No Sleeping Bag, Winter Camino Frances

[ebhcphoto]

Hi All!

Thinking about all the questions I had before I did my camino (Pamplona - Muxia/Finnesterre, 1/25-3/3). I wanted to pack light, and a sleeping bag just seemed like too much bulk. Mostly everywhere I read said to bring one, or at least a silk liner.

I decided not to. Happy to report you ~can~ do a winter camino without a sleeping bag.

Some considerations:

1) I’m 28, no camping experience, first camino
2) This past Jan/Feb 2023 seemed pretty mild (coldest nights were -5ish C, probably averaged around 0C.
3) I slept in the most affordable albergues. Every one gave a top sheet and a pillow case. Maybe 50% of them had blankets. I cannot explain how wonderful it was to find/be offered a blanket. It’s a feeling of gratitude and humility that was unmatched.
4) I had a quick dry towel that I used as a blanket on other nights
5) I slept in at least a long sleeve, sometimes with a jacket, sometimes with all my clothes
6) Most albergues seemed to turn the heat off at bedtime. So you’d go to be warm and the wake up was often frigid, but doable
7) I had an “okay, but is it going to kill me?” mentality
8) Having a small backpack (14”, 18”, 8”) was wonderful

If you have any questions, let me know!

 

[Bradypus]

) Most albergues seemed to turn the heat off at bedtime. So you’d go to be warm and the wake up was often frigid, but doable
7) I had an “okay, but is it going to kill me?” mentality

I also walked the Camino Frances in January this year - setting off from SJPDP on 2 January. Unlike you I took a down winter weight sleeping bag and I am glad that I did. I'm fairly sure that I would have survived like you did travelling without it but I found the comfort it gave me was well worth the weight and bulk. I've never felt inclined to trade the risk of cold nights and disturbed sleep for a tiny pack. If I can carry it comfortably for 42km then I think it is probably not oversized for me.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, my down sleeping bag weighs about 450 grams or one pound and I have always been glad to have it with winter walking.

 

[mspath]

There is something very comforting in slipping into your own bag and liner every night. That way you know that you are within your own "dirt" and not directly exposed to what others may have left. When I walked in winter I always carried a lightweight sleeping bag and liner.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

8) Having a small backpack (14”, 18”, 8”) was wonderful

Translating, that's about 33 liters/litres folks.

 

[Former member 92300]

Glad you had a good experience. I couldn’t do it. I sent my sleeping bag home from Pamplona after a few very warm days in June 2021. Then weather became unseasonably cold and I was cold and miserable most nights for the rest of the way until I reached Finisterre - where it finally warmed up. Yes, I slept in my clothes and down jacket with wool pullover and used my Turkish towel as a blanket. Even bought another fleece and was still cold. Going forward I will carry the lightest down sleeping bag possible always - because after walking all morning, a good nights sleep is worth the extra 350-500 grams weight.