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Can't agree more! Did just that when I was caught in a snowstorm on October 31, 2018 in Atapuerca.Socks can make decent, impromptu mittens, not to mention puppets
Absolutely, the automatic thought is we are going to Spain so it’s warm but the reality is that we walk through the mountainous region of Northern Spain, it can be extremely cold. Worse than the cold is the head on wind, there is a reason why Spain has all those windmillsWe crossed from Orisson Tuesday September 21 and I wish I had full finger gloves. My toes and finger remained numb the entire descent and it was VERY windy. So grateful when I saw the gentleman with the van selling coffee, tea, bananas, eggs and more! Also, no money in ATM on way out of Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port on Monday morning. Suggest getting money when it is available! Gorgeous and so worth the walk.
I hope this helps in some way.June 2012 à beautiful walk to Orrisson, hot sunny day. Next day a howling gale for our walk to Roncesvalles. We saw a French man stop and put socks on his hands. It was hard to stop without getting blown over.
The concrete bunker/ shelter was like a United Nations refuge, pilgrims queuing to go inside to delve in rucksacks for extra layers of clothing and a bite of a sandwich.
Memorable to say the least !
Some of the most adverse days on the Camino with bad weather provide vivid, lasting memories in hindsight. I love the "few" I've experienced, but thankfully I've not had many to contend with.Memorable to say the least !
Sorry to hear about your problems. I assume you are a new pilgrim. Always plan ahead especially in these Covid times. As soon as I arrive in Spain I head to an ATM. I usually stay in a big city for a few days to recover from jet lag. Before I leave i go to the bank again. I start out with 300Euros and have another 100 in my pack as an emergency stash. When I am getting close to 100E (not counting the emergency fund). I find another ATM. It is not as important to do on the CF because pilgrim support is excellent but you should always plan ahead even if it means just checking out how far towns are for your next day. Always have some extra food just in case in Covid times especially things normally open are either out of business or closed. I will be doing the VDLP in a few weeks and there are days that I will carry food that will cover me for lunch, dinner and the following morning. Because you just never know. Buen Camino.We crossed from Orisson Tuesday September 21 and I wish I had full finger gloves. My toes and finger remained numb the entire descent and it was VERY windy. So grateful when I saw the gentleman with the van selling coffee, tea, bananas, eggs and more! Also, no money in ATM on way out of Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port on Monday morning. Suggest getting money when it is available! Gorgeous and so worth the walk.
I opted for the Valcarlos route in mid April 2015 and was glad I did. I arrived earlier to Roncesvalles than those who had come up over the mountain slippin' and sliddin' as you say. Their pant bottoms were all muddy and I knew they had a much harder time than me. My new friend I'd met at dinner the day before also said the high winds seemed to go in one ear and out the other.The downhill part towards Roncesvalles was just slippin'andslidin',
Crossed early April 2018. Had planned to go Valcarlos but the pilgrim office told us Napolean was open and encouraged us to take that route. Started off in glorious sunshine, really nice spring day. Stopped in Orisson and during dinner the wind started to pick up and it rained all night. Started off in not too unpleasant weather. By the time I reached the Spanish border the rain was horizontal and ice cold. It turned to hail then a snow blizzard. By thr time I got to Roncesvalles I was colder than at any other time in my life. So yes, underestimate Pyrenees cold at your peril. BTW, continued to rain non stop right into next day. Seious floods in Navarre that yearWe crossed from Orisson Tuesday September 21 and I wish I had full finger gloves. My toes and finger remained numb the entire descent and it was VERY windy. So grateful when I saw the gentleman with the van selling coffee, tea, bananas, eggs and more! Also, no money in ATM on way out of Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port on Monday morning. Suggest getting money when it is available! Gorgeous and so worth the walk.
my hearing aids do a grand job of preventing the wind whistling straight through. I do however put extra glue on the dentures so that they don't take flight when I sneeze and coughI opted for the Valcarlos route in mid April 2015 and was glad I did. I arrived earlier to Roncesvalles than those who had come up over the mountain slippin' and sliddin' as you say. Their pant bottoms were all muddy and I knew they had a much harder time than me. My new friend I'd met at dinner the day before also said the high winds seemed to go in one ear and out the other.
