Leaving in April.... with one last question :)

[Janam]

I've booked and planned and am getting ready to do the Camino for the first time at the end of April. I'm very excited about embarking on this new adventure and just want to say a quick thank you to those who have contributed to this forum! Most of the questions I have had were answered by reading posts.

The last questions is.... Am I required to register with anyone here in Canada before I leave? I read in a guidebook that I should, but am not sure if it's true, and if it is... where?

Any help would be amazing!

Thank you! Jana

[BHinSanDiego]

No, as far as I know you're not required, you might want to join or visit the website for the Canadian Company of Pilgrims, Canadian Company of Pilgrims. They may keep a record of your fellow Canadians that have walked.

[Henk]

I will be ding the Camino in April too. Since most people warned me about the weather I wonder if the refugios along the road have blankets. Or should I carry a real warm sleeping bag?

[BHinSanDiego]

Some alburgues do have blankets but it's a hit and miss thing, you never know, you will need some type of sleeping bag, the lighter the better.

[Leslie]

Hi Henk,

Carry a decent sleeping bag. Mine is very small and light but also warm, was a little expensive but well worth it.

[grayland]

Weight is everything. Recommend a light sleeping bag. A silk liner is good if you are going to use alburgue blankets. You don't want them next to you. : )

[Gaelic]

BOOTS--I have a comfortable pair of Mephisto boots that have good ankle support--but they are fairly rigid and heavy.
Advice I get suggests I take them-others say get a good running shoe for flexibility and comfort.
My real concern with the Mephisto -cost $500 2 years ago-and in great shape is that the weight and rigidity are a negative and could cause shin splints over a few weeks walk.
Any advice is greatly appreciated
Edward

[Ange]

Hi
I´m nearly two weeks into my Camino and having a rare catch up online in a library so thought I´d see how it was all going on the forum!
Having an amazing time, no matter what you expect it will be more challenging, more rewarding, more breath-taking, more friendly.... more everything!
Some quick advice´- I´m obviously here earlier than you so it has been quite chilly the odd day, but I would recommend a warm sleeping bag - mine is a proper down one, three season, very warm but very light - worth the extra money for a decent bag, some albergues have blankets, some don´t and there´s nothing worse then being cold when you´ve been walking all day and are exhausted.
Shoes - I would recommend walking shoes rather than boots. You don´t need the ankle support for the vast majority of the walk, and just be careful if going up or down steeply. The most important thing is that they are comfortable, light and waterproof, in my opinion. I´ve met a few people with heavy boots and they are regretting not bringing lighter shoes´- some have developed terrible blisters. I can recommend the ones I bought, actually not long before I set off so not much time to wear in, I´ve been very lucky - Keen is the make, ´Keen dry´the specifc model. I bought them online. They are like slippers they´re so comfortable and I haven´t had the merest hint of a blister. I bought them half a size bigger than my feet.
Have a wonderful time and hope this has been useful!!
PS A final tip - bring a pillow case, albergues have pillows but some cleaner than others and so nice to have your own clean pillow case next to your face!!

[HuskyNerd]

Glad you're having a super camino, Ange. Great advice on sleeping bags (esp in spring) and pillow cases (for those that don't bring their own inflatable pillow). On boots, though, I think that's a personal preference issue. In my 2008 camino I started with walking shoes and had huge blister problems. Once I arrived in Burgos I tossed out my walking shoes and bought the heaviest pair of hiking boots I could find. I needed the ankle support and didn't like stopping to clean out little rocks several times a day that had bounced up into my shoe. Shoes just didn't provide the side to side support I needed. A well-fitting boot doesn't cause any more blisters than a well-fitting shoe and for up/down hills I wouldn't trade mine for anything. Buen camino to you!

[grayland]

Keep posting with your impressions and experiences.
Many who are preparing to go will follow and enjoy your posts.

[hermann]

Hi Jana,
I will be starting my first Camino from St Jean on about the 25/4.
see you on the route.
Otto (South Africa)

[Janam]

The mission is to leave on the 24th.... I look forward to possibly seeing you!

