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I used to live in Ashland and I know what you mean. I am starting later and later. One of the benefits of retirement. This year I will do the CF starting on October 29th. I will take a cold day anytime over 35+ (I think in Fahrenheit about 95F+). Pamplona 43 on Thursday, thats 109 and walking is insane.Now from Oregon and before from Bay Area, my endurance and joy from walking starts deteriorating at 30c. Hence only shoulder season walks.
Just not from the wine fountain!... but but always remember to drink before you're thirsty.
I have done all of these and were very helpful. Please listen to your body. You are not there to prove anything to anyone. You don't hve to keep up with anyone. Please do what is comfortable to you.Every person is different and has different tolerance and physical ability to tolerate extreme heat and sunshine. IN GENERAL:
The European weather maps for northern Spain, for today 26 June, show that Burgos and to the east is frighteningly hot, whereas Leon and points to the west are relatively cooler, but still hot. Thus, if you are attempting the Mesta from Fromista west, anytime soon:
- Hydrate, even forcing yourself to consume water regularly throughout the day. Personally, I consume .5 liters of water or electrolyte solution every hour, whether or not I feel I need it. In temperatures over 30 degrees (c) make that one-liter per hour.
- If you stop having to pass urine, be careful, this is an early sign of heat exhaustion. Your body starts to send water to your vital organs to try to cool the body.
- If you stop perspiring / sweating, this is also a sign of heat exhaustion.
- Light-headedness and dizziness is a final sign of heat-exhaustion, just before you pass out. STOP IMMEDIATELY. Ask others to help you. Seek shade, cool-down, hydrate!
- Start early, finish early for the day - well before noon.
If you find shade along the way, USE IT. Take a break. Take as many breaks as you feel you need.
- Take double or triple the water you normally carry. Share it with others who need it.
- Wear a broad-brimmed sun hat with appropriate ventilation. You need a hat with 360 degree, all-around, protection. A ball-cap is not enough, IMHO. The hat should be tan or light colored, NOT BLACK or another dark color that concentrates the sun's heat.
- Obtain and use a light-colored umbrella to create your own shade. Stick it in your sternum strap to hold it in place while using hiking poles.
- Wear a wet Buff, or similar microfiber tube accessory garment, head cover to aid evaporative cooling. A wet Buff can also be worn around your neck or wrists. Both are pressure points. Placing evaporative cooling there will aid in cooling your entire body. Absent having a buff, any microfiber towel will work nearly as well in some positions, like head cover.
When you stop, consume water. Try to lie down or otherwise elevate your feet and legs to allow / improve circulation to your brain and torso.
Listen to your body.
Take care of your feet. Change sweaty socks during the day to avoid friction and blisters. Pin the sweaty, wet socks to your rucksack to air dry.
Hope this helps. Vaya con Dios!
For me anything above 25 is too hot to walk! On 30 degree days, where the path has no shade I have had to take rather unusual stepsJust noticed it's looking super hot in central Europe and NE Spain this week, with 40degC forecast for Pamplona. This is unusual for June and pilgrims might not be expecting conditions that make walking potentially dangerous.
Tomorrow I’ve got one of the more difficult days ahead of me, Villafranca to O’Cebreiro- and it might be 40 degrees plus strong wind. I guess the bail-out plan would be to get a taxi from Herrerias for the last 8km. Does anyone know if that’s feasible?Just noticed it's looking super hot in central Europe and NE Spain this week, with 40degC forecast for Pamplona. This is unusual for June and pilgrims might not be expecting conditions that make walking potentially dangerous.
There are many villages between Villafranca & O Cebreiro. Consider doing this over two days instead. And a taxi is possible.Tomorrow I’ve got one of the more difficult days ahead of me, Villafranca to O’Cebreiro- and it might be 40 degrees plus strong wind. I guess the bail-out plan would be to get a taxi from Herrerias for the last 8km. Does anyone know if that’s feasible?
Ime just thinking also that meds are supposed to be stored in 25 or under degrees so would the extreme weather render youre meds useless?
Ime just thinking also that meds are supposed to be stored in 25 or under degrees so would the extreme weather render youre meds useless?
I’m walking in these very hot conditions at the moment - it was 40deg c when I walked into Burgos earlier this afternoon. At EVERY fountain today I’ve dunked my head (something I know other Forum members do) and soaked a very light and filmy cotton shawl in the water. I’ve draped the sodden shawl over my head, shoulders and arms and replaced my broad brimmed hat. It’s working well. I’m also drinking a lot of water and have Hydralite tablets.
Let’s hope this weather breaks soon!
Cheers - Jenny
Tomorrow I’ve got one of the more difficult days ahead of me, Villafranca to O’Cebreiro- and it might be 40 degrees plus strong wind. I guess the bail-out plan would be to get a taxi from Herrerias for the last 8km. Does anyone know if that’s feasible?
Thank you Marbe2! It’s very kind of you to send your good wishes.Safe Journey Jenny!
Great hiking hack ! Good adviceMake sure you drink enough that your urine is pale and still frequent.
