Hi jstorybook!
I started my Camino walk last 9 October from SJPP and arrived in Santiago on 8 November. It was such an amazing journey that my Camino friends (family, actually) and I decided about a week before arriving in Santiago to continue our walk to include Finisterre and Muxia. I'm so glad we did--they were both highlights.
The weather was great--it was quite warm...though it did start to get chilly in the mornings by the time we got to Leon. I purchased a toque and gloves from one of the dollar store places in the city. I wore those pretty well every day until we were on the way to Finisterre. Seeing kiwi fruit, lemons and oranges hanging from trees convinced me that the winter gear was unnecessary!
I took a lightweight fleece jacket and had a really good raincoat. One of my shirts was a longsleeved wicking technical longjohn; when it was cool or cold, with the three layers, I was quite comfortable.
I had a pack cover for when it rained but also bought (several times) the cheap rain ponchos to go over everything during several days of relentless rain. Do yourself and your wallet a favour: don't buy those cheap ponchos! One lasted me about an hour after I put it on! If you want the extra rain/wind coverage, pick up an
Altus (spelling?) poncho.
Sleeping bags? I took an ultralightweight one but found it far too hot in most cases. There can be so many people in a dorm room that it gets really hot. I only used blankets supplied at the alberques a few times. Next time I would take a sleeping sheet only.
I found that I took far too much stuff because I was concerned about the season and the possibility of weather changes. Next time I would take only half what I had. The items I mentioned above would still stay. I'd take a pair of tights and one pair of trousers that zip off to become shorts. You will find the weather can be hot--it was about 28°C and sunny on the day I started off!
Because there were fewer people on the Camino, it wasn't hard to find places to stay. However, several places were just about to shut down for the winter. One place, a bar with accommodation, was closing about two or three hours after we got to it! You might find this too, so be aware. The only time I had an issue was very close to the start, in Zubiri. It had been pouring rain and every pilgrim on the trail had gotten to the town before my friend and I, it seemed. There was no room at the inn so we made our way to Larrasoana. We got beds in the alberque there.
There were lots of folks walking so you will meet great people to walk with, to spend time with--if you want that. There are not as many as there would be in the summer months. It's easy to walk by yourself and not see anyone, if that is what you are looking for.
If I go again (and I'd love to--to go again this year--might see you there!), I would definitely walk again in October/November. The crowds are gone, the weather is great for hiking, and it's easy to find food and uncrowded accommodation. So it rains a bit. Pfffft. So what; you just walk on and through it.
Cheers and Buen Camino!
Heather
PEI, Canada