About

Welcome

Welcome to my page!
For a brief summary and information about this page, see my pinned post:
Welcome

Who am I?

I’m a 32 year old man, living in the Netherlands.
I’ve tried, multiple times, to find my “calling in life” (and failing..). I am currently unemployed due to mental-health issues and I had to move back in with my parents. With no relationship, children, owned-property or other important long term commitments, I find myself on a crossroad in life.

My hobbies include gaming, airsoft, longboarding, making music, cosplay (i.e. making costumes) and other ways to express myself creatively. I’ve always been fascinated with history, culture, politics and the whole “state of the world.” A bit of an amateur anthropologist, you might say. With the world heading the way it is heading; Climate change, Class divide, Rising xenophobia and the constant increase in cost-of-living. I feel I need an escape, something that would give me a new perspective on life, and hopefully in the process, find a new way to live.

I’ve made stupid mistakes in my past. Trusted people who weren’t worth it and let myself be abused and misused. This has made it untenable for me to stay, with all the ghosts of my past, dragging me down into a depressive spiral. I need an escape.

For all these reasons and more,
I’ve decided to go on my Pilgrimage.
I’m planning to hoist my backpack on my back and start walking Southward.
Towards the Sun.

Why this page?

“Way of St. James pilgrims (1568)”
~by Roland zh .

This page is my progress-tracker, I will post my preparations and training.

What do I think I need to take with me and how can I best prepare?
I’m planning on walking all the way, so good shoes and good posture is a must!

Also I would like to use this page as my “travel log” or Blog. I’m sure there are a lot of people in similar situations as mine. This is why I write in English, to lower the language barrier. I might translate everything into my native Dutch at one point, but sometimes I feel it’s easier to express myself in English. And yes I know, my grammar and syntax aren’t very good, but that’s the same for me in Dutch,
I’m not very talented as a writer.

But if this page could be a point of inspiration, or the push someone else needs to make the first step, If only one person sees this and it inspires them, I would be so honoured. It would be the greatest thing I’ve done with my life up to this point.

So to all whom find this page,
Welcome!
I hope to inspire you or at the very least, entertain you!

Cheers,
I-Jun
Github.com @ MyPilgrimage
Reddit.com @ /u/I-Jun_Pilgrimage
Mail @ iJun.Pilgrimage@gmail.com

My Principle

My Remote-work Office
This is where I do most of the work on this page.

Leave only ash, hair and footprints.

Based on the Leave no Trace principle.
The Idea is that I don’t want to make a negative impact on the world around me. My travels and existence should not hinder nature or anybody else. I already practice this principle in my day-to-day life, always making sure I do not leave anything behind.

So why the addition of Ash and Hair?

My Remote-work Office - LoAHF
Leave only Ash, Hair and Footprints!

I have long hair. Every human being sheds hair, skin follicles, sweat etc. These last two are harder to see with the naked-eye. But my long hair is sometimes noticeable if I brush my hair outside. Another thing is that I smoke, and while the filter will go into the bin, I don’t think the little bits of cigarette-ash that falls off will have a big impact. (feel free to correct me if I’m wrong!)

Again I don’t think these few hairs will have any meaningful impact on nature nor the place I’m at.

Of Course I can not NOT leave foot-prints while walking. But I think I do need to permit myself to “exist” and leave traces of my existence. So along with the ash and hair I will leave behind on the regular, these are the “necessary evils” of me wanting to hike and travel. But if I can help it, I want to leave the places I’ve been, better than I found them.

Cleaning my own garbage is the least I can do!

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Route

I will update on thre route in the Quick Overview - Location section.

“Approximate Map of the Way of St. James in Europe.”
~by Manfred Zentgraf, Volkach Germany .

As mentioned in the introductions, I’m planning on walking Southward.

I’ll start walking from my parents home in North-Holland, I’m think I’m going to walk the Pilgrimage of Compostela . Simply because it’s a known route, it has historical significance (and I love history!) and I think I might meet like-minded people along the way.
So for now this is the most likely route!

But first I’ll do a Trial-Run.

I want to start a Trial-Run this August of 2025.
See the Quick Overview - Countdown

“Floris V Path: LAW 1-3”
~by Marijn Bosma .

This gives me a bit of time to prepare and get my walking gear in order. Also to train a bit and see if a Pilgrimage is even something I would want to see through to the end. This will give me ample opportunity to see if I forgot something, need better preparations, or change my plan entirely.

For this trail run I’m thinking of walking the Floris V path, also known as the “LAW” 1-3. The Floris V path is a part of the GR12.

LAW 1-3 - Lange Afstands Wandeling or Long Distance Hike.
Wikipedia: Floris V Pad ^NL

I think I will at least try to get to the border of The Netherlands, in the South at the province of Zeeland. Once there I will figure out if I want to return or keep going on the route of the GR12.

