crazyhorse
New Member
I've been reading many of the posts here and have taken note of a lot of valuable information. However, I'm planning to walk the Camino Frances from Saint-Jean Pied-de-Port to Santiago (and Finisterre) next year, starting in early January and arriving (hopefully) mid-February, so I'm hoping for some specific advice relevant to my situation.
There doesn't seem to be much info about doing the Camino in wintertime and I'd be very grateful for any advice or anecdotes that anyone could share. My reasons for walking at this time are simple: I have a few weeks between finishing one job and starting another so that is the only window of opportunity at present. Even more than that, the timing would be good for personal reasons - call them spiritual and/or psychological. All I'm concerned about are the practical factors, such as the weather, availability of refugios, specific areas where snow/ice/mud can be significant obstacles, anything like that.
I'm reasonably fit, although not an experienced walker, and I have time to work on this before going. I also speak reasonable Spanish so communication won't be a problem. From what I can gather from this forum and other sites too, rain and snow can happen in May just as easily as in January (although obviously the latter is more likely) along parts of the Camino and I may even get very fine, clear winter weather which can be great for walking. I definitely want to cross the Route Napoleon and I will speak to the locals before going of course.
In short, I'm aware of some things (as far as you can be aware of them solely through internet research) but I'm very keen to learn from Camino veterans. Your thoughts...? Many thanks in advance.
There doesn't seem to be much info about doing the Camino in wintertime and I'd be very grateful for any advice or anecdotes that anyone could share. My reasons for walking at this time are simple: I have a few weeks between finishing one job and starting another so that is the only window of opportunity at present. Even more than that, the timing would be good for personal reasons - call them spiritual and/or psychological. All I'm concerned about are the practical factors, such as the weather, availability of refugios, specific areas where snow/ice/mud can be significant obstacles, anything like that.
I'm reasonably fit, although not an experienced walker, and I have time to work on this before going. I also speak reasonable Spanish so communication won't be a problem. From what I can gather from this forum and other sites too, rain and snow can happen in May just as easily as in January (although obviously the latter is more likely) along parts of the Camino and I may even get very fine, clear winter weather which can be great for walking. I definitely want to cross the Route Napoleon and I will speak to the locals before going of course.
In short, I'm aware of some things (as far as you can be aware of them solely through internet research) but I'm very keen to learn from Camino veterans. Your thoughts...? Many thanks in advance.