Do we bring the bag?

[ebsandricho]

Hi,

We are starting the Camino from SJDP in late March. We have been told by someone who walked the Camino 2 years ago not to bring a sleeping bag as the albergues accomodate for the cold night. However all web sites insist on bringing one. Can anyone give us advice on this?

 

[sillydoll]

Sleeping bags

The Confraternity of St James advises all pilgrims to take a sleeping bag - which are essential in Spain (and there are notices in some albergues to this effect) - but not in France where many hostels provide blankets.
With the outbreak of bed bugs last year I would not like to rely on the refuge blankets - if they had any on offer!
You won't need a heavy duty bag just a lightweight one will do.

 

[Luco]

not all albuerges have blankets, and often the blankets themselves are...well... pretty disgusting, I don't think they get washed that often

and bed bugs are known to exist in them, so I'd definitly reccomend taking a sleeping bag

 

[Gigi-Cordelia]

re.: Starting at the end of March

We are starting alking from St-JeanPP on March the 18, 2007. We are trying to reserve for 4 women at The Tite sous un Chemin d' etoiles in St-Jean but our emails do not receive any answers. Cna I ask you where you will be staying in StJeanPP and what date will you start walking? We are 4 Canadians women and are really looking forward to meet other walkers. Thank you
Gigi-Cordelia

 

[jefftkeller]

Sleeping "Bag"

I think that a lot of the confusion has to do with the definition of sleeping "bag." For many, it refers to something that provides warmth at night - a substitute for blankets. In that case you may need one only during colder months or if you plan to sleep outdoors. On the other hand, everyone staying in refugios at any time should have a sleeping "sack" - a substitute for sheets.

 

[summer2005]

I walked the Camino Frances from SJPP in August of 2005 with only a silk sleeping sack. I'm all for packing light, but if I had it to do over again, I'd take a lightweight sleeping bag. There were some cold nights, even in August. I managed to borrow a blanket most nights (the Spanish word for blanket is "manta," for what it's worth), but I spent a couple of nights shivering.

 

[MichaeLeahy]

Sleeping Bag

I walked the Camino from SJPP to SdeC last Sept / Oct. I carried a light sleeping bag. It was actually more like a fleece liner than an actual sleeping bag. I certainly found it sufficient. My fleece sweater went into the carrying sack and served as my pillow.