Winter Gear

[TiedyeAT]

I’ll be hiking the France’ and VdlP beginning 12/5. Here’s a list and pic of my gear. I’m not sure why the images haven’t downloaded?

 

[J Willhaus]

Seems like a lot of shirts? I count 6 plus a pullover? Maybe cut back to 3? Are you planning on camping a lot? Can you get by with just one sleeping bag and one sleeping mat instead of an inflatable mattress, a mat, a sleep sheet, and 2 sleeping bags. On the CF you should find ample lodging even in winter. I think even on the VDLP you will have a place to sleep indoors most nights. I would think the occasional night out might be possible, but you can't just camp outside legally everywhere in Spain.

 

[Bradypus]

On the CF you should find ample lodging even in winter. I think even on the VDLP you will have a place to sleep indoors most nights.

I walked the CF from SJPDP in January this year and found a bed every night. The Aprinca website was very useful. The previous year I walked the VdlP in January and slept outdoors several nights with just a down sleeping bag, breathable bivvy bag and mat. The list feels like overkill for a Camino Frances walk unless @TiedyeAT is making a very deliberate point of camping rather than using albergues despite the questionable legality. It is not a wilderness trail.

 

[TiedyeAT]

I walked the CF from SJPDP in January this year and found a bed every night. The Aprinca website was very useful. The previous year I walked the VdlP in January and slept outdoors several nights with just a down sleeping bag, breathable bivvy bag and mat. The list feels like overkill for a Camino Frances walk unless @TiedyeAT is making a very deliberate point of camping rather than using albergues despite the questionable legality. It is not a wilderness trail.

Although I enjoy meeting travelers in hostels and albergues, I’m hoping to camp as much as possible. I really like sleeping outside! Hopefully, I’ll get several opportunities within the legal perameters .
As for the shirts, I sweat enough to be in Guinness Book of Records! I usually cover about 40k+ a day and it’s not out of the question I may go through 3-4 shirts a day.
The double pads and double sleeping bag give my 66 year old bones a fair bit of cushion and much needed warmth.
Bom Camino

 

[good_old_shoes]

Although I enjoy meeting travelers in hostels and albergues, I’m hoping to camp as much as possible. I really like sleeping outside! Hopefully, I’ll get several opportunities within the legal perameters .
As for the shirts, I sweat enough to be in Guinness Book of Records! I usually cover about 40k+ a day and it’s not out of the question I may go through 3-4 shirts a day.
The double pads and double sleeping bag give my 66 year old bones a fair bit of cushion and much needed warmth.
Bom Camino

List looks fine to me, for winter camping.

I'd also say bring less shirts, pullovers, gloves... unlike on a wilderness hike, there's lots of opportunity to wash/dry clothes.

When you camp in albergue gardens, or stay in an albergue from time to time, you can wash and dry there. But then again, you've apparently walked long distances with that setup and it works. So why not.

Inflatable+foam mat is wise in winter.

With regards to camping on the Camino, you probably won't get many encouraging replies, because most of the forum members do not camp and do not want to camp. It's rare for pilgrims to sleep in tents, but some do.

I've camped along the Francés because I love sleeping outdoors, and would bring a tent again. That was in summer, though, when campsites were open. I do not wild camp, and therefore didn't camp every night (I love the albergues, too, and there wasn't a legal campsite every night).

There were a few albergues that allowed tents in their garden (for a fee, of course!) and there are also some official campsites, but those are most likely closed in the winter.

When you get the opportunity to camp in an albergue garden, that's nice because you can take a shower, wash clothes, use the kitchen ect., meet pilgrims, but you still have your tent as your own little home. Sadly most albergues do not allow camping even if you offer the same fee as for a bed, but it is worth a try.

Roncesvalles for example allowed me to camp, and the albergue Padres Reparadores in Puente la Reina.

Wild camping is not legal in many parts of Spain and usually not tolerated by locals either. It is probably still possible if you're good at stealth camping, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Heard many stories from people who were woken up at night by police and had to take down their tent. Sleeping outdoors without a tent seems to be tolerated better, as long as there's no fire or littering involved (which for a respectful tent camping hiker should be normal, anyway). As a guest in the country I wouldn't want to break rules or annoy the locals.

