VDLP in Winter

[shellyfromcanada]

We're thinking of hiking the VDLP in Jan or Feb.. I'd love to hear about your experience doing the same!

How's the weather? Are the albergues open? How many people are hiking?

The stages seem very long; I maxed out at 27 km in the Frances. We would consider camping, but we're not keen on the idea.

(Some background: My boyfriend and I met on the Camino Frances in September 2012; the weather won't deter us unless it's less than 0 C during the day, but rain + gray skies are off-putting!)

Thanks!

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

I have not walked VdlP myself but your plan sounds wonderful.
Especially as the two of you meet on a Camino.
I did a quick search and found these two threads that have some information:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/santiago-for-christmas.15890/#post-112649
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/vdlp-jan-2014.17288/#post-125245

Weather is of course unpredictable but what is the saying?
'Plan for the worse, hope for the best'... or something like that.
Maybe a better saying would be 'Plan for the best, expect the worse'?..
Getting off tracked here.. Anyway.
Winter can mean loads of snow and double digit sub-zero degrees, which is a challenge.
If you go ahead and plan for camping out, my experience is that you maybe should bring two sleeping bags pr. person, instead of one very warm.
In Arctic camping this is a method often used, as two lesser bags creates more warmth than one very good.
The reason is that the air trapped between the two bags is a formidable insulator.
I doubt it will necessary as I skimmed the threads, and it seems that there will be lodging available.
From reading about VdlP I think you are right that there will be several stretches longer than 27 km, so this will probably be an issue.
But from good planning, I am sure there will be a way.
Do keep us posted about your winter adventure, as there is not a lot of information about a winter VdlP.

Best of luck and Buen Camino
Lettinggo

 

[alansykes]

Hi there,

I love the VdlP out of season, so many beautiful places in fabulous landscapes. I only came across one closed albergue, at Alcántara, but I think some others I didn't want to stay in were as well - Montamarta, for example.

If 27km is your limit, you may have problems; but I see you walked in September, and I think you'll find the cooler winter temperatures will greatly extend your range. I haven't camped for 20 years and don't think I'd recommend it on the Plata in winter, but I may be wrong. You are unlikely to meet many other pilgrims - last time I walked from Sevilla, I was alone for all but 6 out of 31 nights.

The weather is pure luck. I once had 2 hours of drizzle in 700km between Sevilla and Sanabria, or you could find yourself in a blizzard. I got mild frostbite in freezing fog near Zamora one year (because of inadequate gloves) and last December in the meseta near Toro on the Levante it was -9 during the day and the water in my bottle froze up. The miracle that is merino wool kept me comfortable.

Hope you have a wonderful time whatever you decide to do.