5 Things You Forgot to Pack! Tips and insights for older walkers and novices
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- Sandy French, a seasoned, senior walker of the Camino and other trails, shares his tips and insights to walking long distances successfully.
These videos will appeal to older or more senior walkers and first timers, sharing his learnings on how to get the most out of your hike. Of course if you just want practical tips you will find also a treasure trove of insights.
The content will cover key topics such as preparation and training, hiking boots, rain wear, should you use a travel company, to smaller but important topics such as specialty items to pack, hiking poles, and how hard is the Camino?
Sandy has decided to share these videos based on the idea "what would he have liked to have known "pre-walk" that he knows now.
If you're thinking of hiking the Camino or other long distance trails and you have practical questions, then these videos will give you great insights and answers to help you have a fun and successful walk.
Interesting! A "buff", and the other things - but - a sink plug!!!??? Great idea!
Well albergues, pensiones, hotels have got wise to pilgrims - rarely a plug or hangers...so yeah i used it everyday!
Thx for the feedback hope it helps
Love your videos. The Camino has been on my bucket list since 2016. Planning to do it next May possibly. A tip with the plug that I saw on another video. Use a silicone cup/ glass cover, fits most plug spots.
Hope you can go, it really is an amazing adventure...and who doesn't love an adventure. Thx for your kind feedback. Buen Camino!
Like that you get to the point without a lot of chatter.
Thx Ginger appreciate the feedback. I'm just back from the Camino del Norte, quite an adventure, beautiful but tough.
I do laundry inside a thick plastic “reusable” store bag, when there’s no plug. Plus, at hostels, I never need to wait for a free sink.
Very clever! Thanks for sharing
Sandy, you're a Godsend! I'm 63, overweight and a desk jockey. I sadly lost my wife of 40 years last year (2021) - I've been lost in grief for the last 18 months but am coming out of it and multiple "coincidences" on the one weekend a fortnight ago conspired to let me know about the Camino (Obviously a first timer) . It struck me that a goal like this, in a realistic timeframe (say 12 or 18 months away) was what the old spirit needed to get back into life and rediscover myself.
While I'm terrified of what I need to change physically and emotionally to get to the starting line (I'm thinking the french way) - isn't that the point?
Your tips are what I need to get confidence I can do that.
So I'm really interested in putting together a plan to get myself TO the Camino. Questions in my head are really around that.
1. How far should I be realistically able to walk (I'm assuming hilly terrain) before I arrive there? I'm looking to join our local walking club - that's going to be daunting given I currently get puffed walking a block
2. Socialising after the walk while having my own room. I am looking forward to meeting people along the way (all ages and countries), and stopping sometimes in evenings to talk and maybe a drink or two. While naturally sociable, I think having my own room is the most practical for me at this stage. Did you find the hotel / room booking isolated you from the "great unwashed" 🙂 or were the Alberges relatively nearby - especially at meal time?
3. Any tips about managing medication along the way, getting prescription refills?
I'm just starting on your videos - and they are perfect tips for me. I hope to find something about the emotional challenge and how I can "work my attitude in, along with my feet and my boots"
Happy to chat anytime
All the best
Hi Pierre I think you will find the walk incredibly beneficial both mentally and physically - many find it life changing.
Being in some sort of modest shape is important and it will make the walk so much more enjoyable and easier. There are many hills on the Camino and many days where you have a long walk before you can stop for the day so i would say be able to walk at least 2 hours or 6 miles / 10km before you go. But it is very very doable for people of all ages shapes and sizes!
In terms of socializing that will never be an issue, the Camino is incredible social. You can book through a tour company like Camino Ways, do it yourself ahead of time (Bookings.com), book baggage transport to lighten your load or just wing it and stay in Albergues. I like my own room and bathroom so I booked ahead. But I 100% guarantee you will meet many many people
There are many pharmacies along the Camino and they are very good.
I highly recommend if you are on Facebook to join many of the Camino Groups or Google Camino Forum and join that group it is fantastic.
Let me know if i can help further! Buen Chemin
I really appreciate your openness about the loss of your wife and that you still struggle with deep depression over it. It’s been 11 months and I feel like the Camino might help me. There are so many questions inside the emptiness of our home. Maybe the purpose of it all will be revealed in the Camino.
