Sleeping gear for VdlP

[Megwalks]

Hello Pilgrims!

Getting ready to walk the Via de la Plata starting early November — doing the whole thing from Sevilla and then turning onto the Sanabres to get to Santiago sometime in the second week of December. Looking for tips on sleeping gear. I keep reading about how albergues north of Salamanca tend to be variably unheated and don’t always have blankets…is a lightweight sleeping bag enough or should I bring a sleeping liner to go with it? Part of me thinks that is overkill (and obviously extra weight to carry) but I also hate being cold at night! Thoughts/tips? Thanks in advance!

 

[unadara]

It's many years since I walked this route. April/May I remember sleeping in all my clothes one night incl my rain jacket it was so cold. Some of the buildings are stone. I have an ultralight down hugger and will carry it now just in case. I'll never be walking in summer. If you have plenty of layers/merino you might be ok, and a Puffa jacket?

 

[LTfit]

A silk liner and sleeping bag is not overkill. It will be hit or miss as far as heating is concerned especially since energy costs have skyrocketed since I walked the route in the winter (February 2014). There were less than a handful pilgrims and often there were only 2 of us in an albergue.

Some albergues had electric rolling radiators which worked adequately but there is no guarantee.

 

[dick bird]

It will be December by the time you reach Galicia, a cold, wet mountainous region. A lightweight sleeping bag is the least you will need, even with blankets. And take gloves.