Base Layer

Jerri Kerley

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2017-11/2017

• Jul 12, 2017

• #1

I am walking the Camino Frances, and beyond, mid September thru mid November 2017. Will I need a thermal top and bottom? I plan to bring a rain suit and light weight down jacket. My thought is that if I layer, I should be fine. Thoughts? (I would prefer to hear from Pilgrims that have walked the Frances during that time frame.) Thanks!

 

Last edited: Jul 12, 2017

A

Anemone del Camino

Guest

• Jul 12, 2017

• #2

When I walked the Primitivo in May I had thermal top and bottom. I used them to sleep in, wore the bottom under my skirt in the afternoon when it was chilly. I also wore them under my rain pants in May on the Portuguese. Top was my "1 long sleeve tshirt". Very versatile pieces, even in warmer temps than mid-November. I say yes.

 

D

Deleted member 43985

Guest

• Jul 12, 2017

• #3

Not so much in September but you'll be up on O'Cebriero late-October/early November and the possibility of snow is very real. It is also likely that Albergues won't have any heat on that early in the year so could be quite cold over night so Anemone's idea of wearing the base layer to bed comes strongly into play. I don't know if you are a warm or cold person by tendency but myself, I am a warm person so I'd only take a long sleeve Merino wool base layer shirt as my legs don't really get affected by the colder weather.
Good luck and Buen Camino

 

HedaP

Veteran Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances starting SJPdP Sept/Oct 2015, April/May 2017

• Jul 12, 2017

• #4

Walked the Frances from 15 Sept till 29 Oct in 2015. Carried silk thermals. Wore them once to sleep in when in an albergue without heating and no blankets on a particularly cold night. I did have a lightweight sleeping bag. Wore the bottoms twice walking for a few hours on very frosty mornings towards the end of October. Otherwise no but would probably have worn them more if walking into November. I took them again when I walked this year in early spring and wore them more often. I considered them my insurance policy. And before anyone jumps at me, I also had a real travel insurance policy. I just had more faith in immediate returns from my own version.

 

Last edited: Jul 12, 2017

C clearly

Moderator

Staff member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Most years since 2012

• Jul 12, 2017

• #5

I used a light thermal layer for sleeping. It is then available if needed for unusually cold weather.

 

Jerri Kerley

New Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/2017-11/2017

• Jul 12, 2017

• #6

jozero said:

Not so much in September but you'll be up on O'Cebriero late-October/early November and the possibility of snow is very real. It is also likely that Albergues won't have any heat on that early in the year so could be quite cold over night so Anemone's idea of wearing the base layer to bed comes strongly into play. I don't know if you are a warm or cold person by tendency but myself, I am a warm person so I'd only take a long sleeve Merino wool base layer shirt as my legs don't really get affected by the colder weather.
Good luck and Buen Camino

Click to expand...

Jazero, I had not considered snow! This Texas girl might be out of her element (pun intended) Thank you for your advise.

 

nycwalking

Veteran Member

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF: 2001, 02, 04, 14. Ourense to Santiago 2019.

• Jul 12, 2017

• #7

Also, carry gloves. Inexpensive, lightweight dollar store brands in many colors suffice. The mornings mid-September on can be chilly.
Buen camino.

 

J F Gregory

Camino Frances , Camino Primavito 2024

Donating Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Frances 2016, Portuguese 2021, Frances and Prima

• Jul 12, 2017

• #8

My Wife and I use light weight smart wool. We live and hike in the mountains of Washington State. We did our Camino in Winter and the were perfect base layers. 1 pant base layer, 1 long sleeve and one short sleeve with a light zippered fleece and rain jacket. most of the time I would shed my fleece because it would to warm under my rain jacket. We walked through snow, sleet, hail and heavy rain. light weight layering is the best and I really like smart wool products. We slpt in them since there were some albergues without heat.

 

Jersey

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

July 2017

• Jul 13, 2017

• #9

Jerri Kerley said:

Jazero, I had not considered snow! This Texas girl might be out of her element (pun intended) Thank you for your advise.

Click to expand...

Take a look at the historical temperatures along the route and plan accourtingly but be ready to call a Tony Romo audible when you are a week or so away from leaving. Coming from Texas I'm guessing you are going to feel the cold more than most. Better to bring too much than not enough & being cold.