First camino; starting last few days from SJPDP

[calling Chloē]

Hello there everyone. Flight booked to arrive in Paris mid March and slowly mosey my way down to SJPDP hoping to start my first camino sometime the last week of March 2016. Some newbie questions:

• Those who have walked in later days of March and April in recent years - how was the weather? Is a light fleece and rain coat (like so many mention) enough for these early spring months? I don't want to carry a bulky fleece if i don't have to, but even more don't want me freezing my bum off to deter from my enjoyment of this; especially the first few stages. any insight/recommendations much appreciated!

• Has anyone mixed the camino Francés and the camino del Norte (walk, take bus north, walk, take bus south, etc). I've read that newbs should stick to Francés, but I'd really like to enjoy some coastal walking (San Sebastian, Guernica, Santander for Palacio de la Magdalena, others). I've read that el Norte is beautiful, but lots of road and black pavement -- which doesn't sound so lovely. For those who have meshed the Francés and el Norte, any 'must walk' stretches along either (for beauty, culture, or history)? very curious what others experiences are w/ this

SO THRILLED for this opportunity, time away from busy life and overwhelming work. hoping to find peace and parts of myself during my time Spain. buen camino!!

 

[jpflavin1]

Hello there everyone. Flight booked to arrive in Paris mid March and slowly mosey my way down to SJPDP hoping to start my first camino sometime the last week of March 2016. Some newbie questions:

• Those who have walked in later days of March and April in recent years - how was the weather? Is a light fleece and rain coat (like so many mention) enough for these early spring months? I don't want to carry a bulky fleece if i don't have to, but even more don't want me freezing my bum off to deter from my enjoyment of this; especially the first few stages. any insight/recommendations much appreciated!

• Has anyone mixed the camino Francés and the camino del Norte (walk, take bus north, walk, take bus south, etc). I've read that newbs should stick to Francés, but I'd really like to enjoy some coastal walking (San Sebastian, Guernica, Santander for Palacio de la Magdalena, others). I've read that el Norte is beautiful, but lots of road and black pavement -- which doesn't sound so lovely. For those who have meshed the Francés and el Norte, any 'must walk' stretches along either (for beauty, culture, or history)? very curious what others experiences are w/ this

SO THRILLED for this opportunity, time away from busy life and overwhelming work. hoping to find peace and parts of myself during my time Spain. buen camino!!

Chloe:

Welcome to the forum.

I have walked all my Camino's in the March/April time frame. The weather can vary quite a bit. The mornings in the mountains can be in the 20's Fahrenheit. I usually wear a long sleeve Under Armor shirt with a fleece. If it is very windy/rainy, I wear my rain gear. The Meseta can get quite warm 80's Fahrenheit. I have had Camino's 2012 where it rained almost every day and others where it rained about 5 days total. Prepare for the worst and except what you get. Something to consider, my comfort level could be very different than yours.

If you want to combine Camino's with the Frances, I would make that decision in Leon. At that point, you could head North to Oviedo on the Salvador (sparsely traveled route}, then walk the Primitivo or continue on to the Norte. The main issue with this type of change is you will lose continuity with the Camino family you have established. That said, you could possibly meet again in Santiago.

Whatever you decide, I am sure it will be the best one for you.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Chloé, you have a great adventure ahead of you. My advise would be to layer up on clothes rather than one heavy garment. A merino T shirt and two light fleeces, one full zip, the other quarter zip and even a shirt or blouse if you wish. Choose your size so that the full zip fleece fits over the Quarter zip. I would also recommend a rain jacket and lightweight rain pants for that time of year.
Have a great Camino.
Buen Camino.

 

[Seabird]

I will be walking my first Camino in April, so can't speak to the weather there. But I have been trying out my possible combinations to make my final decisions. I find that my light, quality Arteryx fleece, with wind jacket, over a wool short sleeved shirt and tech shirt, has kept me quite comfortable down to 13 degree F (-10C). Take advantage of that crazy midwest weather to see what works for you!

Good luck and Buen Camino.

 

[Devon Mike]

I'd really like to enjoy some coastal walking

Hi Chloe,

Most newbies go for the Camino Frances as it is well serviced and you will get to meet lots of lovely people. For a great coastal experience, after Santiago head for Finisterre and/or Muxia. You will never regret that.

