warm clothes for sept/oct

[Timid]

I'd like to know what warm weather clothes past pilgrims have found useful to take for sept to about mid oct.

I live in the south west of France and already for the past few nights, it's been cold enough to wear a light fleece.

I have bought a lightweight sleeping bag and silk liner and will be taking a long sleeved top and a pair of long johns made of "climate control" material (can keep you warm but not too warm).

Apart from a fleece, should I have any more warm clothes with me?

I haven't got a shell jacket for fear that it will be too warm when I'm walking and I also only have a very lightweight and not especially sturdy rain jacket.

Have decided that I'd just let my walking trousers dry on their own as I hate being encased in waterproofs. But, will I get cold?

What sort of temperatures could we expect, daytime, night time?

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Timid,

I know that there are some great camino-related weather sites with data on historical averages, this is the one I look at most frequently: http://www.elcaminosantiago.com/Weather ... ntiago.htm

I've only walked once in September/October and I found that though it was often very chilly in the morning setting out, I never needed more than a fleece. I remember it was 5 degrees when I left Leon on the Camino del Salvador early in the morning in late September, but I think that was actually the coldest it ever got. Daytimes were always warm, rarely needed a fleece during the day.

Especially when I'm moving, I find that if I have wool gloves and a wool skull cap on I can tolerate pretty low temperatures with just a light fleece. But of course it's very individual. I would say light fleece and light waterproof rain jacket, which you can also use as a windbreaker in the cold, should be plenty. I don't wear rainpants and find that those quick drying pants will dry pretty quickly so I don't have to worry about getting too cold. But I don't think we experienced any rain in the three weeks I walked on the Salvador and the Primitivo -- not sure if that's typical or if I was just lucky.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Timid]

Thanks for the weather link, Laurie.

You have reassured me greatly. Like you, I get very hot when I'm on the move. Plus, I shall be taking my nordic walking poles so my arms are always moving, as well as my legs!

I think I WILL take some gloves though.

 

[RestlessRose]

Hi Timid

My experience was very similar to Laurie's. I had walked Camino Frances in Oct (1 - 29).

I had used my silk liner with a light summer sleeping bag, sufficient for most nights. Only in Leon was I cold in the night and the early morning. 5 degrees.

I had found having a pair of gloves most pleasant. Especially if you are using poles and cannot keep your hands warm in your pockets.

I had used a Buff headwear. At various moments it had been a neckerchief, a headband, and as earmuffs. http://www.buff.es/en/index.php?p=GBR

I had used a light (very) shell for cold mornings and found myself warming up very quickly as I walk.

On rainy days, I preferred to wear rain trousers. I find wet clothes rather uncomfortable. And on some days it may be wet and rainy for quite a few hours. That said I remember one day just absolutely roasting under my rain poncho. I had eventually put my hood down and savoured the feel of rain on my face - very refreshing!

Buen camino
Rebecca

 

[mrbillyto]

Hi Timid,
I did my Camino early September to early October 2009 and for the first couple of weeks (it was easily above 30C by mid day the first week), I would start out with short sleeved shirts and shorts. As it got to be around the 3rd week of September, I was starting out with a long sleeved t-shirt over my short sleeved one. A week after that, I had to buy a fleece jacket for the mornings and evenings as it got progressively cooler and more rain. Of course, every year will be different weather wise.
Buen Camino
Bill

 

[Timid]

Thank you for all the replies. In view of what you have all said, I think I have just about the right gear.

We will probably be mid October when we finish but a fleece and 2 pairs of socks plus gloves plus perhaps a large cotton scarf that will wind snugly round the neck should do the trick.

Lovely to have so much great advice.

 

[Maya2]

You helped me out a great deal as well. And thanks, Peregrina for the weather Web site. That's a nice bonus!