Tent

[Gazer]

Hi I am doing the camino on 10h April. Do you think I need to take a tent as it makes my bag alot heaver. Thanks Gary

 

[mspath]

Gary,

There is NO NEED to carry a tent!. Most pilgrim albergues will be open by April and the crowds of summer will come later. Check out this earlier Forum post to read what others say about tents on the camino.

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[t2andreo]

A tent is overkill for the main Camino routes. The only folks who MIGHT need a tent are those coming from European "feeder" pilgrimage routes the lead to the Camino Frances or Camino del Norte, or the Camino Aragones - coming from the east of Spain. The major pilgrimage routes across Spain have adequate albergues, hostals, and hotels.

Depending on the time of year, you need only a lightweight sleeping bag. During the warmer months say from May to the end of September a sleeping bag liner should be adequate.

Also, you do not need "just in case" bivvy gear. Some folks carry emergency foil survival blankets as they weigh "almost nothing" (LOL) and are very small. I suppose that, if you came across someone who was seriously injured and hypothermic (it does happen rarely) this would come in handy when rendering first aid.

I hope this helps.

 

[domigee]

I had a camino friend who was taken ill whilst walking and I just wrapped her in my sleeping bag whilst waiting for help, neither of us carried an emergency blanket...

 

[CISSA69]

Only bring a tent if you plan to camp out most nights. It is not get busy until mid June at the earliest so should not have an issue with Albergues being too full and most Albergues will be open by mid April so a perfect time to walk in terms of logistics.

 

[Gazer]

Thanks all

 

[hampshire!tim]

Also, you do not need "just in case" bivvy gear. Some folks carry emergency foil survival blankets as they weigh "almost nothing" (LOL) and are very small.

I agree you don't need a tent unless planning to spend time outdoors.

But I don't agree about not taking sensible precautions. I screwed up ( totally my fault ) my first day out of SJPdP and ended up sleeping in emergency shelter at top of Col lepoeder in a 12hr storm. I absolutely needed my emergency blanket *and* sleeping bag. Because I was prepared, I could stick it out safely rather than resort to calling for help.

No need to take a hefty 1st aid kit, but I was very glad of those few grams on that night and all the others when I didn't use it. I would definitely do without a pair of socks or shirt or XYZ in order to take the emergency blanket next time.

Just my 2p.

 

[t2andreo]

I agree you don't need a tent unless planning to spend time outdoors.

But I don't agree about not taking sensible precautions. I screwed up ( totally my fault ) my first day out of SJPdP and ended up sleeping in emergency shelter at top of Col lepoeder in a 12hr storm. I absolutely needed my emergency blanket *and* sleeping bag. Because I was prepared, I could stick it out safely rather than resort to calling for help.

No need to take a hefty 1st aid kit, but I was very glad of those few grams on that night and all the others when I didn't use it. I would definitely do without a pair of socks or shirt or XYZ in order to take the emergency blanket next time.

Just my 2p.

Tim - for what it is worth, I tote along an SOL reflective, mummy-shaped emergency bivvy sack (238 gm). Together with a silk or Cool-Max liner, this combination is up to everything short of having to camp in deep snow. But then again, I like to over-prepare.

 

[hampshire!tim]

Thanks Andreo.

Definitely interesting @ 238gm. Mine is more like 650gm!

I struggle with mummy shaped as I get bit claustrophobic. But 238gm is worth doing some therapy ;-) !

I don't know SOL - will have to research.

 

[t2andreo]

Thanks Andreo.

Definitely interesting @ 238gm. Mine is more like 650gm!

I struggle with mummy shaped as I get bit claustrophobic. But 238gm is worth doing some therapy ;-) !

I don't know SOL - will have to research.

SOL stands for Survive Outside Longer. They make a complete line of outdoor emergency products. The bivvy I bought appears to be made of a Tyvek material. It is a subdued orange on the outside, reflective foil on the inside, and has a zip about one-third of the way. I would call the shape a modified mummy.

See their web site here: http://www.surviveoutdoorslonger.com/ I have the "Escape" model featured on the site.

They also make less expensive, less warm items. My interest was in being caught between villages either by injury or extreme weather, or to provide first-aid to another pilgrim. On a cold, raw night in an unheated albergue, this would also make a fine expedient sleeping bag when combined with the silk liner I usually rely on.