Starting in Ponferrada Nov 4, 2024

[nisita]

Hi all! Wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been soaking up so much from your journeys.
Excited and nervous all at the same time. I just bought a last minute small sleeping bag, after reading about how cold it can get with minimal or no heating.

I’m Nisita, I’m starting my first Camino on Monday from Ponferrada at a snail pace.
I’m giving myself 15ish days to get to Santiago, or however far I make it.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Welcome to the forum, @nisita.
When I know I will be staying in quite a few albergues in spring or fall, I always bring my small, lightweight sleeping bag, which I use quite often. It makes me feel warm and cozy.

 

[nisita]

this is comforting to hear, thanks for sharing @Camino Chrissy!
I feel a tad fish out of water (that’s probably common for first timers).

I’m trying to pack as lite as humanly possible, while still having some warmth.

 

[nisita]

I was advised to take a really bright head lamp, since we have less day light hours. I have a rechargeable one (bulky and heavy, 800 lumen), and a regular headlamp with batteries (450 lumen)

I think taking both maybe an overkill. Would the regular headlamp 450 lumen not be inadequate?

 

[J Willhaus]

The regular one is fine. I also have a couple of inexpensive blinky safety lights at attach to my pack for walking in the dark. Helps others and cars to see you if you are on or near the road. They look like these. I did not pay this much for mine.

https://www.rei.com/product/107038/amphipod-flash-dot-led-vizlet-safety-light-package-of-2

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I was advised to take a really bright head lamp, since we have less day light hours. I have a rechargeable one (bulky and heavy, 800 lumen), and a regular headlamp with batteries (450 lumen)

I think taking both maybe an overkill. Would the regular headlamp 450 lumen not be inadequate?

I never walk outside in darkness on any of my Caminos so for me a headlamp is overkill.
A small LED flashlight similar to these keychain versions worked well for me in albergues in the night or packing up for early departure. I put it on an old shoelace and usually was able to hang it on the bunk frame near my pillow.

 

[nisita]

The regular one is fine. I also have a couple of inexpensive blinky safety lights at attach to my pack for walking in the dark. Helps others and cars to see you if you are on or near the road. They look like these. I did not pay this much for mine.

https://www.rei.com/product/107038/amphipod-flash-dot-led-vizlet-safety-light-package-of-2

This is super helpful!! Thank you. I’ll be leaving the bulky one at home for sure now.

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, I never use a headlamp in the albergue dorm as it disturbs other sleepers and I dont take one at all for summer walking. I have a tiny red map reading light on a springy bracelet.

Amazon.com

Night Reader Pro Red planisphere reading light

The astronomer's red light torch enables comfortable reading of your planisphere come night time without loosing your night vision. Comes with a lifetime warranty!

planispheres.com.au

 

[nisita]

I never walk outside in darkness on any of my Caminos so for me a headlamp is overkill.
A small LED flashlight similar to these keychain versions worked well for me in albergues in the night or packing up for early departure. I put it on an old shoelace and usually was able to hang it on the bunk frame near my pillow.
View attachment 180001View attachment 180002

Ah!! So glad I asked. I’m absolutely leaving the bulky one at home now. That’s a good 400gms of saved weight. Phew.

 

[nisita]

Yes, I never use a headlamp in the albergue dorm as it disturbs other sleepers and I dont take one at all for summer walking. I have a tiny red map reading light on a springy bracelet.

Amazon.com

Night Reader Pro Red planisphere reading light

The astronomer's red light torch enables comfortable reading of your planisphere come night time without loosing your night vision. Comes with a lifetime warranty!

planispheres.com.au

Makes sense, also very helpful. Thank you!

 

[bestfootforward]

Hi all! Wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been soaking up so much from your journeys.
Excited and nervous all at the same time. I just bought a last minute small sleeping bag, after reading about how cold it can get with minimal or no heating.

I’m Nisita, I’m starting my first Camino on Monday from Ponferrada at a snail pace.
I’m giving myself 15ish days to get to Santiago, or however far I make it.

Hola Nisita,
Welcome! Enjoy every step and every day of your wonderful adventure. Be excited. Very excited! Buen Camino!

 

[MARSKA]

Welcome Nisita! You are sure to get good advice here! It will be cold so a wool shirt , wool hat, and a sleeping bag are good to bring with you.

