Walk the Camino de Santiago with spirit, faith, and ergonomic crutches

Discover José Antonio’s inspiring journey on the Portuguese Coastal Way of the Camino de Santiago. This real story shows how proper preparation, motivation, and the right equipment—such as INDESmed’s carbon fiber forearm crutches—make it possible to complete 130 km of hiking, even with reduced mobility.

Camino de Santiago – Portuguese Coastal Way with crutches

Meeting José Antonio López Salvador—also known as “Pepe Masai Muñana Sana” by the Maasai people of Kilimanjaro—is as surprising as seeing him walk the Camino de Santiago with crutches. His journey began in Bayonne, heading toward Santiago along the Portuguese Coastal Route. Instead of trekking poles, he used carbon fiber forearm crutches from INDESmed, specially designed for active users and challenging terrains, comparable to high-end trekking equipment.

A local hostel owner was astonished: in over 30 years, he had never seen anyone with limited mobility complete this trail on crutches. José Antonio accepted the challenge and covered 130 km in 10 days—through forests, stone paths, dirt roads, and pavement. His ergonomic and comfortable crutches withstood a 12 kg backpack, showing strength, lightness, and comfort equivalent to professional trekking poles.

A pilgrimage for the body and spirit—and a field test for INDESmed

Walking at an average of 2.5 km/h for 8 hours a day, with regular breaks for hydration and rest, José Antonio remained steady. In the evenings, he enjoyed a well-deserved beer before resting in public hostels managed by Galicia’s Xunta. These accessible accommodations allow people with reduced mobility to reserve beds with private bathrooms.

Perfect for crutch walking pilgrims, these hostels make the Camino de Santiago a real possibility. José Antonio recalls breathtaking moments—like the view of the Cíes Islands or the calm of the Río Lagares path near Vigo, where his INDESmed orthopedic crutches offered silent, stable support, just like professional hiking sticks.

Key conclusions from 130 km on crutches

“Pepe Masái” praised the performance of INDESmed carbon fiber crutches throughout the route. The memory of the Santiago Cathedral will stay with him forever—especially because it was reached with effort, heart, and perseverance.

He summed it up: “We’ll be back. If you walk, you’re happy. Happy with what’s in your backpack.”

Despite carrying 12 kg, he was never alone. His wife Carmen—his loyal companion—helped smooth the journey and brought emotional strength. Their experience was not only a physical challenge but also a confirmation of INDESmed’s innovative design and materials: lightweight, reliable, and ergonomic crutches for adults, designed for demanding environments.

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