June-July Weather on Camino and packing

[nettersweet]

Hello, I will be starting in Leon and walking to Santiago de Compostella, and possibly Finnisterre, for 2.5 - 3 weeks. What can I expect in terms of weather? Will I need a fleece for chilly nights or mornings? Will there be chilly nights? Will I need a base layer (long underwear) - I'm thinking about that for evenings/nights and using them for pajamas? How about a summer lightweight sleeping bag - is that necessary? I know some say a liner is enough, while others swear by a sleeping bag. I'm wondering what would make the most sense for June/July. Finally, I'm planning on bringing one pair of zip off pants (that turn into shorts), and another pair of shorts. Will this be sufficient? I'm aiming for very super light and the bare essentials. Thanks for any packing or gear advice you can share!

 

[SYates]

June / July from Leon to Santiago might have some chilly nights, especially in the mountains, so one warmer piece of clothings like a fleece jacket is advisable. If you need long underwear for sleeping in depends on the sleeping bag you take. I personally find that the super-thin liners are not enough for me, so I prefer a light summer sleeping bag and I sleep in the clothes I plan to wear the next day. One thing that is pretty sure even in that time of the year is rain in Galicia ;-) So I would always take a rain poncho. Buen Camino! SY

 

[piogaw]

june/july can be quite warm in the day time, but expect chilly nights. weather is quite unpredictable this year. do bring a lightweight fleece. layer your clothing. the further you go west into galicia you will expect rain, wind and maybe storm, so make sure you have rain gears.

i think a summer sleeping bag is enough. i did not have any liner of any kind. one pair of zip off and a pair of short is sufficient for your camino. you are wise to keep your backpack weight down.

buen camino.

 

[tyrrek]

Yes, a light fleece and sleeping bag should serve you well, although it really depends on how much you feel the cold, how important travelling light is to you, what you already have, and how much risk you're prepared to take etc. June/July are 2 of the months you're most likely to get away with less, as long as you can find proper accommodation each night.

Your trouser ideas sound sensible to me.

Rain is likely at some point, but it's sometimes just a fine misty rain as you walk through the clouds in Galicia, or it falls at night when you're not walking. There have been times when I haven't even bothered using my rain jacket as it was a trade off between being too hot and being dry. I was already a bit sweaty anyway so enjoyed the refreshment of it!

In short, I'd not buy new expensive gear you may never need but buy in Spain if you find you're genuinely under-equiped. Also be equally concerned about the heat!

Buen Camino!

 

[nettersweet]

Everyone has provided such helpful information! Thank you so much!!! So I think I'm on the right track. My only remaining question is whether to bring the extremely lightweight long underwear for night sleeping. I guess I could sleep in my clothes - that would eliminate the need to carry the long underwear, although there is something appealing about having fresh, clean separate items for sleeping. Do most folks typically sleep in their clothes for the next day? Also, it sounds like rain is a given (I wasn't sure about that - thanks for that warning). I have a rain cover for my pack. The question is whether to take a raincoat or rain poncho? I'm already resigned to the heat - I have a hat, a hydration system, sunscreen and 2 extremely lightweight moisture-wicking t-shirts. Thanks again for sharing your insights and wisdom!

 

[Kanga]

I hate sleeping in my clothes and have a very lightweight thin old nightshirt. Rain is inevitable in Galicia but I agree in summer rainwear can be very sticky and hot - I take a lightweight trekking umbrella. It is also great for shade on the meseta. My poncho gets used if there is a cold snap or strong winds.