Tips for Seniors Walking the Camino: 3 Must Bring Items 2023

Sandy French, a seasoned, senior walker of the Camino and other trails, shares his tips and insights to walking long distances successfully.
In this video I share 3 new items I plan to bring for my latest Camino!

[@markdonovan1540]

Take less, carry it, pay less, worry less. It's not hard to do. I walked the Camino Frances in 2018 from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Finisterre and took my time. I was 58 years old at the time, and the year before I needed 6 months of chemotherapy, so I wasn't in great shape, physically or emotionally. (Thankfully, the Camino managed to fix all of that 😊). The biggest challenge to success is trying to do it too quickly and walking at a pace that YOUR body isn't comfortable with - and this pace can change during the camino. BE FLEXIBLE AND LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. The disadvantage of sending backpack/luggage ahead, is it conditions us to reach that town/village that day. I often found I would walk further or less than what I had thought at the start of the day. I walked in September through to October, so I didn't need winter clothing. For rain: just a lightweight poncho. I only used it 3 times in 44 days of walking. Waterproof boots don't hold up to sustained heavy rain (as happened to me in Galicia one day), so you'll get wet feet anyway. Lightweight BREATHABLE footwear is much better for our feet and will dry quickly when left overnight stuffed with newspapers (which many Albergues keep a supply of). I carried a small, 22L backpack, which stopped me from carry anything except essentials. I had a fannypack around my waist to hold easy-grab items such as money, phone, charger, suncream, nuts & dried fruits, energy bar and extra water bottle when walking longer distances between towns. Total weight was about 7kg (= 15.4 lbs) which was bellow 10% of my body weight. After a couple of days, I hardly noticed it, as it just felt like part of my body. It's important to have the backpack adjusted well with the staps, so it sits on your hips rather than pulling down on your shoulders. Everyone talks about blisters, yet for me, and several others I met, the unexpected injury was getting shin splints. So, read up about it and take steps (pardon the pun) to avoid them, or if you get it (like I did) then factor in some rest days to allow body to recover properly. Advice on taking expensive walking poles (like Black Diamond): they will be a target for someome to steal. You can buy cheap, but perfectly usable walking poles in Spain and then leave them there at your Albergue of choice. That way someone who needs them will surely pick them up from the donation basket.

[@estellagutierrez4615]

i m 81 did the Camino. took me50 days it was awesome since i walk slow idy stop and enjoyed the Moment. carried my backpack .... Blessed trip.. want to do it in May 24 less is best, train before trip . oh! not one blister....

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Very very impressive Estella - thx for sharing

[@bsbvera5]

I'm 76 and I'm going my 3* Camino now in 2023/22/04. Caminho Portugues Central with Suseya Cia from Brasil! ❤❤❤❤

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Fabulous, good for you Vera!

[@BellaFav]

We are seniors. Planning a 2024 Camino. Your tips are greatly appreciated. Thank you

[@lupearenas5994]

Enjoying your videos and listening closely to your advice. Thank you!

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Thx Lupe appreciate your kind feedback!

[@timdettmann4067]

I just found your channel. Some would say that I am a senior, I'm 55. I walked a short Camino last October which was a disaster and unsuccessful. I started in Astorga and got off trail in Sarria. There are many reasons for my failure but I am correcting them. First wrong shoes (Hoka Speedgoat), next wrong pack and slightly heavy but not by much. 3rd I walked to many miles per day, I should have slowed down and walked less. I think that if I used the luggage transfer service it would have gone much better, however I was afraid that my luggage wouldn't get to where I was going as it happened to you. I will be paying close attention to your channel, keep up the good work.

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Hi Tim, thx for your note. Well we have all made mistakes on the Camino that's for sure but sounds like you are on the path to having a great next walk. I would encourage you to Google "Camino de Santiago Forum" by Ivar, it is the most comprehensive database of Camino information you can find - it's free. I hope my videos help and if you have any questions I'm happy to try and help.

[@paulafitz532]

😊😊😊

[@asprelskcalling1151]

Starting June 23. Omg, can't wait for it🤩

[@sandyfrench4185]

I’m on the Camino Norte now - have a great walk! Very busy this year suggest booking accommodations…

[@markdonovan1540]

What route will you be walking? Be prepared for extreme heat. Take it seriously, please. There is plenty of advice out there on the precautions required to avoid sunburn, or worse, sunstroke, or very dangerous heatstroke. Stay hydrated at all times, avoid the hottest parts of the day as much as possible - this will probably mean setting off early, around 6/6.30am 😮 and stopping by 12.30/1pm. The period from 11am to 3pm is intense sun, the mid-afternoon temperatures can often exceed 35°C (95°F) in July and August. Even in September, late morning and afternoon temperatures can be above 30°C (86°F)

[@asprelskcalling1151]

I will do the French route😊

[@Laura-rp5jh]

Hi Sandy, Thanks for your great advice I hope to do the Camino either this year when I will be 77 or next year. On your advice I bought the Euroschirm hands free 76cm/ 30inches umbrella. Now my question is how do you transport it internationally? Buy a large enough suitcase to put it in, buy cardboard cylinder with plastic ends and seal it and check it in separately at the airport? I have already bought 4 AirTags, I use a Kindle which means I read more books each year. I would love to have carry on however I will be taking my black diamond hiking poles so will need to have checked luggage. Thanks for your time to answer my pressing question.