 

[nisita]

What apps/ other things, are recommended for keeping track of weather? Or other safety related things?

On my list so far;
112 for emergency (police/ambulance etc)
Weather app to track weather daily on home screen
Buen Camino app for route planning

 

[nisita]

Hola Nisita,
Welcome! Enjoy every step and every day of your wonderful adventure. Be excited. Very excited! Buen Camino!

appreciate the encouragement!
I’ve got last minute jitters (weather) so reminding myself, to put one foot infront of another and take it one day at a time.

 

[nisita]

Welcome Nisita! You are sure to get good advice here! It will be cold so a wool shirt , wool hat, and a sleeping bag are good to bring with you.

Thank you @MARSKA!
I’m incredibly greatful for the advice available on this forum. I find myself finding comfort in knowing there’s a large community of folks here to offer guidance and support.

 

[RobinGore]

Hi all! Wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been soaking up so much from your journeys.
Excited and nervous all at the same time. I just bought a last minute small sleeping bag, after reading about how cold it can get with minimal or no heating.

I’m Nisita, I’m starting my first Camino on Monday from Ponferrada at a snail pace.
I’m giving myself 15ish days to get to Santiago, or however far I make it.

welcome. don't be nervous

 

[igorschultz]

Hi all! Wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been soaking up so much from your journeys.
Excited and nervous all at the same time. I just bought a last minute small sleeping bag, after reading about how cold it can get with minimal or no heating.

I’m Nisita, I’m starting my first Camino on Monday from Ponferrada at a snail pace.
I’m giving myself 15ish days to get to Santiago, or however far I make it.

Hello Nisita! Welcome to the forum! The first time I walked in the Camino I started from Ponferrada. I was early October and we got snow in O Cebreiro. It was long ago so maybe it's warmer these years, but be prepared. I wish you find what you are searching for. I wish all the best for you.

 

[Blister Bill]

appreciate the encouragement!
I’ve got last minute jitters (weather) so reminding myself, to put one foot infront of another and take it one day at a time.

Precisely and sound like you have a flexible plan so you can start easy till you have your camino legs. Don't over think it , just enjoy it

 

[donalomahony]

What apps/ other things, are recommended for keeping track of weather? Or other safety related things?

On my list so far;
112 for emergency (police/ambulance etc)
Weather app to track weather daily on home screen
Buen Camino app for route planning

Download the Alertcops app.

Home - Alertcops

alertcops.ses.mir.es

 

[nisita]

Hello Nisita! Welcome to the forum! The first time I walked in the Camino I started from Ponferrada. I was early October and we got snow in O Cebreiro. It was long ago so maybe it's warmer these years, but be prepared. I wish you find what you are searching for. I wish all the best for you.

Thank you. I’m greatful for the opportunity to be on this journey.

 

[nisita]

Download the Alertcops app.

Home - Alertcops

alertcops.ses.mir.es

Downloaded! Appreciate you sharing the link.

 

[Becky 59]

I was advised to take a really bright head lamp, since we have less day light hours. I have a rechargeable one (bulky and heavy, 800 lumen), and a regular headlamp with batteries (450 lumen)

I think taking both maybe an overkill. Would the regular headlamp 450 lumen not be inadequate?

The sun won’t be up until 8 am in early November, so if you want an early start a headlamp is essential. However, unlike summer perigrinos who start early to beat the heat, those early morning hours at daybreak are the coldest time of the day this time of year. It sounds like you will do shorter distances, so you may not need those early starts that summer walkers do. In a pinch the flashlight on your phone is an option in a pinch, although it drains the battery. Buen Camino!

 

[domigee]

I would bring gloves, too

 

[nisita]

The sun won’t be up until 8 am in early November, so if you want an early start a headlamp is essential. However, unlike summer perigrinos who start early to beat the heat, those early morning hours at daybreak are the coldest time of the day this time of year. It sounds like you will do shorter distances, so you may not need those early starts that summer walkers do. In a pinch the flashlight on your phone is an option in a pinch, although it drains the battery. Buen Camino!

