I remain confused about the weather

[s. brown]

Please bear with me. In spite of all my reading I remain confused about the weather on the Le Puy route around June 1. I have read trip reports of encountering snow the last week of May (2014) and early June. I have also read that the Le Puy route can be quite hot in June.

I am planning on starting in Le Puy around June 1, 2016 and walking toward SJPDP for about three weeks. I have no idea what kind of clothes to bring. I would like to begin purchasing clothes now to take advantage of sales etc. Thanks.

 

[Chacharm]

Imagine you are going up around Boston to do your Camino. That is what the weather will be like. Most people are talking about the Pyrenees when they are talking about snow in May and even in June. But even from Le Puy you can expect some really chilly mornings and evenings. And rainy/windy days here and there. Rain= chilly. So for June just make sure that you have a good fleece and good rain gear. Have a pair of convertible hiking pants and a decent pair of shorts. Take one long sleeved tech shirt and one short sleeve. Have either a rain coat and a pack cover or a poncho. Take a ball cap and a buff. This keep the sun off and holds your poncho/raincoat hood up. The buff can help you keep you warm or cool (dip it into water on a hot day). If I started walking in June I think I would just take the poncho. I ended my Camino in Santiago on June 1 and you can see I was sill wearing my fleece but was strictly wearing shorts by then.

 

[jirit]

Walking the Le Puy route in late May and early June can bring on all types of weather -

from rain (anywhere and anytime),
to snow (at the higher levels, a few days soon after you leave Le Puy)
to hot sunny days (further on, and closer to SJPdP).

Best to prepare for all types of weather at this time of year

My wife and I walked it leaving Le Puy mid May and finishing in Lourdes late June. (We took a detour)
During the five weeks we had two weeks of rain, two weeks of sun and a week of "what ever goes"

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hot is more likely than cold in June; plan on layers of clothes if it is cold. Don't carry heavy winter clothing. It will rain, so have a poncho. Have a hat and sunblock for the sun (the longest day of the year is mid-June).

 

[irishgurrrl]

Please bear with me. In spite of all my reading I remain confused about the weather on the Le Puy route around June 1. I have read trip reports of encountering snow the last week of May (2014) and early June. I have also read that the Le Puy route can be quite hot in June.

I am planning on starting in Le Puy around June 1, 2016 and walking toward SJPDP for about three weeks. I have no idea what kind of clothes to bring. I would like to begin purchasing clothes now to take advantage of sales etc. Thanks.

It's just tricky to predict with such variations in elevations and the changes in weather generally. As others suggest bring layers and you should be ok. It could rain, it could be cold and it could be very warm.... so its best to plan accordingly.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

Don't worry. Just do it. You're going to be fine!

 

[Chacharm]

To clarify, I meant just the poncho instead of raincoat/ pack cover. You need the fleece regardless.

 

[Urban Trekker]

Think Appalachia Trail. Weather can change rapidly from nice to bad to worse.

 

[Kitsambler]

With a lightweight fleece and a merino wool undershirt, you'll be fine. The weather is changeable, and the section you'll be walking those three weeks, Le Puy- Cahors, is mostly up on the plateau at 1000m/3000 ft.

 

[Annie G]

Is there an alternative to a fleece jacket? I really HATE the synthetic feel of fleece. I get that it is lightweight and warm, but isn't there something else out there by now to replace that horrible squeaky fabric? I feel the same way about microfiber.

 

[ranthr]

Is there an alternative to a fleece jacket? I really HATE the synthetic feel of fleece. I get that it is lightweight and warm, but isn't there something else out there by now to replace that horrible squeaky fabric? I feel the same way about microfiber.

Longsleeved merinowool

 

[Chacharm]

I have an Arcteryx wool jacket I will be wearing along with a light raincoat. I don't like the synthetic feel of a cheap fleece either.

 

[s. brown]

Thanks everyone. Last June I began daily checking of the weather along the Le Puy route. In mid-june it seemed really hot around Moissac, but Le Puy seemed cool or comfortable. Then I started reading late May, early June trip reports of snow out of Le Puy! In the online blog, "A Good Walk Unspoiled" by "John and Robin" he mentions that a pilgrim told him that at the end of May the year before there was 50cms of snow on the ground near Nasbinal, which, he says, explains why pilgrims carry a winter kit in late spring in that area. I'm trying to avoid the heavier clothes, but you've given me good advice about what to take. Ideally, I would love to walk in coolish weather but I'm trying to avoid the French crowds in the holiday-packed month of May.

 

[jirit]

The reality about walking the Le Puy route in May or even June is that you will face the rush of French hikers, especially from Le Puy to Moissac

This is popular walking route - many French simply consider this route just another GR trail (which it is), thus take a week off and walk a section and then train home.

You will to think about calling ahead each evening or the morning of departure to secure a bed for yourself especially at the private pilgrim gites which can quickly fill up with a group of happy French hikers.

The numbers of hikers (pilgrim and otherwise) falls off significantly after Moissac.

 

[marbuck]

It's very easy to be confused about the weather on the Le Puy route. Have a look at this April long range forecast. We leave on the 24th April. The weather is beautiful and warm right up to a few days before we start walking, then it turns miserable.
http://www.accuweather.com/en/fr/le-puy-en-velay/132161/april-weather/132161
But that's what it is so no point worrying, we copped the same thing last year on the Frances.

 

[Kanga]

@Annie G I don't like fleece either. I layer wool. If it's cold and windy the Altus poncho can go over the top.

 

[scruffy1]

Just about every morning from Le Puy until you come out of the Cele Valley you will be faced by a good stiff climb. Nothing hysteric, but the French Confraternity allows us to check out the cariovascular system to insure all is well before beginning the day. In June you may find that a cool morning will soon turn quite warm as you climb and evenings are usually marked by a good steep descent s0 keep whatever warm clothing you choose in an easy to reach place for quick removal or wear. The Aubrac plateau can be lovely springlike or freezing - remember Baden-Powell Be Prepared!

 

[Thornley]

Just about every morning from Le Puy until you come out of the Cele Valley you will be faced by a good stiff climb. Nothing hysteric, but the French Confraternity allows us to check out the cariovascular system to insure all is well before beginning the day. In June you may find that a cool morning will soon turn quite warm as you climb and evenings are usually marked by a good steep descent s0 keep whatever warm clothing you choose in an easy to reach place for quick removal or wear. The Aubrac plateau can be lovely springlike or freezing - remember Baden-Powell Be Prepared!

Well said Scruffy,
If people think the climb to La Faba or O 'Cebreiro gets the heart going then Conques should be interesting.
The GR is about lovely scenery, quietness , beautiful people with home cooked meals and historic villages.

In all seriousness the weather in France will be the same as Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the UK .
Maybe the golfers in the US Masters have had the same fears.....will it rain , maybe its hot...........or do they just go out and play.
Rain =Poncho , cold = Fleece , Hills= be careful and enjoy the scenery, tabac= wine , gite= food and company.
The rain will fall from the heavens , sometimes a bit heavy, sometimes drizzle and then on the other days it might get hot.
As Scruffy said the first few km each morning will get the heart rate up, there will not be a coffee break in a few km and more than not on a monday or tuesday not even a tabac/ bar open in the villages ahead.
** The only thing you need is MMDD and study the times of shops in village.
Leave the rest to mother nature.

 

[jillmom]

Totally off the weather subject, but I too am walking LePuy to Conques starting May 7. Weather not so much a concern as the greeting. Walked Frances last year and loved all the Buen Camino's from fellow pilgrims. What do you say in France?

 

[pudgypilgrim]

Bon chemin!