Newcomer suggestions for newcomer pilgrims (Leon to Santiago)

[MattL]

I returned from my first walk a few days ago, I want to leave here some advice for beginners leaving for their first Camino.

I walked the stretch from Leon to Santiago, the stage i've made were:

1) Leon - Villar de Mazarife (8th of August);
2) Villar de Mazarife - Astorga;
3) Astorga - Rabanal del camino;
4)Rabanal del Camino - Molinaseca
5) Molinaseca - Villafranca del Bierzo
6) Villafranza del Bierzo - O'Cebreiro:
7) O'Cebreiro - Samos;
8) Samos - Ferreiros;
9) Ferreiros - Airexe;
10) Airexe - Ribadiso de Baixo
11) RIbadiso de Baixo - Lavacolla
12) Lavacolla - Santiago

As you may have noticed, towards the end, i've decided to not stop in the "main" locality (e.g. Sarria, Arzua, O'Pedrouzo), in this way i've avoided the crowd (in Ferreiros and Airexe we were 5 pilgrims in the whole albergue), and i've never had any problems of find where to sleep, the only albergues i've booked were the last two, Lavacolla and Santiago.

I've brought 2pcs of underwear (Uniqlo Airism highly recommended), socks, liners, tshirt and pants (one short and one modulable), 1 light fleece, 1 cotton tshirt for the nights, 1 Ikea duvet cover (which i've used as a sleeping bag), 1 microfiber towel, 1 pair of Teva Winsted and 1 pair of flipflops. My backpack weighed 6.5kg (water excluded).

1 Liter of water was enough, i've encountered plenty of water sources (and in the bar, if you ask, they'll refill your water bottle for free);

Injinji toe socks liner + merino wool socks did perfectly their job, no blisters at all;

Other things i've found useful: headlamp (the sun rises late), sleeping mask, sunscreen, wide brim hat, 10000mah power bank, a pen,

During my journey i've found some hot days, my recommendation is to start not later than 6:00 am.

Camino is not a race, enjoy it, i was one of the best experiences i've ever had.

If you have any other questions let me know!

 

[BrendanRoach]

Thanks for the info. We will be arriving on the 11th of September and were discussing whether we needed a headlamp. We will be doing a lot fewer klms than you each day, but we want to get an early start with plenty of rest stops.

 

[Rita Flower]

Clear and accurate summary. Newbies will appreciate the info.
Understanding that they will need to tweak things to suit individual differences.

 

[Mmgomez4]

I returned from my first walk a few days ago, I want to leave here some advice for beginners leaving for their first Camino.

I walked the stretch from Leon to Santiago, the stage i've made were:

1) Leon - Villar de Mazarife (8th of August);
2) Villar de Mazarife - Astorga;
3) Astorga - Rabanal del camino;
4)Rabanal del Camino - Molinaseca
5) Molinaseca - Villafranca del Bierzo
6) Villafranza del Bierzo - O'Cebreiro:
7) O'Cebreiro - Samos;
8) Samos - Ferreiros;
9) Ferreiros - Airexe;
10) Airexe - Ribadiso de Baixo
11) RIbadiso de Baixo - Lavacolla
12) Lavacolla - Santiago

As you may have noticed, towards the end, i've decided to not stop in the "main" locality (e.g. Sarria, Arzua, O'Pedrouzo), in this way i've avoided the crowd (in Ferreiros and Airexe we were 5 pilgrims in the whole albergue), and i've never had any problems of find where to sleep, the only albergues i've booked were the last two, Lavacolla and Santiago.

I've brought 2pcs of underwear (Uniqlo Airism highly recommended), socks, liners, tshirt and pants (one short and one modulable), 1 light fleece, 1 cotton tshirt for the nights, 1 Ikea duvet cover (which i've used as a sleeping bag), 1 microfiber towel, 1 pair of Teva Winsted and 1 pair of flipflops. My backpack weighed 6.5kg (water excluded).

1 Liter of water was enough, i've encountered plenty of water sources (and in the bar, if you ask, they'll refill your water bottle for free);

Injinji toe socks liner + merino wool socks did perfectly their job, no blisters at all;

Other things i've found useful: headlamp (the sun rises late), sleeping mask, sunscreen, wide brim hat, 10000mah power bank, a pen,

During my journey i've found some hot days, my recommendation is to start not later than 6:00 am.

Camino is not a race, enjoy it, i was one of the best experiences i've ever had.

If you have any other questions let me know!

Thanks for the info. 1st time solo as well and I want to know how to plan it without much anxiety of being alone during the walk.

 

[MattL]

I'm glad you have found it useful, I've just noticed that I forgot to add my 3 Layer shell in the list of things I had with me (fortunately it never rained).