My right side of the brain core dumps: photography, travel and writting
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Creating messages, that hopefully you will appreciate, may also be considered as a form of expression. From time to time, some of them will pop up in this area. Candid feedback and comments are mostly appreciated.
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#1MillionStepsHike Camiño de Santiago – The planner
DISCLAIMER:
I have no benefit, financial or otherwise, from the places I reference within the file. These were locations I have investigated and would meet my sleeping requirements.
The stop overs and distances were adjusted to my goals. They are not the typical recommendation and I d not recommend you take them blindly. Take them as an example and adjust them to your needs and goals.
Excel files are provided as is, with no guarantee whatsoever that they will work for your scenario and/or fit your needs. You can use them whichever way you see fit.
Better late than never I would say…. One year after the hike itself, I am wrapping up a few things (few surprises on the way…) and while doing that I noticed that I haven’t shared my planner. That is the focus of this post.
The planner I have used is based on Microsoft Excel, with a bunch of data and a few formulas, that helped me planning each day on the journey, as well as collecting data like number of steps, actual walked distance and daily notes I wanted to keep.
This file was my main planning tool, which allowed me to have a good understanding of the duration of the days I was proposing myself to, allowing answering questions like:
How long will this day take (based on the predicted distance and my average speed)
The estimate time for completion of each day (based on the start time and the day length mentioned above)
How close was the estimated end time to the end of the day (hiking at night alone is not the safest approach, so I wanted to avoid it)
Adjust start times to compensate longer days
Plan the days I needed to wash clothes
Keep track of sleeping arrangements (one ideal and a couple more 5 km before and after the ideal, just in case)
I am sharing the excel file with some data around the stops I made.
Do not follow these blindly and adjust them to your needs!
Day 22 (2021-Nov-10) – Pontevedra ->> Padron [46 Km, 62 542 steps]
#1milhaodepassos#onemillionstepshike Day 22 Pontevedra -》Padron. The queen stage combines 2 original steps: the first one up to Caldas del Rey and the second from there to Padron. I want to push as much as I can and after 3 weeks of this, I feel quite confident to pull these ones together. During the morning I came across some pilgrims, mostly Spanish, but also Americans. In the afternoon, as I left Caldas by 1PM, all pilgrims had already left or arrived at their dailly stage, meaning I had the path all to myself. The path was mainly flat, with a few climbs and downhills. Crossed blooming woods, water running everywhere and fantastic landscapes kept me company. Thankfully another day without incidents. 10 hours after the departure, I reached Padron. Another stayed at a Dream Team organized hotel and this time I resisted the urge to stay put. I got myself set with the daily routine and hit the road to grab a bite. A rich soup called Caldo Galego and octopus looked as the perfect combo. As I set myself to rest, I fought some resistance going to sleep mainly due to the upcoming closure of the adventure, but tiredness quickly won that battle… #tchauaíócatano
Getting close
Getting close
Another amazing day break
Another amazing day break
Paths through the woods that look like tunnels
Paths through the woods that look like tunnels
Just a nice view
Just a nice view
STOP complaining
STOP complaining
Mushrooms were always around
Mushrooms were always around
Again a fantastic path through the woods
Again a fantastic path through the woods
Crystal clear water streams
Crystal clear water streams
Caldo galego
Caldo galego
Pulpo, that's how octopus is called around here
Pulpo, that's how octopus is called around here
Day 23 (2021-Nov-11) – Padron ->> Santiago [34 Km, 45 168 steps]
#1milhaodepassos#onemillionstepshike day 23 – Padron -》Santiago. My phone was telling me it was 6ºC outside. Daylight wasn’ yet visible, but it was time to have some breakfast, pack everything up and hit the road, trying to take it as just another day and not THE day. As I leave the hotel, the azure blue announces the rise of our favorite star, but there was still time for my much needed coffee. After that, the initial 6 Km flew by, without any special highlights and close to a busy road. I have few options to get the required 2 stamps of the day, so when an arrow came up pointing to a coffee shop with stamps, I didn’t say no. Had my second shot and lost my mind over a chocolate Napolitana. Up ahead the trail becomes more interesting, delving through woods and finally, when 10Km are left to go, the climbing up starts, but not nearly as hard as the descents that came between them. As the cathedral bells were hitting 2PM, I stepped into the destination plaza in a storm of emotions that I believe are expected at the culmination of any big adventure. I went into the pilgrim’s office to get the compostela and ensured my presence at the pilgrim’s mass, with the added feeling of happening at S. Martinho’s day. I’ve completed the main part of the adventure on 11-Nov (11)-21, dipping my whiskers in a 1906 beer. I intend to get back home by 12-11-21, another symbol in an already symbolism-and-spirituality-packed journey. I share once again my daily wishes: health and peace to all that wish us well. I’ll share some statistics later this week. Regarding the most prominent question “And now what..??”, it ‘s just one more left unanswered. The end (?) #tchauaíócatano
Arriving to Santiago cathedral
Arriving to Santiago cathedral
Day 24 (2021-Nov-12) – Santiago ->> Queijas
#1milhaodepassos#onemillionstepshike – The end (?). I just want to share I am back home. It was a long and exhausting journey back, packed inside a bus, 3 different trains and a final Uber ride. The epic journey is now over, at least the physical one. Others will hopefully follow. Health and peace for all of you that provided your continued support and energizing messages. #tchauaíócatano