So, camping along the Camino is possible, but complicated. You might end up in the albergues more often than you can imagine now!

Buen camping Camino, from a fellow tent pilgrim!

(picture in front of the albergue in Roncesvalles)

 

[TiedyeAT]

List looks fine to me, for winter camping.

I'd also say bring less shirts, pullovers, gloves... unlike on a wilderness hike, there's lots of opportunity to wash/dry clothes.

When you camp in albergue gardens, or stay in an albergue from time to time, you can wash and dry there. But then again, you've apparently walked long distances with that setup and it works. So why not.

Inflatable+foam mat is wise in winter.

With regards to camping on the Camino, you probably won't get many encouraging replies, because most of the forum members do not camp and do not want to camp. It's rare for pilgrims to sleep in tents, but some do.

I've camped along the Francés because I love sleeping outdoors, and would bring a tent again. That was in summer, though, when campsites were open. I do not wild camp, and therefore didn't camp every night (I love the albergues, too, and there wasn't a legal campsite every night).

There were a few albergues that allowed tents in their garden (for a fee, of course!) and there are also some official campsites, but those are most likely closed in the winter.

When you get the opportunity to camp in an albergue garden, that's nice because you can take a shower, wash clothes, use the kitchen ect., meet pilgrims, but you still have your tent as your own little home. Sadly most albergues do not allow camping even if you offer the same fee as for a bed, but it is worth a try.

Roncesvalles for example allowed me to camp, and the albergue Padres Reparadores in Puente la Reina.

Wild camping is not legal in many parts of Spain and usually not tolerated by locals either. It is probably still possible if you're good at stealth camping, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. Heard many stories from people who were woken up at night by police and had to take down their tent. Sleeping outdoors without a tent seems to be tolerated better, as long as there's no fire or littering involved (which for a respectful tent camping hiker should be normal, anyway). As a guest in the country I wouldn't want to break rules or annoy the locals.

So, camping along the Camino is possible, but complicated. You might end up in the albergues more often than you can imagine now!

Buen camping Camino, from a fellow tent pilgrim!

(picture in front of the albergue in Roncesvalles)


View attachment 160674

Thanks GOS! Great input from a fellow tenter… I’m rethinking the whole camping experience. It’s certainly a departure from the AT, CDT and PCT? Well, when in Rome! I wasn’t expecting there to be many opportunities to stay indoors, especially on the VdlP, without having to stay in hotels or B&B’s.
I’m departing tomorrow, so I have to be decisive! Against n, thank you for the constructive feedback!
Buen Camino

 

[J Willhaus]

There is a winter Camino site for the Camino Frances which may help you locate lodging. It is updated regularly. https://www.aprinca.com/alberguesinvierno/

 

[trecile]

Thanks GOS! Great input from a fellow tenter… I’m rethinking the whole camping experience. It’s certainly a departure from the AT, CDT and PCT? Well, when in Rome! I wasn’t expecting there to be many opportunities to stay indoors, especially on the VdlP, without having to stay in hotels or B&B’s.
I’m departing tomorrow, so I have to be decisive! Against n, thank you for the constructive feedback!
Buen Camino

Don't think of the Camino in terms of the AT, CDT and PCT. It's a walk from village to village, not a wilderness hike at all. The only commonalities are using your feet for transportation and carrying a backpack.

You can check Gronze to see which albergues are open in this season.

El Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Bienvenido a Gronze, tu Guía del Camino de Santiago: Información práctica, actualizada y participativa de los principales Caminos de Santiago.

www.gronze.com

 

[Tincatinker]

I may go through 3-4 shirts a day.

That may be because you are wearing plastic shirts. Merino wool is far more breathable, wicks effectively and doesn't stink even if its been worn for a few days. But never mind, you are on a village-to-village hike, you'll be able to wash your kit most days.

I wish you Buen Hike