Camino Pilgrim

First week is done! 4 more to go. A total of 204km of dust, sweat and memories behind me.

20% of total max distance done and 1/4 of the way to Santiago. If I manage to keep up this pace, then all my goals will be accomplished on this trip.

With today, the physical challenge stage of Camino is ending and the mental challenge stage lies up ahead – the messeta. A Spanish desert without forests or shade. It has some small vegetation but not enough to make a difference for pilgrims. It actually is not that different from the walk I had today.

The first 16km today was without shade, water refill stations or barely any rest areas. Careful route planning ahead of time helped me pass this part in the early morning hours when the sun was not yet torching the sky.

Between start and finish there was just 1 town and 1 village I passed. Not a big choice if I make stops there or not. The next few days will be better in this regard.

Several pilgrims usually choose to skip the upcoming Spanish desert region by taking the bus to Leon. Crazy ones like me will continue although the temperature will get between +30 and +36 Celsius on really hard days.

I see no reason to stop or slow down. Yes, some physical fatigue is kicking in from not taking rest days. Every day my average travel speed and recovery time are improving. Heat will probably devastate me several times within the next ten days, but I believe myself to be physically and mentally ready to prevail nevertheless.