We began our 8 day, 100 mile journey on Friday, 16/9/2016. Posting has been spotty for two reasons: either wifi was sporadic, or I was too tired after a full day of hiking to post. Here is a summary of our travels--although it may appear rather dry, I want to give you an idea of what a day's hike is like:
16/9/2016--12.9 miles (from O Cebriero to Tracastela) over rugged terrain, in misty cold rain. Took approximately 8 hours, 37,553 steps, and 16.1 miles total. We all carried our backpacks today.
17/9/2016--Triacastela to Sarria--11 miles, better weather, but still rugged terrain. Took approximately 7 hours, 34,213 steps, for a total of 14.45 miles.
18/9/2016--Saria to Mercadoira--13.4 miles, over approximately 8 hours, on still rugged terrain, lots of hills, and we still carried our backpacks, for a total of 27,606 steps, and 11.8 miles that day.
Our next 2 days were each going to be 14 milers. Although Jim can backpack forever, none of the rest of us could. Jane, Ric, and I were exhausted by the end of each day, and I didn't think any of us, especially me, would make it 14 miles carrying a backpack. I suggested that we pay a few euros to send our packs to the next destination. Everyone thought that that was a good idea, so we planned to send them for at least the 2 14-mile days.
19/9/2016--14 miles from Mercadoira to Eirexe. Although it still took us around 8 hours or so because we had to take a few breaks, we all did much better walking without the backpacks. That day the terrain was starting to be a little less hilly. We walked a total of 36,555 steps, and 15.67 miles.
20/9/2016--we walked 14 miles from Eirexe to Melide, and were very happy that we sent our packs ahead. Our hike was relatively level, but people's joints were beginning to complain. We stopped 2 or 3 times this day, but ended up taking about 8 hours to reach our destination. We walked 37,759 steps, for a total of 15.96 miles.
21/9/2016--today was our shortest walk yet, only 8.6 miles from Melide to Arzua. We have all enjoyed not carrying out packs so much that we have decided to send them to each day's destination until we reach Santiago on Friday. We're really glad that we sent the packs on. Today's hike, although relatively short, was more arduous than the previous 2 days had been. We got to our destination in about 5 hours, and walked a total of 25,126 steps over 10.46 miles.
Although I'd like to keep writing, and tell you about so much more that is happening, I'll have to wait until tomorrow. I need to get to sleep so that I'm ready for our 10 Mike hike tomorrow.
Until then, Adios amigos!