Will we need thermals in mid September to mid October?

[ann kirkwood]

We are packing as light as possible and I read that minimum temps can be down to 5 degrees celsius in October. I am a cold frog and wondered is it necessary to take themals.
I haven't spotted them on anyone's packing lists, but then a lot of people seem to choose the hot months to walk.
I'd love to hear from anyone who walked at this time of year. Is it better to be sure than sorry?

 

[John Hussey]

We are packing as light as possible and I read that minimum temps can be down to 5 degrees celsius in October. I am a cold frog and wondered is it necessary to take themals.
I haven't spotted them on anyone's packing lists, but then a lot of people seem to choose the hot months to walk.
I'd love to hear from anyone who walked at this time of year. Is it better to be sure than sorry?

I went in Oct & Nov and I did not take them-either tops or bottoms. I hiked every day in shorts and when it was colder kept my upper trunk warm with long sleeve directional fabric items. But I did take one pair of lightweight nylon pants which I only wore at nights, after I had my shower. Since I would not be walking in the evenings, other than sightseeing, I couldn't count on fast movement to keep warm so the lightweight pants came in handy. I experienced deep cold only about two days, in Galicia, but I did not feel it cold enough to need thermals, even the lightweight ones. But everyone is different so take what makes you happy. Alternatively, if you feel you need them, buy them there. I would very much hate, though, to carry the full pound that a complete pair of good Patagonia mid weight ones weigh, from France to the Atlantic ocean and never need to wear them.

 

[brendan nolan]

Thermals

Hi (again) Ann,
I don't suffer from the cold like yourself but I've been on pilgrimage in some pretty cold weather. In March 2005 there was over 30 cms of snow walking south from Amsterdam and the night temperatures were around minus 10 Celsius for several days. There were also blizzards approaching Le Puy and low cloud with strong winds across the Aubrac but again cold was not a problem when walking.
Once you start walking you will be generating heat and the time to put something extra on is the time you stop for a break because that is when you will begin to cool down. Perhaps you might like the thermals for the evenings when you aren't quite so active.

Cheers,
Brendan