kit.

I intend to walk the Camino Frances and hopefully reach Santiago by the 45th day with planned 2 day stops in Pamplona and Burgos. Am I being realistic?

I am a faithful reader of the comments through this blog. Any further suggestions for a sixty year YOUNG man traveling alone.

Utreia e sus eia Deus adjuva nos!

John in NJ.

John, don't understand why you are carrying so much weight, I must have missed something. I understand about the back brace (is that part of your weight count?) Your timing is good for a slow walk, and the rest days make sense (I would choose a different town over Pamplona, i.e. Leon, since I don't think you are going to run with the bulls. ;-) BTW, I was a solo pilgrim in Sept/October 2012 entering Santiago on my 60th birthday. I walked blissfully uninjured till half way through the Meseta and then the rest with much pain and suffering. Once home, my leg was put into a cast - I had walked on a broken leg... but, I was healing as I walked - such can be the energy and magic of the Camino.

In your case, already knowing your limitations due to your back and hips, I strong suggest to limit your carried weight and consider taxi transfer of your backpack on difficult days. Buen Camino Ingrid

backpack45 · Feb 6, 2014

Hi,
My husband and I are in our 70s and have hiked the Camino Frances; LePuy route FR; Arles,FR route (starting from Geneva); Portugues; and some miles from Granada. We plan to come back this fall for another trail (still deciding which!). Many can do this. I strongly support the advice to do training hikes--starting gradually, adding weight to your backpack until you reach the full 15 pounds (or so) you will be carrying, doing hills or stairs to approximate the Camino's terrain, etc. We have a website www.backpack45.com with a lot of information about the Camino (and US) long hikes.
Buen Camino!

angelafinnigan · Feb 14, 2014

carolus said:
Just to add my voice to those of the other sexagenarians, I began walking the Caminos in my early sixties, walked the Chemin d'Arles in April just before my 7Oth birthday, and plan to walk the Chemin de Vezelay next year. I'll bet there are some octogenarians out there as well.

Hi, I'm trying to decide at 64 whether to walk VDLP or the Arles route. I've walked the Frances, le Puy and Portugal. How does Arles compare re degree of difficulty? I'll be walking alone and a tad nervous about being v alone, how did you find it? Thanks, Angela

weekjchammings · Feb 15, 2014

angelafinnigan said:
Hi, I'm trying to decide at 64 whether to walk VDLP or the Arles route. I've walked the Frances, le Puy and Portugal. How does Arles compare re degree of difficulty? I'll be walking alone and a tad nervous about being v alone, how did you find it? Thanks, Angela

Hello,
I think we are all a little apprehensive about starting alone, its not purely a female concern. Mine at 71 is centred mainly around health, safety and total lack of Spanish. I have often been told that the Camino will take care of us, but I am not 100% sure of this.
Peregrinos look after each other. Ultreia Keith.

angelafinnigan · Feb 15, 2014

weekjchammings said:
Hello,
I think we are all a little apprehensive about starting alone, its not purely a female concern. Mine at 71 is centred mainly around health, safety and total lack of Spanish. I have often been told that the Camino will take care of us, but I am not 100% sure of this.
Peregrinos look after each other. Ultreia Keith.

Hi Keith,
I too have no Spanish but manage to get by. It's wonderful to see so many older pilgrims planning walks, gives me heart.

Deleted member 3000 · Feb 15, 2014

I have often been told that the Camino will take care of us, but I am not 100% sure of this.

Story:

It was flooding in California. As the flood waters were rising, a man was on the stoop of his house and another man in a row boat came by. The man in the row boat told the man on the stoop to get in and he'd save him. The man on the stoop said, no, he had faith in God and would wait for God to save him.

The flood waters kept rising and the man had to go to the second floor of his house. A man in a motor boat came by and told the man in the house to get in because he had come to rescue him. The man in the house said no thank you. He had perfect faith in God and would wait for God to save him.

The flood waters kept rising. Pretty soon they were up to the man's roof and he got out on the roof. A helicopter then came by, lowered a rope and the pilot shouted down in the man in the house to climb up the rope because the helicopter had come to rescue him. The man in the house wouldn't get in. He told the pilot that he had faith in God and would wait for God to rescue him.

The flood waters kept rising and the man in the house drowned. When he got to heaven, he asked God where he went wrong. He told God that he had perfect faith in God, but God had let him drown.

"What more do you want from me?" asked God. "I sent you two boats and a helicopter."

The Camino does provide, but you have to let it! It provides mostly through yourself and your ability to be flexible and creative. Accept what is offered and available. Be rigid and try to force the Camino into your insistent expectations, and it may let you drown (figuratively, of course).

Kanga · Feb 15, 2014

angelafinnigan said:
Hi, I'm trying to decide at 64 whether to walk VDLP or the Arles route. I've walked the Frances, le Puy and Portugal. How does Arles compare re degree of difficulty? I'll be walking alone and a tad nervous about being v alone, how did you find it? Thanks, Angela

Partly because of the heat/distances we departed from the Arles route and caught the train to Beziers to walk the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. I would not recommend walking the Canal all that way (for starters one is always jumping out of the path of the bicyclists) but it is totally flat and, mostly, beautifully shaded - which is changing as all the lovely trees are diseased and gradually being cut down. Virtually no other walkers but still sociable with lots of holiday makers on canal boats - they would pass us and then we would catch up as they waited for the next loch to open. And we always enjoyed company at meals. The castle at Carcasonne is really worth seeing.

The Canal eventually joins up with and forms part of the Arles route just before Toulouse. From there we stayed on the Arles route and really enjoyed it.

I haven't yet walked the VDLP but it seems to attract more pilgrims than the Arles route.

johns · Feb 15, 2014

Kanga said:
Partly because of the heat/distances we departed from the Arles route and caught the train to Beziers to walk the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. I would not recommend walking the Canal all that way (for starters one is always jumping out of the path of the bicyclists) but it is totally flat and, mostly, beautifully shaded - which is changing as all the lovely trees are diseased and gradually being cut down. Virtually no other walkers but still sociable with lots of holiday makers on canal boats - they would pass us and then we would catch up as they waited for the next loch to open. And we always enjoyed company at meals. The castle at Carcasonne is really worth seeing.

The Canal eventually joins up with and forms part of the Arles route just before Toulouse. From there we stayed on the Arles route and really enjoyed it.

I haven't yet walked the VDLP but it seems to attract more pilgrims than the Arles route.
View attachment 8080

hi just getting all my plans ready to walk the camino norte in may try all the time to improve my spanish not [good] but i can smile. allways walk solo young 72 in my mind

angelafinnigan · Feb 16, 2014

Than

Kanga said:
Partly because of the heat/distances we departed from the Arles route and caught the train to Beziers to walk the Canal du Midi to Toulouse. I would not recommend walking the Canal all that way (for starters one is always jumping out of the path of the bicyclists) but it is totally flat and, mostly, beautifully shaded - which is changing as all the lovely trees are diseased and gradually being cut down. Virtually no other walkers but still sociable with lots of holiday makers on canal boats - they would pass us and then we would catch up as they waited for the next loch to open. And we always enjoyed company at meals. The castle at Carcasonne is really worth seeing.

The Canal eventually joins up with and forms part of the Arles route just before Toulouse. From there we stayed on the Arles route and really enjoyed it.

I haven't yet walked the VDLP but it seems to attract more pilgrims than the Arles route.
View attachment 8080

Thanks Kanga, that canal path looks inviting. Thinking I'll ultimately have to do both walks. Angela

fernandezr · Feb 18, 2014

Labtails said:
I would love to hear from some senior trekkers about how they planned their Camino adventure. I am planning to walk next year in my 60th year with my 63 yr. old brother. We have concerns about being too ambitous about the distance we can reasonably walk in any given day. We are in good health, but not experienced long distance hikers. Should we join a tour with support van? We would like to try the Camino del Norte in September. We want to walk, but be realistic about it. Any advise would be appreciated.

