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Daylight late October

Ian Afloat

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
CF July 25th 2017 from SJPDP
Hello,
Will be continuing my Camino in October from just short of Sahagun. Have about ten days and if I’m feeling up to it I would like to get to Santiago in that time...about 400km. Is there enough proper daylight at that time of the year to average 40km a day?

TIA

Ian
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Hello,
Will be continuing my Camino in October from just short of Sahagun. Have about ten days and if I’m feeling up to it I would like to get to Santiago in that time...about 400km. Is there enough proper daylight at that time of the year to average 40km a day?

TIA

Ian

Everything depends on your walking speed and the amount of stops. But yes you will be ok.

http://www.timebie.com/sun/leones.php
 
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Hi,

it really depends on your walking speed. I average 4 km per hour with only few and short stops. For me ten hours of daylight approximately would not be enough to do 40 km. Considering that you have to do your laundry and to get it dry again, I would rather calculate with 30 km/day.

Sahagun-Santiago is about 380 km. So I would either bring headlights or start later on the camino, e. g. in Leon or even Astorga.

planning tool Godesalco

BC Alexandra
 
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
If you are thinking about walking 40km a day you must be reasonably fit. So 40 km is probably 9-10 hours a day including stops. Even at the end of October there will be 10-11 hours of daylight including twilight. So yes it's feasible but some days will be longer than your average of course.

Spain is really in the wrong time zone, so it is late getting bright in the morning. I'd bring a head torch start a bit early and finish before dark.
 
You are starting (in my estimations) looking at 38/40 km per day. From Sahagun its 55 km to Leon (so thats two days out of your 10). From Leon, following the highway (not the friendliest route) its another 50 km to Astorga. From here you start climbing almost 700 metres (say 2000 ft) up to the Cruz de Ferro, followed by an unfriendly 900 metre (3000 ft) descent. So that by Molinaseca you have walked around 140 km, had a tough climb and descent and I estimate used up 4, maybe 5 days. You still have roughly 210 km (5 very long days including the climb up to O'Cebreiro.
Now I will admit I have no advice as to your fitness levels and the pack weights. But from my experience there is being fit and being Camino fit. A different bed each night etc, etc. is just the start. So yes I would think that starting in Leon will make it a bit easier to achieve your goal.
Something you will need to factor in is sunrise "local time". The further west you go the later the sun actually rises. From memory in late Sept sunrise at Rabanal (70 km west of Leon) was around 8.30 so yes you are going to need a good head torch, oh and be prepared for it to rain from O'Cebreiro west.
Beun Camino.
 
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The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Here you will see the October estimations for sunrise and sunset, Basically, it is 8:20 AM to 19:40. And anyway, you will not be walking in the wilderness; everything is quite "civilized", the Camino goes from one town to next village. Anyway, be cautious if you are still walking after sunset.
You know your capabilities, so I don't comment on your 40 kms daily plan. Just take into consideration that the average walker does around 25 km., so you are going to let the nice persons you knew in last albergue well behind, every day. A guy, Randall St. Germain, did 800 km in 20 days and wrote a book about it; you may find it of interest. He commented that after a while, it became quite lonely.
 
In summer 2017 I did SJ to Moratinos, with repeated 30km+ days in hot weather before my feet gave up. Was planning to go back this summer but didn’t get on the plane due to a recurring back problem...probably would have been ok but didn’t want to risk it...and glad about it given the heatwave. So doing the daily slog isn’t an issue...as long as my feet don’t object too quickly. If it looks too challenging I’ll have the option of taking it easy to Ponferrada and getting a bus to Santiago for the flight home and finishing at Easter.
 
We travelled to Fatima in July, stayed a few days and then drove to Compostela. We got to learn about the Camino and decided that we are going to do it. So, we are going to walk in December.
This is my question: Is Spain always an hour ahead of Portugal? We are arriving in Porto and be taking the bus to Sarria on day of arrival.
Thank you.
 
Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-
In summer 2017 I did SJ to Moratinos, with repeated 30km+ days in hot weather before my feet gave up. Was planning to go back this summer but didn’t get on the plane due to a recurring back problem...probably would have been ok but didn’t want to risk it...and glad about it given the heatwave. So doing the daily slog isn’t an issue...as long as my feet don’t object too quickly. If it looks too challenging I’ll have the option of taking it easy to Ponferrada and getting a bus to Santiago for the flight home and finishing at Easter.
Obviously even 30+ is too much for your feet. And with recent back issues you want to walk 40km a day? Why?
I think your second option is much better and wiser. Enjoy :)
 
Hello,
Will be continuing my Camino in October from just short of Sahagun. Have about ten days and if I’m feeling up to it I would like to get to Santiago in that time...about 400km. Is there enough proper daylight at that time of the year to average 40km a day?

TIA

Ian
Hi IanAfloat. I walked Oct 3 to Nov 5, in 2017. SJPDP to SDC. I was shocked by how dark it was in the mornings when I prefer to walk. Always was careful if walking with a headlamp as it is easy to stumble or take a wrong turn. Not to mention traffic! ! Once the clock went back late October there was more light.
 
If you are thinking about walking 40km a day you must be reasonably fit. So 40 km is probably 9-10 hours a day including stops. Even at the end of October there will be 10-11 hours of daylight including twilight. So yes it's feasible but some days will be longer than your average of course.


I would say that It an understatement to suggest that one has to be “reasonably fit” to do a 40 km day...day after day. I would suggest you need to be in very good shape to sustain a 40kmday. It is only a few km short of a marathon every day. Do not underestimate what interrupted sleep due to noise and other interferences and a different diet can do to the immune system.

Suggest you start off with a shorter distance and increase you distance slowly.
 
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Technical backpack for day trips with backpack cover and internal compartment for the hydration bladder. Ideal daypack for excursions where we need a medium capacity backpack. The back with Air Flow System creates large air channels that will keep our back as cool as possible.

€83,-

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