Planning Your Camino de Santiago Walk

Stay with it, Doug. Thoroughly enjoy your posts. My scheduled departure was August 16th.

France has stated that visitors from outside the EU, the Schengen Area and the UK will be subject to 14 days quarantine. Other countries like Spain may follow suit. This will deter most visitors from outside these areas until next year at least.

Thanks for the vids Doug
We were supposed to start on the 2nd of June and have been very fortunate to get a full refund from the airline… I feel that the Camino isn’t going anywhere as time fleets quickly.

I am in the same predicament. I was going to finish my Camino series in May. Nevertheless, I’ll go back as soon as it opens. Good luck in your Camino. Ultreia…

Thank you Ivar. I am so glad that Trish volunteered to do this and you did a great job of including the questions we suggested on the Tuesday Zoom. Very inspiring to think it is not only possible to walk right now but also a very positive experience!

I believe that one of the best things for the early risers is to pack up before you go to sleep. I carried earplugs to give to others because I’ve been told that I snore.

Horrible, i feel your pain. lots of very useful info! thanks so much for sharing!�� looking forward to tagging along! ��

I’ll start the camino on July 10th:) I talked with some people that are doing it right now and, even if there’s not a lot of people, hostels are open

UPDATE 07.17.2020 As most of you probably know, Spain has “reopened” as have many Albergues. However, Spain is not yet open to citizens of the USA. Sadly, the Covid restrictions on Albergues are pretty fierce (fewer beds can be used, kitchens and other common areas are closed off, no indoor eating, social distancing even outside, masks, etc.). Further, because of space limits, albergues must be reserved in advance something that is not always an option for pilgrims who cannot simply hike any distance on any day. Finally, airline tickets and hotel fees are rising quickly due to increased demand for fewer resources (ECON 101). For all of these reasons, the Camino is a no go for me and my cousin this (and probably next) year.

This has been a costly endeavor (I am STILL fighting to get my airfare back from my miserable booking company!), and I doubt I’ll recover in time for 2021 (which is also a holy year meaning even more pilgrims competing for rooms). So to those who can make it, Buen camino! I hope it’s what you wanted. I know it would not be for me though so I’m giving up for now. I remain hopeful that someday the real Camino will return and that when it does I will be on it. Ultreia!

Thanks for the video..like you we have had to postpone but have decided to plan to go in 2021. I have changed nearly all the Albergues and their response to date has been good. yeah there’s the vaccine and the other risks but you have to try to give hope and let them know there is demand….if it goes to shit well we adapt to the situation….

Chalk it up for this year, Doug. Personally, I wouldn’t worry about 2020, I’d be more worried about 2021. Until there’s a worldwide vaccine what’s going to happen next winter with the virus, we could be back in this situation next year.

Also consider this, albergues are like cruise ships, just because they open, doesn’t mean people are going to feel safe using them. Then of course next year you have the “Holy Year” situation.

May the Fourth be with you!

The best documentary I have seen to date: good photography and intelligent comments by an apparently very likable person. Congratulations and thanks.

This is so wrong… The Via De La Plata is like 1000 KM long!

Thank you, Ivar. Trish is a delightful lady. Wonderful interview.

I really like the free MAPS.ME app while hiking (and traveling in general). It lets you download maps of whole regions of countries, which you can then use without a data connection. The maps are based on OpenStreetMaps (open source maps) which show trails, water points, points of interest (waterfalls, ruins, mountains, viewpoints,…), public toilets, public transport stops, shops, hotels/hostels/mountain huts/shelters,… and much more. It has also the possibility to buy guides for routes (like the Camino). But I haven’t used those guides myself, as I didn’t get to hiking the Camino yet.
For hikes in my (new) home country Switzerland, I use the app SwitzerlandMobility, which is definitely recommended if one day you find yourself in Switzerland. It is a great guide to all the hiking/cycling/mountain biking/canoeing/snowshoeing/cross-country skiing trails in Switzerland and is freely available (it is maintained by the organization that creates and maintains the trails).

Hi Dixie
Is it possible to sleep in your tent while hiking the Camino?
Thanks for the great content. I’m saving up to hike the Camino in 2022!

Get used to earplugs BEFORE walking. I had a buff that I used for an eye mask too that kept the plugs in place.

For only $10 and 10 grams, I really like the NiteCore Tube USB-charge-able key-chain light. 50 hours of 1 lumen (great for reading, pooping, digging in your pack) and I find 1 lumen (barely) enough to hike a developed trail at night; or 1 hour of 45 lumens. For backpacking trips, it lets me use my main headlamp with no worries of draining the battery because I could, if needed, compete the trip/stage with the Tube. And since it’s USB-charge-able, you always start a trip with it full and are never seeking oddball button batteries on your travels.

