Albergue Population

[James Eyskens]

I've been a Hospitalero at Rabanal for the last 2 Septembers and we
(Gaucelmo) were full up within 30 minutes of opening every night and
most days turned people away after putting mattresses down in the
library.  I walked in May-June '01 and although it was crowded I found a
bed in a Refugio every night but twice-Sarria and Leon.

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU] On
Behalf Of GASpangler
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2004 12:03 PM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Albergue Population

The month of August is THE most crowded, every year.
All of France and much of Spain goes on holiday during August.
Historicly, there will be one half to one third that number in
September.
2001 had 19,836 in August, 7,671 in September, 3,419 in October, and 865
in
November. The later you start, the colder and wetter things are going to
be, of course. September is a good trade-off. Try not to start on a
weekend
in a lage city, or traditional starting point. Sunday, August 1, 2004 in
Roncesvalles would have been a very bad choice. I'm sure several million
started there on that my-first-week-of-holiday weekend.
Other than that, GO FOR IT!
Ultreya,
Grant

Grant Spangler
GASpanglerahotmail.com
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago
http://community.webshots.com/user/ElCaminoSantiago