First Time Pilgrim - 1 week

[culloty82]

Hi, I'm a 26 year old Kerry guy, thinking of joining a group pilgrimage in mid-May. I'm of average fitness, walk every day, but I've never done any hiking. Just looking for advice about temperatures to expect, what clothes and gear to bring, and what general route a seven-day pilgrimage follows.

[Covey]

May/June is supposed to be a good time to walk the Camino Frances, and to walk with a group can be good fun, but you will probably find that after a few days, people tend to walk in pairs as it is easier to walk with someone who walks at the same pace as you do. There are stretches where the trail is single file and it can be very frustrating to get stuck behind a group who are walking at a slower pace than you.

Sometimes it is nice just to walk on your own and then meet up in the evenings for a meal.

The kit list for May to October is much the same. You need wet weather gear such as a poncho, but unless it is a real downpour, I tend not to bother climbing in and out of rain gear, as you will dry out very quickly as you walk. Best to pack all your kit in your rucksack in plastic bags as the packs are not normally waterproof!! I use large food bags from a supermarket with the built in seals at the top. You can just use a large bin liner and put everything in that, but I find multiple bags more effective. Take a roll of bags with you, and don't forget to keep your passport and Pilgrim Passport wrapped in one in your pocket. If everything is in plastic bags, then don't bother carrying a pack cover.

In May/June and Sept/Oct you need a fleece as it can get cold in the evenings.

Walking poles are very useful, and can be purchased cheaply and are fairly lightweight. I used to think that walking in the UK with poles was for wimps, but always carry them now. There are parts of the trail which are quite steep screed slopes with a lot of loose rock. The poles help you keep your balance, and remember that the pack on your back changes your balance and makes the walker top heavy. Most of the time my poles travel strapped to the pack. Some pilgrims use them all the time, and if you think you might, invest in a pair of gloves, as blisters on your hands are not much fun!! Most shops selling poles will sell fingerless gloves to protect the palms of your hand. A spare set of rubber tips for your poles is a good idea.

There are shops in Pamplona, Burgos and Leon which sell all the bits you might need to replace.

Keep your pack to 8kgs + 2kgs for food, water and things like chocolate. Virtually everywhere you find an albergue there will be a shop and probably a pharmacy, so don't worry about running out of things. The shops and pharmacy's along the trail are well used to pilgrims and their requirements.

Always, always carry your own loo roll!!!

Have fun