In 2010 I walked the 800 plus kilometres of the Camino Frances almost completely without sticks or poles. For a short stretch we (Janey and I) did use sticks that were given to us, but couldn't get on with them, so left the for someone else to use. Sussi and Laila, our dear walking friends did , however use poles pàrt of teh time.
On the Portguese Camino, despite the steepness of some of the climbs again Janey and I did not use sticks or poles, whilst Sussi stuck with them
On the Camino Primitivo I started out without sticks or poles, but by day four was talked into buying some sticks which I used the rest of the way and found them very useful, not only as aids for walking but also to talk to- yes I talked to them as a way to self-motivate!
Like most of us Camino Junkie's, you do need help!! :-) But honestly, my vote is for sticks. They have helped me navigate too many steep or dicey sections for me to say no. Mine are collapsible so when I truly don't want to use them they go on the back of my pack, out of the way. Hope you hear from others who've done the Ingles, a route I hope to do in the next couple of years! Buen Camino.
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping by and leaving a comment Ksam..and yes I do need help - but I'll not look for it as I love walking the Camino :-)
DeleteAs for poles that was the way my mind was going, especially as you can get some at a very reasonable price, and they're always useful for hanging washing on at the end of a day when the lines are full!