Why I decided to use the SPOT Gen4 on the Camino de Santiago

As I prepared for the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, I decided to bring the Spot Gen4, even though I knew that most of the route had cell coverage and access to urban areas. The choice of this device was motivated by the search for balance: the possibility of a total disconnection to focus on the journey and self-discovery, while still providing peace of mind to my family and friends.

The main use of the Spot Gen4 was the Tracking function, which allowed my family to know exactly where I was at any time of the day. This gave me the freedom to walk in solitude and introspection, knowing that, although I was “disconnected” from the digital world, my loved ones could follow my progress in real time, ensuring everyone’s peace of mind.

The Tracking Function of the Spot Gen4

During the Camino de Santiago, I set up the Spot Gen4 so that the device would send my location every 10 minutes using the Tracking function. This way, my family, and friends could continuously follow my progress through the Shared View Map that I created and shared with them.

The tracking system has a limitation of up to 500 simultaneous points. This means that if someone wants to see the complete route, in a case like this—where I used the device for 35 consecutive days and nearly 800 km—the system may not display all points. The map below shows the first 500 points.

However, this was not an issue, as people usually just want to know where the user is at that moment. They can use the map options to see the live location or select periods of 1 day, 24 hours, or 7 days. The tracking function was essential in ensuring peace of mind for those following me while I maintained my focus on my introspective journey.

Shared View Map from Day 01 to Day 17 of the Camino de Santiago

The Check-in and Custom Message Functions

In addition to the tracking function, I used the Check-in and Custom Message functions of the Spot Gen4 to maintain simple but effective communication during the walk. I set up personalized messages to be sent automatically.

In the morning, I pressed the Custom Message button to inform: “Good morning! I’m starting a new day of walking!” Upon reaching my destination, I used the Check-in button to send another message: “I’ve arrived at today’s destination! Check the link below to see where I am.” These automated messages allowed me to stay in touch without straying from the Camino experience.

The Pyrenees Crossing on the Camino de Santiago and the Spot Gen4

One of the few sections along the Camino de Santiago where there was truly no cell coverage was during the Pyrenees crossing. Additionally, the weather conditions were relatively harsh, with strong winds and low temperatures, making it even more important to have a satellite personal tracker like the Spot Gen4. The ability to send a rescue signal in case of an emergency added an extra layer of safety to this stage of the journey.

I crossed the Pyrenees with two friends I had met the day before, Ben and Patrick, and I share more details of this experience in this article. With the Napoleon Route closed due to weather conditions, we didn’t encounter anyone throughout the day. This reinforced the importance of proper planning and having a reliable device like the Spot Gen4. In situations like this, planning and using a satellite tracking device not only ensure your safety but also provide peace of mind to those following your journey from afar.

Why Did I Choose the Spot Gen4 Over the Spot X?

For those who follow me, you know that I own both the Spot Gen4 and the Spot X. Both are excellent tracking and safety devices, but each has distinct features that make them more suitable for different situations.

The Spot X’s biggest advantage is its two-way messaging feature, allowing you to send and receive text messages even in areas without cell signal. In other adventures, this function has been very useful in remote areas where direct communication was essential. However, during the Camino de Santiago, my priority was disconnection, and I didn’t want to exchange messages throughout the journey. Introspection and focusing on the experience were more important to me, and the Spot Gen4 provided exactly what I needed: a way to inform my family of my location without requiring frequent interactions.

Additionally, the Spot Gen4 is lighter and more compact than the Spot X, which was also a key factor in my decision. On a long journey like the Camino de Santiago, the weight of the gear makes a difference, and I preferred something simpler and more practical that met my needs without compromising comfort.

This way, the Spot Gen4 allowed me to focus on what truly mattered to me: the pilgrimage, self-discovery, and connection with the surrounding environment—without unnecessary distractions, but with the peace of mind that my family knew exactly where I was.

Personal Reflection: Solitude and Purpose on the Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago offered me much more than a physical journey; it allowed for a deep immersion in myself. The introspection I had been seeking was greatly facilitated by the use of the Spot Gen4, which allowed me to disconnect from the digital world without making my family worry. But it was that very solitude, and the silence it brought, that gave me the space I needed to find my true life purpose and to understand what it means to feel whole.

In one of the most meaningful moments of the journey, while walking toward the Cruz de Ferro, I found clarity about my life’s purpose. If you’d like to learn more about this transformative discovery, I shared the experience in a post on my LinkedIn: I discovered my life’s purpose on the Camino de Santiago.

Another aspect that changed my perception was solitude. Being physically distant from family and friends made me realize that, even though I missed them, I was complete on my own. I wasn’t looking for a missing half—I was exploring and affirming my own completeness. I invite you to read more about this inner journey in another post on LinkedIn: How I learned the meaning of the word solitude on the Camino de Santiago.

Conclusion: The Balance Between Disconnection and Safety

Throughout my journey on the Camino de Santiago, the Spot Gen4 proved to be an essential tool in maintaining a balance between total disconnection and safety. I was able to enjoy solitude and self-discovery without the constant concern of communication while ensuring that my family and friends had access to my progress. Especially during the Pyrenees crossing, the Spot Gen4 provided the peace of mind I needed in an area without cell coverage, reaffirming its importance.

If you want to learn more about devices like the Spot Gen4 and Spot X, I recommend this article: Discover everything about SPOT devices.

If you already own a Spot device, we offer a free course at Gear Tips Academy, where you can learn all the details about using the Spot Gen4, Spot X, and Spot Trace: Online Course: Safety and Communication via SPOT.

This post is also available in: Português (Portuguese (Brazil)) Español (Spanish)