GR 12 - Grande Randonnée or Great Hike
Wikipedia: GR12 ^ENG

Why wait till August?

I’m planning to start my Trial-Run on the 10^th of August.
I know it would be smarter to start walking in April/May, I still have a few things I want to do in 2025.

For example; I really want to go to a festival on the first weekend of August.

Castlefest is a total experience with lots of music, fantasy writers, themed catering, medieval crafts and a large market which offers everything a fantasy fan could want…
~Castlefest.nl/en

31^st of July - 3^th of August
It’s called Castlefest

The later date also gives me ample opportunity to train and collect my needed gear. And I think I don’t mind the idea that the weather will get colder and the days shorter on my Trial-Run. It feels like I’m preparing for the worst situation, so when I leave for the real Pilgrimage, I will be ready for (almost) anything!

What Route do I want to take?

The plan is to start walking from my home near Alkmaar.

1. From Alkmaar walk towards Haarlem.
2. From Haarlem to Amsterdam.
3. The third stage of the “Floris V Pad” starts at Amsterdam.
4. So from here I will follow the Route of the “Floris V Pad”.

More Info and Updates coming soon.

Quick Trail-Run Route Calculation

More Info and Updates coming soon.

The real Pilgrimage Route.

Map of the expected route, distance and time.
Google Map

The Trial-Run is in preparation for the real Pilgrimage. I’m thinking of follow the route of Camino de Santiago.

It’s a very well known Pilgrimage route, which has its advantages, such as hostels and other accommodations.

Camino de Santiago

Starting from my parents home near Alkmaar in North-Holland, walking toward Haarlem. Haarlem is a common starting point of the Pilgrimage, according to “Routes in Belgium and the Netherlands” on Wikipedia.

Routes in Belgium and the Netherlands ^ENG

Or Amsterdam for the “Pilgrims Pad LAW 7” (Pilgrims Path)

Pilgrims Pad ^NL

“Pilgrims Path: LAW 7”
~by Marijn Bosma .

1. From Alkmaar walk towards Haarlem.
   
2. A. From Haarlem, I could make my way to Amsterdam and start on the “Pilgrims pad” towards Wezet (Visé) in Belgium;
   B. Or take a more direct route from Haarlem to Brussels;
   
3. A. Then from either Wezet or Brussels to Paris;
   B. Or conclude somewhere in Belgium, that I’ve walked enough and only walk the “Pilgrims pad” for now.
   But if I do choose to continue;
   
4. set Paris as my “mid” point and the start of the Pilgrims path “The Camino Francés”
   (or “French Way”), The “French Way” is the easiest route and I don’t think I can take a difficult route on my first try.
   

As the route is difficult enough as-is!

Read more about The French Way or GR65
Wikipedia: GR 65

Quick Pilgrimage Route Calculation

More Info and Updates coming soon.

Thoughts on the Routes

Even though the less traveled and less popular routes do sound more attractive to me. “The Camino Primitivo”, sounds the most interesting to me, because of its historical significance. And because it will probably be less “tourist-y”

But we will see when and if we get there.

“Samos, in Galicia, on the French Way or Camino Francés”
~by BarbaraDown .

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Training

Start walking. A bit further every time.

I will update on my training in the Quick Overview - Training section.

How am I training?

“Roman bridge with 19 arches over the river Órbigo. The bridge has been integrated into the modern Camino Francés.”
~by José Antonio Gil Martínez .

With music in my ears, I already like walking as a pastime.
I have no idea how long I can walk for, in km, but I can walk at a steady pace for about an hour before my feet hurt. Also I will need to go to my GP, to get a podiatrist to look at my wonky feet. I know I’m not walking correctly, with a bit of “knock-kneed legs” (or X-legs). So something like correcting-soles would be a must have, or else I might permanently damage my legs and knees.

I have a small “regimen” of power and endurance training I do bi-daily (every other day) consisting of:

• 15x Push-Up
• 15x Sit-Ups
• 15x 10kg halter each arm
• 10x Squads with halters
• 60sec Planking
  

I still need to include Crunches, but I don’t seem to get the technique right, or it doesn’t feel right, I don’t know. (Might need to ask my GP)

Training Preparations

What are things I want to train for? What do I expect to encounter along the way?

A small campfire

Making Miles

A Pilgrimage means walking a whole lot, and making a bit of progress is important to keep spirits high. From walking 5 km to 10 km to eventually about 20/25 km per day.

Enduring Elevation

As a Dutchman I’m not used to elevation changes, so I’ll need to prepare for this too. The plan is to go to the Dunes and practice with elevation and rougher terrain.

Beast of Burden

I will need to carry all of my belongings on my back; A tent, sleeping gear, clothes and food are just the basics, and this will easily add-up in weight. So I need to practice walking with a heavy load on my shoulders.

