Going to the Bathroom on the Camino

Sandy French, a seasoned, senior walker of the Camino and other trails, shares his tips and insights to walking long distances successfully.
This video covers Going to the Bathroom on the Camino. It's an important topic that doesn't get enough attention. I cover "do's and don't's" and how to prepare for the inevitable time when '"nature will call"
My videos i will appeal to older or more senior walkers and first timers, sharing his learnings on how to get the most out of your hike. Of course if you just want practical tips you will find also a treasure trove of insights.
My other videos cover key topics such as preparation and training, hiking boots, rain wear, should you use a travel company, to smaller but important topics such as specialty items to pack, hiking poles, and how hard is the Camino?
Sandy has decided to share these videos based on the idea "what would he have liked to have known "pre-walk" that he knows now.
If you're thinking of hiking the Camino or other long distance trails and you have practical questions, then these videos will give you great insights and answers to help you have a fun and successful walk.

Пікірлер: 56

  • @LiquidShivaz
    @LiquidShivaz Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much. Very much appreciated, I’ll walk as a recovering colon cancer patient. ❤

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    Жыл бұрын

    Thx for the feedback, hope it helps and that you have a wonderful, stress free walk!

  • @stevefoster1511
    @stevefoster1511Ай бұрын

    We too, were shocked at the disgusting amount of toilet paper trailside when we walked the Portuguese Camino in 2019. It got so that could even predict the hidden spots along the trail where there would be piles and piles of toilet paper. This needs to be talked about more so pilgrims can be prepared. My wife has IBS so “emergencies” occur periodically and sometimes with very little warning. She treated it just like many people do when walking their dogs; she cleaned it up, put it in a bag and carried it until she could dispose of it properly. Thanks for doing this video. Let’s get the word out so the locals don’t start to turn on the Pilgrims and make journey harder. Bom Camino!

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    Ай бұрын

    Thx Steve - I’m hiking in France and have not seen a single piece of toilet paper in almost 30 days. Let’s hope it stays that way!! Buen Camino to you as well

  • @johns2105
    @johns21052 жыл бұрын

    I'Ve watched a lot of camino vids and you're the first to talk about this in an extensive way. Thanks.

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thx for your comment John - sadly the Camino Francis is littered with toilette paper hopefully things will improve in the future

  • @michaelbird3887
    @michaelbird3887 Жыл бұрын

    This is an important if touchy subject so well done Sandy! Spot on with this one. I would add that if you dash into a cafe an alternative to buying something is to put a 1 euro on the counter and deliver your carefully memorised line, "Por Favor, es acceptable para me usar sus servicios?" Anything approximating this will be understood and you will often be given your euro back. It is the acknowledgement that counts. This is also one of the major reasons I advise first-timers to do the Camino Frances. There are very few long stretches on it anymore and they get less with every year, I imagine. (In parenthesis, this means you need not carry vast quantities of water!) As a male I could pee in the woods and never felt the need to do anything more. But, things happen and I carried the kit as per Sandy. Your pack of doggie-bags and wetwipes should be reasonably handy and the bags are useful things anyway. I used to collect my orange peel and other rubbish in them to carry to the next bin!! You should also carry your own TP as it is often nicked, not provided or run out in busy Auberges.

  • @RetiredPinayNurse
    @RetiredPinayNurse11 ай бұрын

    I agree with you, people should clean up after themselves .

  • @ltlarrow1
    @ltlarrow1 Жыл бұрын

    good advice for a 71 yr old, hoping for his first Camino in 2023

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    Жыл бұрын

    I hope you get to walk Michael, the first Camino is magic. It seems the temperature in Europe is going up here after your so make sure you walk in Spring or fall when you can hope to get some cooler days!

  • @marykwart9331
    @marykwart9331 Жыл бұрын

    I just finished the Camino de Invierno. I always did #2 in the hotel in the morning. I am a backpacker so am used to doing #1 in the woods. What many female backpackers use to avoid carrying TP is a "pee rag"-- a bandanna to wipe off that you rinse and dry at the end of the day. Thus no need to carry TP or a plastic bag to carry used TP. There were many discreet places in the bush off the trail. If you are used to peeing while day hiking or backpacking it is no different on the Camino. On the Invierno, restaurants were too far from each other to use for their bathrooms. Who wants to "hold" it anyway?

  • @rachaelbarat8460

    @rachaelbarat8460

    10 ай бұрын

    Great support for the video and I am looking through my closet for a Pee-rag and 1 plastic bag for carrying, which will be washed and used for the whole camino. Great

  • @debbiegarza1287
    @debbiegarza12873 жыл бұрын

    Keeping it real Sandy!! Thanks.

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thx Debbie - yep doing it in public is as real as it gets!

  • @johnturnbull2146
    @johnturnbull21462 жыл бұрын

    Great and essential content Sandy, I supported a project to supply clean water to remote Kenyan villages for some years, we found that the three things that were most beneficial for human health in the region were the availability of clean drinking water, hand washing and burying faeces, the second and third help break the cycle of disease spread from faeces accessible to flies etc. In Nepal we were disgusted by the state of trail side waste, not just rubbish but uncovered faeces so wholeheartedly support your approach.

