- Time of past OR future Camino
- I am walking in March and April of 2019.
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Yes, thank a lot! So much good info, I feel ready! Thanks again.Go for it! When I have walked the Camino Frances, it has always been from mid-April to the end of May. EVERY time, I have encountered light (not more than ankle deep and wet) snow at Cruz de Ferro in mid-May.
In May 2016, I encountered a brief whiteout at O' Cebriero, but it only lasted about one-hour. I tried to buy gloves in a tienda, but the owner refused to sell them to me, telling me that the snow would be gone "shortly." Of course he was right. By the time I had gone to my favorite cafe, finished my coffee and tortilla, and walked halfway down the hill, the pavement was dry... go figure...
I have done the section from Leon onwards three times, and from SJPdP twice. You will encounter at least some snow at altitudes more than about 700 meters ASL. You do not need gaiters if you are wearing mid-height boots.
If you are staying in albergues, I recommend a lightweight sleeping bag. Not only is heat not always on offer, but some fellow pilgrims insist on opening windows...(grrr!) Plus, the cleanliness of the shared blankets is not guaranteed...
In May, all the albergues should be open. In the unlikely event you go to an albergue and it is closed, with no sign posted as to opening hours or contact information, go to the nearest bar cafe. Ask about the albergue. They will most always know what the deal is. Sometimes the albergue operator is sitting at the bar... Above all, relax, enjoy the journey. Go with the flow...
Hope this helps.
Actually the last walk my wife and I did was a winter walk and there are many walking the Frances and plenty of room in Albergues. Our next walk will also be off season. We walked with and many pilgrims during the winter. Most of them from European countries and many from eastern Asian countries. We were only walking alone by choice, but many times we walked with others and have made lasting relationships.Hi dear forum
Originally, as in a month ago, I planned to walk the Camino in February. (I had just read "a walk in the woods", a book about walking the 2000 mile Appalachian trail with a 40 pound backpack, camping in snowstorms, possible bear attacks...) it made the camino sound easy! .I am hesitant, now, though...it sounds like too much will be closed, and I won't meet very many other pilgrims. So i am changing my mind to start in mid May. I have already collected some things for a winter walk: a 30° f. (0°C) sleeping bag, some wool clothing. Would you seasoned walkers take a bag and wool layers in May? Thanks in advance!
Wow, really? Now you will make me change my mind again, because i am actually chomping at the bit to start walking.... however, someone else sent me a reply, stating many cafes are closed and I should carry my own food, was that yiur experience, too? During which month did you walk?Actually the last walk my wife and I did was a winter walk and there are many walking the Frances and plenty of room in Albergues. Our next walk will also be off season. We walked with and many pilgrims during the winter. Most of them from European countries and many from eastern Asian countries. We were only walking alone by choice, but many times we walked with others and have made lasting relationships.
I would not take that bag. I had a 20 F bag (I was going to hike in the Pyrennes too.) It was too hot for the CF during the end of May. I bought another comfort rated for 13 C / 55 F and ended up not even using that in a few weeks.I have already collected some things for a winter walk: a 30° f. (0°C) sleeping bag, some wool clothing. Would you seasoned walkers take a bag and wool layers in May?
That sounds so good, thanks so much, I appreciate your response, sounds like you had a fabulous time!We started walking early March. We always seemed to find open bars, sometimes they open later in the day. We bought pepper, cheese and bread to carry usually after we arrived at the albergues for the next day for lunch while walking, from the local grocers. We would find bar to eat at early evening, remember in Spain most restaurants open at 8 or 8:30 at night and I was always hungry before that. Sometimes we would plan a dinner with other pilgrims either at the albergue or restaurants. If we could find coffee early we would but would walk to the next community before eating breakfast.
I started on May 7th and didn't take a sleeping bag. I have a fleece blanket that I had while deployed to Iraq and it worked perfectly fine for my entire Camino.Hi dear forum
Originally, as in a month ago, I planned to walk the Camino in February. (I had just read "a walk in the woods", a book about walking the 2000 mile Appalachian trail with a 40 pound backpack, camping in snowstorms, possible bear attacks...) it made the camino sound easy! .I am hesitant, now, though...it sounds like too much will be closed, and I won't meet very many other pilgrims. So i am changing my mind to start in mid May. I have already collected some things for a winter walk: a 30° f. (0°C) sleeping bag, some wool clothing. Would you seasoned walkers take a bag and wool layers in May? Thanks in advance!
Wow, really? Now you will make me change my mind again, because i am actually chomping at the bit to start walking.... however, someone else sent me a reply, stating many cafes are closed and I should carry my own food, was that yiur experience, too? During which month did you walk?
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