Equipment

[Lis]

Hi fellow pilgrims. I'm walking the Camino starting October 1. I bought a waterproof goretex jacket and not the lightest piece of clothing. After researching many sites I now read that a plastic poncho is the thing to wear when raining. From researching I know the rainy season is spring (May) mostly. How is the weather in October and I guess, if anything, my jacket will a wind protector. Also, is a light-weight sleeping bag for 0 C warm enough during cold nights? I'm very excited about this pilgrimage. I hope to meet some of you who are walking in October. I'm planning for 35/40 days for this walk, starting in St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll be flying into Paris and train/bus from there. Any ideas or hints to make the trip to St.JPdP easier, let me know.

[John Hussey]

Hi fellow pilgrims. I'm walking the Camino starting October 1. I bought a waterproof goretex jacket and not the lightest piece of clothing. After researching many sites I now read that a plastic poncho is the thing to wear when raining. From researching I know the rainy season is spring (May) mostly. How is the weather in October and I guess, if anything, my jacket will a wind protector. Also, is a light-weight sleeping bag for 0 C warm enough during cold nights? I'm very excited about this pilgrimage. I hope to meet some of you who are walking in October. I'm planning for 35/40 days for this walk, starting in St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll be flying into Paris and train/bus from there. Any ideas or hints to make the trip to St.JPdP easier, let me know.

The drier months are the summer months of July & August and the frequency of daily rain probability increases with each month from then to the much wetter winter months. It should rain about a quarter of the time in October. Here is about the best site for determining weather along the Camino, broken down by month:

http://www.peterrobins.co.uk/camino/weather.html

October can also be colder and the jacket will provide more warmth than a poncho, especially at the higher elevations, and starting in October, you will arrive in Galicia in November, when even the evenings will be cool, if not downright cold on occasions. The jacket serves not only as rain protection but wind protection and, thusly, warmth in the cold as well, trapping your body heat inside. Gore-tex was originally invented for extreme cold weather use. So, I would opt for the more utilitarian jacket in that month, rather than the poncho. But, I do hope that your jacket does have long pit zips underneath your arms which can be opened so as to vent your body heat if you do become over heated in warmer, rainy weather.

Your 0 C (32F) sleeping bag should prove more than adequate. I went in Oct-Nov 2005 and took a similar rated one of down and it sufficed perfectly, even if a little warm occasionally.

I also started in SJPdP as you intend to do but I flew to Madrid, took a train to Pamplona and then taxi to SJPdP. I am not now sure that is the cheapest option since the taxi fare (if not shared, and I saw no other pilgrims in Pamplona at the train station when I arrived with which to share the ride & cost)). I hope to go back in October of this year and am looking at train to France and bus to SJPdP which I saw mentioned once.

Good luck and enjoy all those fresh grapes in the vast fields you will walk through in Navarra & Rioja!

[Lis]

John, Thanks for the feedback and website. I'm glad I bought my jacket now. I took it to Nova Scotia last week and wore it two days in very wet weather. It's a great jacket, with big pit vents, so I gather it will be needed on my walk. Glad I invested.

One more question. Should I invest in waterproof rain pants? Just another item to carry, but if it's needed??

I'm anticipating a good grape harvest in Navarra and Rioja
I'm planning to take train from Paris to Biarritz then bus to St.JPdP. I found these web sites for busses and trains to St.JPdP.
Bus: http://www.bus-stab.com/Privee/html/aff ... gne_06.pdf
Train: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_Sv ... AGENCY=VSC

I could alter route and fly into Madrid but taking a taxi solo from Pamplona would be costly so am doing the Paris/train/bus route. I think it will be cheaper.
Good luck with your expedition.

[John Hussey]

Lis:

I stopped taking rain pants some years ago as I find them-for me at least- way too hot for three-season hiking, even in higher mountains than along the Camino. Instead, I always wear hiking shorts (and sandals) & concentrate more on keeping my body's trunk dry and find that just by picking up, or reducing, my walking speed I can generate the heat needed and the legs never (almost never) get cold unless it is really very cold. But that is what I am accustomed to and you could be different. If you are taking a pair of nylon pants along to use in the evenings when you are not walking and instead are just ambling along in the towns, villages and cities along the way, then I would have those serve doubly duty as rain pants and leave the dedicated rain pants at home. You wish to keep your pack weight down as much as possible and it is a pain to have to carry some item that you will seldom use-like rain pants. But then, many do carry them. It is a personal thing, I suppose.

You said above:
"I'm planning to take train from Paris to Biarritz then bus to St.JPdP. I found these web sites for busses and trains to St.JPdP."

I prefer flying into Madrid but I am wondering if it might be cheaper taking train to Biarritz & then bus, as you said, to SJPdP. I have to check into that. The taxi ride's cost was bad enough but nothing to match the wild ride that driver gave me, being flung back and forth in the back seat. It was obvious it was not his first trip but I was beginning to suspect it could just possibly become my last. If you do take the taxi, sit up front.


Bus: http://www.bus-stab.com/Privee/html/aff ... gne_06.pdf
Train: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_Sv ... AGENCY=VSC

I was unable to log onto these links.

[Lis]

John,
Sorry about the links. I tried again and I also could not access them this time?? Decided not to fly to Madrid, taxi sounds too crazy and $$$.
On google I just typed in Paris - StJPdP train and found this out:

I've decided to fly into Paris am (from Toronto), roam around a few hours there, then take overnight train from Paris Austerlitz (2310hrs) to Bayonne (0824hrs) to transfer train to St.JPdP arriving 0937hrs. (40 Euros from Paris to StJPdP). It was the cheapest way to go without doing an overnight in Paris. I'll have a day to acclimatize and explore StJPdP and get a fresh and early start on the Camino next morning.

