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Thanks Peronel,Peronel said:I started April 22nd and hand torrential rain, achingly bright and hot days, and everything inbetween. No snow!
Think layers.
I was suprised how cold it was in the mornings - you're up and about at dawn, or not long after, and wore thick gloves all morning for the first couple of weeks.
I wore wool socks and it worked for me. After one unexpectedly hot day walking to Los Arcos, I bought a pair of coolmax socks in Viana, but they didn't work for me and and I gave them away the next day. There are shops all along the route, so you can buy things if you need.
Have fun!
I take a Tilley hat with a chin strap. Even in strong wind, it stays on my head. It can be very sunny when it is windy, too. Sunburn is right behind blisters for being uncomfortable.I read that it is sometimes too windy for hats
Hope to see you Diego.Diegomartine said:Hi Robbie!
I'm leaving SJPP on May 1st. We'll probably meet on the camino...
Buen camino.
The Tilley hat was one of the best buys I made for the Camino, equally good in both rain and sunshine. I left on April 20th just before Peronel and had the same conditions, brought silk thermals but never used them. Brought gloves and used them nearly all the time, didn't pack neck tube from motorbike and regretted it, used exoficio underpants, quick to dry, merino T shirts and Rohan hiking shirt, also quick drying, Bridgedale coolmax liner socks with Bridgedale trecking socks and used Silic 15 or "gloves in a bottle" barrier cream on my feet every morning. Not one blister in nearly 1000 km. Thank you God.falcon269 said:I take a Tilley hat with a chin strap. Even in strong wind, it stays on my head. It can be very sunny when it is windy, too. Sunburn is right behind blisters for being uncomfortable.I read that it is sometimes too windy for hats
wayfarer said:.The Tilley hat was one of the best buys I made for the Camino, equally good in both rain and sunshine. I left on April 20th just before Peronel and had the same conditions, brought silk thermals but never used them. Brought gloves and used them nearly all the time, didn't pack neck tube from motorbike and regretted it, used exoficio underpants, quick to dry, merino T shirts and Rohan hiking shirt, also quick drying, Bridgedale coolmax liner socks with Bridgedale trecking socks and used Silic 15 or "gloves in a bottle" barrier cream on my feet every morning. Not one blister in nearly 1000 km. Thank you God.falcon269 said:I take a Tilley hat with a chin strap. Even in strong wind, it stays on my head. It can be very sunny when it is windy, too. Sunburn is right behind blisters for being uncomfortable.I read that it is sometimes too windy for hats
Hi Peregrina,peregrina2000 said:To Herman -- I always carry a pair of lambswool gloves. They do the trick for me and I wouldn't walk without them. Not only are they good for early morning hours, I find that if I put them on when walking in one of those relentless, cold, all-day Galician rains, my hands stay warm. That makes wool far superior to any high tech material.
HermanTheGerman said:I'd like to know what temperatures to expect when walking from St. Jean PeP to Roncevalles in late May. Could someone offer their experiences to clarify this issue?
peregrina2000 said:Hi, flmike,
Oh, yes, the rain always gets into my boots, I've just given up on trying to stop it. I may be the world's unluckiest pilgrim, but I have never found that my goretex boots really keep my feet dry when it matters -- that is, when it is raining for 6 hours a day and you're out walking in it. I just bought a new pair of boots for this year, goretex again, so maybe I'll bring the gaiters -- another triumph of hope over experience! I think gaiters are slightly preferable to the pants, just because they are so easy to get on and don't make you as hot.
My other hope is that Spain is going to be done with rain by May this year, given the huge amounts that have fallen since January! Buen camino, Laurie
Robindra said:I will start in SJPP on April 28 and wonder what to expect for weather during the month of May. I am wondering about temperatures, wind and rain.
I know this is a variable and the weather maps are somewhat useful, but it would be nice to hear from pilgrims as to what their experience has been. Any recommendations about warm clothing- fleece, hat, gloves, underpants, etc?
My outer sock is a wool hiking sock and is quite thick and warm, and I am wondering if this will be issue. I do not want to change it as it will alter the fit of my shoe. Any thoughts?
Robbie
Hi Wayfarer - did one 75gm tube of Silic 15 suffice? or did you need two? (from SJPP to SdC) I'm using it in my training and it's magic. Billwayfarer said:...used Silic 15 or "gloves in a bottle" barrier cream on my feet every morning. Not one blister in nearly 1000 km. Thank you God.
I don't think you should expect much from them. They may make the water bead an roll off for a while, but the water will penetrate in any real rain. The sprays need to be renewed regularly, so you will need to carry the can with you. Any real waterproofing would destroy the breathability. After all, for moisture to get out, it also has to get in, so true waterproofing is not porous. Think plastic or rubberizing. Anything else is better described as water repellant, and a good Spanish rain will defeat it, particularly if you have heavy rain for several days.I saw some waterproofing sprays for shoes on Amazon that say they do not affect breath-ability of tennis shoes.
