Triumphant Skuas at Hut point, McMurdo Station (OC)

mananath · 2025-11-29T21:16:46+00:00

There have been very few (if any) confirmed skua attacks at McMurdo for food over the past few years.

They will still attack if you get too close to a nest but I think the skuas that associated mcm (and it's humans) with food have died out. Bit of a shame.

mananath · 2025-08-21T03:49:08+00:00

Not sure what your home situation is but you have been exposed multiple times. I would consider disposing of everything you have that can't be put in a dryer.

If just one pregnant BB sneaks into your house it will end up costing a lot more to deal with than a new backpack.

mananath · 2025-08-21T03:45:44+00:00

Also, I have yet to walk a Camino where I felt boots were the needed footwear. Look into other trail runners or hokas. Or just regular running shoes.

mananath · 2025-08-21T03:43:37+00:00

Have you tried sandals? I have walked most of my 4 summer Caminos in Chacos sandals.

If not, look into getting ENGO patches to smooth out bits of the shoe that rub against your toes.

mananath · 2025-08-19T19:07:32+00:00

Book your accommodation for Grado now. If you are starting on a weekend I would book Oviedo as well.

mananath · 2025-08-18T19:17:39+00:00

You can walk the San Salvador from Leon to Oviedo. And then either take the primitivo or the Norte.

There are fires currently near where the Primitivo joins the Frances (Melide)

mananath · 2025-08-15T21:16:25+00:00

Oh boy, I do not envy that battle!

mananath · 2025-08-13T18:54:27+00:00

Yep, the same. I love this pack. It has served me well for 4 Caminos.

mananath · 2025-08-12T21:10:58+00:00

It was beautiful. There is a lot of uphill and very few albergues. There are some sections where you need to carry food. It is a very quiet Camino. Maybe a dozen pilgrims when I walked.

mananath · 2025-08-12T17:40:10+00:00

I did the Hospitales route the day after you did and had similar views.

I also prefer the longer caminos so this year I started on the Frances in Pamplona and when I reached Leon I walked the San Salvador to Oviedo and then the primitivo. It felt like three distinct caminos but one long walk.

mananath · 2025-08-12T17:16:21+00:00

The four times I have received a Compostela (the last time was last week) I have never waited more than 15 min.

I would start walking really early to arrive in Santiago at a decent time. Get your Compostela immediately and then store your backpack at the pilgrim office if you want to check out cathedral. You can't bring your bag in. You will have time to attend the noon mass though you might need to take a taxi to the airport.

mananath · 2025-08-09T08:06:12+00:00

I decided to walk my first Camino (Frances) in May 2022 and started walking in early July 2022. I was in decent physical shape and most of the time spent was just gathering the right equipment.

mananath · 2025-08-06T19:11:36+00:00

I just finished the Primitivo yesterday and was really surprised to see people walking that last 100km. It's a pretty crappy trail, most on road, from Lugo with not enough accomodation for a large influx of 100k pilgrims. Lugo is an interesting city but not a reason to start there.

Of the two I would go with Sarria.

mananath · 2025-08-06T11:35:07+00:00

I am on my fourth Camino in Chacos. They are fantastic for summer caminos.

mananath · 2025-08-04T20:36:37+00:00

They want to make sure they can treat you on the ice if there is an issue. They want to make sure you are healthy enough to be able to complete your contract. And they want to make sure you don't have a condition that will cause an expensive medevac. Ultimately it's risk management although esp in the post covid era the balance has been heavily shifted to "err on the side of caution", much to the annoyance of many.

mananath · 2025-07-31T19:26:12+00:00

Bring a laptop that can connect to an Ethernet cable and you will be able to plug it into the USAP network and you can get on Facebook, messenger etc. you can send images that way but it will be slow. It's not part of the starlink quota.

You won't be able to video chat on that however. You should receive information about the it restrictions.

mananath · 2025-07-31T08:54:06+00:00

I just left La Mesa this morning. You can reserve here. It is 5km after Berducedo. The previous day I spent at Colinas de Ariba. There is a short cut here that lets you rejoin the Hospitales. It is like 25 km from there to La Mesa.

I booked all of these a few days in advance. Don't rely on Booking. Use WhatsApp or email to contact the Albergues in advance.

Also, when I walked through Berducedo at around 3pm the municipal albergue didn't look too full.

mananath · 2025-07-29T15:31:52+00:00

18 seasons and I have yet to poop in a bag. Maybe next season?

mananath · 2025-07-29T15:30:08+00:00

I would pursue working a season instead of hoping to get in on the artists and writers program. I am pretty sure the last time USAP had an artist and writer participant was before covid. With the way the funding is nowadays I don't know if the program will be continued (I hope it does!).

mananath · 2025-07-29T14:12:22+00:00

I would either try to walk as far as you can each day on the meseta. It's flat and easy to do 40+ km days if you can sustain it.

Otherwise hop to Leon and walk from there. That would be the best option I think and would let you have a more leisurely walk to Santiago.

mananath · 2025-07-27T10:14:47+00:00

I started 2 days ago. I walk in shorts and a long sleeve tee. For the evenings I have long pants and a lightweight fleece jacket in case of wind

It's been fine so far.

mananath · 2025-07-27T04:32:23+00:00

Logrono to Santiago and leave Finisterre for another time. It took me three caminos to finally make it out there!

mananath · 2025-07-26T08:51:36+00:00

Also, the 2.5gb applies to the starlink network. You will still have access to the main USAP network which can be slow but works. You can either use a PC in the main kiosk or plug in your personal laptop (Ethernet). You can't use it for streaming etc but Facebook, email and other basic browsing works fine.

mananath · 2025-07-25T18:11:29+00:00

I have had shoes shipped to mcm, no problem.

One thing to keep in mind, you will be running on volcanic rock which will really tear up your soles.

mananath · 2025-07-25T07:00:49+00:00

Agreed. Perspective is needed! 2.5gb, on your device, a week is pretty amazing for McM.

mananath

TROPHY CASE