any tips to walk the camino in February??

P

pelgrimwoman

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

i would like to walk the camino frances next month!

• Jan 14, 2013

• #1

Hi fellow-pelgrims!

I got the plan to walk the camino Frances. But I cant wait until spring when the weather probably would be much better. I need the camino now, if you understand what i mean.

Does anyone have experience in doing the camino in February? Is it possible to do it? What about the weather in the Pyrenees? Are there other people going then? Will the aubergues and other facilities be open? Do you have any tips about things i should surely bring, wear or do?

Thanks a lot already!

Pelgrimwoman

 

Al the optimist

Veteran Member

• Jan 14, 2013

• #2

Yes we know what you mean by needing it NOW! We probably all have that feeling every day.
Buen Camino
allan

 

Sagalouts

RIP 2015

• Jan 14, 2013

• #3

http://agoodwalkunspoiled.blogspot.co.u ... mista.html

Canadian couple walking at the moment started Jan 1st,full of good information,plus great pics
Ian

 

R

robertt

Active Member

• Jan 14, 2013

• #4

I went off in late January 2011from Pamplona, having finished in Pamplona from Le Puy the previous year.

We had trouble with weather in late May 2010, which is why I had to take the low road across the Pyrenees. Yet people who were crossing in mid-winter the next year were having no probs at all! They told me so, as they were overtaking me. (Everyone overtakes me.)

A February camino is fine, just different. You need to layer clothes rather than carry them, stay dry, take local advice, and maybe take private accommodation at times. I handled it. Sagalouts knows how tough I am (not).

You'll be fine

Rob

 

mspath

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances, autumn/winter; 2004, 2005-2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

• Jan 14, 2013

• #5

Any season can be a wonderful time to walk, but in late winter you MUST be prepared for varied weather. Nights can be extremely cold with freezing rain or snow. Learn to read the sky for possible storms and take every precaution.

Not all albergues will be open, but the welcome at those albergues which
are is often most sincere. Most will usually be heated and/or have
blankets. Generally the hospitaleros know who is open on the next stage.

Twice during winter caminos I have sat out true blizzards; in Villafranca Montes de Oca, February 25, 26, 2006 and Foncebadón, March 5,6, 2009. You
can see the snow and read my blog accounts at >> http://mermore.blogspot.fr/2011/04/aavmo.html and
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/2011/04/aafon.html. Luckily during both storms open albergues offered welcoming shelter.

Buen Camino,
Margaret Meredith

 

sillydoll

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2002 CF: 2004 from Paris: 2006 VF: 2007 CF: 2009 Aragones, Ingles, Finisterre: 2011 X 2 on CF: 2013 'Caracoles': 2014 CF and Ingles 'Caracoles":2015 Logrono-Burgos (Hospitalero San Anton): 2016 La Douay to Aosta/San Gimignano to Rome:

• Jan 14, 2013

• #6

Wilna Wilkinson walked in February - her book "The Way of stars and stones' is available from Amazon and other book stores.

 

scruffy1

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Holy Year from Pamplona 2010, SJPP 2011, Lisbon 2012, Le Puy 2013, Vezelay (partial watch this space!) 2014; 2015 Toulouse-Puenta la Reina (Arles)

• Jan 14, 2013

• #7

Longjohns, merino wool, and those packet handwarmers that just need a shake to stay warm for hours. Frostbite and numbed extremities may be your only companions but still, Buen Camino!

 

nreyn12

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Walked (2005) (2007) (2008) (2009) (2010) (2011) (2012) (2013) (2014) (2015); Guide 2013-2016

• Jan 15, 2013

• #8

pelgrimwoman said:

I need the camino now, if you understand what i mean.

Click to expand...

Oh goodness, I say this almost daily.

scruffy1 said:

those packet handwarmers that just need a shake to stay warm for hours

Click to expand...

Scruffy, what are these and where does one acquire them? Thanks ~

 

hotelmedicis

Commercial Interests

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2001, 2017
VDLP 2013, 2018

• Jan 18, 2013

• #9

Waterproof head to toe: think Gore-Tex or some other waterproof and breathable material. Also a poncho might be in order as well. Warm clothing, layers, down jacket, as you will be spending time in the mountains. Lots of wind, rain and cold temperatures. Leon, for example, not known really as a mountain town, is actually located at more than 830 meters above sea level or about 2700 feet with average low temperatures in February of only 0.3 degrees C. above freezing so you can count on cold mornings and evenings there.

 

hotelmedicis

Commercial Interests

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2001, 2017
VDLP 2013, 2018

• Jan 20, 2013

• #10

Just wanted to post this article from a local newspaper in Galicia about snow in April last year:

http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/album/gali ... 166571.htm