Leaving SJPDP, midAug. vs. early Sept?

[wmhwallace]

What are the pros and cons of starting in SJPDP in mid August or waiting until the first week of Sept. Are there differences in weather or crowds in a 2 week period?

 

[Ken C.]

What are the pros and cons of starting in SJPDP in mid August or waiting until the first week of Sept. Are there differences in weather or crowds in a 2 week period?

My wife Pat and I struggled with the same 2 week window. We decided to start on the 30th of August primarily to avoid the final 2 weeks of the traditional European holiday period of August. Starting from SJJDP would ( we hope) allow us a little less traffic at the start and for sure less at the of our journey. Two weeks could make a difference in the fall weather esp. in Galicia , we expect more rain and getting cooler in the nights .However weather is weather and predicting it is frustrating experience to say the least! We live in Nova Scotia learning that there isn't any sense in planning for the weather-just look out the window and live with what you get on the day. Starting in late August allowed me the opprotunity to experience some heavier traffic on the Camino and my wife less-I don't mind crowds ,Pat does !! So we compromised from mid August to late. Happy planning and remember it is your Camino -whatever you decide will be best for you.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There is not much difference between the last week of August and the first three weeks of September. The weather is pretty much the same, and crowds do not really disappear until October. Too many pilgrims now try to avoid August by starting after September 1, so your like-minded pilgrims make for some crowding. However, there is ALWAYS a bed!

 

[anniethenurse]

There tend to be quite many pilgrims who start their Camino the first week end or the 1st day of a month. And then they tend to walk in a "wave" walking in about the same pace and the Camino feels crowded. The same wave thing can happen around the 15th of a month. Last year in May there were two waves on CF. Consider starting your Camino from Sjpp mid-week and maybe you are walking in between the waves . Most pilgs walk the same "stages".
Whatever - there will always be a bed!