Thanks about the suggestion of rain-pants. I'll do as you suggest as I was of the same mind. Too cumbersome to carry for the few times needed. I like the idea of one pair longs for evenings etc. I'm used to cold=canada

One more question. You seem full of good ideas.
Should I invest in two walking poles. I have a friend who is giving me a wooden walking stick but have read two poles will greatly reduce the impact on body. So undecided!

By the way, do you know how late the pilgrim office stays open? I could take a day train if everything is on time and I would arrive in StJPdP at 1935hrs.(but that could be pushing it)

Thanks for your help.
Happy trekking.

[John Hussey]

Lis:

To use or not to use poles is a very personal thing. Some do, some don't; some use one, some use two.

For my choice, I have always used just a single one. But, after developing quite severe knee pain this summer from all the downhills walking on the first 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail, I am beginning to re-think my choice. The downhills are not as severe on the Caminos, with the possible exception of those of the Camino de Norte, but I have decided to purchase two of those poles, and begin using them, just in case, instead of just a single one. But, if you do not have a knee problem.... Anyway they are of little help to no help at all when the tread is level, could help some pushing off them on the uphills and help a lot absorbing some of the jarring shock of the down hills.

Pilgrim's Office, St. Jean Pied de Port.

Good info here with the address:
http://www.csj.org.uk/how-to-get-a-credencial.htm

Albergue info in SJPdP:
http://www.caminosantiago.org/cppere...nofrances.html

You might call their telephone number and ask for the pilgrim's phone number or if they know the Pilgrim's office hours. When i was there it was noonish and i had to wait until they re-opened after lunch, perhaps 1330 or 1400. Being from Canada, likely you know enough French to ask. I, regrettably, do not, but I do speak Spanish.

Old site info/Pilgrim's office:
http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/...que132&lang=en

Travel Info:
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantia...06371985671769

roaming the 'net looking for Pilgrim's office info, I found the above good travel info on getting to St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll do the train route to France instead of the taxi from Pamplona. I don't wish for a repeat of that 'wild ride' across the mountains ever again

[Lis]

John, thanks for all your great information. I've decided on two poles only because I have a bit of a wonky left knee from skiing fall years ago.

I will check out the websites you found about SJPdP and make a final decision about a night train or trying to get into SJPdP the same day I arrive in France. Thanks for the sites.
I've read Sue Kenny's book and she flew in on same flight from Toronto and made it to SJPdP that same evening and started out the following day. A bit of a rush I think, so I'll have to decide whether to rush around or take time to explore. Personal choice.

Train route to France for you sounds good. A bit of a detour but it seems straight forward and probably more affordable.

[Kalai]

Hi there my name is Kalai,
I will be heading out on the trail around September 8th. I have just found out that I have to send away for credentials first (from Canada) and this can take up to 4 weeks to receive. Is this true ?

Or, can I get it at the pilgrim office in St. Jean ?

If anyone knows some info on this, I would much appreciate (first-timer)

Thanks!

[John Hussey]

Hi there my name is Kalai,
I will be heading out on the trail around September 8th. I have just found out that I have to send away for credentials first (from Canada) and this can take up to 4 weeks to receive. Is this true ?

Or, can I get it at the pilgrim office in St. Jean ?

If anyone knows some info on this, I would much appreciate (first-timer)

Thanks!

You can pick it up in St Jean Pied de Port, at the pilgrim's office.

[Kalai]

Wonderful, thanks John!!

Kalai

[Des Butler]

Hi fellow pilgrims. I'm walking the Camino starting October 1. I bought a waterproof goretex jacket and not the lightest piece of clothing. After researching many sites I now read that a plastic poncho is the thing to wear when raining. From researching I know the rainy season is spring (May) mostly. How is the weather in October and I guess, if anything, my jacket will a wind protector. Also, is a light-weight sleeping bag for 0 C warm enough during cold nights? I'm very excited about this pilgrimage. I hope to meet some of you who are walking in October. I'm planning for 35/40 days for this walk, starting in St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll be flying into Paris and train/bus from there. Any ideas or hints to make the trip to St.JPdP easier, let me know.

A friend and i will be in SJJP on oct 2nd and intend doing the walk in the month,so will catch up,intend doing 28k per day.
Des.

[michael]

Hi fellow pilgrims. I'm walking the Camino starting October 1. I bought a waterproof goretex jacket and not the lightest piece of clothing. After researching many sites I now read that a plastic poncho is the thing to wear when raining. From researching I know the rainy season is spring (May) mostly. How is the weather in October and I guess, if anything, my jacket will a wind protector. Also, is a light-weight sleeping bag for 0 C warm enough during cold nights? I'm very excited about this pilgrimage. I hope to meet some of you who are walking in October. I'm planning for 35/40 days for this walk, starting in St. Jean Pied de Port. I'll be flying into Paris and train/bus from there. Any ideas or hints to make the trip to St.JPdP easier, let me know.

Travel light, water and good footwear will be the key to success.good luck see you om the trek

[walked may 2003]

heh Liz....I walked the camino in May 2005 . invest in a water proof pack cover....make sure you have a hat, gloves and a fleece of some sort and at least 1 walking pole. a rain coat will be great too. I wished I had a few of these things then and I do now and pack as light as possible...your feet will thank you.