barbaravan
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Le Puy en Velay, Arles, Future plans Vezelay
I love walking alone. Over the past five years I have gone long distance walking every year. As much as I love walking alone I believe in taking precautions. I do not believe in "counting on" someone else to rescue me. In fact to be honest I am a bit annoyed every time someone assures a solo walker that someone else will come along. I carry sufficient first aid including an ace bandage if I might need to limp on down the trail. I carry an epi pen because I have a bee allergy. I carry a very very small emergency blanket, a small amount of thin rope, a flashlight with emergency flashing and extra batteries for that light. I carry a fully charged phone and I know the emergency number of the country where I am walking. I know where I am on my map, or at least I try to know. On my first Le Puy en Velay route I was troubled by a man in an automobile. I discovered I could run with a full pack on -- much to my surprise. Since that incident, I carry two very loud whistles -- one that is a pull device and the other is one to be blown. These are not standard whistles but ear-deafening affairs. I keep the whistles with my pedometer and map. I understand a whistle in a desolate area is not a preventative but many of these approaches are opportunistic and I do not mind being more crazy than a crazy man. I know about pepper spray but obviously you cannot take it on a plane and it is not always effective once you are grabbed. If there are warnings of strange people or treacherous terrain or even difficult weather, I walk with others. Going over Mt. Aubrac, five of us looked like a scene from March of the Penguins but I was very happy to have joined this little group. We don't have to chat for hours but sometimes it is just wise to be part of a team. I carry a piece of paper in several languages that explains who I am and any medical conditions I have if I should need medical care. I buy emergency insurance if it should be needed.
All of this said I never have given anyone my schedule or checked in more than once a week. On the Vezelay route last week, I was knocked unconscious. When I slowly began walking again I was extremely dizzy but was rescued by a cow herder bringing in his cows at end of day. There were no more pilgrims behind me and no one else who would have used this path. I was more than fortunate in my timing with the cow herder. My walk is suspended until I am symptom-free, probably for the rest of the year. I realize now that checking in along the way is important and I intend to arrange a checking in process for my next walk.
All that I carry is hardly any weight. If you are going to walk alone, woman or man, young or old, I recommend that you prepare as if you will not be rescued and then be grateful if you are. Anyway, if for no other reason by carrying these things I have had the privilege of taking care of others along the way.
All of this said I never have given anyone my schedule or checked in more than once a week. On the Vezelay route last week, I was knocked unconscious. When I slowly began walking again I was extremely dizzy but was rescued by a cow herder bringing in his cows at end of day. There were no more pilgrims behind me and no one else who would have used this path. I was more than fortunate in my timing with the cow herder. My walk is suspended until I am symptom-free, probably for the rest of the year. I realize now that checking in along the way is important and I intend to arrange a checking in process for my next walk.
All that I carry is hardly any weight. If you are going to walk alone, woman or man, young or old, I recommend that you prepare as if you will not be rescued and then be grateful if you are. Anyway, if for no other reason by carrying these things I have had the privilege of taking care of others along the way.