I walked the Camino Frances from SJPdP to Santo Domingo de la Calzada with a friend last September and we were both 69 years old at that time. My companion is an accomplished mountaineer, rock climber and hiker; I am a teacher and office worker but in good health and we had no trouble other than my companion having some knee pain at one point. We hiked from ten to fifteen miles a day starting usually at about sunrise or slightly before and mostly checked into an albergue by the mid-afternoon. There was one fellow doing very well at that time who was over 90 years old but my feeling was that we were among the eldest on the trail. Certainly at age 60 or 63 and in good health you should have no trouble; just go at a pace at which you are comfortable, get some good shoes and take good care of your feet. You will have a memorable experience and meet some of the nicest people.

fernandezr · Feb 18, 2014

Sullykerry said:
Thank you Falcon: Did you or anyone use tincture of Benzoine to treat blisters? Contrary to what I have learned in First Aid courses, the roof of the blister should NOT be removed after draining it.

I have used trekking poles in the past to help with balance and footing. However I have used them only while hiking with a light day pack for a few hours at a time. As a slightly overweight 210 lbs male at 5'11" would using them for a 45 day hike be advisable? Thank you again.

Sullykerry:
I used to scoff at people using trekking poles but decided that it might be a good idea when I went on the Camino; it turned out to be really worthwhile. Though I only used one, it kept me from falling when I tripped or slipped a couple of times. Now, after having gotten used to having the pole, I always use it when I go for a hike, even here at home.

jirit · Apr 6, 2014

jirit said:
If anybody is still concerned about how "senior" they are, consider this gentleman who by 2008 was 72 years young, had walked the camino 18 times including walking from Rome to Santiago:

"His name is Francisco Javier San Vicente García, a very special Pilgrim by his age and the number of kilometres travelled by different routes of pilgrimage. He is 72 years old and has just completed his 18th trip to the city of the apostle. From Paris, Rome, Le Puy, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Lisbon, to highlight the most distant points of departure. "The truth is that I have already travelled all roads. This year I went from Madrid, they have been 850 kilometers of route. Again it was a phenomenal experience, in which every year you always do new friendships", says Javi, as fellow travelers know him.

Remembering in particular his visit to Rome and the subsequent pilgrimage from the Italian capital to Compostela: "I get a friend in the Basque country who is priest drive. It was a long and hard road to Compostela, 2,750 kilometers, but it was worth it."

You can read more here (in Spanish):

http://www.blogseitb.com/rogeblasco/2008/10/04/francisco-javier-san-vicente-doces-veces/

Curious to know if he has done anymore caminos since this article.

Update:

I found a more recent article about his gentleman. Seems I had one piece of incorrect information from my previous post - back in 2008 he had only completed 12 walks to Santiago.

However by 2013 he had just completed his 18th walk to Santiago, this time starting from Madrid. He was a young 77 at that time.

Here is a link to the more recent article about him ( including a photo)

http://www.galiciahoxe.com/santiago...ciocho/idEdicion-2013-06-25/idNoticia-813665/

dragonboat · Apr 6, 2014

weekjchammings said:
Hello,
I think we are all a little apprehensive about starting alone, its not purely a female concern. Mine at 71 is centred mainly around health, safety and total lack of Spanish. I have often been told that the Camino will take care of us, but I am not 100% sure of this.
Peregrinos look after each other. Ultreia Keith.

Hello
I have walked a few caminos in Spain, and also Via Francigena from Canterbury and Rome and most times started alone. It never fails that one will meet up with someone on the way. I firmly believe the Camino will take care of us. I will be 67 this year, and am leaving to do the VDLP in just over 2 weeks. My Spanish is minimal.

sillydoll · Apr 6, 2014

This is for all the 60 year-olds wondering if they are crazy to walk the Camino at their age.
Last year when the Caracoles walked from Sarria, we thought Bob might be the oldest walker at 89 years. However, we met a father and son from Holland and when Adrian told Bob that the father was 90, Bob feeling 'thoroughly one-upped' quipped, "So, must I call him Dad?"
Reporting on a particularly challenging section, crossing a river via large stones, Bob wrote, "With word going on ahead that I am coming, I feel like a circus freak. Like a dog walking on its hind legs, it is not that I do it well, but that I am doing it at all that gets attention."

PS: Bob is walking the Camino this year.

newfydog · Apr 6, 2014

Here's the age distribution of hikers on the Stevenson Trail, a French route with a fair bit more up and down than the standard Camino:

daviddephillips · Apr 7, 2014

The last consideration for walking the Camino should be age. Come on, we are the generation that is to redefine what retirement or that age phase from 60 on should look like. If all else is in your physical and emotional is fine then asking if over some age mark might be of any difference is missing a very valuable lesson of the Camino and its experience. Using someone as an example at any age is silly. On our Camino, and we are well past 60, we met some in their 30s who were never going to make it the full length for many reasons. To walk a Camino or only part, or get a piece of paper saying you did or did not, should be a lesson in and of itself. Be true to yourself weather attempting this Camino or the real Camino of Life.

alexwalker · Apr 7, 2014

Just 60, and setting out on CF in 2 1/2 weeks. My friend Jurgen, 72, is setting out on VdlP from Sevilla in 3 days.

Houlet · Apr 7, 2014

newfydog said:
Here's the age distribution of hikers on the Stevenson Trail, a French route with a fair bit more up and down than the standard Camino:

View attachment 9061

That makes sense to me as a 66 year old, but then as we all know "Wrinklies Wrule"

weekjchammings · Apr 7, 2014

Houlet said:
That makes sense to me as a 66 year old, but then as we all know "Wrinklies Wrule"

Please do not worry............................Know how to prevent sagging ?....................................Just eat and eat until the wrinkles fill out.
Likely side effects being that you will still be 66 but fat.

daviddephillips · Apr 7, 2014

Our youth-obsessed culture ignores this concept. Visibly aging is seen as a kind of failure. We are at war with the most fundamental truth of our lives – we change, we age, we die, and not always in that order.

alexwalker · Apr 7, 2014

daviddephillips said:
Our youth-obsessed culture ignores this concept.

That is why grandparents and grandchildren go so well together: We have a common enemy.
Had I known that grandchildren were so fun to have, I should have had them first.

Cejanus · Apr 8, 2014

alexwalker said:
That is why grandparents and grandchildren go so well together: We have a common enemy.
Had I known that grandchildren were so fun to have, I should have had them first.

Ah the grandchildren! Such fun and they keep me young and yes the imminent arrival of No 9 in 3 weeks has put paid to my walking the Via de la Plata this year. I am now planning to walk this Camino this time 2015. Anyone else heading my way next year around about this time?

My kids thought I was "losing it" when I said I was travelling to the other side of the world to Spain to walk the Camino Frances last year, but the grandchildren thought I was adventuresome and on to something and they took a great interest in my blog.

My dream one day is to take (with their parents' blessings) my grandchildren on this great spiritual journey.

Kiwi family, keep an eye out for the "Sandgroper" granddad and his grandchildren!!!!!!!!

colinPeter · Apr 8, 2014

daviddephillips said:
Our youth-obsessed culture ignores this concept. ...

"Youth is wasted on the young"
George Bernard Shaw

David · Apr 8, 2014

Older age is fine - just walk a tiny bit slower!

alexwalker · Apr 8, 2014

Indeed. The alternative to growing old is not desireable...

As the old woman said: "Well, we are all going to die, as long as we are blessed with good health and life."

Also, from the sea: I once had an English passenger/tourist up here in the Arctic, who was so seasick, that the only thing that kept him alive was his hope of dying...