Pro-tip, especially while backpacking: stitch a little loop of thin elastic on the shoulder of your sleep top. Then it will point, hands-free, at a paper book, map, tooth brush, mirror, etc, that you’re trying to use at night.

I completely agree with the no-weight approach of photographing the guidebook with your phone. An old-school way to reduce guide book weight is to copy it on a copy machine at 50%. 50% width x 50% height means 25% the size and 25% the weight and it still works if your eyes are young. Then you just toss pages as you go.

Conversely, sometimes I’d copy a city map from a guide book at 150% or 200% to make it easier to read and put notes onto. Then, I can do some navigation and orientation with just a slip of paper instead of waving my $800 iPhone around while obviously a tourist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP2lcEUkMY4 I don’t know the bloke who made this review, I just did a quick Google; BUT I know you can do a better job of hanging the clothes up than he did!

There is always 2021 or 2022 and it will be different, more hotels versus hostels as people will be leery to stay in packed rooms with bad air

It has been two months since I came back from my camino to Santiago, Muxia e Fisterra. I am back but a piece of my soul will always be on the camino, an experience of faith and love.
Buen camino!

06:45, Yes while in a hostel or such place i always attach colourfull ribbons to my gear…same i do when traveling in a group, especially in flights makes locating your, your groups stuff easily…in a crowd. Happy Holidays to you.

If you want to make your trekking poles identifiable and also have a handy way to store your cordage (paracord, zing-it, whatever you use), you can wrap a dozen or so yards under the handle and secure it with a hitch or constricting knot. It’s easy to take off when you need the cordage, and always easy to get to. Plus, if you opt for a high visibility color, like hunter orange or neon yellow, it will make your poles easy to spot in the pile, and make you more safely visible if you’re hiking in a hunting area.

I carry a carabiner( to hang my pack on the bed frame, don’t know why but it kept the bed bugs from getting into my pack )
2) over the door hook (you can get very light ones for the shower )
3) Plastic bag for dry clothes to hang on the over the door hook
4) an EU plug with more than one USB socket; I found this on Amazon. https://aax-us-east.amazon-adsystem.com/x/c/Qqn0N-2PIL5prILTUg1IG1QAAAFvWi5tGgEAAAH2AWIM3rY/https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/7023DFE1-EF05-42B0-8DC4-FCEE3434E4D0?store_ref=SB_A1025258393YSZUW5B20F&pf_rd_p=591760d1-6468-480f-9b10-0ee9c85706fd&hsa_cr_id=1047940950101&lp_slot=auto-sparkle-hsa-tetris&lp_asins=B081GXSXR9,B0811RYSW4,B07YDF8GCT&lp_mat_key=eu%20adapter&lp_query=usb%20eu%20power%20adapter&sb-ci-n=headline&sb-ci-v=European%20travel%20adapter%20with%20USB

One place I stayed require cleaning before I would use the shower. I bought a bottle of toilet cleaner (the only thing I knew had bleach in it) and put it all over the woman’s shower walls, floor, and faucet handle. The mold was gross. Happy hiking

If regular earplugs don’t work (too big, too uncomfortable) and the snoring keeps you awake, then custom-made earplugs can be a good investment. In the Netherlands they cost around €100. Hearing aid stores can make them. I am quite satisfied with mine!

No.1 Hack
Go when your chips are down. Go alone. Open your heart.

9:07 I thought I was the only one! but I still use earplugs because people chewing with their mouths open make me very crazy.

Silicone earplugs are soooo much more comfortable than foam and they block almost any kind of snores as well. You can find them in US drugstores dirt cheap, too, Mack’s or DVS brands

Nice viedeo again!
We always carry a Sea to Summit clothesline. Small and lightweight and the length good enough for drying our dayly washed clothes.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=37&v=wSptAa2sst0&feature=emb_logo
and a review of more clotheslines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r1Zgg7I7e0
Thanks Dixie and keep your feet and videos going

If you still have an old phone, you can get it unlocked and take it with you, then buy a local SIM card for whatever country you’ll be in. I took my iPhone 4 when I went a few years ago and did that. Worked out great! And if you want to call home, just get an international phone card and use it with your phone.

She is so cute. If I was 15 years younger I would…well, I would do nothing but I would think about it..lol

Want to turn pages into PDFs try using the “Adobe Scan” app on your phone.

