Nicci - I take it you mean the
Camino Frances? Where are they intending to leave from?
I am off myself to Spain this afternoon and at the beginning of the year I will start walking from Santo Domingo de la Calzada where I left off some weeks ago.
The following is
essential reading:
http://www.csj.org.uk/faqs.htm#winter
The same preparations must go into winter walking in Spain as anywhere else - it can get extremely cold and nowadays the weather can be unpredictable.
Local advice must always be sought and taken about accommodation and walking conditions.
This is especially the case if they are walking from St Jean de Pied Port across the mountains to Roncesvalles. Failure to heed warnings not to walk when the weather is very bad has led to tragic results in the past.
Similarly beyond Leon there are elevations which can attract seriously inclement weather.
Clothes first:
A layering system system is essential - a good base layer of synthetic material or fine wool, a middle layer such as a fleece and a top windproof layer - there are very good double layer jackets available. Modern "technical" clothing is very good. A couple of t shirts and a jumper are wholly inadequate. Plus a good quality outer rain shell - waterproof/windproof jacket and trousers. It goes without saying that a rucksack liner/cover is necessary. Hat, gloves are essentials and for heavy walking gaiters too.
A good quality
winter sleeping bag is also essential as temperatures can dip well below zero and blankets are not always available in albergues.
As for accommodation - I walked the much more remote route from Seville last year and always found accommodation. Albergues were open although like refrigerators and there were very reasonably priced hostales.
A few weeks ago walking from St Jean to Santo Domingo there were already albergues closed for winter - wherever they start the hospitalero in the albergue will know what is open ahead and they should have a
guidebook which lists alternative accommodation with telephone numbers. I find a mobile phone valuable and an essential precaution.
Winter walking can have enormous rewards -
but if they are unprepared and ill equipped in my opinion they should NOT set out and should prepare to walk later in the year when they are ready.
Here is a helpful link to look at the weather at various stages:
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/ ... ances.msnw
