Questions to the winter walkers

[Gumba]

So I preface this by saying this will be our second walk - we got rid of excess baggage in Estella, so am trying to be very particular about what we take this time! The second thing to note is that we will be starting mid December to the end of January so includes that time between Christmas and 3 Kings Day and I know that a lot of the places that are open over Winter do close. A lot of the places that do stay open seem to put winter pilgrims in the 'old part' of the albergue where the kitchen is either not available or old and nothing more than a sink and microwave. From blogs and anything I can lay my eyes on about winter caminos, there will be a few days that the only food available is what you bring ie bread cheese, etc. A cuppa will really help - or heating packet soup.

My questions are...

A few winter walkers talk about how grateful they were for their hot water coils (approx 250g) for cups of tea. As there are 4 of us, we stumbled across this collapsible kettle (approx 450g). In our situation, would you go for the kettle or the coil?

Companion Popup Kettle 240V Blue

Ideal for caravanning, home or travel, the new Pop Up Billy 240v Kettle features dry boil protection and an illuminated automatic boil switch.

www.anacondastores.com

I mentioned earlier, we dumped our plastic (ikea!) plates etc in Estella as it was clear we would not need them. I came across these silicon colapsable cups, bowls and plates - what do you think? The collapsable aspect is making me consider them. (I am showing all three - cup, bowl, plate, but they can be purchased seperately). These are microwavable.

Sea to Summit X Series Set, 3 Piece (Plate, Bowl, Mug w/ Pouch) : Sea to Summit: Amazon.com.au: Sports, Fitness & Outdoors

Sea to Summit X Series Set, 3 Piece (Plate, Bowl, Mug w/ Pouch) : Sea to Summit: Amazon.com.au: Sports, Fitness & Outdoors

www.amazon.com.au

Finally, I am thinking of the best way to take a hot cup of tea for us/cola cao for the kids. I like the idea of stopping for a hot drink if we cant find an open bar. Ideas are Thermos (or similar brand) - individual 4 x 500mls, (this comes in 500ml or 1L so, 2 x 1L (1 for kids, one for adults) or each have our own, to put soup, tea, cafe con leche or hot choc:

THERMOcafe Vacuum Insulated Slimline Flask, 500ml, Matte Black, ED05BLK6AUS : Amazon.com.au: Kitchen & Dining

THERMOcafe Vacuum Insulated Slimline Flask, 500ml, Matte Black, ED05BLK6AUS : Amazon.com.au: Kitchen & Dining

www.amazon.com.au

or individual insulated travel mugs, similar to this...

16oz Stainless Steel Travel Tumbler | Vacuum Insulated Tumbler | Thermos

Our Stainless King™ 16oz travel tumbler features vacuum insulation, tough double wall stainless steel construction, and keeps drinks hot for 7 hours or cold for 18 hours. Shop now!

www.thermos.com

I know I am over-thinking, this is what I do, so please indulge me! If you believe I wont need any of the above, I am happy to hear this also,

thanks.

 

[Darby67]

Winter 2018 I stayed primarily in the municipals and the majority were equipped with basic cooking and eating items. It became a little more haphazard moving through the meseta. In Galicia most of the municipals had lovely kitchens but minimal to zero items to cook or eat with.

Regarding taking mugs, etc. I can't really give any feedback other than I was not interested in carrying food prep items. Winter clothing tends to be a little heavier and bulkier overall. I would like to know who will get the lovely task of carrying the kettle? I'm envisioning it hanging via a carabiner off of a pack

It is really a wonderful time to be Spain in my opinion; you will have a fantastic time!

 

[Gumba]

LOL, with the cord dangling behind? Seriously, we share the load. The kettle collapses down to about 10cm. If my husband carries the kettle, I would carry the toiletries for the family, a child might carry an extra towel, etc. Our last walk was in March, and got caught in a cold snap so lots of snow, cold rain, icy snow winds etc and felt we were well equipped (never cold) as we had long-johns, gloves and lots of warm layers. Will probably take an extra jacket each but otherwise I think we have a pretty realistic understanding of the winter clothing (thanks for pointing this out though).

At Roncesvalles, did you stay in the old section or the new? I heard that only the old is open. Were any of the bars open for dinner/breakfast? What month/s did you walk?

I would love any more tips/suggestions/observation that you care to share.

 

[mspath]

To further your research re Walking in Winter see these earlier recent threads filled with useful links and tips.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/logrono-to-burgos-in-january.50991/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/november-december-cf.50932/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/walking-the-camino-in-december-january.37261/

Sillydoll who is a Forum member has in her blog compiled encyclopedic information on Winter Walking.
http://amawalker.blogspot.fr/2009/10/walking-in-winter.html?m=1

Twice during winter caminos I have sat out true blizzards; in Villafranca Montes de Oca, February 25, 26, 2006 and Foncebadón, March 5,6, 2009. Even late November 2012 the climb up to O Cebreiro was packed with snow. You can see the snow and read my blog accounts of these three memorable storms here. http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/memories.html
Luckily open albergues offered welcoming shelter, heat and companionship.

Most of us who walk in late autumn and winter wear and carry lightweight but warm layers which can easily be added or removed while walking. Each pilgrim develops a favorite combo. Scan the Forum's Equipment topic http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/equipment-questions.30/
to see a multitude of varied approaches. Here's mine
http://mermore.blogspot.fr/p/kit-and-tips.html

During past winter walks in Roncesvalles the bar and restaurant of La Poseida were usually open.

I always carried basic rations since the only shop or bar in town may NOT be open during the off season! My basics include tea bags, packets which make a cup of soup (even including croutons), firm cheese, small sausage, simple cookies and some chocolate. Often these same ingredients serve as a predawn breakfast hours before any Spanish bar would dream of opening!

I have never nor would ever walk before sunrise in winter.

For me a water coil is a must whatever the season.

Remember winter is a great time to walk, but you must be PREPARED!

Happy planning, stay safe and Buen camino!

 

[Darby67]

I began both of my winter walks in Roncesvalles. I have become a jet lag wimp so I stayed a couple of nights in Casa Sabina after a death march to get there. It was the only other option for lodging and the only option for food during the winter. I do believe it is the older/smaller section that is open in the Albergue though. Many bars were closed and there were a few days that the 25-30km necessary to get to an open municipal that there was nothing open in between. So as mspath has mentioned, take what you would need to be happy to get you where you need to go. My big favorites and easy to get a mini supply of were mandarins and a nice bar of dark chocolate.

BTW, @mspath, thank you for all of your links and the links to Sillydoll because I found them indispensable in planning and settling my anxiety for my first walk.

The Winter Albergues list was also incredibly helpful as was the Gronze site. I started in mid-January in 2018 and this year my wife joined me and we started in late January. The difference in 2 weeks was stunning as far as what was open and what wasn't.

 

[LTfit]

Definitely refer to the www.aprinca.com website as mention above and do so daily as listings may change.

I've walked parts of the Francés several times in the winter but even in late fall (November) you encounter closed albergues as most end the season around October 31st. Saying that, I always found a place to stay using Aprinca.

My pack is only slightly heavier in the winter as you wear most everything you need to stay warm: hat, gloves, thermal t-shirt, pants and jacket. I carry a fleece for after a shower but find it too warm to wear while hiking.

I'm a minimalist and only carried a coil once and that was on the Levante where cafés only opened at 10 a.m. Along the Francés it is unusual when an albergue doesn't have a microwave. I carry packets of instant coffee and tea to have something before I set off for the day as cafés may be closed when I leave and there are fewer places open between stages to stop.

Walking in winter is special as @mspath and others can confirm.

Ultreia!