What to expect from the weather crossing Pyrenees in October

Scorpiogirl · Sep 26, 2015

Hi everybody

I will be starting my 2nd Camino from SJPP on October 8th, as I cannot get it from my mind since I left last year ...what should I expect from the weather this time of year when crossing the mountains?

Last year I started in Pamplona in June and ended in Finisterre in July, so weather was hot and dry always so light clothing was enough.

Also I am extremely excited about starting from SJPP this time, can't wait to meet all you other October pilgrims
I will be carrying an extra shell for Denise xxx See you soon again Faith and the other guys at the amazing Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela Buen Camino x

C clearly · Sep 26, 2015

Last year in mid October I had a day that was part cloudy, part sunny, warm but not hot, and very windy. I couldn't wear my hat. This year I will do it again, unless the weather is bad and we are advised not to.

mountaingoat999 · Sep 27, 2015

what happen yesterday does not follow tomorrow will be the same... it does not work like that.................

as in all types of hill walking such as the cross over from France into Spain........could be a nice day from your starting position....cold air moves faster than warm air ,therefor be prepared to expect sudden changes with the changing of season afoot......

failing to plan is planning to fail.

there is know such thing as bad weather....just weather and bad choice of clothing,...by all means set out wearing shorts and t-shirt if the conditions dictate this......always carry a shell(jacket)...hat and gloves and be prepared to turn back and have a alternative option ...for example using Orisson as a retreat back if condition get worse further along ,retreat and call a cab back down....several option here

eat well before you leave and check the forecast ahead..and prepare accordingly..

dougfitz · Sep 27, 2015

You might try one of the climate sites, eg http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Roncesvalles-weather-averages/Navarra/ES.aspx, for averages, but they are just that, and can disguise a variety of extremes. On top of that, local conditions in mountains can vary widely over just a few kilometres, and the conditions along Route Napoleon or Route Valcarlos might be much more severe than those recorded at Roncesvalles or SJPP. Be prepareud - pack for the climate, and then dress for the weather on the day you are crossing.

annakappa · Sep 27, 2015

Frankly, your guess is as good as mine! Weather patterns seem to be completely tipsy turvy lately and what happened one year, does not mean that you can rely on that another year! You will have to ' play it by ear'

OTH86 · Sep 28, 2015

I'm also starting on 8 Oct, and would like a link to Spanish Meteo app - I assume there is one, but I'm not very app-savvy. Tried a Search here on Spanish Meteo App, but it didn't give me anything. This will be my 3rd Camino - have walked both the Napoleon and Valcarlos, and will decide which one to take when I arrive in SJPP on the 8th. I know the Pilg Office will give advice, but I like to know these things too! This might help @Scorpiogirl, as well! Thanks!!
Terry

KinkyOne · Sep 28, 2015

OTH86 said:
I'm also starting on 8 Oct, and would like a link to Spanish Meteo app - I assume there is one, but I'm not very app-savvy. Tried a Search here on Spanish Meteo App, but it didn't give me anything. This will be my 3rd Camino - have walked both the Napoleon and Valcarlos, and will decide which one to take when I arrive in SJPP on the 8th. I know the Pilg Office will give advice, but I like to know these things too! This might help @Scorpiogirl, as well! Thanks!!
Terry

http://www.caminodesantiagotiempo.com/

Ultreia!

OTH86 · Sep 28, 2015

KinkyOne said:
http://www.caminodesantiagotiempo.com/

Ultreia!

Perfecto, KinkyOne!! Thanks so much!

mountaingoat999 · Sep 28, 2015

OTH86 said:
I'm also starting on 8 Oct, and would like a link to Spanish Meteo app - I assume there is one, but I'm not very app-savvy. Tried a Search here on Spanish Meteo App, but it didn't give me anything. This will be my 3rd Camino - have walked both the Napoleon and Valcarlos, and will decide which one to take when I arrive in SJPP on the 8th. I know the Pilg Office will give advice, but I like to know these things too! This might help @Scorpiogirl, as well! Thanks!!
Terry

at least with the forecast in the Pilgrims office and the tourist office in SJPP they display a Hill forecast and effects of winds whatever they are forecast on the day etc.. .
apparently for those leaving SJPP tomorrow and the next few days the weather system is stable with high pressure.
across the whole of the camino francais ....that what they say

