VDLP starting the end of Dec early Jan 22/23

[COLT]

Hello All,
Jana from Canada here.
I am planning to walk VDLP leaving Sevilla beginning of January or thereabouts.
Is anyone else starting then?
Also.... I have a summer marmot sleeping bag and liner will that do for warmth?
Buen Camino

 

[Anniesantiago]

I'm more curious about which lodgings will be open for sleeping during those months?

 

[MesaWalker]

Also equally interested about accommodations and typical weather patterns. It sounds like a grand adventure!

 

[Ralph Ayling]

Sevilla and beyond can be cold at that time of the year. I suggest you check over night minimums. You may need a warmer bag.

 

[COLT]

I'm more curious about which lodgings will be open for sleeping during those months?

Hi Annie,I have been looking and confirming what is open as much as possible from here and using this link- https://www.viadelaplataguide.net/pages/updates.If I cannot stay in municipal albergues I will stay in private ones.I realize some may not be open but from what I can ascertain many are open year round.In terms of weather,who knows,I will hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

 

[COLT]

I'm more curious about which lodgings will be open for sleeping during those months?

Hi Annie,I posted a reply.Did you see it because I can't see it!

 

[COLT]

Hi Annie,I posted a reply.Did you see it because I can't see it!

Ok I see this one.Anyway from what I can find out albergues are open and if I can't find a municipal one I will try private.It might be a bit awkward with Chistmas holidays which last until an7th but I will confirm as much as I can when I get to Seville and as I go along.The weather will be colder as I go north obviously and wetter.Not really wanting to buy another sleeping bag but also don't want to be cold!

 

[Bradypus]

I walked the VdlP from Seville in January and February this year. Many albergues and hostals were closed - but part of that might have been the lingering effect of COVID and no longer the case. Where albergues were open they often had little or no effective heating. At that time of year there might be several days between pilgrims arriving and it is not reasonable to expect albergues to be constantly heated. I strongly advise that you carry a warm sleeping bag if you intend to sleep in albergues.

 

[COLT]

I walked the VdlP from Seville in January and February this year. Many albergues and hostals were closed - but part of that might have been the lingering effect of COVID and no longer the case. Where albergues were open they often had little or no effective heating. At that time of year there might be several days between pilgrims arriving and it is not reasonable to expect albergues to be constantly heated. I strongly advise that you carry a warm sleeping bag if you intend to sleep in albergues.

Thank You!
I will heed your advice.Iv'e heard about lack of heating issues and absolutely why waste electric and heat with no one there.Given that you have recently walked in Jan/Feb season is there anything else you may want to tell me re weather?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Bradypus]

Given that you have recently walked in Jan/Feb season is there anything else you may want to tell me re weather?

Only that you should be prepared for almost anything! I've walked the VdlP twice in winter. I have had days walking in warm sunshine when I have been lightly sunburned. I have also had a couple of days where I've walked through snow - including one blizzard that would not be out of place in my native Scotland. Frost overnight is not unusual in the central or northern sections. And rain can happen at any time. I can understand that you want to reduce your pack load but there are limits to how far that is consistent with comfort or safety. Personally I would not walk the route without a complete change of warm clothing, waterproofs and a winter weight sleeping bag.

 

[COLT]

Only that you should be prepared for almost anything! I've walked the VdlP twice in winter. I have had days walking in warm sunshine when I have been lightly sunburned. I have also had a couple of days where I've walked through snow - including one blizzard that would not be out of place in my native Scotland. Frost overnight is not unusual in the central or northern sections. And rain can happen at any time. I can understand that you want to reduce your pack load but there are limits to how far that is consistent with comfort or safety. Personally I would not walk the route without a complete change of warm clothing, waterproofs and a winter weight sleeping bag.

Did you carry food with you as well as water?I didn't have to think about that on the CF but this is different because of the longer distances between stops.

 

[Bradypus]

Did you carry food with you as well as water?I didn't have to think about that on the CF but this is different because of the longer distances between stops.

When I knew that I would be walking a long empty stage like Castilblanco to Almaden or Carcaboso to Baños de Montemayor I carried enough food for at least 24 hours. That allowed me to stop and bivvy for the night at what felt like the right distance rather than pressing on to the next albergue or hostal. Even if I was going to find a bed at the end of the day there were often days where there would be no food at lunchtime. Between Sevilla and Santiago I think I spent 5 nights outdoors. I carried a bivvy bag, self-inflating mat and warm down sleeping bag.

 

[Karin309]

Hi Jana,

I will start VDLP on the 20th of January. So I will be a few weeks behind you then... Who knows, we might meet...

Greetz,
Karin.

 

[COLT]

Hi Jana,

I will start VDLP on the 20th of January. So I will be a few weeks behind you then... Who knows, we might meet...

Greetz,
Karin.

Hi Karin,Thats wonderful!Yes I do hope I will see you...I'm still planning for now the first week of January.

 

[COLT]

Hi Karin,Thats wonderful!Yes I do hope I will see you...I'm still planning for now the first week of January.

Hi Karin,
Are you still leaving the 20th of January?

 

[Karin309]

Hi Karin,
Are you still leaving the 20th of January?

Nooo, I pushed it back, I am arriving the 8th of January in Sevilla and will start walking the 9th...