What's the earliest safest time to start?

[nilesite]

I've wanted to walk the Primitivo for a while now, but since I typically walk in December and most people say it's just not safe in December on this route, what would be the earliest date in spring, do you think, that I could start walking? Any and all help much appreciated! Ultreya!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Jeez, that's like asking when will the poppies be in fullest bloom!
This looks like a mild winter, but it's already snowed up in Asturias, and winter's not really started yet. It's nice there now, but it may be awful next Tuesday.
It may be awful right through April, or even May! Or it may not.
"Safe" is another big wiggly word. Your idea of "safe" might be my idea of "No way."
But if I had to guess, I'd say mid-April.

 

[jpflavin1]

I've wanted to walk the Primitivo for a while now, but since I typically walk in December and most people say it's just not safe in December on this route, what would be the earliest date in spring, do you think, that I could start walking? Any and all help much appreciated! Ultreya!

Nilesite:

To better answer your question you would have to define your vision of safe.

Are you concerned about your personal safety, weather etc?

I walked in early April and there was some rain and mud but that can vary year to year.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Jeez, that's like asking when will the poppies be in fullest bloom!
This looks like a mild winter, but it's already snowed up in Asturias, and winter's not really started yet. It's nice there now, but it may be awful next Tuesday.
It may be awful right through April, or even May! Or it may not.
"Safe" is another big wiggly word. Your idea of "safe" might be my idea of "No way."
But if I had to guess, I'd say mid-April.

So here is the question.... What is "nice now" and how would you describe an average winter? I always wonder what people mean when they say "you may encounter snow". What does an average winter day look like? I understand we do get snow storms of 12 inches plus here, but it's not the norm. It might be more practical and informative to say that in Montreal winter days tend to be around 5-10 below, often humid and windy making kt feel much colder, with a total accumulation of x over the winter.

 

[OzAnnie]

So here is the question.... What is "nice now" and how would you describe an average winter? I always wonder what people mean when they say "you may encounter snow". What does an average winter day look like? I understand we do get snow storms of 12 inches plus here, but it's not the norm. It might be more practical and informative to say that in Montreal winter days tend to be around 5-10 below, often humid and windy making kt feel much colder, with a total accumulation of x over the winter.

Hi Anemone
I started on the Salvador 25april this year .
Joe had earlier April experience. I believe the snow mentioned referred to remaining banks of snow that had to be got round. This can mean climbing up the mountain off the track to get past the snow blocks. Living in Oz it was not the norm for me. I did not encounter snow on ground after starting the Primitivo 1may. Only rain

Reading all the comments about the glorious day temps in Santiago lately , I think Nov and December sound like good times to walk
I'd love to be there now.
Annie
Image is snow on track to Oviedo from Leon about 26th April 15

 

[nilesite]

Jeez, that's like asking when will the poppies be in fullest bloom!
This looks like a mild winter, but it's already snowed up in Asturias, and winter's not really started yet. It's nice there now, but it may be awful next Tuesday.
It may be awful right through April, or even May! Or it may not.
"Safe" is another big wiggly word. Your idea of "safe" might be my idea of "No way."
But if I had to guess, I'd say mid-April.

Thanks!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Hi Anemone
I started on the Salvador 25april this year .
Joe had earlier April experience. I believe the snow mentioned referred to remaining banks of snow that had to be got round. This can mean climbing up the mountain off the track to get past the snow blocks. Living in Oz it was not the norm for me. I did not encounter snow on ground after starting the Primitivo 1may. Only rain

Reading all the comments about the glorious day temps in Santiago lately , I think Nov and December sound like good times to walk
I'd love to be there now.
Annie
Image is snow on track to Oviedo from Leon about 26th April 15

I keep having thoughts of getting on the first flight out myself.

 

[nilesite]

Hi Anemone
I started on the Salvador 25april this year .
Joe had earlier April experience. I believe the snow mentioned referred to remaining banks of snow that had to be got round. This can mean climbing up the mountain off the track to get past the snow blocks. Living in Oz it was not the norm for me. I did not encounter snow on ground after starting the Primitivo 1may. Only rain

Reading all the comments about the glorious day temps in Santiago lately , I think Nov and December sound like good times to walk
I'd love to be there now.
Annie
Image is snow on track to Oviedo from Leon about 26th April 15

I love walking in December but I haven't done as much climbing and I've read that the Primitivo is more challenging. Rain schmain! It's never a deal breaker. Thank you.

 

[Kiwi-family]

I love Rebekah's posts!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I love walking in December but I haven't done as much climbing and I've read that the Primitivo is more challenging. Rain schmain! It's never a deal breaker. Thank you.

There may be more up and down on the Primitivo but nothing that would approach climbing. Lots of road walking. My concern regarding the Primitivo in winter would be more about colder weather due to overall elevation and not having many places to warm up during the day as ypu go from albergue to albergue, certainly not as many as on the CF.

 

[purplesage]

I've wanted to walk the Primitivo for a while now, but since I typically walk in December and most people say it's just not safe in December on this route, what would be the earliest date in spring, do you think, that I could start walking? Any and all help much appreciated! Ultreya!

Nilesite.... remember.. this will be YOUR Camino. Go with your heart, not your head. Leave your fears behind but do not throw caution to the winds. May the angels guide your feet. Buen Camino

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Nilesite.... remember.. this will be YOUR Camino. Go with your heart, not your head. Leave your fears behind but do not throw caution to the winds. May the angels guide your feet. Buen Camino

Just be sure your heart pays attention to what your mind has to say or you may join all the carcases on the Hospitlaes route.

 

[Tia Valeria]

If you walk from Oviedo to La Espina and the weather is good then you can continue on the Primitivo. If the weather is bad and the snow level is given as below 2000mts then take local advice. La Espina is the last chance to turn north and continue to Santiago on the Norte. Also if you have the CSJ guide to the Primitivo it gives the alternative (road) instructions for both cyclists and bad weather. Especially good over Puerto de Palo (by the Pola de Allande route), where there sre snow poles to mark the road. By April/May hopefully the weather will be OK, and snow then should only last a couple of days or so, so you could build some 'delay' time into your number of days walking. If you don't need it before Lugo then you could spend extra time there, or later in Santiago itself.

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Whew! Interesting comments indeed.
I'm starting the Primitivo on May 1st. Experience suggests that it should be snow-free, but the way the weather's performing [15 deg C here yesterday!! In England in Christmas week!!] anything might happen.
I shall certainly take the locals' advice at the time. But I do this for pleasure - if the high passes are difficult I'll take a bus to the next town.
Before I leave I shall check the Spansh for ..... "minus WHAT?", "snow", "icicles in my sleeping bag", "my toes just fell off", "can I have a hot beer please?" and "when is the next train to India?"
Christmas blessings to both my readers .....

 

[SYates]

"minus WHAT?", "snow", "icicles in my sleeping bag", "my toes just fell off", "can I have a hot beer please?" and "when is the next train to India?"

"¿Menos QUÉ?", "nieve", "carámbanos en mi saco de dormir", "mis dedos simplemente se cayeron", "Me da una cerveza caliente, por favor." and "?Cuándo sale el próximo tren a la India?"

Buen Camino, SY

 

[nilesite]

Nilesite:

To better answer your question you would have to define your vision of safe.

Are you concerned about your personal safety, weather etc?

I walked in early April and there was some rain and mud but that can vary year to year.

Ultreya,
Joe

Not personal safety really other than the weather vs. the terrain. When is it too cold, too snowy - I guess that would be one way to put it.