St. Jean in April?

[Beth-o]

Realizing we can look online at temps and conditions from the past, does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding our beginning from St. Jean PDP in early April? Is this wise? We do not want to be trekking through snow/ice.

Thanks in advance for any "intel."

Beth-o

 

[MTtoCamino]

Realizing we can look online at temps and conditions from the past, does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding our beginning from St. Jean PDP in early April? Is this wise? We do not want to be trekking through snow/ice.

Thanks in advance for any "intel."

Beth-o

I began my walk on April 7 2014 after watching weather for a year. I had 5 days of rain avg temp 28C mornings always cool. I have a freind who had walked it the year before who came home early due to endless days of rain.
So if you go just prepare for rain. I walked for 35 days strait, as I was a bit silly about if my body wasn't broke why not walk. Going over the pyranies there was drifted snow but nothing on a nice day to slow me down. That night a severe storm came thru, so basically do as the folks in SJPDP suggest.

 

[MTtoCamino]

One thing I left out when I go back with my wife it will be this same time of year. The reason is I like green & spring flowers. Not to mention the locals are fresh for the next season. Seems to be a happy crowd in the spring.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Realizing we can look online at temps and conditions from the past, does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding our beginning from St. Jean PDP in early April? Is this wise? We do not want to be trekking through snow/ice.

Thanks in advance for any "intel."

Beth-o

Hi, I begin my camino at the 18th of April this year and there was still snow in the Pyrenees. At the beginning of April there was still a lot of snow. They had to take the Valcarlos route. The temperature was good when I left Sjpdp. That was not the problem. Wish you a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[jpflavin1]

It is a coin flip on weather in early Spring. Your best bet is to pick a time that is convenient to you and just adjust accordingly. I left on March 23rd 2010 and 2011. There was no snow. The following years they had a lot. No matter what the conditions you can always adjust. Taking Val Carlos route or just start in Pamplona or Roncesvalles.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Anniesantiago]

Like jpflavin says, it's a coin toss. Last year my group got caught in blizzard conditions crossing over at the end of May and two years ago I froze in June. These two got caught up on the mountain last year in the blizzard:

http://caminosantiago2.blogspot.com/2014/05/storms.html

 

[whariwharangi]

Realizing we can look online at temps and conditions from the past, does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding our beginning from St. Jean PDP in early April? Is this wise? We do not want to be trekking through snow/ice.

Thanks in advance for any "intel."

Beth-o

Mountain weather anywhere in the world is variable and the potential for bad weather must be a part of your estimate at any time of year.

You cross 3 mountain passes on the camino and the above rule of thumb has no exceptions.

I could tell you about the time when I got more than a foot of snow whilst hiking in New Zealand mountains in mid summer.

 

[SYates]

..., does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions regarding our beginning from St. Jean PDP in early April? Is this wise? We do not want to be trekking through snow/ice. ...

Just the usual one: Take note of the advice given by the pilgrims office in SJPDP and follow it! Bon Chemin/Buen Camino! SY