[Gocamino] (no subject)

[Robert Spenger]

A few comments. Re footware: This can be highly individual. I've done  
several  thousand km of camino by now and have never used boots, just  
low cut walking shoes. I have never had a problem with them. If there  
had been much snow — yes — then I would have wanted boots. In the  
spring of 2007, the GR 65  from LePuy to Condom was particularly wet  
and there was a lot of deep mud, but my low cut NB walking shoes were  
completely adequate to deal with it.

Walking sticks: For me, these were absolutely essential. I didn't  
bring them, since I went all carry-on, and intended to get a pair in  
LePuy, but couldn't find the lower cost ones. I ended up going a day  
and a half until I could get them in Saint-Privat-d'Allier, another  
very scenic town. The only bad part was the descent to the valley of  
the Allier. I don't suppose that they are really all that important  
for young legs. When I was doing local mountain hikes 20 and more  
years ago, I carried only an ice axe, but it is a bit different now.  
Next month I plan to bring a pair of canes to see how those work.

Reservations: Yes, indeed. At one point it was necessary to make them  
five days ahead. And MMDD is the place to find the information about  
them.

Transbagage: There is some question there. I used them only once, on a  
previous non-pilgrim trip, and it was fine. However, I have heard a  
few negative reports about the service, especially for those who have  
signed up for a period of several days with them. Mostly, the feedback  
has been positive.

Bob S.


On Mar 30, 2009, at 5:56 AM, patrush1 at verizon.net wrote:

Dear Richard--I walked the Chemin from Le Puy to Conques in September,  
2006.  The route is stunning, but parts of it are very challenging,  
with steep and rocky uphills and downhills.  Furthermore, as we  
approached Conques, the pilgrims' auberges were full, and Conques  
itself was almost full (because of the Patrimonie holiday, I think).   
For lodging, Miam-Miam Dodo is essential, as is a way to make  
reservations a day or two ahead.  The Chemin is also the GR65, a sport  
walking route, so  it does get crowded.  That being said, it has been  
my favorite Chemin experience because of the beauty and variety of the  
terrain, and the absolutely spectacular place where this route begins,  
in Le Puy.  Conques comes close to being just as spectacular in its  
own way.  This route is worth the effort, but be sure to have really  
good mountain boots, and be in really good shape.  I also found that  
my walking sticks came in very handy on the steep descents.

As far as comparisons go with the Camino in Spain, there is some  
mountain climbing to do in Leon, and of course the big climb into  
Galicia, but on the LePuy route the trail cuts across river valleys,  
so it seemed as if I was going up and down quite a bit.

Not this summer, but probably in 2010 I intend to walk from Conques to  
Pamplona, since I started my Camino Frances in '05 from Pamplona.

Patricia, from cold and rainy (but not snowy) upper New York state.

PS--you might want to explore the baggage services on this route,  
especially Trans Bagage, completely reliable.