October or November

[Mountain Goat]

Hello

I am hoping to walk the Camino Frances later this year and I have a question; I was intending to do it in October but am know wondering about beginning of November - what is the weather like in November. Walking in the cold is not so much of a problem but does it rain alot there in November?

Really appreciate hearing any experiences you have had or advice you can give.

Thanks

[cory33]

Hello

I am hoping to walk the Camino Frances later this year ...Walking in the cold is not so much of a problem but does it rain alot there in November?

Really appreciate hearing any experiences you have had or advice you can give.

Thanks

I am 6’, 235 lbs and completed the “Frances” from St Jean in mid November and there were frost mornings from mid October on. First, I want to urge, warn and advise how to pack LITE!!! within a 6-8 Kilos MAX in your pack! This is especially important for women. Fortunately, there are improvements in Camino Frances services going up as we speak, and there are more refugios with more and better (heat, showers, kitchens, etc) facilities, so the former full-service backpack contents are no longer necessary. Pack lite and enjoy your Camino. E.g., TENTS-definitely out for the usual Pilgrim…unless you have a deliberate outdoors trip planned….there actually are very few tenting spots on the Camino Frances. A special advise for digital cameras - rather than fight over electrical outlets and delay getting out there and socializing after washing clothes, making bunk, dressing, consider using a battery operated digital camera …admittedly there are very few made anymore but maybe there’s an older one in the attic or an aunt or uncle still has one. Batteries are very available on the Camino … carry one reserve pair of lithiums.

But do pack a TARP - Siltex Ultralite with tiedown grommets and once on the Camino buy a cheap STRAW MAT, roll-up type … get it on the Path cheap for those unplanned 20 minute noon naps under available shade.

UNNECESSARY EQUIPMENT: tents (mentioned, but bring a Siltex ultra-lite tarp); sleep mat (I dumped mine on the second day, gladly, and never once missed it); heavy SLEEPING BAG (I saw the savvy euro girls and guys with 2 lb, ultra-lite bags rated at 40-45F doing very well in the growing number of well-heated, blanket-supplied refugios).

Generally the day went as follows: 7-8am, starting out in the dark and shivering cold, fully layered up…but by 10:30am it was time to shed layers until about 3-4pm when it was time to add layers again.

OUTER JACKET: Advise giving budget priority for a good, liteweight, “omni” breathable outer jacket for wind, rain but breathable for late mornining heat and protection for cold evenings outside; as this could be the most important clothing article you have aside from footwear I advise and repeat, don’t skimp- Merrill, Patagonia, Northface are some American sources and you can always find sales on internet even if it’s last year’s model.

FLEECE/SWEATER - lite wt, wicking, non-cotton, goes alone or under the outer jacket: also for leisurely evenings.

SOCIAL SHIRT : washable, quick-dry, with convertible (tie-up) sleeves (Ex-officio, Northface, Patagonia, etc).

BASE layer t-shirt: next to the outer jacket this could be the most important upper body piece o clothing - advise budget priority for long sleeve and a short sleeve wool, wicking base t-shirt. I will always go with Icebreaker, but go with your own choice of Merino wool base T’s.

UNDERWEAR, PJ's: 2 pairs, washable, quick dry, no cotton. Men, remember to get the boxer type to reduce chaffing!!! Women - you know what to get. Bring a pair of lite boxers for sleep. Ladies, I envy you - compressible silk PJs really look comfy after a long and hot and sweaty trek followed by shower, cozy soup, bull-session.

TROUSERS: double up with convertible long pants and expect to daily strip down to short pants after 11am. Many products now are wind and rain proof so you don’t have to pack separate rain pants.

FOOTWEAR: BOOTS-advise the waterproof, breathable (gortex or similar material), mesh-panels, reinforced sole, boot which should be less weighty than all-leather...there are many good boot manufacturers, but get them one-half size larger than your shoe size because I advise the SOCKS should be all Wool, medium weight outer trek sock, plus compression liner (like air travel socks made from support hose material) - 2 pairs each lasted me fine, and it’s true that wool socks can go a loooong time with no washing and still smell ok. If you pack lite (6-8kilos) heavy duty and heavy alpine, leather boots seem unnecessary but Europeans find it hard apparently to lose old habits re their boots.

FEET: pack preventive care for your feet. Advise packing a 50ft roll of 1/2 inch medical teflon adhesive bandage (or the old stand-by, Duct-tape) - guard this with your life except for sharing with friends in emergency. The great advantage of this product, both, is it weighs minimal and takes up even less space in the pack. I had miraculous results using the “SUPPORT HOSE” liners - absolutely no leg cramps, leg swelling nor blisters. Expect to bruise toes but if you know of some effective solution for bruised toe tips, plueeeze let me know.

“Bug Balm”! Need we discuss this? And a good itch-relief product. And get these items cheap in the US before going to Europe because the euro pharmacias charge plenty and in euros. Remember to pack all balms and liquids in your check-in luggage. If you carry all your stuff as “overhead” then you are allowed a quart-size ziplock of these and other toilet products.

Miscellany: a HAT with brim, floppy and foldable and don’t forget a strap because it is windy in the Fall. BANDANA- for all sorts of things including keeping sweat from dripping down the face and head. Also, there is a compressed (no hollow core) TOILET PAPER that I did not find on the Camino - advise 1 1/2 rolls per person.
The new, miraculous and dry TOOTHPASTE POWDER PILLS - a full, 50 day supply is almost weightless and can be packed into one of those very small camping bottles. Then a small MIRROR, some cold or flu tablets, prescription stuff…etc.

There are other items I might have overlooked. Please feel free to contact me for advice other stuff. BTW - I carried 15 kilos (15!! yes) all the way from St Jean to Santiago. Why? It’s personal. But I plan to repeat my Camino with 5-7 kilos for enjoyment, after I complete rehab for my knee.

[Mountain Goat]

Many thanks for that Cory, really helpful information and much appreciated

[cory33]

Hey! I forgot the backpack and rain gear. There are many good backpacks and I chose Osprey which has an effective rain cover, is top loaded and has a bunch of useful pockets - also saw many europeans with Osprey packs. For my recommended pack load of 6-8 kilos, a 30-42 liter pack should be enough.

Rain gear: I never used my rain poncho, but if you want to carry one get a lite weight poncho made from Siltex material - it will be strong, compressible and minimum weight. You can also double-use a Siltex tarp (with snap buttons or grommets) as a poncho.