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thx John - the Camino could benefit from people with your wisdom, experience and perspective. Have a fabul;ous walk!

  • @jpmcc
    @jpmcc3 жыл бұрын

    Bravo. And uncomfortable yet important topic. This applies to everyone. Appreciate the insight.

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thx J - Buen Camino

  • @patriciawells4996
    @patriciawells49966 ай бұрын

    Thumbs up

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    6 ай бұрын

    Thx Patricia hope it helps

  • @PeggyL58
    @PeggyL585 ай бұрын

    thanks Sandy!

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    5 ай бұрын

    Hope it helped Peggy and have a wonderful walk

  • @julierawlins5984
    @julierawlins59842 ай бұрын

    Thank you

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    2 ай бұрын

    Glad it was helpful Julie

  • @cristyalfaro4288
    @cristyalfaro4288 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the advice. 👍

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    Жыл бұрын

    Hope it helps Christy. Buen Camino

  • @heidihurl
    @heidihurl9 ай бұрын

    Buen Camino.. I was totally grossed out with the amount of toilet paper… even when I went to (what I thought) a secret path off the way.. UGH.. YES.. take it with you! We do it with our dogs… so humans need to do it too! Thanks so much for the video.

  • @serral1
    @serral18 ай бұрын

    Sir, thanks a lot for this. Most videos about preparing for the Camino don't talk about this and, in my case, it is a very serious thing because I'm a very private person and a woman, so it's serious business. This will be my 1rst time doing the Camino and I'll probably be going alone, I am a little scare but it is something I feel I have to do, specially at this time of my life. I'll follow your tips for sure.😊

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    8 ай бұрын

    You are welcome Serral, there are many solo female walkers on the Camino, there is also a "solo female walkers" group on Facebook. I hope you have a wonderful walk

  • @heather333
    @heather33310 ай бұрын

    I carry a neoprene case with a belt attachment. It has a pouch for carrying dog poo bags in the lid and zips up to hold any smell inside. The family run business is based in Cornwall, UK, and their brand is called Duck Soup. All are hand-made and fully washable. I've had mine (used several times daily for dog walks), over 10 years, so far, with no signs of ware. They are more expensive, but like the Euroschirm hiking umbrella, well worth it.

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    10 ай бұрын

    Thx Heather great info to know Tomorrow I start walking a Cotswolds here in England !

  • @nitroriley857
    @nitroriley857 Жыл бұрын

    Excellent video. Very necessary info. Thank you.

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    Жыл бұрын

    Thx Nitro

  • @liafiol-matta2736
    @liafiol-matta273611 ай бұрын

    Very helpful, thank you!

  • @bsbvera5
    @bsbvera5 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you ! Good chanel❤

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    Жыл бұрын

    Thx Vera, appreciate the kind feedback. Buen Camino!

  • @dgale1023
    @dgale1023 Жыл бұрын

    Good for you for making this vid. I'm sure many appreciate it although they wont say so. IMO

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    Жыл бұрын

    Thx Dave...it's a question a get asked from people who have never walked so i thought it would make sense. Appreciate your feedback

  • @gillianburles8650
    @gillianburles86502 жыл бұрын

    thanks for this one. I was wondering about it!

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    2 жыл бұрын

    No Problem! My wife was concerned so i thought others would be too, hope it helps. Buen Camino

  • @umbro12
    @umbro12 Жыл бұрын

    Very important, have a lemon or lime, with you, suck it on tge walk, drink less water, also rind acts like a cud, keeps saliva going, magensium tablets, no cramps at night,

  • @serral1

    @serral1

    8 ай бұрын

    Hi, may I ask, what's the Lemmon helps to?

  • @bsbvera5
    @bsbvera5 Жыл бұрын

  • @Aintnobodygottimetodomath
    @Aintnobodygottimetodomath Жыл бұрын

    Umbrella will help hihi...

  • @jamesorrock8897
    @jamesorrock8897Ай бұрын

    After watching this vlog I am feeling really pooped!

  • @umbro12
    @umbro12 Жыл бұрын

    Dump in the woods, simple, bury it,

  • @PeggyL58
    @PeggyL585 ай бұрын

    lol my biggest fear - I have the bladder the size of a baby - maybe I should wear a diaper lol

  • @diannealice3601
    @diannealice3601 Жыл бұрын

    Wearing a skirt with leggings can be good for ladies. The skirt can be used to hide under.

  • @sandyfrench4185

    @sandyfrench4185

    Жыл бұрын

    Very good advice Thx!

  • @meredithheath5272

    @meredithheath5272

    11 ай бұрын

    Good idea!

  • @elizabethmorais4270
    @elizabethmorais427011 ай бұрын

    I agree with the belief that this is a privilege. Zero footprint. Global Park.

  • @seniorswalkingthecamino

    @seniorswalkingthecamino

    11 ай бұрын

    Thx Elizabeth - yes zero footprint...but alas there is a lot and i mean a lot of toilette paper on the Camino

  • @kareylorena
    @kareylorena3 жыл бұрын

    I’d rather go medieval