I've tried sock liners, and for me they produced blisters--the slide between the liner and the sock. Blisters were a big aggravation for me on the Camino two years ago, so I've been experimenting when I hike in the Sierra Nevadas. I seem to do best with middle weight wool socks, REI variety. Last few long hikes in Yosemite had no blisters with that method. I'm also going to use orthotic insoles that a physical therapist friend of mine fits, to stabilize my feet, and I'm going to start slow. That's the plan--don't want to do blisters again.I used wool socks and, like Wayfarer, not a blister. Some people have more blistery feet than others, but don't assume they're inevitable. It's well worth trying different socks til you find what's right for your feet, as I was suprised how much of a difference it made.
I used what we called a "boonie hat" in the Army; it is of a canvas-like material, can be shoved into a pack, provides shade because of its 2" brim and weighs little. It has a strap that goes under the chin that can be tightened so it won't easily blow off; however, it is not water proof.I take a Tilley hat with a chin strap. Even in strong wind, it stays on my head. It can be very sunny when it is windy, too. Sunburn is right behind blisters for being uncomfortable.
Dear Pilgrims,
I love this thread on May, I start on 1st May but am stopping at Orisson that night.
My question to throw into the melting pot is that I am totally covered in terms of my top layers, however on my legs I plan to walk in shorts and rather than taking hiking trousers or zip off alternatives I want to wear my running tights under my shorts should it be cold/windy (I do have waterproof trousers also) am I MAD? in doing so? or in your experience have you seen this mix previously?
jirit I welcome your thoughts on this?
Blessings
Blu
Hello Graham,
I've worn running tights (skins) on cold/wet days on the Camino and the coast-to-coast in England. On cold days I also wore light hiking trousers, and on wet days waterproof trousers. The skins were terrific: as you know, they're light, they keep your legs warm, and they help to reduce leg weariness. I think your plan is excellent.
Buen Camino, Wes
Good point, Al. I have done that, in my pre-lambswool days, but since I don't wear wool socks, there was no warmth provided in the rain.
Laurie,
Thanks for the reply. You say you don't use rain pants or gaiters. Does the rain ever get into your boots from the top?
I have water resistant nylon hiking pants, not the rain pants, that cover the tops of my boots. I'm wondering if these pants will be enough to keep the rain out of my boots.
I am thinking of buying nylon hiking pants myself. But am worried that they will simply end up with me sweating profusely because they may make my legs hot if they don't breath easily. Can anyone comment on nylon hiking pants and their experience with them?
Please and thank you.
Antonio.
.
The Tilley hat was one of the best buys I made for the Camino, equally good in both rain and sunshine. I left on April 20th just before Peronel and had the same conditions, brought silk thermals but never used them. Brought gloves and used them nearly all the time, didn't pack neck tube from motorbike and regretted it, used exoficio underpants, quick to dry, merino T shirts and Rohan hiking shirt, also quick drying, Bridgedale coolmax liner socks with Bridgedale trecking socks and used Silic 15 or "gloves in a bottle" barrier cream on my feet every morning. Not one blister in nearly 1000 km. Thank you God.
What happens then once your lambswool gloves get wet? Do they dry quickly? Does the dampness bother you at all? I don't have any wool clothing so I wouldn't know. If you state that they keep you warm then I'm assuming they both dry quickly and don't stay damp...
HI flmike,I've been trying out Smartwool socks. They fit great but take a long time to dry after I hand wash them. Is that your experience? Should I just take 3 or 4 pair of Smartwool with me during my Sept. 2013 Camino or try another material? What sock materials are quick drying?
Also, rain pants or gaiters? I have both.
My Merrell boots are waterproof and let me just say this: when it rains torrentially on the Camino NOTHING is waterproof! I had a poncho, a waterproof jacket, etc, etc... and I got soaked. My only solution was to seek shelter in a semi-abandoned horse barn. I saw it a distance and thought about continue walking until the thunder lighting started... THAT was a game changer! I ran to the barn and busted through the door only to find two Japanese pilgrims already taking shelter in. We waited for the lighting to stop and stepped out even thought the trail was flooded. The Merrell boots were no match for this rain! By this time there was a group of about 10 of us maneauvering the trail and helping each other. I still remembered the French lady who freaked out a bit when we had to go over a flooded bridge just before Estella. We could definitely see the path and the flood water was not running strong nor too high so we "daisy-chained" it; still, she was a wreck. It is certainly true what is said about how the Camino provides; among all of us we were so comforting to each other. Bless this people anywhere they are today....Has anyone tried waterproofing spray for shoes? I love my ASICS trail shoes, no blisters, great fit, good grip - but am worried about rain. I saw some waterproofing sprays for shoes on Amazon that say they do not affect breath-ability of tennis shoes.
Would love feedback on this. I am beginning May 6th, and I expect rain.
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