falconbrother
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June - July 2024
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Absolutely!! We were walking 7.5 miles with packs around Salem lake once a week and 5 miles without packs every evening. The Pyrenees still kicked our tails. We made it but by the day after Pamplona we decided we needed to recalculate. The fun had run out. So we bough a duffel bag and put much of the non critical stuff in there and had it forwarded. We still carry packs but with just the stuff we have to have for that days hike. I’m 60 with a rebuilt knee and my love is 57 with a rebuilt foot.The only thing I should have done more of before I walked, was walked more with my pack.
Especially uphills.
Thanks for the post!
Kate
I agree. Before my first Camino I had some conversations with my mother-in-law about her own Camino and read a book by Laurie Dennett which she recommended and lent me. Along with borrowing Barbara's Camino guide book and buying the Confraternity of St James's updated small supplement that was the sum total of my research. No movies or videos and no internet forums or other social media. Walking a Camino is a series of day walks - not a major technical expedition. I think we should keep things in proportion.Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
I agree wholeheartedly, my first Camino I poured over everything, thought and over-thought about this and that. Fast forward to my recently completed third Camino, I was packed in 20 minutes and we walked for 45 days with no problems.My wife and I are on the Frances. We’re taking a rest day in Sarria. Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
On the night before we walked out of St Jean PDP we stopped in the church there to light a candle and pray. There’s was an older man in there doing the same. I don’t know his story but, the non-verbals led me to think that he had suffered a great loss. Anyway, he was walking the Camino with a cheap book bag-ish backpack that had a black garbage bag tied to it. He had no equipment that I’d consider suitable.
I’ve seen people out here with every description of gear. One guy we met walks 30-40kms a day in flip flops. Some people are carrying 70 liter packs and others have just a fanny pack.
Heck, you could literally just get on a plane and buy your stuff when you get here. SJPDP has a great sporting goods store plus a few little places that cater to pilgrims.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one ought to train to walk long distances and get some good shoes. Bring your prescription drugs and whatever you think you need. Then you’ll absolutely have to figure it out when you get here.
I suppose the research part was fun but not especially helpful. I still packed too much. Had to figure that out. Looking back we walked a whole lot. Still didn’t prepare us for walking 25km a day with about 25-30 pounds of pack and water. We did it but figured out in time that we carried too much of everything.
Wool socks don’t work for me. My cotton toe socks are doing great. I bought Patagonia underwear but, brought fruit of the loom boxer briefs. That was a good decision. Marino wool tee shirts were a good decision as was the fleece zip up hoodie from Costco.
The trick is to know what works for you. I’ve become an expert in washing clothes in the shower or sink.
Point is, I (we) overthink the equipment. If I ever get to do this again I’ll not fret over the equipment part. Good shoes, decent pack, plan to be flexible. I thought I was packing the bare minimum. Turns out I don’t need that much.
Most important thing to bring? A good and friendly attitude.
Go to a good running/ hiking store that lets you return lightly used shoes.This comes at a time when I m thinking on a whim to do this walk. I have old running shoes (under armed, a bit hot really on the foot). Was going to purchase one suitable- any recommendations?
Your mother-in-law walked the camino before 1990? That’s fantastic. Is there anything you can you tell us about it?Before my first Camino I had some conversations with my mother-in-law about her own Camino
We walked the Camino Francis 2018 in trail runners. But 6 years later I think they do not have enough cushioning. The majority of the surfaces are paved or packed dirt so any comfortable lightweight padded sneaker/shoe should work. Suggest you bring lightweight sandals or crocs because it's good to have a plan b and just get out of the shoes. Be advised running shoes and trail runners last maybe 400 miles before they loose their padding and support. So if you train by walking at home you may need new shoes for the pilgrimage.This comes at a time when I m thinking on a whim to do this walk. I have old running shoes (under armed, a bit hot really on the foot). Was going to purchase one suitable- any recommendations?
Re: watching videos, on the other hand, I watched several YouTube videos in English and Spanish of the Camino Inglés and when I walked it in May it gave me quite a buzz when I came to places I recognised from the videos - it wasn’t so much over-thinking as just getting in the mood. And now when I watch them again it’s a lovely reminder!My wife and I are on the Frances. We’re taking a rest day in Sarria. Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
On the night before we walked out of St Jean PDP we stopped in the church there to light a candle and pray. There’s was an older man in there doing the same. I don’t know his story but, the non-verbals led me to think that he had suffered a great loss. Anyway, he was walking the Camino with a cheap book bag-ish backpack that had a black garbage bag tied to it. He had no equipment that I’d consider suitable.