I walked the Camino from Switzerland to Pamplona and wish I had known about the hooks…☺️. An additional tip: I collect all the Silica-Gel bags over the year and carry them in a airtight bag. When I need a small item or even shoes to dry over night I use one or two of them. They also come in super-handy if your phone got wet in the rain.

Take those soft foam earplugs and cut them in half. Use the end that has the nice round shape and just gently roll between your fingers and place it in the outer part of your ear canal…don’t jam it down in there unless you brought a pair tweezers to pick it out….half of the earplugs gives a nice muffled quality to your hearing without hearing your heart pound but still be aware of your surroundings… really like the Walgreen store brand ones. They come in a big jar and are fleshy colored.i always wear them on an airplane. The half portion doesn’t render you completely deaf. Just returned from Borrego Springs and got to do some walks on the PCT AT scissors crossing and up there at Julian. Beautiful winter time desert fun. Really enjoyed the Camino hike. As always you really deliver. I think you and Montana should do the Cornish Coast Path in southwest England. Y’all could walk forever in Great Britain on all those public Footpaths that ave been established for so long and maintain right aways through perpetuity. ☮️❤️������

1:20 (record scratch noise as preppers in the viewing audience realize Dixie hike the Camino and possibly the Triple Crown without cordage)

If you’re a picnicer: a Sestema box with compartments. Nothing better than buying a fresh baguette every day attach this to rucksack. Then have some ham, cheese and pepper… available. Need good sharp knife. Shemagh is a great table cloth.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sistema-Bento-Lunch-Fruit-Yogurt/dp/B072MQC4SR/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?keywords=sistema&pd_rd_i=B072MQC4SR&pd_rd_r=8a2f156c-ebcc-435f-845c-f95cf878c3d0&pd_rd_w=DT3V3&pd_rd_wg=jtiV5&pf_rd_p=7dc56c0d-8a5f-4d97-9143-7233b106859a&pf_rd_r=GVSWADH4QR5X190MFXFB&qid=1577649870&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

What a wonderful and inspirational video. Thank you for putting it together and sharing it with us.

Another thought with the trekking poles and shoes: how about just connecting them so that if a person picks up yours by mistake they get both, which would que them that they aren’t theirs. For poles, use a stretchy hair band or mini-bungee. For shoes, just tie the laces together when you put them on the shelf.

You sure do like Zpack products. They seem pretty expensive for what they are. The tent had holes in it, I remember.

Having cordage for a clothesline can double as a curtain for privacy. In India, I always took the top tier berth on trains and hung my elastic clothesline from the dividing grill thru the hanging chains that held the berth and around to the opposite side of the grill. They were large mesh metal screening and I could just hook the clothesline to them easily. Then I hung my dark blue sari over the clothesline all the way around, giving me privacy, a little darkness, and offering some slight deterrent to night thieves. Very useful to carry a small pack of mini plastic clothes pins also. Safety pins will do in a pinch. Do not carry your passport and cheques in a bag with a cord around your neck. Its easy to cut the cord while you are sleeping and gently relieve you of all your worldly goods!

I wonder if she has ever spent time in Bankhead National Forest… WAR EAGLE!

Shemagh scarf for warmth in the morning. To wet and put under hat for sun protection etc
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shemagh-Army-Scarf-Desert/dp/B07BZSZLRD

I wish I had commented on your prep videos. I knew so many of those things that happened to you. I could have saved you and Montana a ton of hassles, Dixie. But here are some hacks for those going on the Camino in the future REI sells a VERY Long replacement shoelace for hiking boots. It comes with the plastic ends ready to be attached if you need them. I bought them on my first Camino and never needed them BUT they were long enough to become that “clothes line” you suggested. So it’s a great double use item. Buy a paracord that can also sub in as your shoelace if necessary.

For the ladiescarry a sarong that is made of very light fabric. (Or buy some fabric for this purpose). You can use it for multiple purposes. Wrap around you as privacy when using the outside “facilities” (!) Use it as a towel. Use it to cover our arms loosely while hiking in the bright sun. Your left arm will burn pretty easily even if, like me, you don’t usually burn. Just tie together two corners on each end and it will stay on your arms while you hike. Tuck it into the bunk above yours to create a privacy curtain while you sleep. Going into a church that won’t allow shorts? TaDayou have a skirt ready to use.

Carry some large safety pins. You can pin damp socks off the back of your pack while you hike. When it’s windy, the pins are great clothespins because your items wont blow off the line. If a strap breaks, pin it. you get the picture. I also pinned my money pouch on the inside of my clothing so it couldn’t be grabbed by a pick pocket. Sterilized the pin can help with minor blisters.

