Sleeping Bag Recommended?

[Cheryl Schmidt]

Hi - we're planning on hiking the primitive route in May, and are debating the sleeping bag issue. Do we need them? Do the albergues all provide bedding? Are they a good idea? Or is that just an extra pound that could instead be another pair of pants...

 

[dougfitz]

Cheryl, this is a much debated issue on this forum, and a search would reveal the variety of opinion on the subject. You might want to clarify whether you want to know about albergues or hostals - they are different types of accommodation on the Camino.

I have walked in Apr and early May, mainly using albergues. Not all albergues had blankets, but hostals always did. I carried a +5 deg C bag and would do so again at that time of year.

 

[SYates]

... Or is that just an extra pound that could instead be another pair of pants...

What @dougfitz said plus: Don't replace a saved pound, no matter what it is, with something else that you 'might need' a saved pound is a pound less, not a pound to be replaced Buen Camino! SY

 

[JohnMcM]

Hi - we're planning on hiking the primitive route in May, and are debating the sleeping bag issue. Do we need them? Do the hostels all provide bedding? Are they a good idea? Or is that just an extra pound that could instead be another pair of pants...

For what it's worth I walked the Frances, Muxia, Finisterre routes last year starting from StJPDP late May. I used a silk bag liner and don't recall being cold on any night.

There were blankets available in every municipal Albergue and I stayed in.

The coldest I ever felt when walking was on a few early mornings at altitude.

I too am walking the Primitivo around the same time as you. Based on my experience last year I will use the silk liner again, with the thought in mind that if I need to I'll sleep with some clothes on or use a blanket if available.

Good thing is, it's a Camino, so, I won't know if I will need to until it happens, if it does.

Like someone on here once said regarding the weather (Falcon I think), "the weather will be the same as last year but on different days"

Maybe go with the 'lightest' sense of adventure on this one Cheryl?

Buen Camino

 

[Kanga]

We'll be on the Primitivo in May and we are taking lightweight quilts.

 

[Cheryl Schmidt]

Cheryl, this is a much debated issue on this forum, and a search would reveal the variety of opinion on the subject. You might want to clarify whether you want to know about albergues or hostals - they are different types of accommodation on the Camino.

I have walked in Apr and early May, mainly using albergues. Not all albergues had blankets, but hostals always did. I carried a +5 deg C bag and would do so again at that time of year.

Good point - I meant Albergue - I just tend to think of them as hostels!

 

[katdavis]

Although not May, I walked the Primitivo the beginning of October last year with my sleeping bag and I would definitely recommend taking one. (I can't really answer the question about blankets because I was never looking for one, but I can't recall moving any off the bunk for my sleeping bag).

Buen Camino!

Kat

 

[Cheryl Schmidt]

We'll be on the Primitivo in May and we are taking lightweight quilts.

Hi Kanga - when in May are you hiking? We leave Oviedao on the 11th.

 

[Cheryl Schmidt]

Thanks all for your replies - I think we will buy and bring very lightweight bags - I can't imagine anything worse than lying and shivering unable to sleep all night for lack of a warm bedding.

 

[Cheryl Schmidt]

For what it's worth I walked the Frances, Muxia, Finisterre routes last year starting from StJPDP late May. I used a silk bag liner and don't recall being cold on any night.

There were blankets available in every municipal Albergue and I stayed in.

The coldest I ever felt when walking was on a few early mornings at altitude.

I too am walking the Primitivo around the same time as you. Based on my experience last year I will use the silk liner again, with the thought in mind that if I need to I'll sleep with some clothes on or use a blanket if available.

Good thing is, it's a Camino, so, I won't know if I will need to until it happens, if it does.

Like someone on here once said regarding the weather (Falcon I think), "the weather will be the same as last year but on different days"

Maybe go with the 'lightest' sense of adventure on this one Cheryl?

Buen Camino

thanks John - I thought of the "clothing" option, but as I said below, I think we'll take very light sleeping bags. Perhaps we'll see you on the trail.

 

[ranthr]

I will be leaving two days after you and will bring a light sleepingbag.

 

[Kanga]

Hi Kanga - when in May are you hiking? We leave Oviedao on the 11th.

Hi Cheryl, we start walking the Norte from Irun about 9 May and turn onto the Primitivo when we get there...