Questions from a novice pilgrim

deebubbster · May 18, 2017

I am planning to walk the Camino this September and was planning to start out from SJPP on the 10th. A friend who is thinking of starting out with me is worried that this is too late in the year and that we will hit lots of rain and snow on this first day in the Pyrenees. She wants to leave on September 1st. Would 10 days really make that big a difference? Anyone who has traveled this route at this time of year and who can weigh in on the chances of inclement weather?

Also was planning to spend the first night at Orisson and was reading on this forum that you can/should reserve a space at the albergue. Is it possible/necessary to reserve a space at the Albergue, especially since it will be September?

Anemone del Camino · May 18, 2017

This chart might help you. I found it by googling climate st jean pied de port.

Snow? In September? Nope. I don't know where you and your friend are from to think early September will have you see snow, bit perhaps knowing that May and September are the busiest months on the Frances will help allieviate your fears. Bring sunscreen.

https://fr.climate-data.org/location/185285/

Take a look at this link for monthly Camino stats:

https://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas/

deebubbster · May 18, 2017

deebubbster said:
I am planning to walk the Camino this September and was planning to start out from SJPP on the 10th. A friend who is thinking of starting out with me is worried that this is too late in the year and that we will hit lots of rain and snow on this first day in the Pyrenees. She wants to leave on September 1st. Would 10 days really make that big a difference? Anyone who has traveled this route at this time of year and who can weigh in on the chances of inclement weather?

Also was planning to spend the first night at Orisson and was reading on this forum that you can/should reserve a space at the albergue. Is it possible/necessary to reserve a space at the Albergue, especially since it will be September?

Anemone del Camino said:
This chart might help you. I found it by googling climate st jean pied de port.

Snow? In September? Nope. I don't know where you and your friend are from to think early September will have you see snow, bit perhaps knowing that May and September are the busiest months on the Frances will help allieviate your fears. Bring sunscreen.

https://fr.climate-data.org/location/185285/

Take a look at this link for monthly Camino stats:

https://oficinadelperegrino.com/estadisticas/

Thanks. I didn't think snow/weather would be a problem but my friend was concerned. This confirms for me that leaving on that date will be okay. Also, thanks for the links.

gerardcarey · May 18, 2017

Okay? Any day in September will be a fantastico day on which to leave!
For those like me who don't like it too hot, or too cold, or too wet, or too dry, it's the perfect time to leave. But do make sure you book early at Orisson. 3 months before is not too early.
Regards, Buen Camino, and enjoy the planning.
No worries cobber.
Gerard

natefaith · May 18, 2017

September and October are beautiful times to walk, especially once you hit Galicia. Enjoy it all and Buen Camino.
Faith

admarb · May 18, 2017

deebubbster said:
I am planning to walk the Camino this September and was planning to start out from SJPP on the 10th. A friend who is thinking of starting out with me is worried that this is too late in the year and that we will hit lots of rain and snow on this first day in the Pyrenees. She wants to leave on September 1st. Would 10 days really make that big a difference? Anyone who has traveled this route at this time of year and who can weigh in on the chances of inclement weather?

Also was planning to spend the first night at Orisson and was reading on this forum that you can/should reserve a space at the albergue. Is it possible/necessary to reserve a space at the Albergue, especially since it will be September?

The stop at Orisson is a good move. Great start to your Camino. Definitely book it as there is no other option there.
Buen Camino.

Mike Savage · May 18, 2017

I love walking in September and October and will walk at that time again this year. The weather should still be beautiful when you start but you could possibly have more rain near the end of your trip in Galicia which help keep it looking beautiful!

Buen Camino!

bbates225 · May 19, 2017

natefaith said:
September and October are beautiful times to walk, especially once you hit Galicia. Enjoy it all and Buen Camino.
Faith

I haven't even done my first Camion yet (June/July 2017), but my second one will be in Sept/Oct based on these wonderful responses. I've always loved Sept/Oct anyway... so why not?

jo webber · May 19, 2017

We will be in Orisson on the 10th of Sept. Hope to see you on the path at some point. I walk slow, so may not catch up to you.
If you stay at Orisson, you will catch up to me. Short, short grey hair, blue Osprey backpack. Wearing a long sleeve, white fishing T-shirt and parachute pants.

kinnear · May 19, 2017

I'm leaving SJPDP and staying over at Orisson 23 September and not anticipating problems. Actually, hoping for some slightly cooler weather. You will be ahead of me

CaminoDebrita · May 19, 2017

In 2015, I walked out of SJPP on 30 September, and spent the night at Orisson. The 30th, it was so beautiful and sunny; the 1 of October, I crossed the Pyrenees walking alone, and a big storm blew in near the top. It was pouring rain, and we walked in a cloud. I saw pilgrims fade in and out of view, and three or four of us huddled at the hut and had sandwiches and shared some hot drinks; one of the gals had a thermos of hot chocolate. It was bliss.

