Planning on Walking the Camino Frances during Dec/Jan, 2018/19

[Chicago Seeker]

I am planning to walk the CF starting around December 6 or 7. This will be my first time, and I will be doing it solo. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[KinkyOne]

I am planning to walk the CF starting around December 6 or 7. This will be my first time, and I will be doing it solo. Any advice is appreciated!

Welcome!

You should definitely read posts about winter CF by our member @mspath . Use Resources and Search function if needed. Plenty of wise things there.

Buen Camino, peregrino!

 

[nycwalking]

You'll have snow, ice, mud and more mud.

And, a wonderful time too. Look up aforementioned thread.

Buen camino.

 

[jsalt]

Any advice is appreciated!

The days are short and the nights are long. Have a plan for what to do in the long evenings. I download lots of books onto my Kindle app on my smartphone.

Buen camino!

Jill

 

[Chicago Seeker]

Welcome!

You should definitely read posts about winter CF by our member @mspath . Use Resources and Search function if needed. Plenty of wise things there.

Buen Camino, peregrino!

You'll have snow, ice, mud and more mud.

And, a wonderful time too. Look up aforementioned thread.

Buen camino.

Thanks for this! I'm looking into mspath's posts! Luckily, living in Chicago for the past 6 years has prepared me for walking in the snow, ice, mud, and more mud! This is primarily a spiritual journey for me, so being a bit isolated should be wonderful!

 

[Chicago Seeker]

The days are short and the nights are long. Have a plan for what to do in the long evenings. I download lots of books onto my Kindle app on my smartphone.

Buen camino!

Jill

I'm a historian, so I always have plenty to read! This is excellent advice!

 

[KinkyOne]

She'll chime in in this thread for sure
Or just send her PM.

 

[nycwalking]

Thanks for this! I'm looking into mspath's posts! Luckily, living in Chicago for the past 6 years has prepared me for walking in the snow, ice, mud, and more mud! This is primarily a spiritual journey for me, so being a bit isolated should be wonderful!

I found attending mass as often as possible quite refreshing.

Upon arrival at albergues ask if and when mass is held in that town.

Roncesvalles, Grañon, Rabanal del Camino all have nice services. I believe even in winter. If you stop at Samos ask priests to allow you to attend their private service after evening mass. Nice, very nice.

Again, buen camino.

 

[mspath]

To further your research re Walking in Winter see these earlier recent threads filled with useful links and tips.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/logrono-to-burgos-in-january.50991/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/november-december-cf.50932/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-in-december-january.37261/

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has in her blog compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking.
http://amawalker.blogspot.fr/2009/10/walking-in-winter.html?m=1

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 November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storms here. http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/memories.html
Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn and winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/equipment-questions.30/
to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html

Remember winter is a great time to walk, but you must be PREPARED!

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen camino!

 

[Chicago Seeker]

What is the camino like

To further your research re Walking in Winter see these earlier recent threads filled with useful links and tips.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/logrono-to-burgos-in-january.50991/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/november-december-cf.50932/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-in-december-january.37261/

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has in her blog compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking.
http://amawalker.blogspot.fr/2009/10/walking-in-winter.html?m=1

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 November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storms here. http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/memories.html
Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn and winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/equipment-questions.30/
to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html

Remember winter is a great time to walk, but you must be PREPARED!

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen camino!

Many thanks for this! I look forward to reading through everything.

 

[KinkyOne]

What is the camino like

Many thanks for this! I look forward to reading through everything.

See? What I told you?

 

[Chicago Seeker]

See? What I told you?

Thanks, everyone for your support. I'm feeling the pull even more now! I look forward to the journey.

 

[wanderer806]

I am planning to walk the CF starting around December 6 or 7. This will be my first time, and I will be doing it solo. Any advice is appreciated!

I am planning to walk the CF starting around December 6 or 7. This will be my first time, and I will be doing it solo.
Any advice is appreciated!

We walked at that time in 2015 and had unusually fantastic weather. No problems at all except we sometimes had to walk further than we wanted as many accommodations are closed. We could always get a meal around 6 pm. You’ll probably have to do the traditional stages as the smaller villages are closed up. Enjoy.

 

[Chicago Seeker]

We walked at that time in 2015 and had unusually fantastic weather. No problems at all except we sometimes had to walk further than we wanted as many accommodations are closed. We could always get a meal around 6 pm. You’ll probably have to do the traditional stages as the smaller villages are closed up. Enjoy.

Good to know! I was planning on following the traditional route to a T. How was it during Christmas time? Did villages have trees, nativity scenes, or other decorations up?

 

[AP Reynolds]

Hi, I am also doing the camino for the first time this winter, and solo, although a little earlier than yourself; I commence on 8th November, and plan to take until around December 13th /14th.

 

[Mikel Olivares]

Hopefully you can walk through these landscapes.
Buen Camino

 

[Gumba]

Hi Chicago Seeker, we are walking the CF around the same time - this year (2019/2020) - leaving about a week later. I would love to know how your trip went Any detail you could share would be most appreciated,

thanks