Camino de Santiago (Xacobeo '21): Winter edition - 13 days on the French Way - 12/25/20 to 1/6/21

13 days, 262 km (163 miles), in the middle of the snowy winter (and a global pandemic). Astorga to Santiago. What an unforgettable solo journey. Hope you enjoy!
0:17 Day 1: Astorga to Rabanal
3:33 Day 2: Rabanal to Molinaseca
6:42 Day 3: Molinaseca to Cacabelos
9:42 Day 4: Cacabelos to Trabadelo
12:56 Day 5: Trabadelo to O Cebreiro
18:59 Day 6: O Cebreiro to Triacastela
22:18 Day 7: Triacastela to Sarria
25:39 Day 8: Sarria to Portomarín
29:28 Day 9: Portomarín to Palas de Rei
32:34 Day 10: Palas de Rei to Melide
35:08 Day 11: Melide to Arzúa
37:40 Day 12: Arzúa to O Pedrouzo
40:25 Day 13: O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Huge thanks to Scott Buckley for the awesome music arrangements. Check out his youtube channel and website and download his music for free here: www.scottbuckley.com.au/
/ musicbyscottb
Songs used:
Day 1: Dreamt of Flying
Day 2: One Falls to the Fire
Day 3: Undertow
Day 4: Filaments
Day 5: This Too Shall Pass
Day 6: Machinery of the Stars
Day 7: Forever Sky
Day 8: Snowfall
Day 9: A New Year
Day 10: Titan
Day 11: Patagonia
Day 12: Sleep
Day 13: Tears of a Distant Sun

[@MomentsconMargarita27]

David, I have watched your video 4 times thus far, I loved your compassion, your Kindness & Gratitude. You have such a magnetic spirit and it showed with every dog you encountered. Your attitude was Everything!! I am beginning my 3rd Camino right after New Years 2024 - my first winter wonderment 🙌🏻challenging myself 🎉 Thank You a million times and again for creating this amazing video and your journey. Eres Maravilloso 😍 Buen Camino

[@m.vianna2737]

I love WINTER.

[@stevodin2977]

you did it all right buddy. this is the real Camino. the real deal

[@castrobal]

Damn, you brought up some memories. I did the same trip 4 years ago in July. Cant wait for my next camino

[@noonep11]

that trek up to O'Cebeiro is hard enough in good weather, respect

[@anxomillaraveiga9404]

the best video camino frances in winter

[@celestesim1639]

Oh my gush...!!! This video is really awesome. I feel like i am doing same Camino with you watching your realistic journey. I did the same journey in December 2019 to January 2020. Thank you for making winter's edition for Camino:)

[@karlRIK-gm8xs]

Respeto ....desde Galicia....👍🤙🤙

[@ddavidch]

What an amazing journey! Thanks for sharing this with us. These experiences will be with you the rest of your life.

[@davidsowers2673]

They absolutely will, thanks for watching!

[@anxomillaraveiga9404]

@@davidsowers2673 cheer up for the next camino

[@Kievit22]

What a brilliant piece of storytelling, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish!

[@Maryann110]

Really enjoyed watching your incredible adventure. Beautiful photography and I especially appreciated your compassionate interactions with all the dogs. Keep sharing your walks! Thank you for taking us along. Buen Camino ❤️👣🐾😎

[@dunjakreznarich4544]

Respect! Winter! Love it. An amazing video for those of us that pine for the Camino and a wonderful solitary (largely) opportunity for you. Thank you.

[@jambroqc]

Amazing wintry Camino. So beautiful!

[@breatherepeat]

I was shivering just watching your journey LOL. I'm gonna walk to Santiago (hopefully when it's warmer), but your views were AMAZING. I had a blast journeying with you. Thank you for sharing.

[@nielcapasso3833]

David you are a brave lad, you did one section that is dear to my heart. Thanks for sharing, excellent video.

[@patriciamclarnon4354]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching your journey, it brought back memories of my own. I noticed your tribute to Alex T. 😇 Thank you for sharing, well done!

[@AnnieCarvalho]

Wonderful Camino! Thank you!

[@starlui2661]

Beautiful. Thanks for your sharing.

[@walkingthrulife2296]

Thank you so much for sharing your journey....which I very much enjoyed!!

[@lynnhoover2201]

Thanks for sharing! We enjoyed watching your documentary of this beautiful hike. Loved all of the dogs too!

[@louiscatkitten]

Great stuff Dave. Thanks for sharing!

[@DiegoRomeroZGZ]

Thank you sharing, David. Thank you so much. For those of us who love the Camino and who cannot do it these days, being able to remember it is a very exciting feeling.

[@tracyweekes3651]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Hats off to you for doing it in winter - the snowy vistas were beautiful! Dreaming of the Camino...

[@banitesscruz9771]

Congrats David! The Camino looks post apocalyptic in winter (with only the dogs and animals for company) but still very beautiful. Stay healthy and safe. God bless!

[@marymlucinda]

Wonderful to see your video - thank you for sharing. Loved seeing the way in winter, really inspiring - can’t wait to return. Buen Camino on your journeys, wherever they may be

[@souljacker553]

What an epic journey. Thanks for sharing! I am hoping to be back on the Camino later in 2021.

[@RRdispr]

David, what a great way to tell of your journey on the Camino de Santiago.....very emotional and can't wait to be on my journey in April 2022. Thank you for sharing

[@griffinsmith7023]

Excellent work, David!

[@TheMariodeblas]

🇪🇸✌️👏Bravo! Gran Camino

[@rociocervnates1158]

beautifull video!

