weather in May

[jo hughes]

Any forecasts for this May.

[lughcamino]

Expect rain, wind, snow, sun, and at least two thunderstorms! On my first camino in 2003, it rained for 20 days out of 31. on My next camino, it rained three days. I have seen snow in May on the pyrenees and at Manharin (close to the highest point of the camino). I have been caught in the open in many thunderstorms, but avoided getting hit by lightning! Temperatures can vary hugely. Depending on where the wind is coming from, it can be very chilly throughout May....and it can also reach 30 degrees. They say that it rains every three days in Galicia.

So the bottom line is...Be prepared for anything!

[jo hughes]

Many thanks for your reply. Its great to hear of your experiences. Its just a shame that it means carrying so much kit. After years of mountain walking and finally getting it together to do the Camino I have recently damaged my achilles tendons and was secretly hoping I could get away with wearing trainers! Better make sure I take all warm and waterproof gear. Many thanks Jo

[annie]

Jo... hi. I walked in April,May, & June last year & I wore lightweight cross trainers (x country ones) and they worked fine. Yes they got wet. But with smartwool socks my feet got wet but never cold. And they dried quickly. I didn't take boots at all. Hope that helps. But without the additional ankle support I really recommend you take lightweight poles. Annie

[Mena]

Annie
thanks for all the sound down to earth advice.
Im in my early fifties and no athlete and have been walking in the corbieres hills here in southern France .Ive been doing walks of 17 kms over some really steep and hilly paths with walking trainers.
My ankles are a bit worse for the wear and I needed hot and cold showers to relieve them but after a good sleep am as good as new.
The sticks I bet will help with the ankle strain as you suggested.
Any tips on training...I am walking the Camino end of april and wondered whether or not to leave out the pyrenees
Love and Light
Mena

[annie]

Dear mena... I walk regularly... but only shortish distances usually. And then I take off on Pilgrimages and walk within my comfort zone trying to listen to my body. In the begining I may do 18km one day, 9 the next, then 22km, then 12 etc etc until aftre a couple of weeks my stamina increases and I can do 25km daily if needs be. I think that's the most important bit. I'm the same age as you & I'm sure you'll be just fine. I tend to keep Ibruprofen capsules on me at all times... you can also get a spray which brings fairly immediate relief.

For most people I talk to 18-20km is a pleasure. 20-28km is more than many of us prefer...The nice thing is I know I can do 35k if I HAVE to... & that's always useful to know. But I would never do that sort of distance 'cold' before my feet are settled & I've found my rythym... so a good couple of weeks for me before I 'test' myself.

There are always folk who whizz past and do 35k daily... but that's not for most folk. And my legs are short (my excuse!)

I think for me the most important thing is keeping the amount in my rucsac down. Also, do try walking with a weighted rucsac as you walk in a different way and walking 20km with a rucsac is very different to walking 20k without. My first time I thought I was doing well with 12kg. I've managed to halve that. OK... I have to do without many little 'luxuries' ... but the overall luxury is walking with such joy!! I hardly know I have a pack on my back.

The Pyrenees? Depends where you are starting from. If you're walking from where you live along the Arles route, then route along the Canal du Midi is very pleasant & easy walking toward Toulouse... (the only bit of the Arles route I've done)... & by the time you reach the Pyrenees you'll be so fit you'll glide effortlessly over them! If you're starting at St Jean, then for the uninitiated one of the hardest days walking comes at the very begining...

... oh yes... just one last idea... if you're walking in France you won't need to carry a sleeping bag, just a liner. You can always use the Poste Restante system & have someone post your sleeping bag so its ready for you to collect (they keep parcels up to a month) from a post office just before you cross the Pyrenees. That'll save carting it on the French side.

I've got flu at the moment which is why I'm spending so much time on the Santiago site... & I'm just wishing I was due to leave this April too!! So any more questions feel free to fire away whilst I have plenty of time!! Regards, Annie.

[jo hughes]

Jo... hi. I walked in April,May, & June last year & I wore lightweight cross trainers (x country ones) and they worked fine. Yes they got wet. But with smartwool socks my feet got wet but never cold. And they dried quickly. I didn't take boots at all. Hope that helps. But without the additional ankle support I really recommend you take lightweight poles. Annie

Hi Annie, many thanks for all your advice. I notice you come from Wales. Where about? This site has been so useful and I am very appreciative of your help. It is so good to speak with others who have walked the Camino. Once I am on my way I know that it will just unfold but before I go it seems so important to get the kit right. I am a bit frustrated at present. Not only did I spend ?100 on new boots but the first time I did a decent walk in them they damaged my achilles. Even if I put my old (and very comfy) boots on now it sets them off again. It means that I am not doing any training at the moment for fear of setting them off again. I also feel unsettled due to the fact that I haven't sorted my footwear (and probably the most important piece of kit!) out. Your message gave me some comfort. Thank you.

