Camino Ready Backpacks Boots No Blisters

Are you curious about the Camino? What is it; what secrets does it hold; where does it start and end; what to take; where to sleep; how difficult it’s to walk; and what preparation and equipment are needed to succeed? You may have done day or multi-day walks in the past and have now heard what is often referred to as “the call of the Camino.” I’ve done the research, walked the walk, and can help you successfully prepare for the Camino Frances and similar long-distance ancient pilgrims’ pathways. From the dozens of things to know I have chosen nine key topics based on my own experience: 1. Boots vs. blisters. Or no blisters. Choosing the right footwear (boots) for long-distance walking. 2. Walking as a ”system.” It’s not just putting one foot in front of the other. 3. Clothes for sun, rain, and cold. Choosing the right clothes and outerwear. 4. A get fit program. To be physically and mentally prepared. 5. Are you a greaser or a strapper? Protecting your feet each day; avoiding blisters; choosing socks. 6. Weight creep-a killjoy. Your backpack and contents. 7. Water: why, where, and when. It isn’t just about sipping. 8. Trekking or walking poles. Why, what, and how. 9. Sundry useful tips. SIM cards, keeping valuables safe, rain gear, free Wi-Fi, offline maps, overcoming fear, companies providing services, Camino forums in many countries. In addition to these subjects, the appendices contain two articles by fellow pilgrims who commented on an early draft and suggested other topics to help people with their first Camino. The first is on albergues, “What to expect and how to manage”; the second is all about bed bugs with a focus on avoiding them and, if you can’t avoid them, how to treat the bites and avoid carrying them home! The most important thing: Just love the “time out” from the daily routine along with the many challenges along the way. It’s therapeutic walking through fields and forests, over hills and mountains, breathing fresh air. I didn’t know what “eco therapy” was until I experienced it: a sense of peace through being away from cities and immersed in nature. It’s as though our genetic roots are being reawakened and we are reinvigorated. The information in Camino Ready. Backpacks, Boots, and (no) Blisters will get you Camino ready so you can be prepared not only physically but also mentally for an amazing journey. It will be a journey where you’ll likely experience exhilaration, exhaustion, self-doubt, joy, fear, tears, pain, and a great sense of achievement (maybe all on the same day!) together with companionship and new friendships. It can change your life.

This book is for everyone thinking about or planning to do a long walk, like the Camino Frances from southern France to Santiago de Compostela. Are you curious about the Camino? What is it; what secrets does it hold; where does it start and finish; what to take; where to sleep; how difficult it is to walk; and what preparation and equipment are needed to succeed? Mark O'Sullivan has done the research, walked the walk, and can help you successfully prepare for the Camino Frances and similar long-distance ancient pilgrims' pathways-or the Inca Trail, which he has also hiked. Boots, Backpacks and Blisters focuses on seven key topics based on Mark's experience: 1. Boots vs. blisters. Choosing the right boots for long distance walking. 2.A get-fit program. To be physically and mentally prepared. 3. Are you a greaser or a strapper? Protecting your feet each day; avoiding blisters; choosing socks. 4. Weight creep--a killjoy. Your backpack and contents. 5. Water: why, where, and when. It is not just about sipping. 6. Trekking or walking poles. Why, what, and how. 7. Sundry useful tips. SIM cards, keeping valuables safe, rain gear, free Wi-Fi, et al. There are also two articles by fellow pilgrims, one on what to expect and how to manage lodging in albergues, the other all about bed bugs with a focus on avoiding them and, if it happens, how to treat the bites and avoid carrying them home.

This book is for everyone thinking about or planning to do a long walk, like the Camino Frances from southern France to Santiago de Compostela. Are you curious about the Camino? What is it; what secrets does it hold; where does it start and finish; what to take; where to sleep; how difficult it is to walk; and what preparation and equipment are needed to succeed?Mark O'Sullivan has done the research, walked the walk, and can help you successfully prepare for the Camino Frances and similar long-distance ancient pilgrims' pathways-or the Inca Trail, which he has also hiked. Boots, Backpacks and Blisters focuses on seven key topics based on Mark's experience: 1. Boots vs. blisters. Choosing the right boots for long distance walking.2. A get-fit program. To be physically and mentally prepared.3. Are you a greaser or a strapper? Protecting your feet each day; avoiding blisters; choosing socks.4. Weight creep--a killjoy. Your backpack and contents.5. Water: why, where, and when. It is not just about sipping.6. Trekking or walking poles. Why, what, and how.7. Sundry useful tips. SIM cards, keeping valuables safe, rain gear, free Wi-Fi, et al. There are also two articles by fellow pilgrims, one on what to expect and how to manage lodging in albergues, the other all about bed bugs with a focus on avoiding them and, if it happens, how to treat the bites and avoid carrying them home.

A remarkable contribution to the social history of Ireland.

Now updated to include newer maps and photos and weighing less to support carefree traveling, these comprehensive guidebooks to the Camino de Santiago and its offshoots contain all the information needed by modern-day pilgrims wishing to walk the sacred Way of St. James. Overview route planners plus daily stage maps and detailed town plans help sojourners with as much advance preparation as they need. The maps feature contour guides to help distinguish the terrain that will be crossed each day, while full information on all pilgrim hostels, as well as details for alternative accommodation, allow travelers to plot adequate nightly stopping points. All reference information is accompanied by helpful spiritual guidelines to support the seeker's inner journey as well as the outer pilgrimage. Otherwise known as the Camino Frances, the main route covered in this volume is the most popular sacred route through Spain, from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago.

The route of St Jean Pied de Port in the foothills of the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela represents one of the most popular Christian pilgrimages in the world. Walked by millions over the millennia it represents a force for spiritual transformation. This title offers a guide to the pilgrimage, including a fold out map and route planner, 33 daily stage maps with contour guides, 10 town maps including Santiago, a Sun Compass, to orientate your direction and information on all pilgrim hostels along the way together with details of alternative accommodation.

This guidebook describes the Way of St Francis a 550km month-long pilgrimage trail from Florence through Assisi to Rome. Split into 28 day stages, the walk begins in Florence and finishes in the Vatican City. Stages range from 8km to 30km with plenty to see, including ancient ruins, picturesque towns, national treasures, and stunning churches. This comprehensive guidebook fits in a jacket pocket or rucksack, and contains information on everything from accommodation and transport in Italy, to securing your credential (pilgrim identity card), budgeting, what to take, and where to do laundry. Stories of Francis of Assisi's life are also included. Although the route includes climbs and descents of up to 1200m, no special equipment is required - although your hiking boots and socks definitely need to get along. Following the steps of heroes, conquerors and saints on this pilgrim trail is manageable all year round, but is best done from April to June and mid-August to October. Route maps are given for every stage, and basic Italian phrases are included in the guidebook.

Devoted entirely to the subject of what to wear and what to carry on a Camino pilgrimage—with tips and advice on how to create a lightweight backpack so you can walk comfortably without carrying a burden on your back. Learn how to choose backpacking gear and clothing that will work best for you, the route you take, and the time of year that you'll be walking. Examine the pros and cons for difficult gear choices, like should you use a poncho, or rain jacket? water bottles or backpack hydration system? a sleeping bag, or a sleeping sheet? And what about taking a mobile phone or other tech-devices? Consider the options, and decide what works best for your journey. You'll also find a "skin-out" packing list that includes the weight of each item—including weight estimates for picnic and snack foods; and for water (because these are typically the heaviest items in your backpack). Use this comprehensive pack list as an example checklist to organize your own Camino backpack. A Camino journey can strengthen the body and refresh the soul. But to walk long distances every day you should carry as little as possible. This is the book to help you do that.