Sleeping bags necessary?

[willeaton]

Hi, I'm going to be cycling the camino from Burgos this Saturday and I've been reading through this really useful forum. One thing that never ocurred to me was the need for a sleeping bag. Is it essential? I'm not really a fussy person, I can sleep anywhere really.

The one thing I just read though was about "bed bugs". I've never heard of this sort of problem before. Is this just a summer problem or an all year round thing?

Thanks
Will Eaton

[HuskyNerd]

Hi Will ~
I'd certainly recommend a sleeping bag this time of year. I've nearly frozen in June at O Cebreiro and I'm sure it's possible to be at least as cold in April. I carry a very light, down bag and it's been perfect.

Bed bugs have been known in the recent past in the Camino, but nothing like last year, in which the Camino Frances was hit hard because of a worldwide outbreak of the nasty critters. I believe it's fair to distill this Forum's advice as a) bring a permethrin-treated sleeping bag liner and/or b) treat your sleeping bag (and perhaps your pack, too) with permethrin. This is a plant-based, natural scent that bugs abhor and it's effective in keeping bed bugs at bay. It's available in spray bottles and lasts quite a long time and apparently is perfectly safe around pilgrims and other humans.

[willeaton]

Thanks for your quick response, that was quite useful. Reading about these bed bugs it says they are really hard to get rid of and can survive a year without eating and in harsh environments so I suppose they are still going to be around now that they have infected some of the places. What are the beds like then if they don't have sheets? Is it a bunk bed and a pillow?

[grayland]

"What are the beds like then if they don't have sheets? Is it a bunk bed and a pillow? "

No pillows....just mattress and sometimes blankets are available.
Many people take a silk pillowcase and just put some clothes in it at night.

[maire2011]

Hi, I'm doing the camino for the first time in July, from SJPD to finisterre. Someone told me that a sleeping bag liner would be enough to bring! Should I bring a sleeping bag? I cant afford to buy a lightweight one and I don't want my backpack to be too heavy.

[grayland]

You will not need a standard sleeping bag in July. Most people simply bring a silk sleeping sac. The weight of of an un-needed sleeping bag is to be avoided at all costs.
The sleeping "sac" is really nothing more than a light weight silk sheet sewed to provide a bottom and top for bunks. Most albergues are pretty warm in the summer.

[HuskyNerd]

If you do take only a sleeping bag liner I'd recommend you also bring along some long underwear to use as pajamas. Even in July it can be chilly at night up in the mountains -- places like Foncebadon or Rabanal or O Cebreiro. Last August on the Via de la Plata I did not regret having a light sleeping bag. I think I sleep colder than some. Many, like Grayland and Covey, do just fine without.

[Covey]

For my Camino Frances trips I have only carried a silk sleeping bag liner and a set of "long johns" as we call them in the UK. Basically a thicker material than a tee shirt, long sleeves and a pair of leggings in the same material for sleeping in..

A similar garment appears in the serious hiking stores as a "base layer" to go next to the skin. In summer in Spain your problem generally is keeping cool, but those who walk the Camino Frances in March/April have to contend with freezing conditions and snow. For these conditions you need to layer your clothing, and you regulate your temperature by adding or removing layers.