I’ve seen people out here with every description of gear. One guy we met walks 30-40kms a day in flip flops. Some people are carrying 70 liter packs and others have just a fanny pack.
Heck, you could literally just get on a plane and buy your stuff when you get here. SJPDP has a great sporting goods store plus a few little places that cater to pilgrims.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one ought to train to walk long distances and get some good shoes. Bring your prescription drugs and whatever you think you need. Then you’ll absolutely have to figure it out when you get here.
I suppose the research part was fun but not especially helpful. I still packed too much. Had to figure that out. Looking back we walked a whole lot. Still didn’t prepare us for walking 25km a day with about 25-30 pounds of pack and water. We did it but figured out in time that we carried too much of everything.
Wool socks don’t work for me. My cotton toe socks are doing great. I bought Patagonia underwear but, brought fruit of the loom boxer briefs. That was a good decision. Marino wool tee shirts were a good decision as was the fleece zip up hoodie from Costco.
The trick is to know what works for you. I’ve become an expert in washing clothes in the shower or sink.
Point is, I (we) overthink the equipment. If I ever get to do this again I’ll not fret over the equipment part. Good shoes, decent pack, plan to be flexible. I thought I was packing the bare minimum. Turns out I don’t need that much.
Most important thing to bring? A good and friendly attitude.
Many thanks for the tip!Go to a good running/ hiking store that lets you return lightly used shoes.
Go at the end of the day, with the socks you think you will wear.
Have them analyze your gait and your arches, and properly size you.
Try on several different pairs. Walk around the store or on their treadmill. Make sure your toes never contact the front of your shoe.
It goes with minimal saying that you should not care about color or size, only about how they feel.
Buy one pair, take it on a 15-20 km walk, return if necessary.
This is the primary activity that only you can determine.
Buen Camino.
Yes! I think all the planning, podcasts, YouTube videos and multiple forums get me excited and pumped up to do it. It's like my brain is already on the camino. My body just isn't there yet. (18 more days!)Re: watching videos, on the other hand, I watched several YouTube videos in English and Spanish of the Camino Inglés and when I walked it in May it gave me quite a buzz when I came to places I recognised from the videos - it wasn’t so much over-thinking as just getting in the mood. And now when I watch them again it’s a lovely reminder!
HOKA Speedgoats is what we trained in and are wearing. My wife’s will be worn completely out when we get to Santiago. Mine were brand new when we arrived and are holding up well. They definitely show wear though.This comes at a time when I m thinking on a whim to do this walk. I have old running shoes (under armed, a bit hot really on the foot). Was going to purchase one suitable- any recommendations?
Barbara walked the Camino Frances from SJPDP in summer 1985. She walked as part of an international group organised and led by a Dutch-Australian called Kosti Simons. Kosti had a religious experience at Lourdes a couple of years before which had inspired him to walk barefoot from Paris to Santiago. He then thought it would be a good idea to gather together groups of pilgrims and lead them on a guided Camino pausing each day for prayers and meditations. They were allowed footwear thoughYour mother-in-law walked the camino before 1990? That’s fantastic. Is there anything you can you tell us about it?
Amazing story, thank you!Barbara walked the Camino Frances from SJPDP in summer 1985. She walked as part of an international group organised and led by a Dutch-Australian called Kosti Simons. Kosti had a religious experience at Lourdes a couple of years before which had inspired him to walk barefoot from Paris to Santiago. He then thought it would be a good idea to gather together groups of pilgrims and lead them on a guided Camino pausing each day for prayers and meditations. They were allowed footwear thoughThe idea somehow found its way into The Guardian newspaper and BBC radio in the UK where Barbara heard about it. They stayed in very basic shelters along the way - a covered cattle market in SJPDP I believe and the abandoned school house in Rabanal amongst them. When they arrived in Santiago they were met by Don Elias Valiña. Kosti led several groups but the project folded quite quickly and Kosti returned to Australia where he spends his time as a writer and has produced Oberammergau-style passion plays in rural Queensland. In Edward Stanton's book Road of Stars to Santiago Stanton mentions meeting Kosti and some of his group in Rabanal.
You're right about the tendency to overthink things. It's something that many of us are probably guilty of at some point or other.My wife and I are on the Frances. We’re taking a rest day in Sarria. Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
On the night before we walked out of St Jean PDP we stopped in the church there to light a candle and pray. There’s was an older man in there doing the same. I don’t know his story but, the non-verbals led me to think that he had suffered a great loss. Anyway, he was walking the Camino with a cheap book bag-ish backpack that had a black garbage bag tied to it. He had no equipment that I’d consider suitable.