After the pouring rain on the mountain, the clouds blew away, and the first two weeks of walking Camino Frances was hot! I was definitely drinking a lot of water. In fact, the only time I encountered rain was in Galicia, really, and just a few days. O'Cebreiro was rainy, as I recall. No big deal.

I was not carrying a sleeping bag, by the way. At night if I was cold, I just put on all of my clothing, including wool hat and gloves, and put my poncho over the top of me (very insulating). I will mention that a lot of albergues had blankets, so that was nice too.

My pack was a 32 L and about sixteen pounds (8 kilos or so). The weather, all the way through 10 November, was just fabulous.

kinnear · May 19, 2017

CaminoDebrita said:
In 2015, I walked out of SJPP on 30 September, and spent the night at Orisson. The 30th, it was so beautiful and sunny; the 1 of October, I crossed the Pyrenees walking alone, and a big storm blew in near the top. It was pouring rain, and we walked in a cloud. I saw pilgrims fade in and out of view, and three or four of us huddled at the hut and had sandwiches and shared some hot drinks; one of the gals had a thermos of hot chocolate. It was bliss.

After the pouring rain on the mountain, the clouds blew away, and the first two weeks of walking Camino Frances was hot! I was definitely drinking a lot of water. In fact, the only time I encountered rain was in Galicia, really, and just a few days. O'Cebreiro was rainy, as I recall. No big deal.

I was not carrying a sleeping bag, by the way. At night if I was cold, I just put on all of my clothing, including wool hat and gloves, and put my poncho over the top of me (very insulating). I will mention that a lot of albergues had blankets, so that was nice too.

My pack was a 32 L and about sixteen pounds (8 kilos or so). The weather, all the way through 10 November, was just fabulous.

Thank you. Your response is really encouraging. I'm still debating whether to replace my sleeping bag for a 320 weight merino outer layer that gives warmth when I'm not walking and at night. Would be interested in knowing the clothes you too.

CaminoDebrita · May 19, 2017

kinnear said:
Thank you. Your response is really encouraging. I'm still debating whether to replace my sleeping bag for a 320 weight merino outer layer that gives warmth when I'm not walking and at night. Would be interested in knowing the clothes you too.

My clothes included the following:
Merino wool shorts (high at waist, about four inches down the thigh)
Underwear under those
Normal undergarments
merino wool t shirt / heavier merino wool shirt with round neck and long sleeves (icebreaker, and expensive, but I wore it nearly daily when it did get cool)
One pair merino wool long underwear tights (wore when it was cold and also at night)
One pair black hiking tights (layered those with everything when I was cold or sleeping cold nights)
One pair hiking pants (quick dry)
three pair wool socks
one pair merino wool fingerless gloves
wool wrap scarf and two buffs, which I used both at a time often
Rain coat and fleece, which I wore when sleeping cold at night

That's about it for attire!

Bradypus · Wednesday at 8:44 PM

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Bradypus · Monday at 8:05 PM

The group running the albergue in the ruins of the San Anton monastery near Castrojeriz have announced that the albergue and the ruins will be closed from 1 May until the ruins have been made...

Arta · Thursday at 5:43 PM

Hello, I'll be starting the Camino soon and there's one bit of it that worries me. The descent from Collado de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles seems quite steep (according to the Wise Pilgrim app) which...

Anniesantiago · Thursday at 4:30 PM

We are in SJPP today While we were standing in line today, one of my pilgrims met 3 people from Taiwan, who could not find a bed. He said he also saw several people on their phones, frantically...

AlexanderCook · Friday at 4:54 PM

Good morning, all: I'll be starting my first-ever Camino (and first trip to Europe, actually) in one month. I'd appreciate any and all advice regarding the price(s)/price range for lunches on the...

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