Introduction

[sara2804]

Hey all!
I’m Sara, 21 years old from Slovenia, studying in Austria. I’m planning to walk Camino Frances in March (first day, 6. 3.) Would be happy to hear if anyone else did it in spring and how many layers of clothes did you bring?
Little unsure how to choose the righy

 

[Takahiwai]

Hi Sara,
Welcome, and buen camino for March. I have probably, over the years, walked the CF, or at least parts of it, at all times of the year. The weather in northern Spain is notoriously unpredictable, so you might get rain, snow, sun, and wind - it's impossible to say. I would pack optimistically, for spring weather, and rely on the fact that you can pick up essential items pretty much all the way, on the CF. I would definitely pack a rain cape - or something similar - though, because you can be pretty sure to get rain at some point.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

After winter if you have any old outer clothes that need discarding keep something to discard in Pamplona. In other words, bring something warm for the first few days and then get rid of it.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Hi Sara, welcome. Presumably you're talking about walking the CF from SJPDP.

As @Takahiwai says, spring weather is notoriously unpredictable and you could get the lot.

Whilst I agree that you can pick up pretty much everything you need in towns along the way: you have to get to those towns first so ensure you pack enough layers to keep you comfortable down to zero degrees Celsius.

Layers are the key, for me that's a t-shirt, a long sleeve, and a lightweight puffer jacket. Good socks, long johns, lightweight gloves (liner gloves) Buff and beanie complete the outfit. Everything except the puffer jacket is Merino.

Pants - I'm one of those people that use zip-off hiking pants year round.

Worst case Poncho or rain jacket over everything and I'm good to minus 5. Obviously there are all sorts of combinations to wear these in to keep me comfortable at a large range of temperatures.

Some people prefer polypropylene rather than Merino, and fleece jackets - your call. You've probably already got suitable clothing coming from Slovenia and living where you do.

The advantage of the Merino T-shirt is that it's good as a base layer but also on a hot sunny day (I still wear it at 30 degrees C) - plus I don't have to wash it daily if I get caught out, it takes at least two or three days before beginning to smell (unlike polyprop). But as I said, that's my personal choice.

Buen Camino !

 

[Molly Cassidy]

The year I lived in Asturias we had snow on 1st March and that wasn't at very high altitude. You need enough layers to keep warm walking during the day and something warm and dry to put on when you've finished walking.