Temperature in albergues

[Edupuschi]

Cheers,

I'm on the last week before my first Camino (frances) and anxiety is rising...

I will start from SJPP on apr/30, and understood that maybe on the first section of the Camino, I might face some cold temperatures to sleep, so initially I decided to pack a sleeping bag that I already had, which comfort temperature is 12°C/53°F (extreme temperature 5°C/41°F). Since I thought it could be too hot for most cases, I would also bring a very light sleeping liner (125g).

The thing is that when I packed my 40 liter bag, the sleeping bag took a lot of internal space, and at the end the total weight of the bag exceeded my target, so I'm thinking about leaving the heavy sleeping bag at home, bring the light liner along with a light blanket from Decathlon (understanding that on colder places at this time of the year it would be enough even if I had to sleep with a fleece blouse and hotter pants). Under this new configuration the bag became much better on the internal layout and the total weight went down to the target.

So I would like to ask to you fellow pilgrims who walked the Camino Frances during may and finishing in early june, does it seem to be a good strategy, or I might have problems with cold on the albergues? I imagine that it should be some sort of heating on the albergues on colder places, but have no idea on what would be the room temperature.

Thanks in advance for the advice...Buen Camino!

 

[Simperegrina]

I doubt any albergues have heating on in May tbh.

But don’t forget, you’ll be sleeping in dorm rooms with other pilgrims - multiple people in one room generates heat…

 

[Edupuschi]

I doubt any albergues have heating on in May tbh.

But don’t forget, you’ll be sleeping in dorm rooms with other pilgrims - multiple people in one room generates heat…

Thank you!

The upside is that if usually there's no heating in may, should be because it's not so cold ;-)

 

[Simperegrina]

Thank you!

The upside is that if usually there's no heating in may, should be because it's not so cold ;-)

Tbh heating albergues isn’t cheap. Winter pilgrims sometimes find no heating in some albergues even in Dec / Jan.

 

[J Willhaus]

Winters, I have a down bag. Summers, I use a silk liner bag. Last year I used my rain poncho as an extra cover over my liner bag on cold nights (yes, cold even in late June).

Your plan of a liner and a decathlon blanket sounds good. Some people put the blanket inside the liner so it won't fall off if your liner is a slick material.

If there is heat, it may be programmed only to be on a limited amount of time (few hours in the evening before bedtime). Even this winter in a well-known, well loved hotel in Santiago our heat was only on from about 5 to 8 pm.

 

[naplesdon]

Don't forget that you will also have to deal with those who want the windows open and those who want the windows closed, no matter what the temperature is inside or outside.

 

[C clearly]

You will be fine. You can wear some extra clothing layers if necessary.

 

[trecile]

I think that it's a great strategy - probably because it's the one that I use!
And you might be quite surprised by how small my blanket is - it's only about 35 in/89 cm wide and 60 in/152 cm long. It's just big enough to tuck inside my sleep sack.

 

[truenorthpilgrm]

I walked last April/mid-May, and never got cold at night. Body heat from other pilgrims really helps keep the room warm (sometimes too much!). Often times by 2am, the room can get quite stuffy, leaving me gasping for fresh air.

All that to say, you should be fine. When in doubt, sleep in layers and a beanie on your head!

 

[jsalt]

I might have problems with cold on the albergues

Maybe go with the lightest WEIGHT, either the sleeping bag, or the liner/blanket combo. I always take a very light 800g sleeping bag summer AND winter, so that I am always self-sufficient – I can sleep outside in summer (if necessary, or whenever) and inside in winter, if there is no heating and with all my clothes on.

 

[arkron]

I‘ve been on the CF since April 2nd with a silken inliner.

Just two nights ago, I got into an albergue with only one other person in a larger dormitory. Badly insulated (just the wooden roof above us), walls still cold from winter, no heating, nights down to 1 degree. Gladly, they’ve got blankets.

Without those, I just sleep in all my cloth layers in the inliner. It’s not comfortable, but very manageable.

Next time, I’ll bring a sleeping bag in April. Dunno how it will be in May, though!

 

[Bob P]

I started April 16th on Francis. Last time on Francis in 2018, same dates.
Only one night this trip, I didn't need my very lightweight (50f) quilt. All but one night, "somebody" opened the windows. Glad I have my quilt and beanie hat. 6 of the 7 nights have been "completo" which makes temperature OK to warm, until the windows get opened. These people don't understand how heat functions at Albergues.