Buen Camino,

Mike

 

[ramble-on]

Hi Cloé,

My wife and I walked the Francés in mid-April to late-May 2010, and the weather was variable, to say the least. Walking over the Pyrenees we had glorious sunny weather, mid-teens (celsius) and perfect for walking. A few days later, we had dense fog and light rain and mud climbing Alto de Perdón. The weather while we walked the meseta was generally good, but from about Astorga on, it got chilly (due to the altitude, I think) and going over O Cebreiro, and for the following 2 or 3 days we had snow, sleet and rain (and some of the albergues were unheated). Not nice! At one point along there, we pulled out our second pairs of socks for mitts.

I'm not forecasting your weather, obviously, but within the limits of keeping your pack light, IMO you should be at least mentally prepared for a wide range of conditions. Remember, however, that you can always find things, like fleeces or better/different rain gear, in the bigger cities (like Pamplona, Burgos, León, Astorga) and some of the smaller ones, if you need to. Most of all, enjoy your camino, whatever it may bring.

Buen camino!

 

[Mark Lee]

Hello there everyone. Flight booked to arrive in Paris mid March and slowly mosey my way down to SJPDP hoping to start my first camino sometime the last week of March 2016. Some newbie questions:

• Those who have walked in later days of March and April in recent years - how was the weather? Is a light fleece and rain coat (like so many mention) enough for these early spring months? I don't want to carry a bulky fleece if i don't have to, but even more don't want me freezing my bum off to deter from my enjoyment of this; especially the first few stages. any insight/recommendations much appreciated!

• Has anyone mixed the camino Francés and the camino del Norte (walk, take bus north, walk, take bus south, etc). I've read that newbs should stick to Francés, but I'd really like to enjoy some coastal walking (San Sebastian, Guernica, Santander for Palacio de la Magdalena, others). I've read that el Norte is beautiful, but lots of road and black pavement -- which doesn't sound so lovely. For those who have meshed the Francés and el Norte, any 'must walk' stretches along either (for beauty, culture, or history)? very curious what others experiences are w/ this

SO THRILLED for this opportunity, time away from busy life and overwhelming work. hoping to find peace and parts of myself during my time Spain. buen camino!!

Check out past year's weather from different parts of Spain on www.wunderground.com
Of course no way to predict it, but it gives you some idea what to expect from one end of the Camino to the other.
Cheers

 

[calling Chloē]

Joe - appreciate your insight; I'm coming to terms with expecting rain, snow, it all (it is spring after all!!); just hopefully wishing to see lovely blossoming landscape in the sunshine too. will roll with whatever I encounter!

Mike - the plan is to carry along after Santiago ... to the end of the Spanish world .. after that it's south to the true end of the world (southern Portugal; and by bus/train . Have you walked el Norte at all? I really should consider simply absorbing Francés this first time, and if life allows -- return for el Norte and enjoy that in its own right.

Seabird/Wayfarer - layers layers layers. I'm catching on our winter has been mild so the true variable weather on the Camino might shock my system if there is lots of rain/snow. thanks for your insight!! and Buen Camino to you as well!! Glad to hear from another pilgrim who will set out in early spring! suerte!!

ramble-on/Mark: getting there on becoming 'mentally prepared' for come what may; . thanks for the reminder that I need not carry it all; there will be options along the way. Your experience over the Pyrenees sounds blissful!

THANK YOU ALL. I'm thrilled to surrender to whatever happens along this journey - the community and challenges, and it can't start soon enough!! thanks for well wishes ---- salud y buen camino a tod@s!

 

[Deleted member 34316]

Hi, calling Chloē,
If you are tempted to see the Norte, start in Irun and walk just for 3 days:
Irun - San Sebastian, San Sebastian- Zarautz, and Zarautz-Deba.
Those are wonderful 3 stages of del Norte that can't be missed
They have their alternative options that make those stretches even more beautiful:
click to see PICTURE 1 "the Alpinista Route" between Irun and Passajes,
click to see PICTURE 2 "the Flysh Route" between Zumaia and Deba
From Deba, it is so easy to get back on Camino Frances: there is an hourly Euskotrain to San Sebastian, and from there frequent buses from San Sebastian to Pamplona. You can be on the Camino Frances within 2-3 hours!
In my opinion, walking the "Alpinista Route" from Irun is a good replacement for the "Napoleon Route" from SJPP, when the pass is closed for the winter!
Buen Camino!

 

[J F Gregory]

As of right now the trail over the mountains from SJPDP is closed until April 1 and later if necessary depending on the snow. I live in Washington state where the weather is comparable. Smart Wool is great, short sleeve base layer and SW long underwear if necessary. One long sleeved SM shirt and then light fleece with rain wear as necessary. In case I of extreme cold I carry a light weight 90z down vest. We are starting or walk on March 19 from SJPDP.

Ultreya
Buen Camino.