[@lorenazulli890]

gracias!

[@plc8445]

We really enjoyed your video! Well done!! It brought back many memories from out past Camino. Thanks!!

[@davidsowers2673]

Thank you!

[@sarahtaylor8877]

Thank you for sharing. I loved the footage of dogs, they are so loving and loyal. I am doing it in September this year. x

[@davidsowers2673]

Thanks and Buen Camino!

[@hnguyen5777]

Winter Camino looks epic. I wish I had that kind of tolerance for the cold to do a winter one.

[@dmwl09]

Well done!!!

[@jackhalligan4148]

Legend! So cool man. Thanks so much for sharing bro, hope to see you sometime soon

[@davidsowers2673]

Preciate the support brother

[@rkgoel3194]

It was very beautiful video to watch , very nice shots ❤ It's really difficult to be alone all day Hope we could see you in more videos ! Keep going bro !!! ..nice work 🙌

[@placidobaamonde6374]

David Sowers, cuando entras en Galicia te encuentras con un país distinto en sus paisajes, en la abundancia de agua y en el rural disperso. Galicia en el invieno es un espacio de nubes, lluvia y cielos grises. Claro que luego la primavera y el verano son un paraíso llamado Galicia.

[@davidsowers2673]

Cierto. Galicia es preciosa

[@heinkruse761]

Great video.

[@alyoshafk5885]

This is amazing! Great job putting it together. 👌🏽👏🏽 I did the Camino Portugues in 2018, I’m currently doing it virtually lol, and now I wanna do it in the winter. 😁

[@julianlord5366]

Awesome !! It's really beautiful -- you've captured it from a pure hiker perspective, but the sheer beauty of God's Creation shines through nonetheless.

[@aurelialuca1310]

💚

[@gilbertwalker6769]

I walked the Camino in Oct.-Nov. of 2021. Your video brought me back to that wonderful, but not easy, experience of the pilgrimage. Are you by chance a "cubano-americano de Miami"? I'm asking because I know a Sowers family from Miami. Anyway, felicidades por un Camino bien hecho en condiciones nada fáciles. Ultreia et Suseia!

[@davidsowers2673]

I’m not, but thanks for the kind words and congrats on your camino as well

[@eamonn3863]

A special piece of journaling David. I’m heading to start my pilgrimage early December. A little worried about finding albergues? Did you always find somewhere to sleep? Once again....Bravo🙏

[@davidsowers2673]

I was able to find places every night but i had to call countless albergues to find one that would open for me. However, that was a year ago and the pandemic situation has improved, so i dont think you will have any trouble at all. Cheers

[@gustavorueda7404]

Hey great vid! I made the Camino back in 2016 in winter. Not that many poeple that time of year but a great experiece. Did you encounter other pilgrims?

[@davidsowers2673]

Hey, thanks for watching! I met five other pilgrims the entire trip, it was basically completely solitary on the Camino every day.

[@jorisboonekamp9038]

Amazing stuff man! I´ve always wondered how the camino would be in winter and you showed it well. Did you not encounter a single fellow pilgrim on your trip?

[@davidsowers2673]

Only a couple. Covid was still a major factor at that time. Thanks for the kind words

[@bullettaylor]

Oh man, they really let those vines grow at 42:51

[@robscamino]

Great video David. Though I'm not sure I could have put up with the cold LOL. When's the next one? You know it's addictive right ? 🙂

[@davidsowers2673]

Looking at doing the Camino del Sur from Huelva to Zafra in a couple weeks... definitely addictive!

[@susilili4053]

👍🍀💚

[@farmerhavingfun]

Thank you for sharing your journey. How many peregrinos did you see/meet along the way each day (average)? I heard during winter season, it's like walking in solitude.

[@davidsowers2673]

I met 5 other pilgrims the entire trip. Of course, this was a combination of the offseason and pandemic, but it was a truly unique Camino. Thanks for watching!

[@farmerhavingfun]

@@davidsowers2673 I want to walk during winter months too but will probably wait until things are less crazy. Well, I live in USA, Spain isn't welcoming me right now. :( It's all good, Camino awaits for me. :)

[@davidbarthelemy4481]

@@davidsowers2673 Not so much ! ;-)

[@TheAnactoria]

Great video! I’m so jealous you were able to go! Are you American? How did you get into Spain?

[@davidsowers2673]

Yes I am American but currently living in southern Spain, and the borders between communities opened over the holidays so I was able to go

[@_F_Y_]

awesome! I am planning to go on Camino in December! Do you need a sleeping bag?

[@davidsowers2673]

Sorry for the late response, but yes I would advise taking a sleeping bag as not all of the albergues offer blankets.

[@nielcapasso3833]

I did the highway after Ocebrero and it was much easier.

[@anxomillaraveiga9404]

It,S a very hard to walk in snow

[@anxomillaraveiga9404]

Now it,s little snowing it,s a shame

[@ColargolPL]

Didnt you really meet any people or cars?? Only dogs and empty roads... beautiful and kinda eery.

[@ColargolPL]

Great watching. The first winter Camino film I found. And great music. Congratulations

[@davidsowers2673]

@@ColargolPL Thanks! I met five other pilgrims along the way. Most of the little one street towns were more or less deserted. There were more cars than the video showed but far fewer than normal I suppose.

[@RC-qf3mp]

28:50 shameful litter. I hope you didn’t put that UNC sticker on the Camino. There’s enough litter and graffiti on it, you don’t need to add more to it nor should you be endorsing defacing monuments on the trail. Disgusting.