Heights

[eric]

I am seeking feedback from those who have journeyed. I want to make the journey but my spouse has a terrible fear of heights, drop offs, and bridges. Is there reason to be concerned? Thank you for your help! Eric

[Lipka149]

Hi Eric -

Well ... yes, of course there is reason for concern whenever one's spouse has a fear, and I admire you for being sensetive to it. The Camino has many stretches of flat terrain, but also has it's share of heights, drop offs, and bridges. If indeed she wants to experience this adventure with you, you must either plan very carefully to avoid what she fears, or help her overcome the fear itself.

Fear of heights is something that I suffer from as well. I understand the paralyzing feeling that comes over the human body when faced with the prospect of taking ... that next step. Even so, I never once experienced that horrible feeling on the Way.

But man, I gotta be honest, there were times when I looked over the edge and thought "If I fall now, no one will ever find me." Added to this were times when loose rubble made me lose my balance and if not for my wonderful boots ... <sigh> ...

Perhaps it is best to find out how deep this fear is before attempting a Camino together.

[grayland]

That is amazing....I have not ever seen a place on the camino that involved looking down from a high place...except a couple of bridges that were normal wide street and sidewalk types.
No narrow trails on cliffs or next to drop offs.

[HuskyNerd]

I have a mild fear of heights -- sweaty palms in high spots -- but there were only a couple of times I felt my palms get sweaty on the Camino Frances. They were both in the same place: Portomarin. The bridge across the man-made lake into town is high and the sidewalk is fairly narrow, and the old metal bridge out of town feels high and rickety. There's not an easy alternative to the high bridge, however there's a wide, concrete bridge going out of town that is an easy substitute for the rickety metal one. I'd have to say there are many other high places -- mountain trails, etc., but I always felt safe.

[grayland]

I think Sandy is probably right about Porto Marin. I could see the bridges bothering some people. Not enough to avoid the Camino I wouldn't think.

[unadara]

On the way into Astorga there is a bridge over the railway, it is very wide and closed in, it is very annoying as 12 steps would get you over the tracks but this way you have to walk around and around...one is very tired at this stage you must understand..I did not get annoyed/just amused! I too can get a sick feeling from heights but did not experience it, except looking over bridge at Portomarin to see the drowned city! Oh and the blue bridge on way into Leon is best avoided, get bus from Mansilla.