Last years credencial

[Steven Hampton]

Hello there I was wondering if anybody could help me with this one? I am walking the second half of the camino from Burgos to Santiago in June and I still have last years credencial. Will it still be valid this year or do I have to buy a new one. I will arrive late in Burgos and would like to get off early in the morning without having to mess about getting a new one. Cheers, Steven.

[joe]

I think last years credencial will be fine if you used it up until Burgos last year. People often do it in 3-4 stages with the same credencial, but they start off where they last left.

[Steven Hampton]

Hmmm, I used it up to Logrono, but I only have 16 days off work and don't fancy trying to go all the way from there to Santiago in one go, plus I booked a ticket to Santander now and I have it planned in my head. I hope this works! If not.... Cheers for the help though, Ste.

[joe]

Hmm thinking more about it i'm not sure now. I've read before on this forum that they only keep your record for 3 months (because it is enough time to complete the camino), but i've also read that someone has used their passport credencial for 3 years doing seperate parts at a time. I think you may be able to renew your details, because it's a waste of well earned stamps if you can't use the same passport.

I'm sure one the experienced members on this forum will answer shortly and confirm it.

[BHinSanDiego]

Steven, I don't think it's going to be a problem, many people are like you and cannot complete their Camino on one trip, I have some German friends I met last year back on the Camino as I type this, they too are starting from Burgos, last year they walked from St Jean to Burgos in 12 days and are doing another 2 weeks. If anything, you can always get another Passport in Burgos at the cathedral if you have to. Joe, I'm not sure what records you referring to, since you're moving forward toward Santiago and there is no computer records of Caminos (as far as I know) there won't be any record for them to check anyway. Once the passport is stamped the alburgue hospitaleros log you into their ledger, maybe thats the record you're thinking of. I didn't see any electronic record keeping though maybe some of the newer private alburgues may have them.

[joe]

I'm not sure about the records I mentioned either... I just read on here somewhere that they kept your details on record for 3 months, giving you enough time to complete the camino. But I'm not sure about it. However, there are statistics to show how many people walked the camino each year, so there must be some sort of record keeping. Not sure if it's electronic though, I have no idea how they do it lol

[BHinSanDiego]

Maybe, now this is just a guess, it seemed pretty much every village has an old man sitting at the edge of the village or around somewhere, I often times thought they took shifts, Paco 7-10 AM, Jose 10 till noon, they may be counting people, who knows! LOL. I think the statistics are compiled in Santiago at the Compostela office when you get it.

[joe]

Hahaha those sneaky old men, i'll be on the lookout for them! Hmm, I guess that is more logical to count the amount of people who recieved a Compostela... this would also mean that your credentials can be used year after year, doing bits at a time, because once you show your stamps at Santiago, and you have at least walked the last 100km in your last trip then you qualify for the Compostela.

[HuskyNerd]

That's exactly right, Joe. Steven, you'll be fine. The cathedral office in Santiago will check to see whether you've walked the last 100 kms. They may notice and ask to confirm that it took you two years, but they're mostly looking for the last 100 kms. In 2008 I walked from SJPP to Villafranca del Bierzo then I returned to the US for 6 weeks and came back to the camino starting again at Villafranca with the same credencial. No fuss, no hassle at the cathedral office.

[Steven Hampton]

Thanks a lot for your replies you've set my mind well at rest, also I'm happy that somebody managed the same walk in 12 days as I was slightly worried I'd overchallanged myself as I know there are a few hills to climb after Leon. Maybe our paths shall cross someday en route,

[Irishwalker]

Thanks a lot for your replies you've set my mind well at rest, also I'm happy that somebody managed the same walk in 12 days as I was slightly worried I'd overchallanged myself as I know there are a few hills to climb after Leon. Maybe our paths shall cross someday en route,

Hi Steve,I just returned yesterday having completed my Camino in 3 years, using the same Credencial each time. I did 2 weeks each year and there was absolutely no problem to use the same pilgrim passport. Good luck with the second half of your Camino. Enjoy - the scenery is stunning!!