Starting in less than a week - need all the help I can get!

[reneeavril]

Hi there! Very long story short, I'm starting my Camino in less than a week (with essentially zero prep- trust me, I know!!!) and despite being my 3rd Camino have NO IDEA what to pack for October /November on the Frances. I expect to take 35-40 days to veto Santiago and Muxia, leaving on Oct 8th. (Flying into Biarritz that Saturday.) Absolutely ANY suggestions or ideas re: packing or anything you think could be helpful would be greatly appreciated! Also, it seems there would be a huge difference in temps during this time frame - do ppl send another bag ahead with warmer clothes to swap?

 

[mspath]

reneeavril,
See this recent post for tips and links to help you get it all together.
Good luck and Buen camno!

 

[Chizuru]

Hi there! Very long story short, I'm starting my Camino in less than a week (with essentially zero prep- trust me, I know!!!) and despite being my 3rd Camino have NO IDEA what to pack for October /November on the Frances. I expect to take 35-40 days to veto Santiago and Muxia, leaving on Oct 8th. (Flying into Biarritz that Saturday.) Absolutely ANY suggestions or ideas re: packing or anything you think could be helpful would be greatly appreciated! Also, it seems there would be a huge difference in temps during this time frame - do ppl send another bag ahead with warmer clothes to swap?

We walked Frances in 2018 starting on 21st September and finishing on 31st October. The weather was VERY hot until we reached Burgos, especially on the almost treeless Meseta. After that, it was colder, and wetter and we even had snow. You will need layers. A sturdy, reflective, hands-free umbrella was a lifesaver during the hot days. Possum wool gloves inside rubber washing-up gloves were fabulous for cold or wet days and the washing-up gloves were also windproof. You can buy extra clothes as you walk. There are plenty of bigger towns and it might be fun to pick up something with a Camino or town logo which will bring back memories later. We would start walking before dawn on the hotter days so a headlamp is useful and it was often cool enough to have a puffy jacket before the sun heated things up. Enjoy.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Pack warm, but light. Only needs, no wants. A poncho would be wise. Pack weight 10 lb and each day will be easier. When you land, find 3 others with packs at the taxi stand and share. You will be in SJPdP in an hour.

Buen Camino!

 

[lt56ny]

Hi there! Very long story short, I'm starting my Camino in less than a week (with essentially zero prep- trust me, I know!!!) and despite being my 3rd Camino have NO IDEA what to pack for October /November on the Frances. I expect to take 35-40 days to veto Santiago and Muxia, leaving on Oct 8th. (Flying into Biarritz that Saturday.) Absolutely ANY suggestions or ideas re: packing or anything you think could be helpful would be greatly appreciated! Also, it seems there would be a huge difference in temps during this time frame - do ppl send another bag ahead with warmer clothes to swap?

Pack lightly but make sure you have a few layers and maybe even a light down jacket and a sleeping bag that will insulate to 45 or 50 degrees. Check here for packing lists that have been recommended for women. As a man I am really hesitant to tell you what to include. But have quick dry garments. Have a poncho that covers both you and your pack, and rain pants. Try to underpack if possible and take only what you will absolutely need every day. Decathlon in Spain is the rest of the world's REI. But you probably know that.Have a beanie, gloves and a buff. I walk even later than you and I have a sleeping bag that is only insulated to either 45 or 50F and it is fine. If it is cold I wear more clothes. This year I am sure it will be colder as heating costs are out of control in Europe. I bought a good down jacket that I bought at REI. It is super light and keeps me warm. I would have merino wool undergarments also and some warm merino socks.
I don't know if you did any training and you probably know the following so you can skip it if it is old news. Listen to your body. I am 68 and starting my 7th Camino and I train less now than ever before. I wake up and stretch and I try to keep every day to about 20k. I look at each day as 4 or so five kilometer walks. I go about 5k. and stop wherever I am take off my pack, drink some water, eat a snack and rest for 10 or 15 minutes. Then go again. I take an hour or so for lunch.
I guess you have never walked this late so download Wise Pilgrim, and Buen Camino apps. They have downloadable GPS and also lists of albergues and hostels etc. Also Gronze.com has the same information. As you walk further into October more albergues will close. None of the sites are completely accurate about open/closed albergues so after about October 20th just check if there is an albergue you want to stay at. There is alot more infrastructure today of course then when you walked the last time.
Have fun and no worries and buen Camino.

 

[frannie z]

Hi there! Very long story short, I'm starting my Camino in less than a week (with essentially zero prep- trust me, I know!!!) and despite being my 3rd Camino have NO IDEA what to pack for October /November on the Frances. I expect to take 35-40 days to veto Santiago and Muxia, leaving on Oct 8th. (Flying into Biarritz that Saturday.) Absolutely ANY suggestions or ideas re: packing or anything you think could be helpful would be greatly appreciated! Also, it seems there would be a huge difference in temps during this time frame - do ppl send another bag ahead with warmer clothes to swap?

It’s October 3 and 81 degrees F in Burgos. I started in SJPDP 13 days ago and one day high was 62 degrees F. Only advise layer and take a breathable lightweight rain coat. And toss 1/2 of the clothes YOU THINK YOU NEED. I packed a 25 pd backpack which I never carried paid 5/7 euros sent ahead. And I could have done without 1/2 the stuff in that pack!

 

[C clearly]

have NO IDEA what to pack for October /November on the Frances.

Layers!

1. Plan your walking outfit (top and bottom) for a nice day.
2. Add whatever warmish layer you might need on a chilly day, at least until you warm up from walking.
3. Buff and gloves - effective to keeping you warm, and easy to remove when you warm up.
4. Evening/sleeping clothes (top and bottom) that can serve as base layer under walking clothes on really cold days. But be sure to keep this layer dry for the evening.
5. Add a rain layer. (Good as another layer on cold days, instead of or in addition to the base layer.
6. Light sleeping bag
7. Warm vest/jacket (e.g. down) for cosy warmth in evening and night.
8. Extra pair of wool socks

 

[Kazibar]

Walking September through end October, I had to buy a warmer fleece and fleece gloves in Burgos. The montes de Leon after astorga had hard frost every morning.

 

[RJM]

Pack what you would for summer except use a warmer sleep system/bag, a fleece or packable puffy jacket and a wool cap and gloves and a good rain jacket.
If you need anything else go to an outdoor store.