The man who founded the "Road Runners" in NYC also couldn't walk more than 2 blocks before getting winded. 6:32
I walked the French Camino in 2015 when I was 70 and it was the experience of my life. My advice is basically to go now, don't overplan it and don't take too much notice of You-tube. Most of the people putting up clips are really telling the world how great they are and a lot of the advice is bad. Don't be talked into doing any Camino other than the French and don't do stage 1 from France into Roncesvalles. It is the hardest stage of the whole journey and takes a lot of people out, from blisters to death, and it is the longest stage and you can get caught out overnight. Get to Pamplona and go to the bus station. There used to be, probably is, a bus every evening out to the Monastery. That's the official starting point anyway, you can get your Credential etc there. Failing that, take a cab! The French Camino is a walk in the park, it's just a very big park. Start short. Use booking.com and reserve a bed in B&B or private auberges for two or three nights, targeting 10-15 Km to break your feet in. Take old, comfortable footwear. The route will take you back through Pamplona and you can hole up for two or three nights, assesss your condition and gear and make adjustments. Walk free. Do NOT commit yourself to schedules, bookings or baggage transport companies. Walk alone. You should never target more than 20Km and don't be a slave to plans. I once did a 1km day!! Treat yourself to a cheap hotel 2-3 times a week and use alberges in between. They are nothing to be frightened of. Adjust the balance as you find out your preferences. Young people in Europe respect the old and you will never lack advice and conversation if you want it. All your walk should be planned to your body - stop when tired, eat when hungry etc. There are plenty of places to eat and drink, water is readily available - not true on other routes.
I used tostart early (which you have to do) and call it a day at 1400 when the alberges open. Find a bed, do laundry, have a kip, go out and eat, take it a day at a time and enjoy. If your hostel or hotel offers evening meal, sign up for it and you will get company. Otherwise look for "Menu de Peregrino", pilgrim menu. Stop in the cities, see the sights. My first night I was told the Camino is a mental challenge not a physical one and this is true. There are only a few hard stages and the trick is just shorten distance if you know it's going to be hard. By the time you reach Galicia you will be a different man. Avoid high summer and winter (various reasons) go Spring or early summer (before schools break) Good Luck. Enjoy!
@@michaelbird3887 thanks michael - appreciate the encouragement and tips
A plug....Good suggestion.
I've been using old fashioned bandanas for the same uses as "the buff." They work great. Like the plug recommendation although new fangled hotel sinks can be a nightmare with or without a plug.
Good idea
I’m on the Camino Norte now and I’m very grateful for my plug…and hangers and clothes pins
I always travel with a thin piece of nylon rope to use as a clothesline.
Loved the plug! Very good advice !
A plug! Who would have thought? You did, I guess. Thanks!
Plug is key -and hangers and clothes pins!
Great suggestions! I want to take a pocket knife, but don’t think I can get it past security if I’m only doing carry on.
Hi Marcia, I agree I think it might be hard...you can try (I did) hid it in a few things and you know sometimes they pay attention to your bag sometimes not...or just buy one in SJPP. More videos coming!
Buy one in Spain, you get longer blades, essential for cutting cheese. Give it away in Santiago.
I really wish I had packed a sink plug.
I know, use it almost every night
How did you take a pocket knife on the plane? Did you check your luggage?
had to check my bag...last walk (the amino orte this year) I did not check my bag and bough a knife for $20. Hope this helps!
@@seniorswalkingthecamino Thank you for your answer!
How did you get the knife on the plane?
Hi Judy, I checked my bag that time...this time i did carry on and bought a small knife (and hiking poles) in town. Buen Camino!
how do you check a backpack? i struggle with the backpack duffle bag idea-- how would i carry it for the duration of the camino (unnecessary weight). i want to take my trekking poles and pocket knife. i don't know what to do...have you found a very light weight duffle to check a backpack on the plane?
Taking trekking poles is hit or miss but a knife no chance so you have to check your bag. There are numerous options to explore - you can tie your packup no loose strings, IKEA sells a cheap (few bucks) plastic bag called a Fracka or something like that you can put it in, see if the airline gives out bags, ask the airline for a baby seat bag or check UPS etc for a bag to put the pack in. Good Luck Churra
This may be too late, but TH-camr Rob, from "Robs Camino", recommends packing the poles in a packing tube and checking them in for the flight. He then carries his backpack on board with him. I think he also puts his penknife in the tube too.
Good suggestions but desperately needs editing. It could have all been said in 1/2 the time
Thx for the feedback. I agree need to be more succinct, will do better next time
@@sandyfrench4185 Dont be succinct, Sandy we are enjoying the vids. Very informative
@@dgale1023 Thx for all you. support Dave it is very much appreciated!
Not in a hurry so thank you. Novice learning so important for meX