AnnieY · Apr 28, 2014

Tia Valeria said:
Welcome to the Forum.
Many people over 60 walk the Camino. We were not long distance walkers but have both walked carrying our packs.
Terry first walked in 2009 when he was 65. Started in Exeter, took the Plymouth ferry to Santander, then walked the Norte/Oviedo/Primitivo route. He built up the distance walked daily as he went and allowed 5 weeks, with some rest days. In fact he reached Santiago a few days early.
This year we walked the Camino Inglés together (Terry now 67 and me 62). We walked shorter daily distances - around 15kms a day to suit my capabilities and took 9 days. (Some folk do it in 5.) Terry's comment was that if I could manage the Inglés then he thought that with planning we could complete the Primitivo - we walked a part together in 2010.
So (DV) we will walk from Tineo to Santiago in 2012. We walk regularly to keep in training, last year 5km;7km and 10km walks with packs at around Camino weight. This time, in recognition of the need to walk 15-20km daily we are walking 7km; 10km and 12km training walks with packs at part weight at present. We'll build up to full weight in the New Year.
We use the CSJ guides and plan our prospective days/time needed round them, using the distances not a given 'stage' per day.
There are many useful threads here on the forum, including the one Terry started 'Walking with a Companion'.
I would say 'Go for it' and enjoy yourselves
Buen Camino
Tia Valeria

Hi I live in Devon (Exeter area) does Terry come from Exeter? wondered about meeting up? I am doing it in September the Camino Frances

Magwood · Apr 28, 2014

I am newly sixty, but completed my first camino in my youth (last year). I set off from Lisbon on the camino Portuguese in two days. In my newly acquired old age I am totally relaxed and stress free in my preparations (although this may have something to do a little camino experience). In fact I'm feeling so laid back that instead of flapping about pack weight I have just returned from a lovely lunch of calamares and a copa of vino blanco - all the camino practice I need at this late stage!

indyinmaine · Apr 28, 2014

newfydog said:
Here's the age distribution of hikers on the Stevenson Trail, a French route with a fair bit more up and down than the standard Camino:

View attachment 9061

Anyone have a chart similar to this for the Camino Frances? For one I'd like to add 80+!

Icacos · Apr 28, 2014

Magwood said:
I am newly sixty, but completed my first camino in my youth (last year). I set off from Lisbon on the camino Portuguese in two days. In my newly acquired old age I am totally relaxed and stress free in my preparations (although this may have something to do a little camino experience). In fact I'm feeling so laid back that instead of flapping about pack weight I have just returned from a lovely lunch of calamares and a copa of vino blanco - all the camino practice I need at this late stage!

Oh no, what is this !? Is sixty 'old age' ? Surely that's a slip . I just turned sixty-one and I feel very young !

Have a wonderful Camino ..... And many more !

Tia Valeria · Apr 28, 2014

AnnieY said:
Hi I live in Devon (Exeter area) does Terry come from Exeter? wondered about meeting up? I am doing it in September the Camino Frances

Hola Annie, Yes we live near Exeter and it would be good to meet. Check out the 'Camigos' thread. We hope to meet towards the end of June and are looking at going to the cafe at the Cathedral this time.

AnnieY · Apr 28, 2014

Tia Valeria said:
Hola Annie, Yes we live near Exeter and it would be good to meet. Check out the 'Camigos' thread. We hope to meet towards the end of June and are looking at going to the cafe at the Cathedral this time.

Great keep me posted

AnnieY · Apr 28, 2014

should you want meet before I live in Woodbury and am happy to meet up

Farmer John · Apr 28, 2014

Cejanus said:
Ah the grandchildren! Such fun and they keep me young and yes the imminent arrival of No 9 in 3 weeks has put paid to my walking the Via de la Plata this year. I am now planning to walk this Camino this time 2015. Anyone else heading my way next year around about this time?

My kids thought I was "losing it" when I said I was travelling to the other side of the world to Spain to walk the Camino Frances last year, but the grandchildren thought I was adventuresome and on to something and they took a great interest in my blog.

My dream one day is to take (with their parents' blessings) my grandchildren on this great spiritual journey.

Kiwi family, keep an eye out for the "Sandgroper" granddad and his grandchildren!!!!!!!!

You are a man of my mindset, Cejanus! At 66, my "inaugural" Camino was last year from Le Puy to Finnesterre. I hadn't a clue when I embarked on this marvelous trek that I would even consider doing it again. My! How the Camino changes us and seeps into our blood and bones. We just welcomed Grandkid #12 into our happy lives three days ago. I had decided definitively before even finishing last year that my "new" goal in this life was to come back and walk the Camino with as many of my grandchildren as wished to go. We have set the "eligible" time for them as their senior year in high school, either before or after their graduation. That makes the target year for the return as ether 2015 or 2016. The oldest, Kitty, is eager to go right now, but we'd like to set a precedent that we can adhere to. Applying the math, I'll be 84 when Elise Rose, infant, is eligible. No Problem!! So, Cejanus, I'm hoping it all works out for you and your "grands" as well.

Pilgrim Farmer John

Cejanus · Apr 29, 2014

Ah Farmer John I shall keep an eye out for you and the grand kids as I journey with mine from time to time? I too will be in my eighties when I go with the last of them. Now the grannies and the Camino are keeping me young and fit. However my memory lapses with The Spanish language will be a challenge.
Travel well, keep well and perhaps along the way our paths will cross.
Buen Camino.

Farmer John · Apr 29, 2014

Cejanus said:
Ah Farmer John I shall keep an eye out for you and the grand kids as I journey with mine from time to time? I too will be in my eighties when I go with the last of them. Now the grannies and the Camino are keeping me young and fit. However my memory lapses with The Spanish language will be a challenge.
Travel well, keep well and perhaps along the way our paths will cross.
Buen Camino.

G'Day, Bon Jour, Hola Cejanus!

I had failed to note in your bio that you are an Aussie. I have to relate to you my incredibly pleasant experiences with the Aussies I was privileged to meet and walk with last year. Considering the factors of distance, time, and comparative numbers of inhabitants, I was amazed at the number of your kinsmen that I came across in my 70 days of walking. I would suspect that there must have been some type of "screening" process involved as ALL of them were human beings of the most admirable caliber. Camino Pilgrims in general are wonderful folks, but if there's a "bell curve" of the total pilgrim populace, the Aussies take up a lion's share of the top end of that curve. I remain in close contact to several of them via this amazing world of cyberspace and consider myself blessed to be able to do so. It would be a further blessing if you and I could indeed share "The Way" with each other as we journey with our progeny.

Sincerely,

Farmer John

indyinmaine · Apr 29, 2014

Farmer John said:
G'Day, Bon Jour, Hola Cejanus!

I had failed to note in your bio that you are an Aussie. I have to relate to you my incredibly pleasant experiences with the Aussies I was privileged to meet and walk with last year. Considering the factors of distance, time, and comparative numbers of inhabitants, I was amazed at the number of your kinsmen that I came across in my 70 days of walking. I would suspect that there must have been some type of "screening" process involved as ALL of them were human beings of the most admirable caliber. Camino Pilgrims in general are wonderful folks, but if there's a "bell curve" of the total pilgrim populace, the Aussies take up a lion's share of the top end of that curve. I remain in close contact to several of them via this amazing world of cyberspace and consider myself blessed to be able to do so. It would be a further blessing if you and I could indeed share "The Way" with each other as we journey with our progeny.

Sincerely,

Farmer John

You all really have something to look forward to! At 82 it was a life changing experience!

Farmer John · Apr 29, 2014

angelafinnigan said:
Hi, I'm trying to decide at 64 whether to walk VDLP or the Arles route. I've walked the Frances, le Puy and Portugal. How does Arles compare re degree of difficulty? I'll be walking alone and a tad nervous about being v alone, how did you find it? Thanks, Angela

G'day Angela! As Yogi Berra famously said "it's deja vu all over again"! A year ago right now we were exchanging notes on this Forum having no idea we would ever meet. And now, after having that wonderful privilege, I'm having a hard time imagining you as "nervous" about anything! In my recollections, it usually took you all of 10-15 seconds to engage and charm any person you met. So, unless it's a recurrence of your feet injuries worrying you, I would say leave that uncertainty regarding "aloneness" alone!

Best of walking to you on the Peace Walk and on your Camino. I work daily trying to keep my jealousy in check

Happy remembrances,
Farmer John

angelafinnigan · Apr 29, 2014

Dear Farmer John, I only today read your reply and you lifted my spirits once again. With only four days to departure to Seville, I'm praying I'll meet someone like you on the first day as you were a blessing.

