SJPdP weather on the ground?

The weather changes from hour to hour and is impoossible to predict with any certainty. Pilgrims have been caught in severe snow blizzards crossing the mountain even when no snow was predicted. If there is the remotest possibility of snow, walk the Val Carlos route rather. It starts off as a gradual climb but the gradient is more severe at the end than the route Napoleon.

Well according to the weather monitor it looks like I'm flying to Tasmania, not France in spring. Hows the lay of the land can anyone give me a heads up if I need to pack snow shovel and a hoodie?[/quote]

sillydoll said:

The weather changes from hour to hour and is impoossible to predict with any certainty. Pilgrims have been caught in severe snow blizzards crossing the mountain even when no snow was predicted. If there is the remotest possibility of snow, walk the Val Carlos route rather. It starts off as a gradual climb but the gradient is more severe at the end than the route Napoleon.

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As Sil noted whenever a snow storm hits it is imperative to walk on the road, seek shelter, ask the locals for advice and wait for the weather to clear. Don't take chances. Walking in snow on the Camino in winter can be very treacherous. Going from Villafranca Montes de Oca to San Juan Ortega in February 2006 the path was completely hidden under deep snow; I waited two days in Villafranca for the storm to finish. Similarly in March 2009 the path was obliterated by deep snow drifts from Foncebadon to the Cruz de Ferro; at Foncebadon I waited for two days for clear skies.

Margaret