Hi Rob, I did the Camino Francais again last October and started walking every day around 6.00am. Amazing feeling walking in the dark then watching the sun come up. Best morning was walking into Ages with a full moon , turned off my head torch and walked by moonlight. Magical. I also put reflective tape on my walking poles and a strip of tape on the back of my shoes. Good for walking in the dark and also for recognising your shoes when they are in the shoe rack at the albergue.
I have a couple of small flashing lamps about the size of a€2 coin and twice as thick. They can be clipped onto your backpack or held in your hand. I brought them in the UK from Alpkit but I am sure you can get them elsewhere. They weigh very little and are visible from a good distance. It is called a “Blip”.
You’ve piqued my interest. I finished my second Camino Frances in May and love walking at 6:30 AM or earlier. I’m always amazed by the birds and look forward to the sunrise. My next Camino was going to be from Porto, and I was considering adding the Ingles. Now, you've got me interested in the Via de la Plata! How does its infrastructure compare to the Frances? Thanks for the reply!
The VdlP is very different to the Frances. (1) It's longer ... 1,000 kms. (2) Some of the stages can be longer with no means of making them shorter. Though I managed to keep under 27 kms. (3) There are few intermediate stopping points, cafes etc. So you usually carry all your food and water for the day. (4) There are not many other Pilgrims, so great if you like solitude This video might be of interest. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-NQq_p0-5wyA.html And I have a daily blog here. robscamino.com/category/camino-via-de-la-plata/
Thanks for the good video! I'm going to walk Invierno at the end of September and I've been thinking about walking in pre dawn, because the sun rises even later in autumn. After reading about the robberies in Ponferrada, I'm a little worried.
Rob, thanks for covering pre-dawn starts on the Camino. Certainly, there are some not necessarily downsides to beginning in the early hours, but if you prep properly and practice situational awareness, the upsides, as seen in your video, are numerous and outweigh all the rest. 🤙🏽
I loved it. I only tried it to beat the hottest part of the day, which was 3-4 pm on that route (VdlP and at that time of year) Then I found most other Pilgrims were doing it too! I hadn't seen anyone else really, prior to starting early.
I think in the Sarria to Santiago chunk it's basically required if you want to have a good experience. I left one day at 8:30 and it was basically torture wading through hundreds of fellow pilgrims. Next day I left at 6:30 with head lamp and had a stellar day ahead of the wave. I definitely recommend an early start in the last 100km. Obvs this won't be necessary further out.
In the summer heat I bet walking before dawn is great. I am guessing also that you arrive early to your destination and can find a place to sleep/eat/ relax? But, Rob, I have an off-topic question for you. When I first started watching your videos you did some about shoes and socks, etc. At the time I was hiking a lot and wearing the North Face Trail Running shoes, which I have purchased and used for years. I recommended them as a best buy at the time. Previous models, the Hedgehog and Ultra had the best Vibram soles on them and they served me well for years. I bought plenty of them over a spread of many years too. My latest purchase is only 4 months only and are almost worn down. I am really unhappy about that. What I am wondering is if, you have updated your shoes video, or noticed a decline in quality of shoes, or more specifically soles. I am seeing quite a few reviews of hiking/trail running shoes that specifically mention a drop in quality of Vibram soles. I am probably close to your age, and have been walking on Vibram soled boots since I was a kid in high school. If you are still doing a lot of walking - what do you think. Have you noticed anything like that, and currently, what are you favorite walking/hiking shoes?
I don't really arrive 'early' anywhere. My aim is to arrive before they stop serving lunch! So I usually arrive around 2 pm if I can. That kind of dictates my start time. Re Vibram soles. I too 'grew up' on those and leather hiking boots. But I haven't used any in many years. They tend to be on heavier footwear, that I find too heavy for a Camino.. A couple of physios in Spain also told me to use lighter weight footwear. Re footwear quality. In my limited experience I see it declining. Continued 'improvements' seem to focus on lighter / cheaper materials withthe end esult that they don't last long. I have a love / hate relationship with my current shoes. Hokka Stinson ATR 6. Very comfortable and great cushioningh but they don't last long. You might get 1,000 kms out of a pair if you are very lucky. Footwear is a tricky topic and so personal. I bought some Ultras to try becuase they were so popular but after 1 km my feet hurt. THey had so little cushioning it was like wearing balet shoes! (for me at least)
@@robscamino I liked the North Face Hedgehogs, then they stopped making them and switched to the Ultras. I don't like the Ultras that much. I've tried other brands, but to just experiment with them is expensive. Here in the states we have REI that lets you return items up to a year after purchase, but I've never had the nerve to do that, but this case. the wear is so bad that I would not feel bad. By the way, I didn't mean early as in before you were expected, I meant ahead of the late starting crowd. When I go hiking I like to start early too. Especially to see the world awaken as the sun comes up, and the birds start to chirp. I also enjoy the coolness and freshness of the morning air. Bien Camino.