Farmer John · Apr 30, 2014

angelafinnigan said:
Dear Farmer John, I only today read your reply and you lifted my spirits once again. With only four days to departure to Seville, I'm praying I'll meet someone like you on the first day as you were a blessing.

Dear Angela,

One of the marvelous things about blessings is that they're bi-directional. They go both ways. And, wonderfully, they are long lasting. Our family prayers will include safe and joyful travels for you. We are counting on your photography talent to enlighten and enliven us here in Iowa.

Camino Amigo to life-long friend,
FJ

angelafinnigan · May 3, 2014

Yes friend for life, that's the Camino! I love St Augustine's statement "Walking us the cure". I never understood this but now I do. You and your lovely tribe will be in my prayers in the VDLP.

Labtails · Dec 4, 2014

Hi all ! I posed the "Over 60" question several years ago before walking the Camino del Norte. Now looking back I can say it was a blast. An experience I will treasure & never forget. My most important advise might be to bring more dry socks & keep your feet dry & healthy. I seem to have sweaty feet and the weather was hot. I managed to develop a quarter size blister on the ball of my right foot. And ended with an infected baby toe. Lots of tape & walking in my sport sandals to aerate got me through.
My brother and I went for a long walk in Wales to following year.....the Wye River Valley and Three Castle loop in mid-Wales.
Keep walking and ENJOY the view !!

Rosefrombrisbane · Dec 5, 2014

Labtails said:
Based on customer reviews I have bought myself a sturdy pair of Oboz walking shoes which have the best insoles. They are quite comfortable with great heel & arch support. No need for adding on as I usually do. As for being a "spring chicken" I have always been the baby of my family with three older brothers & being the youngest cousin too.LOL My turning 60 is a big deal for all the others in the family. I view it as just another challenge to keep moving & finding the next adventure on my road. I am being filled with new confidence to go ahead with my plans.
Many thanks.

Hi, Like you I am turning 60 next year and my greatest wish is to celebrate my birthday while on the Camino (I have booked the air fares) with a bunch of strangers from lots of different countries. I make a point of never saying I am too old to do anything! I enjoy bush walking here in Australia so I will get in as many walks as possible before September when I go. My aim is to enjoy the experience, walk as far as I comfortably can, if I need to have extra rest days or bus it for part of it, so be it. I intend to learn a bit of Spanish before I go as I'm sure that will enhance the whole experience. I think it's important to be flexible to get the most out of the experience. I say go for it! Good luck with your trip, hope you have a great experience.

Kanga · Dec 5, 2014

@Rosefrombrisbane if you go bushwalking in Australia you will have no trouble with the Camino. Bushwalking is much more strenuous. It is only the length of the Camino that is difficult.

Sue M · Dec 5, 2014

I am 69 and have walked 450 miles of the Camino over the last couple of years, in stages. I first walked 180 miles staying in albergues and. Arryi g everything, which was a real experience and I'm very glad I did it. However, by the end of of the 180 miles I had awful blisters and shin splints and could hardly walk. I went home for a rest. After that I returned three times. The last time was in May this year when I walked 130 miles. I had my main bag transported, slept in hotels with my own room (and sometimes a bath), walkedi sandals and didn't get asingle blister. It was quite a different experience, and I didn't meet so ma y onteeresting people, but it was much easier physically! I'm glad I did it both ways. If I went again I'd like to do the whole route in one go, staying in albergues but having good. Ights (and baths) in hotels now and again, and having my bag carried when it stafted to feel too heavy. The options are there and there's point in battling o. Just for the sake of it. Enjoy!

jmcarp · Dec 5, 2014

Rosefrombrisbane said:
Hi, Like you I am turning 60 next year and my greatest wish is to celebrate my birthday while on the Camino...

I celebrated my 70th birthday on the Camino last year (2013). Before we -- my wife and I -- started, we assumed that we'd be some of the oldest pilgrims, but we soon found out that there were many much older than us, some in their 80's, walking the Camino. My birthday gift was a taxi ride up the hill to O'Cebreiro, a lazy day in that charming village, and a night in a hotel there with my wife away from our normal albergue lodgings. My advice to other autumn chickens is to just take it slow and easy -- you're not in a race with the spring chickens. We averaged about 12km per day overall, finishing SJPP to Santiago in 40 days, not counting rest days in Logroño, Leon, and O'Cebreiro.
Buen Camino,
Jim

Houlet · Dec 6, 2014

There is an Irish proverb ;-

The old dog for the hard road and leave the pup on the path.

Deleted member 3000 · Dec 6, 2014

Houlet said:
The old dog for the hard road and leave the pup on the path.

I will keep that in mind when I use two hands to get up from the floor, and my two-year-old grandson simply springs up!

Aphorisms about being young at heart are clearly written by the old!

owms2323 · Dec 6, 2014

Labtails said:
I would love to hear from some senior trekkers about how they planned their Camino adventure. I am planning to walk next year in my 60th year with my 63 yr. old brother. We have concerns about being too ambitous about the distance we can reasonably walk in any given day. We are in good health, but not experienced long distance hikers. Should we join a tour with support van? We would like to try the Camino del Norte in September. We want to walk, but be realistic about it. Any advise would be appreciated.

I am 67 and I walked the Camino Frances all the way from St Jean to Santiago with my 65 year old friend and my 71 year old sister. We found that about 12 miles a day was about right. We had our bags sent ahead every day, for about 3-7 euros. Well worth it and I think it saved us from any injuries or blisters. Go and have the trip of a lifetime.

newfydog · Dec 7, 2014

Well, I turned 60 last week. I spent my birthday in Nepal, on a 22 day trek of the Manaslu Circuit. There were five of us, and all but one were over 60, and we all made it just fine, up and down endless rocky trails and over an icy 17,000 ft pass.

The last Himalayan trek we did was 20 years ago, and while my 64 year old step mom was the oldest person in the permit register that year, my wife, then 45, was second oldest. Times have changed, and this trip there were many people our age out there, particularly the French hikers. There was a 78 year old French guy up at 12,000 ft. the Tsum valley

I have a wine cellar full of French wine. Can't argue with results!

newfydog · Dec 7, 2014

Sullykerry said:
I will try to keep my backup weight under 12 - 15 kilos (no more than 35 lbs).

John in NJ.

AKKK! Aim for 12-15 lbs. If you really need more than that, get your bag transferred.

BamaVol · Jan 20, 2015

My wife and I will walk our first Camino next May. I will be 62, she will be 61. We are reasonably fit and walk regularly. We plan to start in Ponferrada. I am thinking that it would be smart to take the a break before O Cebreiro as it comes early in the trek and appears to be the most daunting obstacle between us and our final destination. The rest of it looks to be a piece of cake. We will be using transportation for packs. My 100 lb. wife's arthritis will not allow her to carry a purse over her shoulder let alone a 10KG backpack. I think those are the only 2 concessions we will make for our age/condition. Lots of training to do between now and the start - focusing on climbing steps & stairs since we live on the coast of Florida where there are no hills, let alone any mountains to train on.

SYates · Jan 20, 2015

Hi BamaVol, for cases like your wife and others, luggage transport on the Camino is a true blessing, but you are mentioning a 10Kg backpack. For the last 220km on the CF in May that seems to me a wee bit excessive, but than, if you do anyway do luggage transport ... Oh, and don't forget at least one of you still has to carry the essentials like water, emergency snacks, guidebook ect. Buen Camino! SY

BamaVol · Jan 20, 2015

newfydog said:
I have a wine cellar full of French wine. Can't argue with results!

Thank you for the suggestion. We will be sure to make that part of our training regimen.

BamaVol · Jan 20, 2015

SYates said:
Hi BamaVol, for cases like your wife and others, luggage transport on the Camino is a true blessing, but you are mentioning a 10Kg backpack. For the last 220km on the CF in May that seems to me a wee bit excessive, but than, if you do anyway do luggage transport ... Oh, and don't forget at least one of you still has to carry the essentials like water, emergency snacks, guidebook ect. Buen Camino! SY

I will carry her water and other essentials in my daypack. She could manage a small waistpack if necessary. I have carried a 27 pound pack on the AT over some pretty rugged terrain (although it's been 3 years) so could manage my own 5-10KG or so but don't want to carry the combined weight of all our stuff. Besides, she tends to overpack. I am somewhat undecided about transporting my own pack, but figured if we were going to have one transported, why not two.

musicagl · Jan 20, 2015

I believe the Camino is about more than hiking. It's about listening to the committee in your head and whittling that committed down to one and THEN replacing that one voice with Spirit.