I’ve seen people out here with every description of gear. One guy we met walks 30-40kms a day in flip flops. Some people are carrying 70 liter packs and others have just a fanny pack.
Heck, you could literally just get on a plane and buy your stuff when you get here. SJPDP has a great sporting goods store plus a few little places that cater to pilgrims.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one ought to train to walk long distances and get some good shoes. Bring your prescription drugs and whatever you think you need. Then you’ll absolutely have to figure it out when you get here.
I suppose the research part was fun but not especially helpful. I still packed too much. Had to figure that out. Looking back we walked a whole lot. Still didn’t prepare us for walking 25km a day with about 25-30 pounds of pack and water. We did it but figured out in time that we carried too much of everything.
Wool socks don’t work for me. My cotton toe socks are doing great. I bought Patagonia underwear but, brought fruit of the loom boxer briefs. That was a good decision. Marino wool tee shirts were a good decision as was the fleece zip up hoodie from Costco.
The trick is to know what works for you. I’ve become an expert in washing clothes in the shower or sink.
Point is, I (we) overthink the equipment. If I ever get to do this again I’ll not fret over the equipment part. Good shoes, decent pack, plan to be flexible. I thought I was packing the bare minimum. Turns out I don’t need that much.
Most important thing to bring? A good and friendly attitude.
Exactly, Dave. You nailed it!If I am out backpacking in wilderness or wild areas for a few weeks- - or even a few days - - there are no nearby facilities, taxis, lodgings, medical help, stores, etc. The planning must take into account complete self sufficiency and self care to survive until (or even IF ) help arrives or until I can manage to self-rescue.
As Bradypus pointed out above, between the frequency of being around other pilgrims plus the reality of being within a bubble of civilization and its amenities, very little is terribly essential beyond making sure stuff fits well and feels good when worn or carried. Beyond that, it does not require much 'planning' or agonizing over having a means to stay hydrated, protected from sun or rain or chilliness, and minor first aid and foot care while walking for a 4 to 10 hour period of time between towns.
One is not at extreme risk of losing life or limb if a critical item is not with you. But a camino cannot be enjoyed if your feet are hurting, or a backpack is too heavy and uncomfortable, and clothing is chafing and rubbing you the wrong way......your mind will be focused on the aches and pains of your body instead of on your surroundings and the marvelous experiences which exist outside of yourself.
That is also why having a reasonable amount of fitness and being used to the stresses on your body from carrying a light load while walking for hours at a stretch is preferable prior to camino. To do so while on a Camino means that your body will spend days acclimating to the new realities of walking and carrying your stuff for hours per day, day after day. How much better is it to spend the first steps and days at the beginning of your journey with senses fully engaged on your surroundings, rather than enduring your body's negative nagging for attention?
Oh, and for me, having a good snack to munch on is a good thing. . . Snickers and Cheese for Camino!!!
I’m gonna do the same. Just booking flights. Starting in 5 daysI am a backpacker over many years. All I did was plan where I flew into and out of and would buy a Lonely planet book and work it out when I got there. Six years ago I completed the CF after travelling in Europe. I just used a simple Black Wolf day pack, limited research, no training, running shoes and winged it. I do keep active however.
Experience helps. These days it takes me at most a couple of hours to select and pack my gear and to arrange transport, insurance and so on once I have decided on my route and departure day. I wear the same clothing and footwear on Camino and at home so no special shopping required. The toiletries, first aid items and things like two-pin phone chargers are more or less the same each trip. I could spend months mentally debating the pros and cons of every item and asking for a hundred conflicting recommendations. Or I could just go with what I know works for me every day. As a bear of very little brain I usually prefer the simpler option.I am a backpacker over many years. All I did was plan where I flew into and out of and would buy a Lonely planet book and work it out when I got there. Six years ago I completed the CF after travelling in Europe. I just used a simple Black Wolf day pack, limited research, no training, running shoes and winged it. I do keep active however.
That’s why I chose Challengers.HOKA Speedgoats is what we trained in and are wearing. My wife’s will be worn completely out when we get to Santiago. Mine were brand new when we arrived and are holding up well. They definitely show wear though.
