(no subject)

[Joseph Kohut]

Dear Leonie

I plan on starting from St. Jean on 26 April. If the weather is bad I will simply take the Val Carlos route rather than the more scenic Route Neopolean.

I have Vasque Sundowners. (I insisted on the Vasque Sundowner  MX because it is Italian leather, Italian made.) They fit well and being broken-in are comfortable. However, I am taking trail runners, New Balance 804's, because they are about 2 lbs. lighter than the Sundowners, they were on sale, and they make a wide shoe. (I have broad feet). Since the 804's are not waterproof, I will wear a Goretex sock (Seirus Stormsock) when it is wet. I will also carry lightweight gaiters for when I anticipate mud. The 804's are not as warm as the Sundowners so I don't expect my feet to sweat  as much, especially when I get to the meseta and it becomes warmer. Also the 804's will dry out more quickly; and finally I want to travel as light as possible. I am also taking 3 pairs of Smartwool socks. Oh, yeah, I'm also taking a pair of sandals for evening wear and in the shower.

BTW, I am not recommending New Balance shoes. I am merely saying that trail runners may be O.K. This from someone who has never hiked the Camino. However, I am an avid hiker in the Pacific Northwest where it rains abundantly the better part of the year. I expect you will get a lot of conflicting advice in regard to shoes, but please wear what you feel comfortable with.

Unfortunately, May seems to be a fairly unpredicatible time of year.  Data for the last 3 years shows a wide variation in daily temperature for May. After mid-May the temperature begins to get warmer, more or less day by day. Precipitation is more erratic. For weather graphs for all the major cities (Pamplona, Lagrono, Burgos, Leon and Santiago de Compstela, I suggest you go to the following website and follow the directions: 

http://web.pdx.edu/~hgdj/g210_climdata.html

The above is part of a course called "Travel Spain" taught by Dan Johnson, a geography professor at Portland State University. Dan's special area of interest is Spain. He cycled the Camino Frances about 3 years ago from mid-May to June. 

Caveat: I have not done the Camino yet; and I may regret my decision re. shoes. However, given what data I have, I think it will be a good compromise. 

Good luck

Joe

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Leonie Galil 
  To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU 
  Sent: Monday, February 04, 2002 9:55 AM
  Subject: Re: (no subject)


  Thanks Howard,
  I have well broken in full leather Vasque Sundowners and low but sturdy Rockports. I was especially wondering about the stretch on the Meseta which could be quite hot at this time of the year, but then again what about the mountains.
  Leonie 
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