Which reminds me….sleep with your money pouch ON you. You’ll get used to it. It’s only money and your passport. If you have to make a mad dash to the bathroom in the middle of the night, that “pilgrim” who is actually a thief (Sadly it does happen) wont be able to go into your sleep sack to pull it out of the foot end where you thought it was so secure.

Again for the ladiescarry a tinted lip balm. Sometimes you just want to feel a bit pretty at night. If you don’t care about that, use it to keep your lips from frying!

Carry a few packets of alcohol wipes in case you need to do some blister work. Do NOT do surgery on yourself though. Blisters are meant to protect you.

Again for the ladies Take a cardboard tampon tube (Remove the tampon) and roll in some emergency Euros. Then replace the tube in the paper wrapper to look like the real thing. The chances that someone will run off with your tampon is pretty much none!

Yes on the Fanny pack!!! This is not a fashion show!

Carry two pens. It’s surprising how hard it can be to find them in Spain. Also, keep a small journal with you and ask people for their contact information as you go along. You’d be surprised how much you will wish you had that info when you return home.

Carry only enough cash in your pocket for that day. If someone does pickpocket you or if it just happens to fall out, you are only out enough for one day.

My last tip As you get closer to Santiago (after Sarria somewhewre) there are a group of women who walk around saying they are Deaf and are collecting money for a group of Deaf kids. This is a complete scam. I’ve been a professional sign language interpreter for 31 years. They are not Deaf! I even had the chance to meet a Deaf local while I was in Santiago the last time. He confirmed that it’s a scam. Be kind to your fellow pilgrims and pass it on.

Long comment. I’m sorry. I hope it’s helpful to someone.

For lighting… get yourself a headlamp with a red light option, or a flashlight with a red filter (I have a Fenix UC35 + red filter cap).

Thank you for your tips! Experience does make a difference and I appreciate your sharing your experience.

Awesome video!! More focused on hiking in the United States. Keep up the good work and cool videos!!

Great video! Pootin… ������ such a nice way to say farting!

I always carry some paracord and carabiners but I love the idea of the “S” hook with suction-cup. I’ve been in several campsites showers and often found there was nothing to hang my stuff
I too always worry that someone might walk away with my trekking poles and I think using something bright and very visible is a good idea to distinguish them. I’ll do that ����
As for lighting up without bothering others, I use the red light feature on my headlamp. This is very sufficient to find my stuff and my way around and it really doesn’t bother anybody
Ear plugs: I am the noisy one so perhaps I should carry some….for the others ��
Thank you, Dixie, I love all your videos

Very pertinent and useful tips that make me want to go back immediately.

Kudos you’ve really captured the Camino! Great scenery and gives you the pilgrim feel! Buen Camino!!!

I’m hoping to travel with a group from Ireland to the French Way in October. Thank you for this video and information.

Also, you just can tape a piece of red transparent paper on top of your smartphone light. And I never sleep without earplugs and sleeping mask in hostels. Another tip is to roll some amount of duct tape around your tracking poles. First, they’re marked then as yours and second, you have duct tape available for small repairs like a rip in your jacket, tent, sleeping bag etc.

The following things I wouldn’t have done without for my Camino Portuguese:
malleable silicone earplugs
sleeping mask

runners knee length compression socks
ultralight silnylon poncho check alibaba

small thin plastic cutting board and small knife for cutting bread, cheese tomatoes etc

TrailSmart map app with detailed offline Camino maps

a thin down sleeping bag I’d converted to a quilt by removing the zipper and hood

artificiel silk sleeping bag liner

small headlamp

Things I brought and never needed:

Compass
Rain jacket used poncho

down jacket hiked in October no need for a jacket

extra water bottles one was plenty

water filter unnecessary plenty of access to drinking water

large micro fiber bath towel the 2 small micro fiber towels I had were adequate

Things I’ll be taking with me for next years Camino:

trekking umbrella
titanium ethanol stove + titanium mug (I was often on the road at 5.30 or 6 in the morning and cafes didn’t open until around 8.30 nice to stop for some hot coffee and bread and cheese while enjoying the dawn).

When leaving early remember one’s fellow pilgrims, prepare and pack as much as possible for the next day the evening before Then in the morning quietly carry all your stuff into the kitchen to complete it.

Just as a matter of general interest I met an elderly man (early 70s and a little older than me, who walked Caminoes 11 months of the year. When he’d finished one he’d choose a new starting point. He’d even walked from Canterbury in the UK to Santiago. He’d walked the Camino Frances 9 times, can’t remember how many times he’d done the other popular routes.

“What stands in the way becomes the way” Emperor Marcus Aurelius

Bom Camino:)

Thanks Ivar for such a positive and interesting interview. Keep up the good work. Saludos de Belice.