[annie]

Hi Jo... the footwear thing is always a nightmare. I bought a pair of INOV x trainers and though they were hunky dory after a few days realised I needed the next size up! So had to buy another pair. But the next size up have been totally perfect. The grip on them is fantastic and they are as light as a feather.

After a few days non-stop walking my feet seem to get marginally bigger... on the other hand you don't want to be slopping around in your trainers/boots either.

What's really saved my bacon all 3 times have been my sandals. The first time I had a pair of Merrel's, and the last twice I wore a pair of Keen sandals. Last year I noticed a few people with the same sandals as me and all of us swore by them. Personally I prefer the sandals with a suede/leather 'bed' for your feet... the antibacterial plasticky footbeds I've always found very sweaty and for long distance walking I've avoided them. But that may be a personal thing, i don't know. The Keens are really for beach'n boat'n rock wear but are brilliant except in mud when they tend to pick it up in clumps. But they look nice enough to 'go out' in 'off Camino' but came to my rescue en route also.

I think you do well not to upset your Achilles any more. Rest up and treat it gently. And start up gently when you do start. The hare & the tortoise story comes to mind... and lots of little tortoises (of which I reckon I am one!) reach Santiago in their own style. If you have any residual doubts about your achilles when starting you may want to think again about commencing from St Jean & start at Roncesvalles instead.

And thank you... the flu is fine really. I actually had it a week ago but the after effects have been terrible cough and feeling whackoed! And I'm from West Wales... but I do know the Great Orme, tho not been there for years. Are the mountain goats still there?

PS...My other 'fave' piece of equipment has been a lightweight Buffy ... a sort of polyester one piece roll which can be worn round the neck / as a hat / as a headband / as a balaclava / over the eyes to darken a light room or take a quick snooze in bright sunlight and kid yourself its dark. You find an amazing selection (including the Welsh Dragon!) in most outdoor shops.

Cheers. Annie.

[Mena]

Hi again Annie
thanks once again for all the advice.
I will heed what you said about the rucksack load...I noticed how different it is without a pack and with one. Took me about half an hour more to walk the same distance with just a load of 5 kilos.
In my youth I walked and climbed Snowdonia.I imagine its somewhere you have often headed off to.
When are you planning your next big walk and where to?
Love and Light
Mena

[annie]

Good luck Mena. I'm about to open a new thread cos we're hoping to do about 3 weeks on the Vezelay route in August. Its the only time of the year my husnabd takes a break & we thought it might be a bit cooler than the other routes if we start in Vezelay, being further North. Annie.

[Kathy Crandall]

Hi Mena,
I have been been interested in your conversations with Annie. I too am wanting to set out on the camino for the first time. I recently got my rucksack and I have been going through how much and what I really need. Annie's advice was good. I am struggling with boots as well. I have my old pair but they seem too heavy. I got a new pair but they don't seem quite right either. I feel I need some ankle support so I wonder about trainers but I will try some out. Usually I hike in boots here on Vancouver Island but we have lots of weather here.
Right now I have a sore knee so I am resting it up a bit but I had thought of starting in late April as well. Maybe we could keep in touch.
Kathy
quote=Mena;246]Hi again Annie
thanks once again for all the advice.
I will heed what you said about the rucksack load...I noticed how different it is without a pack and with one. Took me about half an hour more to walk the same distance with just a load of 5 kilos.
In my youth I walked and climbed Snowdonia.I imagine its somewhere you have often headed off to.
When are you planning your next big walk and where to?
Love and Light
Mena[/quote]

[Mena]

Hi Kathy
GOOd to meet you, so to speak and to know we are both in the same frame of mind, ie novices...HA
I would love to stay in touch and meet up on the Camino.
I havent fixed a defitite start date but somewhere in the last 10 days of April sound good.
I am still wondering if I will walk across the pyrenees or not. At the end of the day I will trust my instinct once I am in St. Jean. I believe transport is possible across if needed so I will go with the flow on that one.
I am in the process of getting my pilgrims passport this week and a sleeping bag and other bits and bobs and then booking my transport.
How and when do you intend to arrive Kathy . We could be good for each other and boost each other along.
My email is menaaupy@hotmail.com and you are welcome to get in touch that way.
Love and Light for now
Mena