Walking in November 2014

[Jean Claud Khoury]

Hello
I'm planning to walk tho whole Camino from France to Spain starting from November 2014;
I need info and advices please:
-its good to do it this period
-the weather
any other info or recommendations from people who did it in such period.
Any one interested to walk in this time!!!!

Regards.
Beirut

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi Jean Claud, welcome to the forum.

You will find a great deal of information and advice by using the search facility. Many members are experienced and regular winter walkers. Try searching for "winter walking" or "November walking"; similarly there are several discussions on the weather and links to reliable forecasting sites.

If you find you still have specific questions, ask away. Members will do their best to help.

Happy planning and Buen Camino.

 

[mspath]

Jean Claud,

Welcome to the Forum!

Late autumn/winter is a wonderful time to walk but you must be prepared. Be sure to scan this earlier Forum thread re walking out of season. Nights can be extremely cold with freezing rain or even snow. Learn to read the sky for possible storms, ask locals for advice and take every precaution.

Starting mid October not all albergues will be open, but the welcome at those albergues which are is usually sincere. Most will be heated and/or have blankets. Generally the hospitaleros know who is open on the next stage. In smaller albergues you might be the only pilgrim. When walking in late autumn/winter only in larger places such as Roncevalles, Logrono , Santo Domingo de la Calzada and, of course, Santiago have I ever seen a cluster of more than 20 pilgrims at one time.

In bad weather such as dense fog, heavy rain, hail or snow many steep descents on the camino can be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. Winter 2012/13 the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles was filled with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate; read more here about this hazardous situation

Other difficult stretches after storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, O Cebreiro. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog account of this storm here. Luckily the open albergue offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn/winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[hnguyen]

Jean Claud,

Welcome to the Forum!

Late autumn/winter is a wonderful time to walk but you must be prepared. Be sure to scan this earlier Forum thread re walking out of season. Nights can be extremely cold with freezing rain or even snow. Learn to read the sky for possible storms, ask locals for advice and take every precaution.

Starting mid October not all albergues will be open, but the welcome at those albergues which are is usually sincere. Most will be heated and/or have blankets. Generally the hospitaleros know who is open on the next stage. In smaller albergues you might be the only pilgrim. When walking in late autumn/winter only in larger places such as Roncevalles, Logrono , Santo Domingo de la Calzada and, of course, Santiago have I ever seen a cluster of more than 20 pilgrims at one time.

In bad weather such as dense fog, heavy rain, hail or snow many steep descents on the camino can be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. Winter 2012/13 the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles was filled with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate; read more here about this hazardous situation

Other difficult stretches after storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, O Cebreiro. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog account of this storm here. Luckily the open albergue offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn/winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

Thank you Margaret for such a detailed reply. I started the CF on April 2 last year and encountered snow/sleet/rain in several places - so the right clothing is important - more so than in nice weather. I'll do the CP in October/November this year and the only major change to my equipment list is the inclusion of merino wool layers, instead of the synthetic base layers I had on the CF. The problem with synthetic (polyester) material is that it will stick to your body when wet (you'll get wet from perspiration ascending hills - and even expensive rain gear will trap moisture!) and does not retain warmth in that condition. However, do not let the weather deter you - if November is the only time you have to walk the camino, by all means do it - just dress yourself appropriately.

 

[ranthr]

Jean Claud,

Welcome to the Forum!

Late autumn/winter is a wonderful time to walk but you must be prepared. Be sure to scan this earlier Forum thread re walking out of season. Nights can be extremely cold with freezing rain or even snow. Learn to read the sky for possible storms, ask locals for advice and take every precaution.

Starting mid October not all albergues will be open, but the welcome at those albergues which are is usually sincere. Most will be heated and/or have blankets. Generally the hospitaleros know who is open on the next stage. In smaller albergues you might be the only pilgrim. When walking in late autumn/winter only in larger places such as Roncevalles, Logrono , Santo Domingo de la Calzada and, of course, Santiago have I ever seen a cluster of more than 20 pilgrims at one time.

In bad weather such as dense fog, heavy rain, hail or snow many steep descents on the camino can be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. Winter 2012/13 the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles was filled with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate; read more here about this hazardous situation

Other difficult stretches after storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, O Cebreiro. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog account of this storm here. Luckily the open albergue offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn/winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

Margaret, reading your posts and blog now and earlier, have made me wondering about a winter camino, probably it will be close to walking in Norway in autumn and winter. I guess I would add some wool clothes. I like your way of moderate days, I guess that is even more important in winter. Since I am old as well, 20 km is a good day to me. After some long caminoes I have had some years with only enjoying the ways, parts of GR65, Parts of the Norte, from Porto this year.
What kind of shoes do you use? I have a lot of winterboots but will they do for daily long walks is my wondering.

 

[mspath]

...
What kind of shoes do you use? I have a lot of winterboots but will they do for daily long walks is my wondering.

I wear Quechua Forclaz 500 boots from Decathlon. Each pair lasts at least two caminos. Good in all weather, has ankle support is waterproof and breathable.

 

[Justdavid]

Hello
I'm planning to walk tho whole Camino from France to Spain starting from November 2014;
I need info and advices please:
-its good to do it this period
-the weather
any other info or recommendations from people who did it in such period.
Any one interested to walk in this time!!!!

Regards.
Beirut

Greetings
Having walked the Camino Frances last year between the middle of August until the middle of September (SJPdP to SdC), my first thought would be to check to see if the albergues will be open -- some are seasonal. The weather will be cooler so be sure to "layer", the camino will be less populated and there will possibly be more rain, especially in Galicia. Be sure to take the advice of the hospitaleros in St Jean regarding which path to take to Roncesvalles -- they know what they are talking about. But above all, have a wonderful camino!
Buen Camino
JustDavid