Thanks Ivar for this interview! Very encouraging as I consider whether to walk from Porto this fall.

Great video Drew! Very positive and sweet commentary and you captured the beauty of northern Spain, my country of birth! Hope you get to do again someday. Buen Camino amigo!

https://www.vakinha.com.br/vaquinha/caminho-de-santiago-demilson-gomes

HELLO! MY NAME AND DEMILSON I am 33 years old, I am Brazilian, from the state of Pernambuco and I always had the dream of making the path to Santiago de Compostela, one more I was able to make that dream come true. I worked for 10 years as a CASH OPERATOR, earning a minimum wage from Brazil, I added a reserve for some time but had to use it when I had to leave my job 3 years ago to take full care of my mother who had a stroke and needed my care 24 hours.

I HAVE HOPE BEFORE I DIE REALIZE THIS DREAM!

I ASK WITH ALL HEART THAT IF YOU CAN HELP ME I WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

https://www.vakinha.com.br/vaquinha/caminho-de-santiago-demilson-gomes

FOR BIGGEST DOUBTS + 55 81 985865114

Hi Dixie. What happened to your left eyelid? Did you get a bug bite and it swelled up? Happy 2020 VISION year!

Did you find what were looking for? God, peace in your mind and heart? how was your soul searching quest? I will do the camino this winter…you inspire me a lot…Buen Camino!!

Drew,
Insightful trip. Spiritual voyage. Congrats. Music was not fit.

Your trip was very similar to mine. In fact, I traveled on July 15 also. After the Camino we went to France and Italy. But, San Fermin was to crowded for my taste. I will go back!

Love your documentary ��. I’m heading to do the Francés very soon after half year of hell… need a reset and will walk it alone.

Awesome Documentary. A friend who has walked the Camino showed me the movie “The Way”, and after watching it and videos like this i have decided to do it myself. if i can get the funds to go. if anyone would like to donate and or join me on this adventure feel free to contact me gofundme.com/f/r7w8n-camino-de-santiago

This filled my heart with so much nostalgia. I did the Frances in 2016 and sometimes I feel homesick for the Camino.

Love your documentary! It brought tears to my eyes….almost all of the places you’ve been to bring back memories specially the cities where you passed by along the Camino…..it’s a pity that I did not take the “real camino” walking but bus in Porto from Portugal but still the feeling of being in the plaza de obradoiro in front of the cathedral of Santiago is enough for me to contemplate about life. Your music is also nicely done and your selection of songs are beautiful…..good work Drew, wherever you go, good luck and Buen Camino��

I like the song “heaven” by Brett Dennen perfect for the Camino…

Thank you, Drew, I really enjoyed your video. I appreciate you sharing your journey.

I feel your pain. On a positive note, I might get to meet you on the Camino next year!

I walked the Camino de Santiago and it was so cool, for some reason it was exactly like this documentary…

O.O lol. ��cxxxx(::::::::::::::::::::> CHARGE!!!!

Use a red light on your head lamp! Should be better then the white light.

Great video Drew. We loved watching your Camino journey. Buen Camino!

For the last week, my spirit has guided me to a pilgrimage.
Now that i have seen this, I will follow my heart and walk the Camino de Santiago soon God willing. Thank you for this.

Love it from the beggining til the end, great video Drew, i’m about to do camino soon and this video definitely encourage me to take the whole way starting from France.

Great film my friend,really interesting and I’m truly inspired to do the Camino.Bravo.

Good video but bloody awful music and so loud too! Spoilt my appreciation and could not watch it all because of it!

Beautiful and inspires video o am preparing to do el camino in dic 2019 greeting from miami

My wife and I will do the same walk starting on 21 April this year. We’ve watched a few French Way videos to get a feel for the walk and to pick up as much information as possible, but this is without a doubt the best video we’ve watched so far. Beautiful film, great music and quite moving.

Dear Doug, I am afraid that Spain will not be ready to receive pilgrims until next year. Currently (May 4) we are in phase 1 of the 4 planned by the Government to reactivate the economy and social relations. Since yesterday, small 1-hour walks have been authorized by age groups, according to the predisposition to be infected with serious damage, and as you deduce in your video, the “albergues” will be authorized to receive pilgrims, possibly at the end of July, but only with 50% of its capacity. This implies that many smallholders consider it economically unfeasible to open businesses this season. My best wishes. Greetings from Spain.

Thank you. This helped immensely as I prepare to walk the Camino de Santiago this spring.

WAtched this years ago. had to come back because it is the best documentation i’ve seen!