I know this is a weather thread, but since the reserve cash issue has been raised, I just wanted to remind folks that many U.S. Banks (and probably Canadian banks, etc.) offer currency exchange services, as does AAA. Be forewarned, however, that it may take a few days since some of those banks may not keep foreign currency on hand for immediate exchange. Check with your bank a couple of weeks before your scheduled departure for the details. When we go anywhere overseas--Camino or otherwise--we always take at least two or three days' worth of the local currency in a secure money belt, divided between my wife and I. If there happens to be an ATM handy somewhere on our first day of arrival, we'll supplement that as we anticipate our needs for the next few days, and keep at least a portion of our initial stake in reserve for emergencies.Sorry to hear about your problems. I assume you are a new pilgrim. Always plan ahead especially in these Covid times. As soon as I arrive in Spain I head to an ATM. I usually stay in a big city for a few days to recover from jet lag. Before I leave i go to the bank again. I start out with 300Euros and have another 100 in my pack as an emergency stash. When I am getting close to 100E (not counting the emergency fund). I find another ATM. It is not as important to do on the CF because pilgrim support is excellent but you should always plan ahead even if it means just checking out how far towns are for your next day. Always have some extra food just in case in Covid times especially things normally open are either out of business or closed. I will be doing the VDLP in a few weeks and there are days that I will carry food that will cover me for lunch, dinner and the following morning. Because you just never know. Buen Camino.
Back in 1998 I had only a little knowledge of the route. Allthough much much more than on my first Camino on 1996, when I just noticed a road sign 'Espagne' in SJPP and started to follow that roadAt the suggestion of the staff in the Pilgrims Office I've always taken the mostly paved path to the right on the descent into Roncesvalles as shown by the dashed line in this map.
View attachment 109711
Interesting...the Pilgrim office advised us to take the Napoleon route in mid April 2017, saying it was going to be a glorious day. Unfortunately since I was with three family members, I had pre-booked our lodging on the Valcarlos route and through Pamplona as it was Easyer week, so it would have thrown our three bookings off by a day each, so we did not go "up and over" at their suggestion.Crossed early April 2018. Had planned to go Valcarlos but the pilgrim office told us Napolean was open and encouraged us to take that route. Started off in glorious sunshine, really nice spring day. Stopped in Orisson and during dinner the wind started to pick up and it rained all night. Started off in not too unpleasant weather. By the time I reached the Spanish border the rain was horizontal and ice cold. It turned to hail then a snow blizzard. By thr time I got to Roncesvalles I was colder than at any other time in my life. So yes, underestimate Pyrenees cold at your peril. BTW, continued to rain non stop right into next day. Seious floods in Navarre that year
I absolutely love good humor! Thank you for giving me one of my best laughs of the day!my hearing aids do a grand job of preventing the wind whistling straight through. I do however put extra glue on the dentures so that they don't take flight when I sneeze and cough
Samarkand.
I have suffered fingers and toes near to frostbite in our Midwest US winters. Going sledding with my boys the excruciating pain I experienced while pretendng to be happy was nearly unbearable, so I relate to your pain. I won't walk the Caminos in winter ever..thanks, but no thanks.I suffer nowhere else but my fingers.
It is officially closed from November 1st thru March 31st. Anyone crossing during that time and needs a rescue incurs a hefty fine...and rightly so.There is another parallel thread going on right now about someone starting the Napoleon Route in mid-November. I tried to warn him that the path is closed from-? to ?. I could not find the dates.
Thanks so much Chrissy. You've confirmed what I've read previously. Appreciate your help.It is officially closed from November 1st thru March 31st. Anyone cossing during that time and needs a rescue incurs a hefty fine...and rightly so.
Those are all excellent points. I use my Schwab ATM card as they refund back to me any fees or extra charges I may incur.I know this is a weather thread, but since the reserve cash issue has been raised, I just wanted to remind folks that many U.S. Banks (and probably Canadian banks, etc.) offer currency exchange services, as does AAA. Be forewarned, however, that it may take a few days since some of those banks may not keep foreign currency on hand for immediate exchange. Check with your bank a couple of weeks before your scheduled departure for the details. When we go anywhere overseas--Camino or otherwise--we always take at least two or three days' worth of the local currency in a secure money belt, divided between my wife and I. If there happens to be an ATM handy somewhere on our first day of arrival, we'll supplement that as we anticipate our needs for the next few days, and keep at least a portion of our initial stake in reserve for emergencies.