Great advice. Knowing this weather is upon you this week one might also want to add an extra water bottle to their pack, drink frequently until it is gone, fill the bottles frequently and take a break hourly (or when you feel you need one). Walk on the shaded side of the path/road as often as possible, wear head coverings, but remove during breaks in the shade. By plotting in hydration and timed break intervals in your daily course in this weather it will provide you small goals to help break up your day.So "too hot to walk" is a variable -- be sensible, and take care with your own personal limitations
Light-headedness and dizziness is a final sign of heat-exhaustion, just before you pass out. STOP IMMEDIATELY. Ask others to help you. Seek shade, cool-down, hydrate!
Not always good advice on the Camino in particular -- certainly stop as soon as possible in the first reasonable place, but stopping "immediately" when you might be in a location with no relief whatsoever from the blazing sun would be a big mistake.
Keep on until a location with at least shade if not cool -- or if not possible call emergency services immediately and seek immediate assistance from *everyone* else.
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Otherwise as a general rule, the best environment in which to heal from sunstroke is quiet, cool, and in the shade. Hospitals do not typically provide it, but quite a few refugios can and will. A rest day or two or three can be necessary.
Actual heatstroke is a lot worse than "just" a sunstroke as it can kill you -- so whatever you do, don't just "carry on" supposing that your body will "adapt".
Or if you have the luxury to be able to do it, walk in March/April Late October/November. As you say you can only subtract clothes to a point. It is alot easier to add. Please be SMART!I am reminded of one of my favorite Camino sayings. I do not remember if I first coined the saying, or if I may have heard it somewhere else. Anyway, here goes...
"On the Camino, there are days to be brave and days to be smart."
Being brave means sucking it up and continuing on, through rain, wind, cold, mud, pain, ennui, and to some extent heat.
Regarding walking in heat, I am reminded that one can always add a layer, but there is a practical limit to what one can strip off while on Camino...
Being smart means assessing, adapting and overcoming any challenge. This requires flexible thinking and situational awareness. We should all have that capability.
On a given Camino day, this could mean starting at first light (usually about 30 minutes before before listed sunrise and ending the day's walk early - before noon.
It might mean trimming the day's planned walking to stop at a closer reached albergue.
It also might mean taking a cab or bus to arrive at your day's destination especially if you have a reservation, and provided you are NOT within the final 100 km before Santiago (as this could spoil eligibility for a Compostela). It is not a sin or crime to leapfrog ahead earlier in your Camino. Many of use have done it due to injuries, crappy weather, or extreme fatigue. It happens.
KNOW WHEN TO BE BRAVE, AND WHEN TO BE SMART..
Hope this helps.
I left Pamplona for the coast. In Comillas now. It's chilly and I like it. I miss the connection on the Frances and the heat was too much for me.Just noticed it's looking super hot in central Europe and NE Spain this week, with 40degC forecast for Pamplona. This is unusual for June and pilgrims might not be expecting conditions that make walking potentially dangerous.
I’m walking in these very hot conditions at the moment - it was 40deg c when I walked into Burgos earlier this afternoon. At EVERY fountain today I’ve dunked my head (something I know other Forum members do) and soaked a very light and filmy cotton shawl in the water. I’ve draped the sodden shawl over my head, shoulders and arms and replaced my broad brimmed hat. It’s working well. I’m also drinking a lot of water and have Hydralite tablets.
Let’s hope this weather breaks soon!
Cheers - Jenny
Tomorrow I’ve got one of the more difficult days ahead of me, Villafranca to O’Cebreiro- and it might be 40 degrees plus strong wind. I guess the bail-out plan would be to get a taxi from Herrerias for the last 8km. Does anyone know if that’s feasible?
Thank you Marbe2! It’s very kind of you to send your good wishes.
Cheers from Hornillos - Jenny
Yes, I did it.Tomorrow I’ve got one of the more difficult days ahead of me, Villafranca to O’Cebreiro- and it might be 40 degrees plus strong wind. I guess the bail-out plan would be to get a taxi from Herrerias for the last 8km. Does anyone know if that’s feasible?
If you stop to hydrate at a bar, getting some ice to put under the hat helps too.At EVERY fountain today I’ve dunked my head (something I know other Forum members do) and soaked a very light and filmy cotton shawl in the water. I’ve draped the sodden shawl over my head, shoulders and arms and replaced my broad brimmed hat.
Just finished Portugues coastal and visited Zaragoza afterwards. Ouch, 45C. Spent my time in the shade beside the swimming pool. Coastal weather was nice. No rain for two weeks though.Just noticed it's looking super hot in central Europe and NE Spain this week, with 40degC forecast for Pamplona. This is unusual for June and pilgrims might not be expecting conditions that make walking potentially dangerous.
Welcome to Las Vegas? Wow. 45C is ... not fun. You know you're not in Canada anymore, right?!...Ouch, 45C...
Hoping that you all gave it some of your water. God bless that tree, right?Last September, on a 30+ day well into the Meseta, we came upon a lone shade tree that was casting enough shadow to harbor 12-14 pilgrims. Ten minutes rest and one group leaves as another take up residence.
I will never forget that live sombrero.
Great idea VNwalking - thank you. This will be part of my routine when I start walking again on Tuesday. ‘Currently on a mid-Camino break with my family.If you stop to hydrate at a bar, getting some ice to put under the hat helps too.
A couple of people have mentioned umbrellas...a very good idea, especially the kind with a silver reflective top.
Buen camino, Jenny!
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