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skywalker 
Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Apr. 30 2012, 5:58 pm |
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The Camino de Santiago is far and away Europe's most popular footpath. In medieval times 500,000 indigent, illiterate pilgrims risked their lives traipsing to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. In the past twenty years, the Camino has made a dramatic comeback. French, German, Italian, and Spanish pilgrims predominate. Americans have just discovered the Camino and the numbers of Yanks is doubling every year.
Life on the Camino, while not easy, is nowhere near as difficult as the Appalachian Trail. Pilgrims typically walk about 15 miles per day and carry much less weight. In the evening in pueblos they eat three-course meals for about 10 Euros, and stay in pilgrim albergues for 5-7 Euros.
Most pilgrims find the most compelling aspect of the Camino to be how easy it is to meet foreigners in authentic ways, compared to a conventional trip. Many remark that the Camino is the perfect balance of struggle, camaraderie, food, wine, and culture. It is the best way I've ever found to travel.
www.thebestwaycamino.com
Bill Walker is the author of 'The Best Way--El Camino de Santiago' (2012). He is also the author of Skywalker--Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trail (2008) and Skywalker--Highs and Lows on the Pacific Crest Trail (2010). Walker, who is 7-feet tall, is currently working on a whimsical book on the subject of height.
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| Post Number: 2
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Rics
Group: Members
Posts: 172
Joined: Mar. 2006
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Posted on: Apr. 30 2012, 10:54 pm |
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I have done numerous long distance treks across the globe in the past few years including the Annapurna Circuit, the Torres del Paine circuit and the Kepler and Caples in N.Z. All things considered the Camino was one of the best long distance walking experienced I've had. Lots of red wine, olives and cheese and more importantly the opportunity to meet other walkers from acorss the globe. I can't say enough good things about the experience.
Rics in Wyoming.
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Rics
www.trekkerman.com
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| Post Number: 3
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skywalker
Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: May 01 2012, 10:10 am |
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Anna Purna? I'm going in the fall. Quick ? What type shoes did you wear? Boots, low-cut trail-running shoes, mid-cuts? Is the snow likely to be a problem in October?
Thanks,
Skywalker
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| Post Number: 4
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Rics
Group: Members
Posts: 172
Joined: Mar. 2006
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Posted on: May 01 2012, 8:13 pm |
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Low cuts should be fine. I don't know about snow in October. I went in early April and we only experienced snow over Throung La Pass (18,000 ft), but it was packed solid from previous hikers. I would assume October is like October in the Rockies. There could be a storm. Don't worry. there's wil be other trekkers to follow and get advice. If you want more info let me know.
Rics in wyoming.
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Rics
www.trekkerman.com
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| Post Number: 5
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skywalker
Group: Members
Posts: 11
Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: May 07 2012, 1:29 pm |
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Interesting. El Camino de Santiago is a wildly popular destination for Europeans. It has now become so popular that we Americans are showing up. But the popular Anna Purna Circuit, another fabulous trek in the Himalayas frequented by Europeans and Asians, is for the most part still to be discovered by Americans.
Why? Perhaps it's because we have those two great national scenic trails--the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Cest Trail--right here in our own country. That's a pretty good excuse!
My Webpage
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| Post Number: 6
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LiteMan
Group: Members
Posts: 241
Joined: May 2012
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Posted on: May 09 2012, 2:42 am |
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I did El Camino en Espana a few years ago (walked about 500 miles in about 30 days). Really enjoyed it, and would have enjoyed it even more if it wasn't for a persistent jock itch infection that i had, which around that time mutated into super form which i could suppress pretty well, but not completely get rid of. There was one small stretch where i had to take a bus to rest for a couple of days because of the infection. This is what initially got me into researching fabrics like linen and hemp to avoid this in the future.
The best part was the fellow travelers and the largely positive communal spirit. Made a lot of friends from all over the world then. Ended up visiting some in their homelands too, later.
Highly recommend it, especially if you don't have a chronic case of jock itch infection.
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| Post Number: 7
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indianasam
Group: Members
Posts: 5
Joined: Jan. 2009
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Posted on: Aug. 26 2012, 3:32 pm |
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Has anyone done the camino in April? I would be interested in weather and the conditions at that time of year.
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| Post Number: 8
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backpack45scb
Group: Members
Posts: 12
Joined: Aug. 2006
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 12:17 pm |
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April can be gorgeous with spring flowers, but also rain, mud possibility of snow. Go but be prepared. For a highly knowledgeable and active forum on the camino, go to Ivar's camino forum There is also an active Facebook group American Pilgrims Facebook Group
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Publisher of Patagonia Chronicle: On Foot in Torres del Paine, Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago, and We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned Women Backpackers
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| Post Number: 9
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Rics
Group: Members
Posts: 172
Joined: Mar. 2006
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Posted on: Mar. 09 2013, 11:59 pm |
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I did the Camino in April and it was great. Mostly warm days except in Galicia, which is to be expected. You can read about my trip (Or check out Skywalker's) in
my Trekkerman.
Rics
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Rics
www.trekkerman.com
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