Dear fellow peregrinos, I am glad you like my posts and find it useful.
Day 3, El Real de la Jara, about 26km, 7.5 hours, right now at near 4:30pm, temperature is 32c 90F.
First of all, I have to say, talking about Camino spirit, you need to look no further. I felt so pempered by the volunteer host Thomas, if you ran into him, it is your lucky day, the best host on the Camino ever!
Have you ever run into any host who got up before 5am, toasting bread, making coffer and tea, boiling eggs, and setting up table for 5 pergrinos? Last night before 8pm, rode in 4 Spanish cyclists, they were given downstair room, so I was still able to enjoy the upper room all by myself.
Not only I had one of the best breakfasts, he also given me sandwiches, eggs and tons of oranges for joice and to take on the road. He also has big bottles of ice water for us to take. He is so thoughtful and as a pilgrim himself he had walked all of routes many times and knows exactly what we need.
Where was the stage of Hell?
The taxi he called for me came on the dot on 6:45am, 16.5km later, shortly after 7am I cross the gate of national park and started walking. 3 hours, 12.5km later, I sat at a bar in Almaden drinking coffee and having a snack. The day is still young, the last 4kmish climbing and sharp decent could be a killer if it was long after 12pm and under the burning sun, but this way was nothing much. I do not feel guilty about using a taxi at all.
Left Almaden at 10:40am, walked another 14km, and got to Alojamento de Peregrinos at the Real , the private Albergue right pass the municipal after 2:30pm. I chose this one is because the same price and was given good report. I was given a two person room, but at this low season, I do not feel much difference actually, and probably will get back to municipal.
After 1pm, it was getting more and more difficult due to the heat, had to rest whenever it was possible, used only 2 pieces of energy gelbean, but 2liter water bladder for me was sufficient, only few mouthful left; howevet, I drank 4 cups worth of water before leaving the Albergue, another cup during mid break. Recommend refill water bladder at Almaden if using 2liter bag. Most importantly a reflective trekking umbrella is must. I also have a face mask bought from Amazon for golfer, claimed UV block. Bought right before leaving, used first time. For me it reduced the sense of burning heat, so need to drink less water. Carrying 3 liter is too heavy for me.
I did notice several ponds were accessable, dirty or less dirty along the way, if desperate, water treatment tablets or life straw could be used. The water quality in general is better than the small water holes in US desert as a comparison.
Today it did give me idea how would it be if walking 30km a day, I will definitely leave as early as possible or try to avoid it if the temperature is pass 100F or 40c.
Still comparing to non stop torrential rain, flooded river crossing and muddy road, I would again choose the summer heat. The morning walk is glorious!
View attachment 43831And clothes dry before going to sleep, especially wearing dry socks and shoes.
You just need to come and be prepared.
