Is the end of February to soon to walk El Camino?

[Malachi]

Hi everyone, I just moved to Alaska from NH. I'm a big hiker/ rock-climber, and very used to cold weather and fast changing weather. I was wondering if anyone has hiked El Camino from February into March? Or is this too soon? This will be my first time, and I am hiking alone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[karenfromcali]

Hi Malachi. I plan on walking my first caminostarting from SJPP at the beginning of March. I have received some good advice from forum member 'mspath' and have copied a couple of links she recommended reading below.

http://amawalker.blogspot.com/ Another good account of winter walking by a Forum member is the current 2013 blog http://agoodwalkunspoiled.blogspot.com/ .

Buen Camino

 

[mspath]

Malachi,

Welcome to the Forum!

During my past caminos I have walked the CF in February 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Like yourself I am also used to cold weather having worked for many years in Canada.

At the risk of repeating what I have written elsewhere here are my current thoughts on walking in winter.

The best advice is to BE PREPARED for extreme and varied weather. Nights can be bitter cold with freezing rain or snow; it is important to read the sky for possible storms. Regarding the state of the path and weather forecasts be sure to ask the locals and watch TV reports.

In bad weather many steep descents on the camino would be treacherous and following smaller parallel roads might be necessary. This past winter the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncevalles was been filled with several meters of snow and in effect closed to pilgrims thus necessitating the use of the Valcarlos alternate. You can read about this hazardous situation in the Forum topic. >> http://www.caminodesantiago.me/board/el-camino-frances/topic16961.html Other difficult stretches after storms might be from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada or across the Montes de Oca from Villafranca as well as Monte Irago and, of course, O Cebreiro.

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking at >> [URL='http://amawalker.blogspot.fr/...er.blogspot.fr/2009/10/walking-in-winter.html[/URL] Another good account of winter walking by a Forum member is the earlier 2013 blog http://agoodwalkunspoiled.blogspot.com/.

Twice during winter caminos I have sat out true blizzards; in Villafranca Montes de Oca, February 25, 26, 2006 and Foncebadón, March 5,6, 2009. Even late last November the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storm-storms at >> http://mermore.blogspot.fr/2011/04/aavmo.html. Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

However, not all albergues will be open after mid October but the hospitaleros usually know who is on the next stage. You will find the welcome at those albergues which are open to be most sincere; generally they will either be heated or have blankets.

Perhaps you would find my Kit list for walking in autumn and winter to be useful for your planning. See >> http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[piogaw]

Hi everyone, I just moved to Alaska from NH. I'm a big hiker/ rock-climber, and very used to cold weather and fast changing weather. I was wondering if anyone has hiked El Camino from February into March? Or is this too soon? This will be my first time, and I am hiking alone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Hello,
If the unpredictable weather does not bother you, you will need to take into consideration many municipal albergues will still be closed for the winter. I have not walked the camino frances in the winter. I assume condition will be the same as in other caminos during the winter months.

Buen camino.