@@justgivemethetruth Yes, I know what you mean, by avoiding the crowd. Though I generally book one night ahead to avoid having to 'rush'. If I can't book, I might leave a bit earlier. Though I prefer more remote Caminos now. So beating the crowd isn't usually a problem.
I had limited time to do my camino, 30days. So I had to do 40k a day. I wake up around 4am ish and started my hike at 5am. Finished my camino 1 day early. June 12 to June 30. SJPDP to santiago. Celebrated my bday in santiago 7/1. Had time to hike to muxia and fisterra. Also got to run with the bulls in pamplona after. Was very peaceful hiking alone before the sun comes up. The hike was supposed to be a challenge for me but I miss a lot due to my fast pace.
You’ve piqued my interest. I finished my second Camino Frances in May and love walking at 6:30 AM or earlier. I’m always amazed by the birds and look forward to the sunrise. My next Camino was going to be from Porto, and I was considering adding the Ingles. Now, you've got me interested in the Via de la Plata! How does its infrastructure compare to the Frances? Thanks for the reply!
The VdlP infrastructure is nothing like the Frances. The 'Logistics' of the walk takes more thought. stages can be longer with no intermediate stops. Most days you need to carry your food and water for the day. And accommodation options are more limited. But it's a great route! I loved it. Note that I walked North to Astorga, not West on the Sanabres.
Hi Rob, Love it. Getting ready for Primitivo and Fisterre, short version. Now, how about curious animals? Last year, Portuguese Camino, I brought a whistle with me just in case.
I always was at the trailhead pretty early for hiking for many years, though I have found that has become harder to do as I've gotten older! Might be easier on the Camino maybe? Just need to get out of the albergue and onto the path, versus getting up into the mountains.
A reflective pack cover helps the traffic see you. The Spanish police rightfully take a dim view of roadside walking in the dark, speaking from experience... Darkness can hide waymarks and yellow arrows. That said, it is a fantastic time of day to walk. Cool mornings full of birdsong. 'Catching the dawn' is a great feeling. Keep up the good work, Rob.
Yes, it takes a bit of care. I wouldn't do it along a busy road. Where I had to start along a road in the dark, it was always a quiet road where I might only see 1 or 2 cars. Usually none.
Loved walking pre-Dawn. It's magical, walking Into the raising sun, the colours in the sky, the sound of nature waking the warmth on your face just as the sun breaks the horizon.
100%. On the VdlP you have the sunrise to your right mainly (East) as route mainly heads North. The sun is generally passing behind you to the West. So an umbrella works really well. On the Frances, as you are heading West, the sun rises behind you, and passes to the left (South) and it moves to the West (ahead of you). I always found the left side of my face was getting sunburnt. Till I started taking an Umbrella!
@robscamino I have some wonderful photos and memories of the sun raising behind my left shoulder on the Frances, you always need to look back to appreciate where you have came from.
I just looked up sunrise for Madrid 20 July- 7.02am. First light is usually about a half hour before. 8.15 is a little late. But an early start is always fantastic. It eases you into the day. Thanks Rob, cheers
Where did the 8:15 come from? If sunrise is 7:02 am you would have enough 'twight' to walk from about 6:30 am. Ah I see the 8:15 in the transcript. Getting my times muddled. Let me check. That was on 30th March, so sunrise was 7:11 am. Got my times muddled. Should have been 7:15 am.
@@robscamino Haha, sorry Rob I thought you were walking now for that vid. Im a bit of a weather geek, so it perplexed me with your Sunrise judgement ( I never trusted Kochie anyway) so I'll just give this vid an A-, haha. Buen Camino brother...keep up the great work, Cheers.
