New Pilgrim

[DJ BJ]

Hello,

My name is Bryan and I'll be doing the Camino Frances starting the first week of October. I live in Colorado right now and I'm very excited about this trip. Any advice or recommendations will be welcome.

 

[PeterBarry]

Welcome Bryan, I am Peter from Ireland.
I am traveling Today, to SJPDP to begin my camino.
I am very excited. I have been on the Camino before last year but still it is very exciting, so much so to make me return.
Short on time at the moment,so tips would be to get your boots/shoes sorted out early and wear them frequently before you depart. Also keep your pack to an absolute minimum. There are some very good postings on the equipment forums on this site and I took my list from there and it worked out well.

Anyway I welcome you to the forum and wish you well.

Buen camino.

Peter

 

[DJ BJ]

Your feet...

Thanks Peter,

Good luck on your travels and have a great Camino. I'm opting for boots over shoes. I like the ankle support over the weight issue. Mt. Crest GTX Men by Raichle are my current boots and I've had them over a year. I did sections of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide, two hundred miles in a twelve day stretch. They've held up well on snow, mud, scree and pavement. I always opt for inserts. I used to go with Superfeet, but my insurance payed for orthotics. If you have the means I can't recommend orthotics enough. I had a good doctor who made the custom mold and I can't speak highly enough about them. I use SmartWool socks and I'm going to go with wicking liners for this trip. My friends who did the Pacific Crest Trail last summer swear by them. I also use trekking poles, Leki with shock absorption. They help on overall body fatigue, especially the knees.

Pack weight is another issue. I'm still tweaking my equipment. Before the trip I will post my equipment list and then we'll see what was a good choice, what I discard or what I need along the way. No tents, stove, fuel and not needing six days worth of food is a very nice bonus.

I think this site is an immensley valuble resource. I appreciate all the work everyone at this site has done to prepare each other for a great experience.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

[brendan nolan]

Hi Bryan,
Welcome to the Forum, but having read your info re equipment I wouldn't dare to add anything! All I would say is, enjoy the pilgrimage! If you are beginning at the start of October you will probably finish towards end of Oct/beginning Nov. but if you going more slowly I'll be in refugio Gaucelmo at Rabanal from 8th - 14th Nov. - refugio closed- we'll be closing up for the winter, but call in for a cuppa.

Buen Camino.

Brendan

 

[Rod]

Hi Bryan,
I am leaving Melbourne on the 1st of October and via Dublin will begin walking from St Jean on the 5th,
Maybe our paths will cross. The equipment topic is never-ending and although I don't think I will ever get it right I have decided to go with what I have. I have also opted for boots but hearing about all the mud am not sure if they are the right ones. At what point do you stop thinking about what is right or what is wrong
All the best on your journey
Rod

 

[DJ BJ]

Hi Bryan,
I'll be in refugio Gaucelmo at Rabanal from 8th - 14th Nov. - refugio closed- we'll be closing up for the winter, but call in for a cuppa.

Thanks Brendan, I'll make it a point to stop by and say hello.
Bryan

 

[DJ BJ]

Hi Bryan,
I am leaving Melbourne on the 1st of October and via Dublin will begin walking from St Jean on the 5th,
Maybe our paths will cross.

Rod

Rod, I think we'll be starting at the same time. Look for three tentative Americans. Myself, and my two friends Scott and Cliff.

 

[Rod]

Bryan, I will keep an eye open for you, I'll be the nervous Aussie sitting in the corner, Where do you intend to stay when at St Jean

 

[cbaker]

Bryan, i am intending to begin walk from St jean on 1st October so may see you on the trail. I'll be the really slow short blonde woman, terrified of going down steep hills.

Chris

 

[DJ BJ]

Where do you intend to stay when at St Jean

The municipal albergue, which is supposedly open year round. Albergue l'esprit de chemin will be closed by then I think. Are you picking up a credencial before you leave or are you going to obtain one in St-Jean?

Bryan

 

[DJ BJ]

Bryan, i am intending to begin walk from St jean on 1st October so may see you on the trail. I'll be the really slow short blonde woman, terrified of going down steep hills.

Chris

We'll keep an eye out for you.

 

[Rod]

Bryan, I actually picked up a passport from the Irish Society, at least they sent me one here at Home so I am ready to go
Rod