Thank you Becky. That’s my current thinking, since I’m not trying to beat crowds (I can focus on waking only in daylight hours) plus looking at shorter distances. I’ll have one light on me (in addition to my phone, mostly as peace of mind for myself)

 

[Amigos caminando]

Hi Nisita, I suggest a pair of light gloves for colder starts to the day. Waterproof spray your boots, poncho/raincoat and pack cover. I also spray my backpack too.
I came through Ponderrada in early October this year. Take time to visit Ponferada castle, at least 2.5hours.
Views going up to O Cebreiro are worth it if you get good visibility.

Buen camino.

 

[nisita]

I would bring gloves, too

Great idea!

 

[nisita]

Hi Nisita, I suggest a pair of light gloves for colder starts to the day. Waterproof spray your boots, poncho/raincoat and pack cover. I also spray my backpack too.
I came through Ponderrada in early October this year. Take time to visit Ponferada castle, at least 2.5hours.
Views going up to O Cebreiro are worth it if you get good visibility.

Buen camino.

Waterproof spray!? Where has this been all my life?
Is there a brand you’d suggest that can be found in Spain?

 

[Stephan the Painter]

appreciate the encouragement!
I’ve got last minute jitters (weather) so reminding myself, to put one foot infront of another and take it one day at a time.

You are from Toronto so I know you understand cold weather (I'm from Maine). You did not ask about this, but just in case I found that long underwear was more useful than, say, an extra jacket. And a buff, warm hat, and thin gloves. It was near freezing some mornings this past April on the Meseta. Hopefully you get lucky, but you may experience damp cold or even snow at that time of year.

I don't really like Ponferrada or the first day or two out of there, but once you make it near to Villafranca del Bierzo it starts to get very pretty for most of the rest of the way.

And if you need any help, it's amazing how much time people on this forum will spend trying to figure out a solution to your problem, as I learned on my first Camino, when I injured myself near Pampalona.

Buen Camino!

Edit: I just saw your post about waterproof spray. There is a decathlon in Ponferrada, very near the trail, as I recall, where you can buy things like that.

 

[Rowena]

At Decathlon you can buy waterproof shell mittens to put over your gloves. I found these very useful, especially if you’re using hiking poles and your hands are out there in the pouring rain.

Buen Camino!

 

[nisita]

You are from Toronto so I know you understand cold weather (I'm from Maine). You did not ask about this, but just in case I found that long underwear was more useful than, say, an extra jacket. And a buff, warm hat, and thin gloves. It was near freezing some mornings this past April on the Meseta. Hopefully you get lucky, but you may experience damp cold or even snow at that time of year.

I don't really like Ponferrada or the first day or two out of there, but once you make it near to Villafranca del Bierzo it starts to get very pretty for most of the rest of the way.

And if you need any help, it's amazing how much time people on this forum will spend trying to figure out a solution to your problem, as I learned on my first Camino, when I injured myself near Pampalona.

Buen Camino!

Haha yeah! baselayers and rain gear will save me.
Curious, is Ponferrada more urban? Or the walking route more hugging the main roads vs more nature?

 

[MarijkeB]

Hi all! Wanted to introduce myself. I’ve been soaking up so much from your journeys.
Excited and nervous all at the same time. I just bought a last minute small sleeping bag, after reading about how cold it can get with minimal or no heating.

I’m Nisita, I’m starting my first Camino on Monday from Ponferrada at a snail pace.
I’m giving myself 15ish days to get to Santiago, or however far I make it.

I found gloves very comfy on cold mornings.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I found gloves very comfy on cold mornings.

Yep, I take fleece gloves and a fleece beanie and have never regretted it since I never walk in summer.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Haha yeah! baselayers and rain gear will save me.
Curious, is Ponferrada more urban? Or the walking route more hugging the main roads vs more nature?

Ponferrada is a small urban city. I dont like it and I grew up in urban Chicago. Others like Ponferrada.
A lot of the Camino Frances hugs roads. It is not a nature hike. There is not much wildness. But It still is often nice and interesting.

The first day out of Ponferrada is through some rundown towns. But I checked a map and once you get to Cacabelos it improves. There is a very pretty variant through vineyards right after Cacabelos. Also some of my favorite towns on the Camino are Los Herrerias and La Faba which are shortly afterwords.

If you had more time Astorga is a nicer place to start, but also has some tough climbs shortly after....

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I agree that Ponferrada is not a favorite city of mine either. My favorite thing to do was the castle tour with its lovely views from the top.