Self-sufficient Survivalist

Being self-sufficient and having a bit of survival knowhow could be very useful on the way. So I’ll need to educate myself in the way of the survivalist.

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Gear

What do I need? A checklist of sorts.

I will update on my gear in the Quick Overview - Gear section.

What gear do I have?

One of my smaller backpacks I use for Cosplay. This was a wasteland-survivor outfit.

I have a military-backpack for foot soldiers, It has a lumbar support and thick padded shoulder straps. I will need to check if it’s still waterproof! And I already have military-boots, in a fairly new condition, but I’m not sure if they are too heavy for me? Maybe I need to find more modern walking boots? A simple first-aid kit, with band-aid, a flea-nipper, a few painkillers and a refresher on first aid knowledge is very useful.
The rest of my gear I will need to acquire…

The main issue is weight.
I could bring my tent with me, but it is a 4 person tent weighing around 20kg if not more! I do also have a sleeping bag, but it’s heavy, thick and not water or windproof. Same goes for pretty much everything I currently have at home.

Its either too old and broken, Or too thick and heavy. Worst comes to worst I will start my Pilgrimage with these heavier things, and hope I can upgrade along the way.

But if I could help it, getting a bit better prepared,
it would certainly be worth the effort!

Don’t be a fool Mr. Baggins if you can help it.
Gandalf speaking to Bilbo who called the skin-changer Beorn a Furrier.
~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit.

Gear list:

My checklist of gear I still need, I already have and I won’t need. Checklist Icons:

• Unchecked Item: Not yet gathered, still looking…
• Checked Item: Collected and ready to go!
• Semi Checked Item: Either borrowed or uncertain…
• Not Checked Item: Don’t need or don’t want.

Must Haves

• Walking boots:
  Army boots might be too heavy though?
• Backpack:
  Military Foot Soldier backpack, with lumbar-support and thick-padded straps
• Tent:
  Lightweight, 1 or 2 person, so I can keep my stuff inside my tent
• Sleeping Gear:
  Lightweight, water and windproof sleeping bag/pillow
  See post: March 2025
• Last Resort Ration:
  Something along the lines of a protein bar or other energy dense food.
• Eating Supplies:
  Utensils, Plates etc. / My own gas burner? or something to cook on?
• Medical Supplies:
  Band-aids, a flea-nipper, a few painkillers and more
• Correcting Soles:
  I have a bit of knocked kneed legs or X-legs
• Flashlight:
  Obviously
• Backpack lights or Reflectors:
  Something to keep me better visible for others during the evening.
• Easy-Accessible Pouch and Water:
  Pouches and Bidon that I can reach while walking, so I don’t have to stop and search in my backpack.
• Clothing:
  T-shirts, Pants and the like.
  Also layers! Better to be able to take off a piece of clothing than to be too hot or cold!
• Raincoat:
  Or something waterproof to keep me dry.
• Good Socks:
  Thick padded socks could be nicer for my feet, but it will be a whole lot warmer and I don’t want to walk on sweaty feet. (blisters etc.)
  So thick but breathing socks.

Should Haves

• Entertainment:
  Books? or E-Book? E-book is lighter and might be able to read on my Smartphone?
  Electronics would mean I need some sort of Power-Supply though.
• Fire-starter:
  Just in case?
• Survival Knife:
  A knife to cut ropes, or make makeshift tent-pegs etc
• Tape and/or Rope and/or Ti-rips:
  To fix things along the way!
• Shaving Razor:
  Something to keep my beard in-check.
  I only know how to shave with an electric shaver, so this is something I will need to learn too!

Could Haves

• Sun Panel and/or Power Bank:
  Charge for Electronic devices such as a smartphone, flashlight or GPS-Tracker
• Smartphone:
  For emergencies, checking the weather report, GPS and Maps and contact to the outside world, including this page!
• GPS Tracker:
  Safety measure, incase of emergencies, or if I clip it to my backpack, in case it gets stolen.
• Someway to make a little money on the road:
  This is a big /Want to have, I still don’t really know what use I am to society.
  So finding anything that someone else finds worthwhile and especially valuable, would be a big change in my life.

Won’t Haves

• A constant Internet-connection;
• or same 06 number:
  I want to find an escape from my current life, bringing something that will drag me back is too much of a risk I think.
  But I do also want some way of contacting family or emergency services.

“Man wearing pilgrim clothing. 450 - 425 BC. Prague, NM-HM10 771.”
~by Zde .

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Thanks

Thank you for reading!
If you recognise your work and I did not attribute you as author,
please get into contact with me:
Github.com @ MyPilgrimage
Reddit.com @ /u/I-Jun_Pilgrimage
Mail @ iJun.Pilgrimage@gmail.com

Cheers,
I-Jun