[Terri e]

I am also leaving soon and starting in St. Jean. Did anyone bring a second pair of boots? Being a southern Cal. Girl I will pack my rainbow flip flops for rest time but was considering putting in lighter old hiking shoes incase my boots just don't work. Have been breaking them in but would be happier if I had backup. I hear you screaming no don't do...think of the weight....but did anyone do it?

[Covey]

You need boots or shoes during the day and flip flops for the evenings and in the shower.

I used to carry Teva Trail Sandals for the evenings and as backup for my boots, but although they were excellent, they were HEAVY.

I now carry a pair of Crocks which are very light, ideal for the shower and assume my Merell Moabs will carry me through the days without backup!

[BHinSanDiego]

Hey Terri, I didn't see anyone carrying extra boots, but I did see quite a few pairs of boots left along the Camino, hung on wire fence, sitting on waymarkers, etc. You could always take them, if they become too much to deal with as far as weight you can mail them to Santiago, I don't recommend mailing them home, it's very expensive.

[grayland]

I am not sure what your "boots" are in comparison to your light weight hiking shoes. I would be pretty careful about any heavy leather type boots. It just isn't that rough of terrain. I wore Merrill hiking shoes on the first Camino and Keen hiking shoes on the second.
I truly would not carry two pairs of hiking boots. Like Covey, many people take a pair of Tevas that can be used in shower and at night and can be used to walk if wanted.

[Ange]

Hi

I´m four weeks in (out of six) and still enjoying occasionally logging on to the forum. Re second pair of boots - everyone I´ve met who brought a second pair (not many) ended up dumping them or sending home (weight) try and just decide which ones are the best. Light, waterproof and comfortable is my advice.

Although I ´´hate´´ them I am SO jealous of people with Crocs! They are so light and comfortable and the fact that you can just slip them on with your socks on is a real bonus. I´ve got flip flops which are fine if not wearing socks. We´re lucky enough at the moment to be having a heatwave (for April) - 30 degrees today so at the mo is fine, so you may be OK as you´re weather should be good later in April´May I would have thought.

Another tip from one ´mid Camino´- bring words to your favourite songs! The amount of singing I´ve been doing with walking companions is unbelieveable and it´s so frustrating we all have to resort to ´dum de dum de dum, mmm, hum, mmn....´etc half the time. Everyone knows the Beatles and if someone had had a Beatles song book it would have been fantastic. Guitars in some albergues as well - ditto.

Anything else? I was blister and injury free after three weeks and got lazy doing stretches and Pilates (which I find is great) - keep up your excercises and strecthing! I started to develop problems after 3 weeks when I thought I was ´safe´- have now started stretching and back excercises again having learned my lesson.

Expect ups and downs- everyone I know has been in tears and/or homesick on at least one occasion, it´s normal and it will pass. It´s amazing, the best thing I´ve ever done in my life, you won´t regret it.

Now I´m to enjoy some late afternoon sun before cooking pasta and salad for my travelling buddies and carry on making the most of every precious moment :O)

Good luck everyone x

[Ange]

PS When I did start to cry on reaching the albergue in Burgos - a combination of being hot, tired, aching and fed up after a very long day, I found myself descended on by six people within seconds for a massive group hug with me in the middle, which ended up with me crying with laughter - it was lovely. People are SO supportive caring.

[Covey]

Ange............There is something about cooking for your Camino family. You all muck in preparing whatever there are pots and pans to cook and then sit down together with a bottle or three and eat and drink together and talk about your day, or life or whatever. I don't wish to sound profane, but it is rather like Communion without the fancy clothes and ritual.

If there are four or five of you and you put €10 each in the kitty you can dine like kings compared with the Pilgrim Menu at the local Dog and Duck!

When Croc's first came out the only ones you saw were pink or yellow, but when I found a pair in black (far more manly than pink!!) I bought them and last year took the Crocs instead of my Teva's. Croc's are brilliant!!

Buen Camino and enjoy Santiago!