[@hjahansouz]

A new subscriber here! Thank you so much for the valuable information!

[@sandyfrench4185]

I’m so glad you found it helpful Thx for letting me know!

[@ceceoo1]

I thought I was crazy that I wanted to take peanut butter 🤣. Thanks for the confirmation

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Crazy like a fox - hungry fox. Love the PB...although i heard there are a few places to buy it in Madrid...

[@kathylutter9211]

Please see my comment above on peanut butter

[@markdonovan1540]

I live in Madrid and all the supermarkets sell peanut butter, but maybe not in smaller stores. Personally, if it's protein and energy boost you're taking it for, then there are plenty of other lighter options such as variety of nuts and dried fruits that can be bought in any small store along the way.

[@rdgreeley]

Is the peanut butter powder? If not you can’t carry it on. It’s considered a liquid.

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

no it's the real deal - i checked my bag...also because you can't take a pocket knife or hiking poles all of which i pack and check

[@destinydeems]

Question: Are there "Little Free Libraries" along the Camino Frances? I don't see any on the Little Free Library Map. Perhaps there are places to do book exchanges that aren't registered?

[@sandyfrench4185]

Hi, sorry I don’t know the answer to that. There is a Camino Forum by Ivar, if you Google that and post a question, they may have an answer

[@deborahcazalas297]

How are you charged to have bags transport ed? Per bag ? Size of bag? Weight of the bag ?

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

It's a fixed rate per bag and there is a strict weight limit...the Francis used to be 15kg and Caminos in France like Le Puy, allowed only 13km. Best to check and weigh your bag. In my experience they want bags no bigger than medium (i.e. can be bigger than carry on but not the large ones people visiting their relatives for months use) The carrier will give you specs. Hope this helps

[@crazyforitaly2021]

What's the range on the tracker? Do you have to be within a certain distance of it to find it with your phone?

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

AirTags work from anywhere in the world as long as it has Bluetooth signal and a nearby Apple device in the Find My network. So as long as there is a signal you will see it on your phone

[@cnightingale9]

Are they aren’t going to let you bring the peanut butter in your carryon luggage?

[@sandyfrench4185]

Last time a tried they confiscated the jar. This time I bought small 3 ounce tubes on Amazon and put a few in my carry-on , like toiletries and I got a few tubes through Seems to depend on the country you’re flying to and how diligent the customs agents are. I must have a guilty face because they always seem to pull me over but this time I did get a few tubes through.!

[@josephkelley8634]

I use trekking poles and they have to be checked and can not be carried on.

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Yes me too - i check my bag as I also carry a Swiss army knife

[@mrs.rubytang9183]

I don’t think a jar of pb is allowed on carryon.

[@sandyfrench4185]

True, which I found out to my dismay I put a bunch in small 100 mil tubes and put them a small bag like toiletries. So I’m now here in Madrid with my beloved peanut butter.!

[@krisentwistle4839]

What are you doing for your phone ? I know my phone company wants 15$ a day . Are you getting a plan while you are there?

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Yes. $15/day is crazy (which is similar to what i would get charged) so I'm buying a SIM card in Spain. I bought one last year and then recharged it when it ran out - fraction of the price

[@krisentwistle4839]

@@seniorswalkingthecamino Could you tell me which one you got and was it easy to program into your Phone ? I have an iPhone 14.

[@PaulNelson392]

There are usually booths at the airport selling SIM cards. You pick the plan you want and they will set your phone up for you.

[@rhondaviau-caron3322]

We travelled in Europe a lot Videfone (sp) sim card works all over and very reasonable price compared to our CDN cellular service.

[@peterbedford2610]

I am 64. I hike about 4 miles a day in the foothills around my house. Do you think that is adequate training? Also, is it fairly common for people to walk it solo? I dont know anyone who is interested in going with me.

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

Hi Peter, good to hear from you. There are a few factors that go into adequate training - like type of walk/terraine (hills?), pace, other fitness activities, # of times per week etc. That being said that fact that you do 4 miles is a very good "start". Most days you will probably be walking 12+ miles so i would suggest a few things: - make sure you do hills - there's lots on the Camino - walk with your pack and put weight in it, get use to that - walk double that once or maybe 2x/week - try and do something else as well - stretching, weight training, yoga!, swimming But you have a good base! As to walking solo - no one walks solo on the camino for long! You will meet so many people it is impossible not to. You will have a choice to walk with one or two or a group in fact most people after a week decide that they want to walk alone for a day or more. Lots of solo men and women and you will meet some amazing people that will share the ups and downs of the Camino -guranteed! Hope this helps Peter.

[@crazyforitaly2021]

Are you training for the Camino?

[@seniorswalkingthecamino]

@@crazyforitaly2021 100% lots and lots of training

[@peterbedford2610]

@@crazyforitaly2021 I train to backpack in the sierras every summer. And I think that is probably adequate for the Camino as well.

[@crazyforitaly2021]

@@peterbedford2610 I found training for 4-5 hour walks every other day or so would be a good training regimen for the camino

[@gallagherneylon6966]

🍀 "Promo sm"