I love this.

cherrys · Jan 20, 2015

BamaVol said:
My wife and I will walk our first Camino next May. I will be 62, she will be 61. We are reasonably fit and walk regularly. We plan to start in Ponferrada. I am thinking that it would be smart to take the a break before O Cebreiro as it comes early in the trek and appears to be the most daunting obstacle between us and our final destination. The rest of it looks to be a piece of cake. We will be using transportation for packs. My 100 lb. wife's arthritis will not allow her to carry a purse over her shoulder let alone a 10KG backpack. I think those are the only 2 concessions we will make for our age/condition. Lots of training to do between now and the start - focusing on climbing steps & stairs since we live on the coast of Florida where there are no hills, let alone any mountains to train on.

I walked from SJPDP to Santiago, then Finisterre to Muxia when I was 67, sent my pack pack ahead about four or five times because of terrible shin splints and bussed twice for same reason. But by Astorga I really hit my stride and started cranking through those kms. I think I walked about 440 kms total. Don't forget to train on roads as you will be on them quite a bit, and that is what (almost) did me in. I would also think walking in sand would be helpful, as it is an uneven surface that moves constantly under your feet. Buen camino - Cherry

jmcarp · Jan 20, 2015

SYates said:
Hi BamaVol, for cases like your wife and others, luggage transport on the Camino is a true blessing, but you are mentioning a 10Kg backpack. For the last 220km on the CF in May that seems to me a wee bit excessive, but than, if you do anyway do luggage transport ... Oh, and don't forget at least one of you still has to carry the essentials like water, emergency snacks, guidebook ect. Buen Camino! SY

Good advice. Regarding the emphasis added items, don't forget to include raingear in that day pack.

BamaVol · Jan 20, 2015

cherrys said:
Don't forget to train on roads as you will be on them quite a bit, and that is what (almost) did me in. I would also think walking in sand would be helpful, as it is an uneven surface that moves constantly under your feet. Buen camino - Cherry

We have paved walking trails here that will serve as roads, without the traffic. We plan to get out a few times a week and maybe walk 5 or 6 miles at a clip. You're right about the sand. We walk on the beach regularly and you feel it in your calf muscles.

Buen Camino.

dariosilva · Jan 21, 2015

falcon269 said:
As part of that over-60 crowd for 7 caminos, I think you can do it. Press yourself just enough for the first part to be "conditioning." Avoid overdoing it. You aren't 20, and your recovery time will be longer than in your youth. Take care of your feet. Take breaks. Stop when you are tired. Do not follow the standard camino stages; if you are good for only 6 km, then walk only 6 km. Do not try to keep up with the interesting people you meet. It will only pull you off of your own pace. Expect to hurt. Expect most of the hurt to go away each night. Accept discomfort. Avoid misery. Everything about a camino is optional, so do not burden yourself with a lot of artificial rules or expectations, particularly the rules and expectations of others. There is no right way. There is no official route, just the path the local juntas set. Most of the traditional route of yore is under pavement. There is no such thing as cheating (except if you accept a Compostela when you did not meet the criteria).

One step at a time. Have no goal except that next step. Have fun! Buen camino.

AMEN!

efdoucette · Jan 21, 2015

As this thread was started in 2011 we are all that much older. Does it get harder with age? probably, but we get smarter at doing the task.

Saramago · Jan 21, 2015

I'm not yet 60, but can say with certainty that in matters of endurance mental strength can trumph physical strength. And that mental strength comes with experience and the trials and tribulations of life. That's my two cents. Barring an unforeseen tragic accident, it is usually the mental strength that sees you through (and probably why younger athletes require mental strength training).

Houlet · Jan 21, 2015

Mental strength.....is that the same as being a stuborn old B?

If so that.s me.

SYates · Jan 21, 2015

Very, very similar @Houlet ;-) in fact it might be just the same seen from different perspectives! SY

Saramago · Jan 22, 2015

Houlet said:
Mental strength.....is that the same as being a stuborn old B?

If so that.s me.

B as in Barn Owl? Yes, exactly. With all of that owlish wisdom and far-sightedness. ;-)

JohnMcM · Jan 22, 2015

Saramago said:
B as in Barn Owl? Yes, exactly. With all of that owlish wisdom and far-sightedness. ;-)

Thank you. I needed a laugh. You just provided it for me

Annie G · Jan 23, 2015

Saramago said:
I'm not yet 60, but can say with certainty that in matters of endurance mental strength can trumph physical strength. And that mental strength comes with experience and the trials and tribulations of life. That's my two cents. Barring an unforeseen tragic accident, it is usually the mental strength that sees you through (and probably why younger athletes require mental strength training).

It's either that or dementia. Personally, I think that I can do more than my body will currently permit. So, my solution is to bring my body up to speed. That works to a certain extent. Can't mess with entropy. In the end, it winds. No way around it. But I still believe in maximizing what body mass that I have and sometimes that means that 'mental strength' compensates for physical strength.

Annie G · Jan 23, 2015

Annie G said:
It's either that or dementia. Personally, I think that I can do more than my body will currently permit. So, my solution is to bring my body up to speed. That works to a certain extent. Can't mess with entropy. In the end, it winds. No way around it. But I still believe in maximizing what body mass that I have and sometimes that means that 'mental strength' compensates for physical strength.

wins, not winds. Freudian slip.

newfydog · Jan 24, 2015

Saramago said:
in matters of endurance mental strength can trumph physical strength. ).

If it requires too much mental strength you need to figure out why. Too fast a pace, wrong gear, being a slave to a schedule etc.

Pilgrims of the past may have suffered, but we should actually have fun out there.

newfydog · Jan 24, 2015

I've climbed Mt. Washington many times. I used to live in New Hampshire. It was always fun, every step of the way.

Maybe hiking is just not everyone's sport.

In keeping with the original purpose of this thread, I'd say by the time you are 60 you ought to know if you enjoy walking. If the answer is no, I only do if for the views or something, you might consider not doing the Camino. It involves quite a bit of walking.

Chuckie · Feb 3, 2015

lynnejohn said:
Age (67) and experience have served me well on the camino. I make better decisions, take better care of my body, and am not quite as reckless as I was back in the day. I take more time and care to reflect and contemplate, enjoy companionship, and I'm just generally more at peace. Despite the inevitable aches and pains, I love being this age on the camino.

Lydia, I too will walk the Pyrenees again, but as Joe says, not all in one go this time. Do it!

Buen camino!

lynne

Tia Valeria said:
Welcome to the Forum.
Many people over 60 walk the Camino. We were not long distance walkers but have both walked carrying our packs.
Terry first walked in 2009 when he was 65. Started in Exeter, took the Plymouth ferry to Santander, then walked the Norte/Oviedo/Primitivo route. He built up the distance walked daily as he went and allowed 5 weeks, with some rest days. In fact he reached Santiago a few days early.
This year we walked the Camino Inglés together (Terry now 67 and me 62). We walked shorter daily distances - around 15kms a day to suit my capabilities and took 9 days. (Some folk do it in 5.) Terry's comment was that if I could manage the Inglés then he thought that with planning we could complete the Primitivo - we walked a part together in 2010.
So (DV) we will walk from Tineo to Santiago in 2012. We walk regularly to keep in training, last year 5km;7km and 10km walks with packs at around Camino weight. This time, in recognition of the need to walk 15-20km daily we are walking 7km; 10km and 12km training walks with packs at part weight at present. We'll build up to full weight in the New Year.
We use the CSJ guides and plan our prospective days/time needed round them, using the distances not a given 'stage' per day.
There are many useful threads here on the forum, including the one Terry started 'Walking with a Companion'.
I would say 'Go for it' and enjoy yourselves
Buen Camino
Tia Valeria

Hi there. I am planning to walk the Camino for 5 days (100km) with my very fit 80 year old father at the end of March this year. I have heard that the Camino Ingles requires a fair bit of walking along the roadside (I don't know if that is correct or not) We are looking for a beautiful part of the Camino that is not too steep but keeps us more in nature and Dad doesn't really care about getting a Compostela so not concerned about ending up in Santiago on foot nece

Saramago said:
Sweet! Born and raised in NH here! Live Free or Die!;-) By the way, my ATC-CT club was up there snowshoeing at -45F! Yikes! It's my original backyard - I was tending to an aging aunt. Not sure yet how they made out.

