June/July weather... What should I plan for when packing?

[nfisher658]

Hi all,

I am starting my first ever Camino from SJPDP on the 5th of June, and I have been doing a lot of online research on the weather during the months of June and July so I can start getting my pack organised. The problem is, apart from the fact that July is hot, most of the information I have read has been conflicting, to say the least! So I was hoping that some of the experienced pilgrims here could give me some advice on the weather.

How warm should it be when I depart at the beginning of June?

Do temperatures at night, or even early mornings warrant any type of warm clothing layers at this time of year? And for sleeping, would a light sleeping bag be recommended, or just a liner be sufficient?

How much rainfall can I expect in June/July, and are there any regions where rain is more likely than others?

I am trying to make considerations to the weather to make sure I pack light, but smart... I don't want to carry the extra weight if I don't have to. Are there any items of clothing I could safely leave at home, but if for some reason they are unexpectedly needed can be bought on the road?

As always, any advice given is greatly appreciated!

Cheers, Neil.

 

[naplesdon]

I am starting from SJPdP on 6/6 and this will be my 3rd Camino experience. All I can tell you is to expect near freezing nights in some of the mountains areas in June and July as well as broiling hot afternoons in the Meseta. I wear layers but nothing more than a sleeveless fleece in the morning. You can function quite well with a sleeping bag liner because blankets always seem to be available in most albergues. Rain is like life; it is what it is and my experience is there are 3 out of 10 day when it will rain on you and even more than that once you reach Galicia.

 

[nfisher658]

That sounds like some sound advice right there, thanks a lot! You are starting from SJPDP the day after me, no doubt you will catch up to me somewhere... Hope to see you on the road!

 

[Odem]

Hi Peregrinos. Thank you all for the information. I have the same questions but I am planning on starting around the 1st or 2nd May. Probably there will not be much difference in the weather....or is it? This will me my first experience and I am very excited about finding out what My Camino will be. Have had some difficulty coordinating my Houston-Madrid arrival time (2:20pm) with transportation to Pamplona. If I can get there early enough to find a place to stay for the night, I could get early to Saint Jean the next day....I am hopping! I appreciate the help. Looking forward to meeting many of you on the way. Thank you.

 

[Anniesantiago]

In May, one cannot predict the weather.
I'd plan to layer clothes.
Last year in June there was snow over the pass and I froze in Santo Domingo del Calzada.
Two years earlier, I was sweating in June.

If I were doing a June/July Camino, I would pack very little. One change of clothes. One change of underwear. One fleece bag liner. Maybe a feather weight fleece or merino wool sweater. Toothbrush and paste.
I think you'll experience heat more than cold and you can always pick up extra clothes along the way if you really need them.
The FREE BOXES are full of needful things that other pilgrims leave behind.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Have had some difficulty coordinating my Houston-Madrid arrival time (2:20pm) with transportation to Pamplona.

You should be able to get the 15:15 bus from terminal T-4 at Barajas, Madrid to Pamplona:

 

[Odem]

In May, one cannot predict the weather.
I'd plan to layer clothes.
Last year in June there was snow over the pass and I froze in Santo Domingo del Calzada.
Two years earlier, I was sweating in June.

If I were doing a June/July Camino, I would pack very little. One change of clothes. One change of underwear. One fleece bag liner. Maybe a feather weight fleece or merino wool sweater. Toothbrush and paste.
I think you'll experience heat more than cold and you can always pick up extra clothes along the way if you really need them.
The FREE BOXES are full of needful things that other pilgrims leave behind.

Thank you Annie.

 

[Odem]

You should be able to get the 15:15 bus from terminal T-4 at Barajas, Madrid to Pamplona:
View attachment 8664

Thank you Falcon 269. This is great. Very kind of you. Since I will arrive late at Pamplona, do you recommend a place to stay in Pamplona? Thank you again.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I like this place, but there are many comparables:

http://www.hostalbearan.es/

 

[nfisher658]

In May, one cannot predict the weather.
I'd plan to layer clothes.
Last year in June there was snow over the pass and I froze in Santo Domingo del Calzada.
Two years earlier, I was sweating in June.

If I were doing a June/July Camino, I would pack very little. One change of clothes. One change of underwear. One fleece bag liner. Maybe a feather weight fleece or merino wool sweater. Toothbrush and paste.
I think you'll experience heat more than cold and you can always pick up extra clothes along the way if you really need them.
The FREE BOXES are full of needful things that other pilgrims leave behind.

Thanks for the advice, very helpful!