OTH86 · Sep 28, 2015

mountaingoat999 said:
at least with the forecast in the Pilgrims office and the tourist office in SJPP they display a Hill forecast and effects of winds whatever they are forecast on the day etc.. .
apparently for those leaving SJPP tomorrow and the next few days the weather system is stable with high pressure.
across the whole of the camino francais ....that what they say

Thanks, mg999 - do you have a link to this info, or are you "on site"? I definitely will check the pilg office and do as they advise, but I DO like having my own sources!

mountaingoat999 · Sep 28, 2015

OTH86 said:
Thanks, mg999 - do you have a link to this info, or are you "on site"? I definitely will check the pilg office and do as they advise, but I DO like having my own sources!

I will pm you a site we use for hill forecast you need...in a moment and you can select winds/temp/weather/visibility/pressure and a legend with intervals of behaviour effects etc.. so the day before you check in situ the site for more specific info to where you are...and in the morning for clarity.. this will help you a lot..I explain more in a pm.. I did elements of my ML in the Pyrenees further along ...

MTtoCamino · Sep 29, 2015

Layers of breathable clothing with the final layer being waterproof breathable shell. Merano wool light & middle weight It will only get colder as you have Foncebandon & Ocebreiro to hike, the meseta with possible cold winds with always the possible rain, snow. In April my waterproof duck hunting gloves were so nice & warm! If you plan for the worse you will stay warm/dry. I packed this in the spring just because were I live the temp changes can drop 50 degrees in an hour. Did I pack to much for that spring yes, but when your not certain of mountain conditions, think warm/ dry.

marbuck · Nov 11, 2015

I know this is a bit off track, but we hope to leave SJPDP on the 9th April 2016, what chance of the Napoleon Pass being open then. What date was it first opened this year?

Kanga · Nov 11, 2015

@marbuck I know we had a thread running when the announcement was first made that the route would be closed in winter, but I don't recall any specific dates. Even if it is officially "open" you could still get bad weather at the beginning of April that would mean you should take the Valcarlos route. It is a lovely alternative.

SYates · Nov 11, 2015

It is here https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/close-route-napoleon.34862/

"Frequent wanderings of pilgrims in a blizzard and fog, sometimes without adequate equipment for a mountain path with fatal consequences for their lives, have caused that from this year to close in the winter months (from the November 1 to March 31) the hardest route of the first stage of the Camino de Santiago."

Buen Camino, SY

MTtoCamino · Nov 11, 2015

marbuck said:
I know this is a bit off track, but we hope to leave SJPDP on the 9th April 2016, what chance of the Napoleon Pass being open then. What date was it first opened this year?

I tracked the weather for 2 years before I made my decision to go. I originally was going to leave the last week of March but interfered with our 33 year anniversary. So I arrived the first week of April. The odds are good you will be able to cross as I did. Yet if in the odd chance they have a heavy snow year or a sudden storm you just take the Valcras (sp) route. The year I crossed there were still 2 big drifts of snow but above the trail for the most part I only had about 20 feet of snow to cross. The next day when I woke up in Roncevalles a big storm came in & they tried to close it. But folks still made it across. Like any mountain range the weather gets extremely bad very quick. So if they tell you not to use that route don't.

Buz Radican · Nov 13, 2015

Scorpiogirl said:
Hi everybody

I will be starting my 2nd Camino from SJPP on October 8th, as I cannot get it from my mind since I left last year ...what should I expect from the weather this time of year when crossing the mountains?

Last year I started in Pamplona in June and ended in Finisterre in July, so weather was hot and dry always so light clothing was enough.

Also I am extremely excited about starting from SJPP this time, can't wait to meet all you other October pilgrims
I will be carrying an extra shell for Denise xxx See you soon again Faith and the other guys at the amazing Pilgrim House in Santiago de Compostela Buen Camino x

I plan on starting my second Camino from SJPdP on the 5th of October. Like you, I cannot get it out of my mind, and suffered severe Camino depression upon returning home in June. Maybe we will meet along the way. Buen Camino.

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What to expect from the weather crossing Pyrenees in October

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