Can anybody help me please? I am trying without success to find where to start a new thread on here! I hope the Camino is easier for me

SYates · Feb 3, 2015

Chuckie said:
.... Can anybody help me please? I am trying without success to find where to start a new thread on here! I hope the Camino is easier for me

Go to https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/ and click/select the board you want to start a new thread in.
Then hit the big 'Start a New Thread' button in the right corner.
Hope that helps, SY

wayfarer · Feb 3, 2015

Chuckie said:
Hi there. I am planning to walk the Camino for 5 days (100km) with my very fit 80 year old father at the end of March this year. I have heard that the Camino Ingles requires a fair bit of walking along the roadside (I don't know if that is correct or not) We are looking for a beautiful part of the Camino that is not too steep but keeps us more in nature and Dad doesn't really care about getting a Compostela so not concerned about ending up in Santiago on foot nece

Can anybody help me please? I am trying without success to find where to start a new thread on here! I hope the Camino is easier for me

Hi Chuckie, Click on the yellow arrow on the top left of the page then go to the section under which you want to start your thread, ie, Camino Ingles, you will see the "Start a New Thread" button at the top right corner.

Icacos · Feb 3, 2015

Chuckie said:
Can anybody help me please? I am trying without success to find where to start a new thread on here! I hope the Camino is easier for me

I know exactly how you feel!

Deleted member 3000 · Feb 3, 2015

Chuckie said:
for 5 days (100km) with my very fit 80 year old father

Leon to Ponferrada is about 100km, and has good transportation access at both ends. Leaving Leon you will have a couple of days to build up fitness before having mountains to climb. Astorga to O Cebreiro also is about 100km, but is more strenuous.

mspath · Feb 3, 2015

Chuckie,

If as Falcon suggests above you do decide to walk from Leon be sure to read this earlier thread on walking west from the city and the choice of a pleasant alternate route.

Buen camino

MM

Chuckie · Feb 3, 2015

Thank you Falcon and mspath. I appreciate your suggestions! And thank you to Syates and Wayfarer; I FINALLY found the start a new thread button. I guess I was in some other part of the website and it just wasn't there...

Georgina77 · Feb 5, 2015

Labtails said:
I would love to hear from some senior trekkers about how they planned their Camino adventure. I am planning to walk next year in my 60th year with my 63 yr. old brother. We have concerns about being too ambitous about the distance we can reasonably walk in any given day. We are in good health, but not experienced long distance hikers. Should we join a tour with support van? We would like to try the Camino del Norte in September. We want to walk, but be realistic about it. Any advise would be appreciated.

I am 68 never done any traveling like this or even close to this I also have health issues arthritic in the spine and other things ....Yet I feel I am to walk the Camino I would love to walk the whole Camino ....but that would most likely take me a year or two.... and my son who is coming with me; has to work for a living,..sadly. So we only have a month, so we have decided to start in Burgos, and if we find we are falling short on time we will take a bus here and there to catch up. We hope we wont have to do that but it is an option we hope ...Also going from Burgos to Serra should give us some idea how long it will take to walk the last hundred k to Santiago where we want to spend a day resting and looking around and on to the ends of the earth to finish. The things I am worried about are: flying (only been in a few very short plane trips and was terrified ) the heat in July; I don't do well in the heat, getting lost, spiders, scorpions , snakes,and dogs biting us, wild animals eating us and just about anything else I can think up; So it should be interesting should we survive all my fears .... Bottom line on the plus side is I get to spend a whole month with my oldest son ...I get to stretch my self physically mentally and spiritually .... And at the end of it all ....I am sure we will have a wonderful time... after all life is for living ....... I will post when we get home ..... Lord willing

colinb · Feb 5, 2015

In 2013 my wife Mary and I along with Austin and Pauline Patterson left SJPDP on 27th May and arrived Santiago 2nd July. We were all over 60. With proper shoes, socks and keeping our backpacks as light as possible we were almost injury and blister free. At our age we found the Albergues a bit noisy and after three weeks stayed in Casa Ruales in order to get a good nights sleep . We kept a daily blog that can be seen at candmcamino.blogspot

JohnMcM · Feb 6, 2015

Georgina77 said:
I am 68 never done any traveling like this or even close to this I also have health issues arthritic in the spine and other things ....Yet I feel I am to walk the Camino I would love to walk the whole Camino ....but that would most likely take me a year or two.... and my son who is coming with me; has to work for a living,..sadly. So we only have a month, so we have decided to start in Burgos, and if we find we are falling short on time we will take a bus here and there to catch up. We hope we wont have to do that but it is an option we hope ...Also going from Burgos to Serra should give us some idea how long it will take to walk the last hundred k to Santiago where we want to spend a day resting and looking around and on to the ends of the earth to finish. The things I am worried about are: flying (only been in a few very short plane trips and was terrified ) the heat in July; I don't do well in the heat, getting lost, spiders, scorpions , snakes,and dogs biting us, wild animals eating us and just about anything else I can think up; So it should be interesting should we survive all my fears .... Bottom line on the plus side is I get to spend a whole month with my oldest son ...I get to stretch my self physically mentally and spiritually .... And at the end of it all ....I am sure we will have a wonderful time... after all life is for living ....... I will post when we get home ..... Lord willing

Seems to me that whatever happens, you and your son will be walking some, most or all of a Camino at some time.

Try not to worry too much about the spiders and scorpions, very few of them are over five feet long or six feet tall, and as for the dogs biting you and wild animals eating you, try not too worry about those trivial matters also , because the dogs and wild animals are all on their summer diet during the time you plan to go.

Would be good to hear what happens with you.

Buen Camino

Arn · Feb 6, 2015

Time to recycle the "old folks on Camino" thread.
What have you found the greatest benefit to walking the Camino?
1 the first time...the most recent Camino?
2 what would you say to "first timers" as the most important consideration when getting ready?
3 if you could do it again...what would you want to --------------?

Georgina77 · Feb 6, 2015

JohnMcM said:
Seems to me that whatever happens, you and your son will be walking some, most or all of a Camino at some time.

Try not to worry too much about the spiders and scorpions, very few of them are over five feet long or six feet tall, and as for the dogs biting you and wild animals eating you, try not too worry about those trivial matters also , because the dogs and wild animals are all on their summer diet during the time you plan to go.

Would be good to hear what happens with you.

Buen Camino

Thank you for the encouragement....I think...any way I enjoyed you comments and will keep them in mind; especially when I met something unexpected or want to sit down but am afraid of what may slither up next to me I do hope I will be able to post some of the high lights upon my rt
Buen Camino

Rosefrombrisbane · Feb 6, 2015

Georgina77 said:
I am 68 never done any traveling like this or even close to this I also have health issues arthritic in the spine and other things ....Yet I feel I am to walk the Camino I would love to walk the whole Camino ....but that would most likely take me a year or two.... and my son who is coming with me; has to work for a living,..sadly. So we only have a month, so we have decided to start in Burgos, and if we find we are falling short on time we will take a bus here and there to catch up. We hope we wont have to do that but it is an option we hope ...Also going from Burgos to Serra should give us some idea how long it will take to walk the last hundred k to Santiago where we want to spend a day resting and looking around and on to the ends of the earth to finish. The things I am worried about are: flying (only been in a few very short plane trips and was terrified ) the heat in July; I don't do well in the heat, getting lost, spiders, scorpions , snakes,and dogs biting us, wild animals eating us and just about anything else I can think up; So it should be interesting should we survive all my fears .... Bottom line on the plus side is I get to spend a whole month with my oldest son ...I get to stretch my self physically mentally and spiritually .... And at the end of it all ....I am sure we will have a wonderful time... after all life is for living ....... I will post when we get home ..... Lord willing

You have nothing to fear but fear itself. Let go of the fears and have a wonderful time!

