First time walking

[Kansas098]

Hello everyone. I will be starting in Saint Jean and thinking about starting in March or April. How is the weather then? Will there be many people at that time of the year? Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Kansas ~
Welcome to the Camino Forum. Nice to see another American heading to the Camino. You'll be one of the 1.5% of pilgrims who hail from the 'ole U.S. of A.

The weather in March/April can be tricky at high elevations of the Camino Frances. Snowstorms during this season are not uncommon, so you'll want to be alert to weather forecasts before you climb out of St Jean PdP, to Cruce de Ferro, and to O'Cebreiro (your three biggest climbs). Expect rain for the first couple of weeks in the lower regions (Navarre, La Rioja, Galicia) and spotty sunshine and wind in Castille/Leon. You'll want to plan on warm layers and good waterproofing.

There are few other pilgrims on the last stretches of the Camino during March but many, many more during April, especially as you near Santiago. In March 2009 (the last non-Holy Year) a total of only 1,808 pilgrims arrived in Santiago. In April of the same year a total of 10,244 completed their pilgrimages. This is about 1/3 of the total in August of 2009 and 1/4 the number of last month. In other words, numbers of pilgrims will be substantially smaller than other months. Without a doubt, though, you'll have companionship along the way, just in smaller quantity than during other seasons.

Hope this helps. Again, welcome to the Forum.

[Kansas098]

Since none of my plans are set it sounds like I may be better off starting in May. I don't think I could make it with the snow.
Thanks and if there is any more advice I'm sure I could use it. Don't really know what questions to ask.

[HuskyNerd]

Great choice. May is my favorite month to start and my current plans have me on the Camino Frances the second week of May 2011 beginning at St Jean PdP.

This Forum contains lots of great advice for first-timers. As you browse the pages you'll find many helpful ideas like packing lists, tips on getting to/from the Camino, etc. As questions occur -- whether or not they're answered already -- don't hesitate to ask. There are lots of folks eager to help fellow pilgrims.

Buen camino!

[Kansas098]

What city is the best to fly into and then get to Saint Jean? As you can guess I'm coming from Kansas.

[HuskyNerd]

What city is the best to fly into and then get to Saint Jean? As you can guess I'm coming from Kansas.

Hi Kans --
Most people fly from the US to a major European city then connect to Biarritz. From there it's easy to transfer to Bayonne then take the train to SJPP.

[Kansas098]

Thanks Husky for all the information. I am retiring at the first of the year and turning 56 years old.
I have never done anything like this before but for some reason I find myself being pulled in this direction.
I have read that I should keep my passport and papers with me at all times, what do you do with your passport, money ect and pack when you are at a albergue taking a shower? I have also read that some people leave their packs at the albergues when they go out at night. Is this a good idea? Or should I keep it with me at all times?
I guess also the question is "How safe is it out there"?

[HuskyNerd]

I have read that I should keep my passport and papers with me at all times, what do you do with your passport, money ect and pack when you are at a albergue taking a shower? I have also read that some people leave their packs at the albergues when they go out at night. Is this a good idea? Or should I keep it with me at all times?
I guess also the question is "How safe is it out there"?

Hey K --
Congrats on your retirement. The Camino is a great first step in your new life. Many pilgrims are making big transitions in life and find the mix of solitude and community offered by the Camino to be a good thing.

Your pack is safe at the albergue during dinner and showers. My passport, plastic cards, cash and credenciale reside in a waterproof bag that I take with me to dinner and the shower. I've never heard of a pilgrim having these items stolen, but given that I'm 9000 miles from home I don't want to risk that I'd be the first.

Hope that helps. Buen camino!

[Kansas098]

Any quess on how long it should take an old man, who is just now starting to get in shape to finish? I was planning about 42 days. I think I will need a few rest days in the schelude.
Should I take a cell phone with me from the states or buy one of the prepaid ones over there? Or should I plan on just using e-mail. I have read that there are some computers that you can use there. How does that work?

[Gazza]

I kepth passport/credecial in small plastic 'zip lock' bit like a sandwich bag & kept it in my shorts pocket all the time, hence it went to the shower with me & my small money puch as well. These never left my person. My wife left her passport & credencial in the top of her pack & never had an issue.

Packs stay at the Albergue, they will be fine, who wants to carry anything more then they already have.

As for the ceel phone, I took mine from home (Oz) & rarely used it. Didn't see the point in buying another over there.

Computers are accessable at various Albergues whereby mostly they cost a euro or 3 for abt 30mins.

Congrats on retirement . I still have a few years to go & in Oz it seems like its always being extended.

[Kansas098]

Thanks Gazza
I'm starting to get excited and ready to get on with the rest of my life.
If there is any other information you can share feel free. I know I have alot too learn.

