May 22 to June 27 2015 - gear

[Darialee]

Someone please tell me I don't need to take a sleeping bag during this time period? Will I be sorry I don't take one? I just got my backpack (50 lt) and I bought a sleeping bag (30/50 summery weight) but it takes up half the bag and I'm afraid they will make me check it on the plane... not to mention it will end up being too heavy or I won't be able to fit other things I need. Can I take a silk sleeping bag liner and a smallish fleece blanket instead? Will i regret that? The sleeping bag wasn't cheap and I'd hate to leave it along the way because it gets to be too much

 

[naplesdon]

I am planning on walking the Camino Aragones from Oloron-Ste. Marie to Logrono around the same time. I will only be carrying a silk liner and depend on the albergues to have blankets which is pretty much the norm. Since I am crossing the Pyrenees at Somport I will also be keeping an eye on the weather, two years ago the snow didn't stop until the first week of June.

 

[Mark Lee]

Someone please tell me I don't need to take a sleeping bag during this time period? Will I be sorry I don't take one? I just got my backpack (50 lt) and I bought a sleeping bag (30/50 summery weight) but it takes up half the bag and I'm afraid they will make me check it on the plane... not to mention it will end up being too heavy or I won't be able to fit other things I need. Can I take a silk sleeping bag liner and a smallish fleece blanket instead? Will i regret that? The sleeping bag wasn't cheap and I'd hate to leave it along the way because it gets to be too much

Any sleeping bag that takes up half the space in a 50L backpack sounds to me like it is too big and heavy for an early summer Camino Frances.

 

[Al the optimist]

It rather depends on how warm/cold a sleeper you are. I have walked a few Caminos and have stared the Frances twice from SJPdP on May 10th/11th. I only use a silk liner and the blankets provided. If the nights prove too cold for you then go to private albergues as they almost invariably have blankets. Anyway you could always check before signing in or wear more clothes. I have never had a problem except I am often too warm!

 

[ebrandt]

Al is right that you should think about whether you are a warm or cold sleeper. But I suspect a liner will be fine. I consider myself a cold sleeper -- I like lots of covers. We walked in April 2013. I took a sleeping bag rated down to 40. It was too warm for me. I wished I had a lighter bag or liner. Since most albergues had blankets, I think I would have been fine with the liner. If you are worried stick in a pair of light weight long underwear bottoms. The long johns and a liner would be fine, I should think. And the long johns will hardly take up any space and be very light. Buen Camino!

 

[Darialee]

Thank you!! I prefer sleeping with it colder anyways!!

 

[Kerstinh47]

I started May 17 earlier this year. Instead of a sleeping bag, I took a sleeping bag liner & a silk sarong which acted as an extra cover when necessary - also as robe, curtain, scarf, etc - folded up, it was about the size of a wallet and so lightweight. It's around my neck in my avatar picture. There were plenty of nights though, that I found myself grateful for provided blankets!
Buen Camino!

 

[whariwharangi]

Cram your sleeping bag in a stuff sack. Get one that is water proof.

MEC stuff sacks
http://www.mec.ca/shop/camping-stuff-sacks/50130+50668/?gclid=CJ2m4cuWisICFUxsfgodg6kAbg