SYates · Feb 6, 2015

Georgina77 said:
I am 68 never done any traveling like this or even close to this I also have health issues arthritic in the spine and other things ....Yet I feel I am to walk the Camino I would love to walk the whole Camino ....but that would most likely take me a year or two.... and my son who is coming with me; has to work for a living,..sadly. So we only have a month, so we have decided to start in Burgos, ... The things I am worried about are: flying (only been in a few very short plane trips and was terrified ) the heat in July; I don't do well in the heat, getting lost, spiders, scorpions , snakes,and dogs biting us, wild animals eating us and just about anything else I can think up; So it should be interesting should we survive all my fears .... Bottom line on the plus side is I get to spend a whole month with my oldest son ...I get to stretch my self physically mentally and spiritually .... And at the end of it all ....I am sure we will have a wonderful time... after all life is for living ....... I will post when we get home ..... Lord willing

Health issues - Ask a physiotherapist to show you exercises to strengthen both your back and tummy muscles and avoid packing too much fear (I might needs this ...) items in your backpack.
Whole Camino - If you don't start walking from home to Santiago and walk back again you don't do the "whole" Camino anyway! So relax, every starting point is just a compromise and you can start from wherever you want and can from.
Heat - Start early and drink lots of water plus eat salty. Bring sun protection (cream/block and hat).
Getting lost - Follow the yellow arrows and scallop shells, if you see neither for a few hundred meters go back to the last one and start again. Getting lost is really difficult to do on the CF btw.
Spiders - Can't stand them myself, but the Camino is not in Australia , it is in northern Spain, spiders there are mostly benign and pose no danger.
Scorpions - Never saw a single one on the CF.
Dogs - Are bored by / used to pilgrims, sometimes they bark, that is all in my experience.
Wild animals eating us - The Camino isn't in the Canadian Rockies neither ! No grizzlies or other large predators on the CF !

You will have the time of your life and you will get home in one piece! Buen Camino! SY

Georgina77 · Feb 6, 2015

SYates said:
Health issues - Ask a physiotherapist to show you exercises to strengthen both your back and tummy muscles and avoid packing too much fear (I might needs this ...) items in your backpack.
Whole Camino - If you don't start walking from home to Santiago and walk back again you don't do the "whole" Camino anyway! So relax, every starting point is just a compromise and you can start from wherever you want and can from.
Heat - Start early and drink lots of water plus eat salty. Bring sun protection (cream/block and hat).
Getting lost - Follow the yellow arrows and scallop shells, if you see neither for a few hundred meters go back to the last one and start again. Getting lost is really difficult to do on the CF btw.
Spiders - Can't stand them myself, but the Camino is not in Australia , it is in northern Spain, spiders there are mostly benign and pose no danger.
Scorpions - Never saw a single one on the CF.
Dogs - Are bored by / used to pilgrims, sometimes they bark, that is all in my experience.
Wild animals eating us - The Camino isn't in the Canadian Rockies neither ! No grizzlies or other large predators on the CF !

You will have the time of your life and you will get home in one piece! Buen Camino! SY

Thank you for taking the time to try and help me to set my mind at rest and you are right I will do it and get home in one piece thanks also for the tip on the physiotherapist and" fear packing" I have been doing that I will repack and I will check out some exercises to strengthen my back and tummy
You have given me some very good advice thank you I will take it to heart Buen Camino

mspath · Feb 6, 2015

Arn said:
Time to recycle the "old folks on Camino" thread....,..

2 what would you say to "first timers" as the most important consideration when getting ready?
3 if you could do it again...what would you want to --------------?

Any "first timer" might ponder these timeless words
Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much....Ralph Waldo Emerson, Country Life, 1858

Just because so many pilgrims have been successful does not guarantee that all will be. Anybody any moment can fall or pull or break anything. The most common injury is the result of trying to walk too far too quickly carrying too much! Easy does it. Be a snail; slow but, determined, like me. Since 2004 I have walked the CF from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela every year; the journey has become part of my life. Now soon to be 76 I hope to continue until circumstance makes it impossible.

Margaret Meredith

Tia Valeria · Feb 6, 2015

Arn said:
Time to recycle the "old folks on Camino" thread.
What have you found the greatest benefit to walking the Camino?
1 the first time...the most recent Camino?
2 what would you say to "first timers" as the most important consideration when getting ready?
3 if you could do it again...what would you want to --------------?

1) We are fitter now than when we first walked (we have kept walking) and try to maintain our walking fitness level.
2) Aim to keep your pack weight low, the pack a comfortable fit, footwear that suits and then walk with your gear as much as possible before leaving.
3) Keep walking and keep the packing light. Tried and tested is best even if it is older gear. It doesn't have to be new or the 'latest' to be right for any individual pilgrim.

BamaVol · Feb 8, 2015

Georgina77 said:
I am 68 never done any traveling like this or even close to this I also have health issues arthritic in the spine and other things ....Yet I feel I am to walk the Camino I would love to walk the whole Camino ....but that would most likely take me a year or two.... and my son who is coming with me; has to work for a living,..sadly. So we only have a month, so we have decided to start in Burgos, and if we find we are falling short on time we will take a bus here and there to catch up. We hope we wont have to do that but it is an option we hope ...Also going from Burgos to Serra should give us some idea how long it will take to walk the last hundred k to Santiago where we want to spend a day resting and looking around and on to the ends of the earth to finish. The things I am worried about are: flying (only been in a few very short plane trips and was terrified ) the heat in July; I don't do well in the heat, getting lost, spiders, scorpions , snakes,and dogs biting us, wild animals eating us and just about anything else I can think up; So it should be interesting should we survive all my fears .... Bottom line on the plus side is I get to spend a whole month with my oldest son ...I get to stretch my self physically mentally and spiritually .... And at the end of it all ....I am sure we will have a wonderful time... after all life is for living ....... I will post when we get home ..... Lord willing

Nothing to do but get prepared, mentally and physically. At least it's a relatively short flight. You do realize you could take trains and buses if your fear of flying is too strong. I don't know how many you will encounter, but spiders, snakes, scorpions and wild animals are generally interested in keeping away from you. We have plenty here in the southeastern US and none have come after me yet as I hike through the wilderness. I'm as apprehensive as you concerning dogs so it's good to hear they are accustomed to pilgrims and likely to leave us alone. I am envious that you will do this with your son. I will have my wife, but would love to do this with any of my children. Maybe someday in the future.

Buen Camino

freespirit · Feb 8, 2015

To me age is just a number,, if you really really want to walk the Camino you will ,over 90% of it is in the mind
the other 10% is strength and power,I did my first Camino back in 2010, 7 years before in 2003 I had a double by
pass opp, it took me 37 days to get to Santiago ,plus I started at Lourdes in France, it was slow going at first but
I picked up strength and speed as I went along ,from Saint Jean to Roncesvalles I did in one day,I am not blowing
my own trumpet,,but like I have said if you want to YOU WILL, dont let the negatives thoughts into your mind,
I am hoping to go back this year for the second time (my big 70) so if you want to fill the Camino with Old timers
get packing and start walking, Its better to go out with a Bang than just Fade away,take your time walk slow and
you will pick up speed,,,get to Santiago and you may want to do it all again one day.

Georgina77 · Feb 9, 2015

BamaVol said:
Nothing to do but get prepared, mentally and physically. At least it's a relatively short flight. You do realize you could take trains and buses if your fear of flying is too strong. I don't know how many you will encounter, but spiders, snakes, scorpions and wild animals are generally interested in keeping away from you. We have plenty here in the southeastern US and none have come after me yet as I hike through the wilderness. I'm as apprehensive as you concerning dogs so it's good to hear they are accustomed to pilgrims and likely to leave us alone. I am envious that you will do this with your son. I will have my wife, but would love to do this with any of my children. Maybe someday in the future.