[Tanya Yaksich]

Hi Kansas,
I thought i read you were 56! You then call yourself an "old man" . Lighten up!!! you're a spring chicken!! I had my 63 birthday at Rabanal del Camino and my Sister turned 68 2 weeks later. I consider ourselves close to middle age! We are not OLD, just recycled teenagers.

I dislike excercise but love walking. My training was a bit of walking on flat ground. Not many hills around here. My Sister who lives in Alicante did lots of training up and down hills and it didn't help her. As i told her, my training was the walk itself. Just take it easy the first few days.

Just make sure your pack is light and comfortable. Enjoy your walk.
Cheers Tanya

[Kansas098]

Thanks Tanya for the encouragement. I am starting to put a kit together now. The big question is to take a sleeping bag or just a liner. I'm going the first of May.
I found a 35L pack that I liked, but not sure if it is big enough?

[Covey]

In May you need a sleeping bag! The sleeping bag liners are fine in late June through September.

You need an "indoor" bag as you will never have to sleep outdoors and get one that is as light as possible.

I would suggest a 50L bag so you can carry the sleeping bag inside the pack. A 35L bag really needs the sleeping bag strapped on the outside and I have a thing about hanging bits outside the pack. Easy for vital bits to fall off and get lost! When looking at packs, weigh the empty packs! They vary in weight a lot and as you should be aiming for 10kgs all up, you do not need to use a lot of the weight allowance on just the pack itself. I use an Osprey Atmos 50L which I find is ideal, and it weighs just over 1.2kgs.

[Maya2]

Hi Kansas. Please, at 56 you are not old. In the States, AARP tries to make you feel old by forcing a membership on you at 50. I'm 58, (don't belong to AARP), do yoga and walk everyday. Love hiking and skiing. I'm middle-aged and loving it. I'll think about being old when, hmmm, maybe at 70? I'll wait and see. At any rate, you'll do great. A lot of people get in shape as they go. Take your time and do it your way.

[Kansas098]

Thanks Maya. I am set to retire on Jan 1 2011 and will have more free time to start getting in shape for the walk. Funny you should say you do yoga, I have been checking out some classes at the YMCA here. I think it will help.

[Covey]

We are all just Recycled Teenagers!!!

[Maya2]

Funny you should say you do yoga, I have been checking out some classes at the YMCA here. I think it will help.

By all means. Get in an intro class or rent or buy a DVD for beginning yoga. I like these teachers: Rod Stryker, Patricia Walden and Rodney Yee. There's a DVD called "All Day Yoga" with an AM, PM and Stress Relief practice. They're short (about 15 to 30 minutes). I like the PM segment best. I also like Rod Stryker's "Yoga for Longitivity"-- also sold as "Peak Performance."

Yoga builds muscle and bone, increases flexibility and balance. When I finish, I feel as if I've had a massage. About 20 years ago I was writing a story for my paper and was assigned a fitness story. When I spoke with the yoga instructor, he said yoga would change my life. It did! I'm fit and the meditative portions help me stay calm and centered in a hectic world. Remember, we call it a practice because we can never be perfect. Hope you enjoy it!

[Daisy]

Hi, I will also be doing my first camino in 2011, I was hoping for May but it looks more like I will be going in September. I have read a lot of great information on this site but I do have a few questions.
Is it really necessary to book your rooms ahead of time, I have researched a lot on line so I have some idea as to where I would like to stay each night but I don't necessarily want to worry about making a reservation each morning.

[Gazza]

Daisy

No need to book a thing except maybe first nite & second night in the moutains. Booking will only restict you to where you need to be every nite & that could become a problem. ie you might need to rest an injury or you might meet like minded people you want to hang around with & their schedule is different. Some days you might want to start later.

Albergues are everywhere & a fantastic way to meet people

Gazza

[Covey]

Hello Daisy, and welcome to the Forum.

Gazza is absolutely right is suggesting that you pre-book your first night and leave the rest to the Camino and it's ways. If you are starting at St Jean then it is comforting to know you have a bed waiting for you, but for the rest of the time, just go with the flow.

You cannot book a bed in the "official" albergues which are usually state owned. I follow a simple rule: Start walking at first light and finish around 2pm. I have walked the Camino Frances three times in September and have never not found a bed in the albergue I wanted to stay in.

The Camino has so many variables such as the weather, and how you are feeling, that planning is a waste of time. When I stick my nose outside the albergue door at dawn, I rarely have much idea where I will be sleeping that night. You tend to make friends quickly with others and fall into a pattern of walking with those who go at the same pace as you, are fun to be with, and who speak your own language. Sometimes I walk with others in my Camino Family, and other days I will walk alone and meet up in the evenings for a beer (or two!) and a meal. It is your Camino, and you walk it whichever way you like.

Even if you want to stay in a small hotel on occasions, there is no need to book as you will always find a bed.

[Daisy]

Thanks Covey,

I will be doing the Camino by myself so I guess I'm a little nervous, but after reading all of the great information on this site I do feel a lot better prepared.

Daisy