Walking in Spring
Listen guys, I don’t want to sound like a Mother Grundy but although spring can be a wonderful time on the camino, pilgrims planning to walk in February, March or even early April must be properly prepared for the weather conditions. If you search the word WEATHER in this forum you will find many reports of snow, sleet, gale force winds, heavy rains and mud in spring. Last year in March two men almost died crossing from St Jean to Roncesvalles.
The Confraternity of St James has this warning on their website:
“We recently heard an appalling story about two pilgrims who neglected local advice in St Jean Pied-de-Port and attempted to follow the Route Napoléon in snow. They very nearly died. We cannot emphasise too strongly: MOUNTAINS ARE DANGEROUS and LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. Disregard their advice about weather conditions at your peril.”
In April, a woman wrote about being ‘forced to her knees on the camino” by freezing cold, knee high snow drifts and mud.
This is one of Peter's postings at the end of March.
"The snow in O Cebreiro may have all gone now, but it's been replaced by rain, rain and more rain. Gusts up to 120km/hr yesterday, and the normal rainfall for March in one day. Some photos at
http://www.lavozdegalicia.es/albumes/ga ... 6323162516
Still snow on the Pyrenean tops, though
Later update: more flooding pictures here
http://www.elcorreogallego.es/index.php ... Itemid=295"
So, please plan your camino well, be prepared with the right gear, listen to the locals about the conditions and if you have to walk on the roads instead of the paths, ALWAYS face the oncoming traffic and be visible with reflective strips on your backpacks, covers or ponchos. Pilgrims die every year on the camino so be wise and be safe.
Buen Camino e viaje seguro,