LIVE from the Camino Starting in Leon 8th November

[Chris Melbourne]

I am walking the Camino Frances in stages. I walked from Pamplona to Burgos in early June and was planning to walk from Burgos to Leon in September but family commitments intervened.

So now I plan to walk starting in Burgos on November 8th and do 8 days to Leon. I would very much appreciate any information from anyone who has walked at the this time of year on the weather I can expect.

How easy is it to find hostels or hotels etc. which are open?

What suggestions do experienced pilgrims have for outer clothing and sleeping bags for this time of the year?

I plan to carry around 7kgs excluding food and water but including rucksack. I will take a 1 kilo goose down sleeping bag, but could take a 600gm light weight summer bag instead. For outer gear I'm planning to take a lightweight poncho (American Packa) , lightwight fleece, light rain jacket and over-trousers. These give me good layering options. Also light weight gloves and warm hat. No sure if I'm taking too much much or not enough warm gear.

Any comments or help would be much appreciated.

 

[SYates]

OK, if you want to have more opinions than just mine, try putting "winter" in the search form in the top right corner ;-)

Saying that a

a 1 kilo goose down sleeping bag

sounds like overkill ;-) Even in unheated albergues (or when the heating is turned off during the night) room temperature will rarely sink under 5C . So, any sleeping bag that has this kind of 'comfort rating' will do fine - plus the odd blanket and a bit of additional clothing in case that you really feel chilly. Most albergues will run (at night) around 10-15C depending on how many pilgrims are heating up the dorm with their body warmth ;-) Mornings are 'interesting' as getting out of your toasty backpack into the chilly dorm can be - invigorating ;-)

Open albergues, keep an eye on http://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/ closer to the time.

I'm planning to take a lightweight poncho (American Packa) , lightwight fleece, light rain jacket and over-trousers. These give me good layering options. Also light weight gloves and warm hat.

Either poncho (can double as blanket at night!) or rain jacket, but not both. I personally prefer ponchos. Post your finished packing list for more feedback/opinions.

Buen Camino, SY

 

[Chris Melbourne]

Very good advice. Glad to hear the 1kg sleeping bag is overkill. So will take 600gm summer weight bag and rely on clothing (socks, tights hat) and blankets for any additional warmth.

Chris