Another reminder: Always look for an ATM at a local bank--the ATMs at the airport and at commercial establishments usually charge excessive fees. And DO NOT use a credit card to take out cash from a machine or a bank--that's considered a cash advance, and the company will apply a very high interest rate from the day of withdrawal (there may be exceptions, depending on the credit card company, so know before you go).
I hope this helps in some way.
When I've walked at an altitude where the weather is likely to approach zero degrees I double glove (with warmers). This can be higher with a wind chill. I put on a pair of skin tight latex gloves with an outer layer of substantial outdoor gloves capable of being wind proof. I also insert hand warmers. This may seem a little excessive but my hands are my "achilles heel" the cold can ruin my day and bring it to an abrupt halt.
I suffer nowhere else but my fingers.
Thank you Dave...I knew that when it came to equipment the expert would know why. It works/ed for me well.That latex gloving strategy has been used for quite a while by mountaineers. Commonly referred to as a Vapor Barrier Liner (VBL). The function operates similar to using a wet suit when scuba. Any 'sweat' remains inside the barrier which is kept warm by body temperature, reducing evaporative cooling. That allows better thermal effectiveness with the insulation layer of the outer glove.
Pruning of the hands can occur, leading to maceration if used over a prolonged period of time. That is remedied by applying a layer of lanolin or beeswax-based ointments just prior to gloving which helps protect the skin from the moisture. At break time, remove the gloves, dry off the hands and the inside of the plastic glove (they turn inside out as you remove them, anyway), allow time to air out a bit. Then just before departing, reapply the goop, re-glove and enjoy warm hands.
It works for cold feet during freezing temps as well. The VBL technique, not the rubber gloves. With feet, the technique does vary slightly: apply goop, put on a thin sock, put on the vapor barrier (a plastic bag can do in a pinch, then a wool or synthetic sock, then a shoe.
I've worn socks as mittens on the Camino - didn't think that I'd need gloves during July and AugustThe advice I've given before on the forum is to bring an old sweatshirt or the like with you as far as Zubiri and then get rid of it. Now I think I'll start adding an old pair of socks and two bread bags to that.
I can only second this.
My hands suffer from the cold badly to the point of being very painful. I always carry gloves and hand warmers to add if I am ever at altitude.
Socks can make decent, impromptu mittens, not to mention puppets
Waterproof covering for your hands works well. Solutions from plastic bread bags as you said, to dish washing gloves, to goretex mitten shellsThe advice I've given before on the forum is to bring an old sweatshirt or the like with you as far as Zubiri and then get rid of it. Now I think I'll start adding an old pair of socks and two bread bags to that.
That's the camino in a nut shell never know what you you are gonna get. That's why we love it.Yes, very unpredictable. At exactly the same time of year, (late April) I have walked in:
#1 was glorious, just wore a shirt and required frequent stops to take in the views.
- Blue skies, no wind, sun.........
- 100% cloud low cover, freezing temperatures and high winds.
#2 was head down, shirt, fleece, rain jacket, and 'let's get through this'. Too cold to stop.
But both were great
It’s almost as good as @davebugg ’s “emergency camino”.I love this..."the clothes-closet in my backpack".
Side note on the Valcarlos route. I took this route in May '18. I saw one solo pilgrim and one small group from Barcelona the entire day. The solo pilgrim was from England, and when I passed him he was lying flat beside the path. He looked up at me, sweaty and exhausted, and said, "Shoot me!" I did run out of water, and had to fill my bottle from a small stream. It tasted so good! Indeed, be prepared!Indeed. Be prepared.
If in the Pyrenees you are walking the Valcarlos alternate CF route to Roncesvalles do be aware that
between Valcarlos and Roncesvalles there is no place to buy food nor is there potable water.
I felt like him a few times, plus a few more on my various caminosThe solo pilgrim was from England, and when I passed him he was lying flat beside the path. He looked up at me, sweaty and exhausted, and said, "Shoot me!"