 

[Edupuschi]

I think that it's a great strategy - probably because it's the one that I use!
And you might be quite surprised by how small my blanket is - it's only about 35 in/89 cm wide and 60 in/152 cm long. It's just big enough to tuck inside my sleep sack.

My blanket has the same length, but it is a bit wider (130 cm). It may require some ninja moves to tuck it inside (well, at least all that body movement shall generate some heat)

 

[Anniesantiago]

I started April 16th on Francis. Last time on Francis in 2018, same dates.
Only one night this trip, I didn't need my very lightweight (50f) quilt. All but one night, "somebody" opened the windows. Glad I have my quilt and beanie hat. 6 of the 7 nights have been "completo" which makes temperature OK to warm, until the windows get opened. These people don't understand how heat functions at Albergues.

It was probably me. The smell and the heat from all those pilgrims are overwhelming in some places. I’m the somebody who tries to get the bed by the window so I can sleep with it open for fresh air, even if it’s just a crack.

 

[Pilgrim9]

I have twice walked the Napoleon (high alpine) Route across the Pyrenees from SJPdP to Roncesvalles in May (not twice in same year, of course). Worried that I might become stranded overnight on the mountaintops by a late snowstorm or become injured and unable to proceed in a soaking rainstorm, I packed a lightweight sleeping bag and disposable water-resistant bivouac (bivi) bag and a silk sleeping bag liner. I never used any of that emergency equipment anywhere on any of my pilgrimages, except the bag liner a few times on cold nights after Pamplona.

The point of emergency equipment is that it be available in case of emergency. The only Spanish Camino route location that I can think of, that does not have nearby shelter, and where a real weather emergency might arise if starting from SJPdP in May, is crossing the Pyrenees. Starting from SJPdP at times other than May shifts the weather probabilities into areas in which I have no experience. Others with more experience are welcome to comment.

If I was to walk any camino route across the Pyrenees again, in May, I would still take all three above-noted items in case of emergency, but upon reaching Pamplona I would immediately mail the sleeping bag and bivi bag back to myself either at home or at Casa Ivar (there might be a storage charge for the latter). I would keep the silk bag liner in my pack because it compacts to a very small lightweight parcel.

 

[williamlittig]

I doubt any albergues have heating on in May tbh.

But don’t forget, you’ll be sleeping in dorm rooms with other pilgrims - multiple people in one room generates heat…

I also found private albergues in Galicia that didn’t have to turn on the heat until Nov. 1 (it was 41 degrees) be prepared!

 

[Bvdh]

To me, this discussion is about how cold it is at a sleeping place in an Auberge with the aim of saving weight on a blanket or sleeping bag. I have just returned from my Camino from SJPDP to Muxia and have had to have this discussion many times. Being cold is a personal thing. If you get cold easily take a good sleeping bag. In my experience, the discussion should not be about cold or hot, but about ventilation. Keeping the window closed on a dormitory is incomprehensible to me. Waking up due to not enough fresh air should not be possible. Besides, it is bad for your health. Walking into a dormitory where all the windows are closed is like walking into a wall.
You are cold because you do not have enough with you to stay warm, it cannot be the reason for not ventilating a dormitory. Bring a sleeping bag.

 

[Bob P]

Just saw a "legal looking" sign on the wall that said maximum allowable heat is 19C. That's 66F. I think only a couple of places in the last 4 weeks have come even close to that warm. I don't like cold. I carry a set of mid-weight wool long-johns and a lightweight quilt for sleeping. I've done much better with temperature this trip The wool is heavy, the quilt is light. Combined, they add 1.4 kg to my kit. For me, it's worth it!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

It was probably me. The smell and the heat from all those pilgrims are overwhelming in some places. I’m the somebody who tries to get the bed by the window so I can sleep with it open for fresh air, even if it’s just a crack.

I do the same, for the same reasons. Fresh air is important!

If you get cold easily take a good sleeping bag. In my experience, the discussion should not be about cold or hot, but about ventilation. Keeping the window closed on a dormitory is incomprehensible to me. Waking up due to not enough fresh air should not be possible. Besides, it is bad for your health.

I agree completely.

Covering up is easy, cooling down not so.

If I'm too warm I start coughing. Which is irritating to all concerned.

Studies suggest that the best temperature for quality sleep is between 16 to 18 degrees, with 12 being at the bottom end and 20 the absolute top.