Leaving St Jean Pied de Port in late June

[caractacus]

Hoping to complete the Camino by starting in late June, can not do any other time since my vacations are prescribed by employment.
Just a few queries...I have heard differing advice about footwear...hiking boots say some others say not needed just sturdy footwear...I would incline to the former but the contradictory advice is confusing.

Also just how difficult is the auberge and refugio situation? Some say its impossible to get spaces others say its not such a problem..I wish to use them where possible, but if they are full do I miss out on getting the needed stamp in my carnet...ie if you stay somewhere else other than the refugio do they satmp your carnet or do you have to go to the refugio to get it stamped?

Finally is it really necessary to be leaving at 6 am to get into the next refugio...or is it possible to leave at 8 am which I think is more like it..I want to do this trip but I am certainly not interested in a masochisic macho who can get up earliest/ walk longest/ take most pain type of experience. I am prepared for discomfort and am an experienced traveller, but I see no need make it any more difficult than it evidently already is... Any ideas on all above gratefully received ....
John in County Kerry...Ireland

[Covey]

It's really up to you and what you feel comfortable wearing. If you already have a pair of walking boots which are comfortable, then take them and you will be fine.

If you don't have any hiking footwear, find a specialist walking/sports shop and see what they have. My boots are Salomon and they do a shoe version of the boot which I also have. In June you will be OK with the shoe which is lighter and better overall for a warm weather Camino.

What you must do is break them in. The shoe is rather like a trainer and does not look out of place wearing them when dressed casual. Not really suitable for a suit!!.

The albergues are not usually a problem and life has got easier with the increase in the number of private albergues. The trick is to aim to reach an albergue at 2.30/3pm and it is 99% certain you will find a bed. If not find one of the private albergues which will cost you ?3-5 more. If you leave finishing until late afternoon, you may well find the official albergues full as they tend to fill up first.

Everywhere on the Camino has the stamp! Fruit stalls at the side of the road have stamps as do bars, and on up to the 4*/5* hotels in Burgos/Leon.

What time you start walking is up to you, providing you start before 8am!! That is because the albergue staff want everyone out so that they can clean, before opening up again at sometime after 1pm.

The anti-social bastards are up at 5am, head torches on and making one hell of a racket. I tend to get up at 0630 and stick my nose outside the albergue door at 7am just as dawn is breaking. I never start walking until first light. The headlamp brigade (usually German) often end up getting lost in the dark when they miss an arrow painted on the wall or path.

It is an absolute rule on the Camino that you will overtake these clowns around 11am and arrive at the albergue before them. The problem then is that they want to go to bed early at 8pm and want all the lights turned out and the curtains pulled, so that when you arrive back at 9.30pm in time for lockup, you get to stumble around in the dark!. Some albergues have centrally controlled lights which they turn out at 10.30. Much better and saves lots of aggro!!.

I am starting from St Jean on Friday 3rd July so might catch up if I can keep the old bones moving!!

Buen Camino

[walkmag]

Thankyou Covey for that reply, it contains some good info

cheers..