Walking Valcarlos so close to the 'official' closing of the Napoleon route I suspect we'll likely see a few more pilgrims. Clearly, still not an 'easy' route, and I sure hope the 'sweaty and exhausted' pilgrim made it to Roncesvalles without further need of shooting!Side note on the Valcarlos route. I took this route in May '18. I saw one solo pilgrim and one small group from Barcelona the entire day. The solo pilgrim was from England, and when I passed him he was lying flat beside the path. He looked up at me, sweaty and exhausted, and said, "Shoot me!" I did run out of water, and had to fill my bottle from a small stream. It tasted so good! Indeed, be prepared!
Reminds me of the man who was so seasick that the only thing that kept him alive was the hope of dying.Side note on the Valcarlos route. I took this route in May '18. I saw one solo pilgrim and one small group from Barcelona the entire day. The solo pilgrim was from England, and when I passed him he was lying flat beside the path. He looked up at me, sweaty and exhausted, and said, "Shoot me!" I did run out of water, and had to fill my bottle from a small stream. It tasted so good! Indeed, be prepared!
Love this! Thanks, Alex, for a good laugh!Reminds of the man who was so seasick that the only thing that kept him alive was the hope of dying.
Thanks Chrissy...your encouragement is much appreciated! We were toying with heading over the top, but I really wasn't comfortable planning that route so close to the end of the 'season'. Our first day will be on 'bankers hours'...being a very leisurely walk and overnight in Valcarlos. I've read too many post here where the wise have stressed that the first couple of days should be well measured and taken easy. I'm definitely old enough to listen to good advice!@Kev&Kath, I hope you have a wonderful Camino! I have a particular fondness for the Valcarloa route and hope you will find it so, too...it definitely has its own charm.
You are definitly wise imo. That's exactly why I chose the Valcarlos route twice! You don't miss what you don't know...better be safe than possibly sorry.Thanks Chrissy...your encouragement is much appreciated! We were toying with heading over the top, but I really wasn't comfortable planning that route so close to the end of the 'season'. Our first day will be on 'bankers hours'...being a very leisurely walk and overnight in Valcarlos. I've read too many post here where the wise have stressed that the first couple of days should be well measured and taken easy. I'm definitely old enough to listen to good advice!
He did make it to Roncesvalles, and as often happens, our paths crossed a few more times along The Way.Walking Valcarlos so close to the 'official' closing of the Napoleon route I suspect we'll likely see a few more pilgrims. Clearly, still not an 'easy' route, and I sure hope the 'sweaty and exhausted' pilgrim made it to Roncesvalles without further need of shooting!
A favorite of mine:Thanks Chrissy...your encouragement is much appreciated! We were toying with heading over the top, but I really wasn't comfortable planning that route so close to the end of the 'season'. Our first day will be on 'bankers hours'...being a very leisurely walk and overnight in Valcarlos. I've read too many post here where the wise have stressed that the first couple of days should be well measured and taken easy. I'm definitely old enough to listen to good advice!
Thanks for that, that made me laugh out loud! On my first Camino I walked the Valcarlos. There was also one pilgrim lying flat on the ground at some point, right on the dirt path, feet up on a backpack. He had a companion though and they both said they were fine, but it still didn't look good. There was also one pilgrim who fell down a hill at a part of the way where the path was narrow and there was a river steep down on the right hand side. It was quite dramatic. At least the pilgrim didn't roll into the stream. Others helped him to get up to the path again and then to the road, and called an ambulance. He was taken to Roncesvalles and I think I saw him enjoying a glass of wine there later in the evening and he still continued his Camino.Side note on the Valcarlos route. I took this route in May '18. I saw one solo pilgrim and one small group from Barcelona the entire day. The solo pilgrim was from England, and when I passed him he was lying flat beside the path. He looked up at me, sweaty and exhausted, and said, "Shoot me!" I did run out of water, and had to fill my bottle from a small stream. It tasted so good! Indeed, be prepared!
That was probably an expensive glass of wine when all was said and done.Others helped him to get up to the path again and then to the road, and called an ambulance. He was taken to Roncesvalles and I think I saw him enjoying a glass of wine there later in the evening
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