Exactly - start with empty pack and pick up what you really do need (waist pack the essentials)My wife and I are on the Frances. We’re taking a rest day in Sarria. Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
On the night before we walked out of St Jean PDP we stopped in the church there to light a candle and pray. There’s was an older man in there doing the same. I don’t know his story but, the non-verbals led me to think that he had suffered a great loss. Anyway, he was walking the Camino with a cheap book bag-ish backpack that had a black garbage bag tied to it. He had no equipment that I’d consider suitable.
I’ve seen people out here with every description of gear. One guy we met walks 30-40kms a day in flip flops. Some people are carrying 70 liter packs and others have just a fanny pack.
Heck, you could literally just get on a plane and buy your stuff when you get here. SJPDP has a great sporting goods store plus a few little places that cater to pilgrims.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one ought to train to walk long distances and get some good shoes. Bring your prescription drugs and whatever you think you need. Then you’ll absolutely have to figure it out when you get here.
I suppose the research part was fun but not especially helpful. I still packed too much. Had to figure that out. Looking back we walked a whole lot. Still didn’t prepare us for walking 25km a day with about 25-30 pounds of pack and water. We did it but figured out in time that we carried too much of everything.
Wool socks don’t work for me. My cotton toe socks are doing great. I bought Patagonia underwear but, brought fruit of the loom boxer briefs. That was a good decision. Marino wool tee shirts were a good decision as was the fleece zip up hoodie from Costco.
The trick is to know what works for you. I’ve become an expert in washing clothes in the shower or sink.
Point is, I (we) overthink the equipment. If I ever get to do this again I’ll not fret over the equipment part. Good shoes, decent pack, plan to be flexible. I thought I was packing the bare minimum. Turns out I don’t need that much.
Most important thing to bring? A good and friendly attitude.
Right on. Yes. The Camino provides. Thanks for sharing.My wife and I are on the Frances. We’re taking a rest day in Sarria. Before we left the US we read and watched videos, etc.. It occurs to me that a lot of us overthink this thing.
On the night before we walked out of St Jean PDP we stopped in the church there to light a candle and pray. There’s was an older man in there doing the same. I don’t know his story but, the non-verbals led me to think that he had suffered a great loss. Anyway, he was walking the Camino with a cheap book bag-ish backpack that had a black garbage bag tied to it. He had no equipment that I’d consider suitable.
I’ve seen people out here with every description of gear. One guy we met walks 30-40kms a day in flip flops. Some people are carrying 70 liter packs and others have just a fanny pack.
Heck, you could literally just get on a plane and buy your stuff when you get here. SJPDP has a great sporting goods store plus a few little places that cater to pilgrims.
I’ve come to the conclusion that one ought to train to walk long distances and get some good shoes. Bring your prescription drugs and whatever you think you need. Then you’ll absolutely have to figure it out when you get here.
I suppose the research part was fun but not especially helpful. I still packed too much. Had to figure that out. Looking back we walked a whole lot. Still didn’t prepare us for walking 25km a day with about 25-30 pounds of pack and water. We did it but figured out in time that we carried too much of everything.
Wool socks don’t work for me. My cotton toe socks are doing great. I bought Patagonia underwear but, brought fruit of the loom boxer briefs. That was a good decision. Marino wool tee shirts were a good decision as was the fleece zip up hoodie from Costco.
The trick is to know what works for you. I’ve become an expert in washing clothes in the shower or sink.
Point is, I (we) overthink the equipment. If I ever get to do this again I’ll not fret over the equipment part. Good shoes, decent pack, plan to be flexible. I thought I was packing the bare minimum. Turns out I don’t need that much.
Most important thing to bring? A good and friendly attitude.
Def get the running shoe type (with ankle support) that breathe.This comes at a time when I m thinking on a whim to do this walk. I have old running shoes (under armed, a bit hot really on the foot). Was going to purchase one suitable- any recommendations?
That you made it to pamplona with 25-30lbs packs is amazing. Those were heavy packs and wow that first day must of been hard!Absolutely!! We were walking 7.5 miles with packs around Salem lake once a week and 5 miles without packs every evening. The Pyrenees still kicked our tails. We made it but by the day after Pamplona we decided we needed to recalculate. The fun had run out. So we bough a duffel bag and put much of the non critical stuff in there and had it forwarded. We still carry packs but with just the stuff we have to have for that days hike. I’m 60 with a rebuilt knee and my love is 57 with a rebuilt foot.
Merrill Moab’sThis comes at a time when I m thinking on a whim to do this walk. I have old running shoes (under armed, a bit hot really on the foot). Was going to purchase one suitable- any recommendations?
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