Buen Camino

Thank you for your post I live on Vancouver Island in BC Canada so the flight is a long for for a first timer and a ground lover but I guess it is time for new things not too many bugs and reptiles where I live but other wild life has shown up in Victoria from time to time. A long time friend was going to come with me but in Jan last year she was told she had cancer and died this last Oct. so my oldest son told me he'd come with me. I am not ignoring the fact that I am nervous but I so feel the call that I am to do this maybe for no other reason than to over come my fear and learn to just trust that God is in control I am so glad my son is willing to come with me too I am sure we will have a good time thanks again for your comment I so enjoyed it and will take it to heart Beun Camino

Georgina77 · Feb 9, 2015

freespirit said:
To me age is just a number,, if you really really want to walk the Camino you will ,over 90% of it is in the mind
the other 10% is strength and power,I did my first Camino back in 2010, 7 years before in 2003 I had a double by
pass opp, it took me 37 days to get to Santiago ,plus I started at Lourdes in France, it was slow going at first but
I picked up strength and speed as I went along ,from Saint Jean to Roncesvalles I did in one day,I am not blowing
my own trumpet,,but like I have said if you want to YOU WILL, dont let the negatives thoughts into your mind,
I am hoping to go back this year for the second time (my big 70) so if you want to fill the Camino with Old timers
get packing and start walking, Its better to go out with a Bang than just Fade away,take your time walk slow and
you will pick up speed,,,get to Santiago and you may want to do it all again one day.

Of course you are right better to leave this old world doing what you are enjoying than sitting around feeling sorry for your self so if you are there in July and see some old lady being pushed and pulled along by her poor exhausted son.... It will most likely be me

BamaVol · Feb 9, 2015

Georgina77 said:
thank you for your post I live on Vancouver Island in BC Canada so the flight is a long for for a first timer and a ground lover but I guess it is time for new things not too many bugs and reptiles where I live but other wild life has shown up in Victoria from time to time. A long time friend was going to come with me but in Jan last year she was told she had cancer and died this last Oct. so my oldest son told me he'd come with me. I am not ignoring the fact that I am nervous but I so feel the call that I am to do this maybe for no other reason than to over come my fear and learn to just trust that God is in control I am so glad my son is willing to come with me too I am sure we will have a good time thanks again for your comment I so enjoyed it and will take it to heart Beun Camino

Sorry, I misread something and thought you were from the UK. I can't remember who said it but I read a quote somewhere that there were only 2 emotions experienced on airplanes: terror and boredom. Here's to boredom. I've flown my share of TATL and sleep usually wins out as you will be flying overnight. Your doctor can also prescribe something to calm you down or help you sleep, if you find yourself dreading departure.

Georgina77 · Feb 9, 2015

BamaVol said:
Sorry, I misread something and thought you were from the UK. I can't remember who said it but I read a quote somewhere that there were only 2 emotions experienced on airplanes: terror and boredom. Here's to boredom. I've flown my share of TATL and sleep usually wins out as you will be flying overnight. Your doctor can also prescribe something to calm you down or help you sleep, if you find yourself dreading departure.

Thank you I was thinking of maybe staying up so long that I couldn't stay a wake but maybe the pills are a better Idea

ladywalker#1 · Feb 9, 2015

k1ypp said:
60 On the Camino is a spring chicken. Not to worry. Jane, my wife, at 61 and I at 64 just finished last week. Most importantly, start out slowly, don't do big kilometers and pack light and you'll have no problems. Most make the big mistake of assuming that in the first few days nothing has gone wrong, so they start dramatically increasing the distance...big mistake.

Your body doesn't acclimate that quickly and when the distance increases without time to get used to it, the blisters and shin splints creep in. Even though you feel like you can go further, force yourself not to in the beginning. Stop to smell the roses and let those feet and legs have time to build up.

I celebrated turning 60 by hiking the Appalachian Trail. I did the first 600 miles (1000 km) with no problems, and then I had a little problem with my heart and had to have a six-artery bypass done. I took 300 days off to recover and then got back on the trail and finished the other 1600 miles (2000 km). I even wrote a book about it, THREE HUNDRED ZEROES. Chapter six deals with the heart surgery etc. The AT is much more demanding since you have to carry all of your gear for sleeping out in the wilderness and food. The Camino is much more forgiving and you can carry much less weight, and so should have no problems if you start out slowly.

Buen Camino and keep us posted.

Dennis "K1" Blanchard

You're awesome, K1. What an inspiration!!!

Al the optimist · Feb 9, 2015

I'm lucky as I only have the short flights from the UK. Having said that I have this habit of falling asleep before take-off. Maybe it is the start of the Camino wind down? Actually it isn't as I do it on almost every flight, Camino or otherwise. Maybe it is my way of avoiding boredom or maybe on Camino flights it is my way of stocking up on sleep before encountering the albergue roncadores?

freespirit · Feb 9, 2015

Georgina77 said:
Of course you are right better to leave this old world doing what you are enjoying than sitting around feeling sorry for your self so if you are there in July and see some old lady being pushed and pulled along by her poor exhausted son.... It will most likely be me

Thanks for the reply Georgina77 good luck to your self and Son, if we meet up along the way I will treat you both to a glass of Guinness
have a nice trip and good Camino.

Annie G · Feb 12, 2015

Al the optimist said:
I'm lucky as I only have the short flights from the UK. Having said that I have this habit of falling asleep before take-off. Maybe it is the start of the Camino wind down? Actually it isn't as I do it on almost every flight, Camino or otherwise. Maybe it is my way of avoiding boredom or maybe on Camino flights it is my way of stocking up on sleep before encountering the albergue roncadores?

I envy your calm before the flight. I have not flown for 14 years after suddenly developing some sort of claustrophobia on the plane while it is getting ready for takeoff. I'm fine after that. My Dad had a small plane so have flown since childhood. In fact have gone around the world in my 20's. Weird. Hasn't been too much of a problem until I decided to walk the Camino. MUST FLY FROM OREGON TO PARIS!!!

Saint Mike II · Feb 15, 2015

Houlet said:
There is an Irish proverb ;- The old dog for the hard road and leave the pup on the path.

Whilst very true - the pups usually take the hard road and then seem to want to walk right over anyone in front of them - in a race to get to the next albergue!!!

Costas · Apr 20, 2015

mspath said:
Any "first timer" might ponder these timeless words
Few people know how to take a walk. The qualifications are endurance, plain clothes, old shoes, an eye for nature, good humor, vast curiosity, good speech, good silence and nothing too much....Ralph Waldo Emerson, Country Life, 1858

Just because so many pilgrims have been successful does not guarantee that all will be. Anybody any moment can fall or pull or break anything. The most common injury is the result of trying to walk too far too quickly carrying too much! Easy does it. Be a snail; slow but, determined, like me. Since 2004 I have walked the CF from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela every year; the journey has become part of my life. Now soon to be 76 I hope to continue until circumstance makes it impossible.

Margaret Meredith

What an inspiration you are! I am about to start my first Camino on 5 May 2015 at 70. I am inspired by these threads and 'The Way'. Can't wait to start!

sillydoll · Apr 22, 2015

Margaret is a legend on the Camino!
I am definitely a Camino snail and even send most of my stuff ahead only carrying a light daypack. Last year, walking my 9th Camino, I was taking a photograph and stepped backwards, tripped, fell over and fractured my left arm.
The moral here is: "Don't carry on walking when taking a photograph - stand still!"
(Photograph - visiting Rebekah at Moratinos)

Alan Pearce · Apr 22, 2015

One immutable law of the camino is to never brag about how old you,and how far you have walked. Because right beside you will be someone who is considerably older, and who has walked much further.
Alan
Be brave. Life is joyous.
P.S. I am only 66.

MaxHelado · Thursday at 2:09 PM

I find myself in Spain with a week to spare. I was planning to walk in Andalucia in the expectation that it would be much warmer than Northern Spain but looking at the forecast it seems that the...

How do people 60-and-over plan their Camino?

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