starting mid-october - big mistake?

[vered]

Hi,

I'm thinking of leaving SJPDP in mid October. I know it's not ideal, but that's the earliest I can leave for a 5 week long vacation and unfortunately, postponing the trip to 2010 is not an option.

I do want to take the trail, but would rather not take it at all if it is going to be a freezing, wet, stormy, lonely experience.

According to one of the sites I found, tempratures will be around 8-13 C. That doesn't sound too bad. But apart from one blog, I coudn't find anyone who walked the trail this late in the year.

Help, anyone:

1) How dangerous is it?

2) Is anyone familiar with the statistics for the number of travelers in October-November?

3) I understand some of the hostels close down in October (or is it November?). Will there still be others open. If not, I guess that will be the end of that.

Thanks,
vered

[Tami]

Hi Vered,

I plan on starting the Camino with a friend on October 10 and I also have five weeks. I know there will very likely be poor weather at times; however the cooler temperatures will make the walk more pleasant.

If you have the opportunity now, I say go for it. It may be more challenging this time of year, but it is all part of the adventure and that is what makes the best memories.

I would also like to hear any advice from those who have walked the Camino this time of year.

Thank you,

Tami

[Roseallee]

I will be starting in St. Jean on Sept. 22nd. and have 6 weeks. Anyone else going then? I, too, would like to hear experiences of walking in October. So much depends on what Mother Nature hands down for weather. Galicia had cool, wet weather in August this year from what I heard, so you just never know. Can it get very hot in October? Has anyone seen that? Thanks, Roseallee

[Pierotti77]

Hey,
My friend and I are thinking of starting the first week of October. So looks like there will be five of us out there anyway.

[Roseallee]

Hi All,
We will be wet or we will be dry, whichever it is will be fun. Hope to see some of you along the way. Since I begin Sept. 22nd maybe not unless I go very slowly. Roseallee

[natem]

I too will be starting the hike the first week in October. I'm looking at leaving the US (North Carolina) on October 6.

[lechat]

Arriving in SJPD Oct 6. Starting October 6 or 7 depending on how jet lagged I'll be. I have 35 days to reach Finisterre. Hope to see you on the camino, my name is Felix. Cheers!

[thepurplebackpack]

Starting on the 13th of Oct, so there will be 6 of us! How much warm gear are you guys planning on taking? Am planning on quite variable temps, many layers!

xx

[huthova@yahoo.com]

Hello all octobers walkers
we starting with my mom on 8 of october in Madrid taking nite bus to Astorga hopefully finding place to stay at 4 in the morning there.so looking forward to meet at least some of you and warm clothes i recommend galicia is mountain weather
Viki, Slovakia

[lechat]

I'm bringing a sleeping bag. Pretty sure we will be fine as long as we walk, my main concern is at night in the Albergues; the cold. Final hours before the start, see you on the camino. Cheers.

[Colette22]

Hello to everyone planning on starting out in October! I'm hopefully beginning my Camino at SJPP on the 10th, and its reassuring to know there will be quite a few of us about on the path. In terms of the weather, from reading various posts by others on this forum, it seems it can be quite variable.. I'm trying to prepare for most eventualities and am planning on layer-ing up to help when things get colder- and have invested in a warm sleeping bag! Hope to see you on the way -Colette

[Carol DK]

Hi,
I'm currently travelling around Europe a bit by car, and would like to walk part of the Camino towards the end of October - so I'm really glad to hear that there will be others out there during this time as well!!

I look forward to meeting some of you along the way!

Carol