wendywohns
New Member
How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
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I had to seriously think hard about this because I was sixty-six years old when I hiked the Pyrenees. I was not a hiker nor a regular walker. I did not want to take any chances. We made a reservation at Orission which is more or less half way up as a stopping point. The Pyrenees for me was more difficult going down than up. It will test your footweare.How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
I had to seriously think hard about this because I was sixty-six years old when I hiked the Pyrenees. I was not a hiker nor a regular walker. I did not want to take any chances. We made a reservation at Orission which is more or less half way up as a stopping point. The Pyrenees for me was more difficult going down than up. It will test your footweare.
Buen Camino.
How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
Hey Lise, how long did it take you from SJPdP to Orrisson? I plan on booking Orrisson the 1st night. Pretty scared as I am not use to walking step hills with a backpack!!It isnt technically hard. But its "up" and then its "down".
The best advise I got and it worked brilliantly, was to take little steps and if it gets harder...take even smaller steps. Walking poles also helped.
But...the best decision I made (apart from staying in Orrisson) was for the decent, taking the path to the right into Roncesvalles. It was down a little road and less chance of slipping on tree roots or slippery leaves.
...The best advise I got and it worked brilliantly, was to take little steps and if it gets harder...take even smaller steps...
Hey Clearskies.....if you take the path to the right as you start to desend...it is easier on your knees and the fatigued brain. You just follow a small road all the way.
You are sooo right about the path to the right!It isnt technically hard. But its "up" and then its "down".
The best advise I got and it worked brilliantly, was to take little steps and if it gets harder...take even smaller steps. Walking poles also helped.
But...the best decision I made (apart from staying in Orrisson) was for the decent, taking the path to the right into Roncesvalles. It was down a little road and less chance of slipping on tree roots or slippery leaves.
I didn't go over the Pyrenees the first time but all those I met who did loved it.... I am looking forward to it this year.How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
Hopefully I meet the smile doctor along the wayIt's a long but beautiful slog. If you can keep a sense of humor about it you'll be fine... Stock up on some jokes and tell other pilgrims as you pass or they pass you. I met the Smile Doctor while crossing the Pyrenees. He was hiking dressed like a clown, passing out paper smiles glued to ice cream sticks. He had one for every kilometer on the CF SJPP to Santiago.
I did not find the climb difficult. I had a good dry day in May, not too hot. I reached Roncesvalles in under 6 hours and the next day I walked 38k to Trinidad de Arre. I reached Santiago in 30 days.How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
I plan on booking Orrisson the 1st night. Pretty scared as I am not use to walking step hills with a backpack!!
Wow!! That is a whopper!! I think Orrisson is a good choiceThat's a wise move. I've attached a PDF file of the elevation of each stage of the Camino and as you'll see the first day is a whopper.
You can download it by clicking on the link below. Have fun!
Its not as bad as it looks on paper Andrea. Some of these elevations worried me when I saw them first but in reality they are not so bad, just take it easy and take plenty breaks.Wow!! That is a whopper!! I think Orrisson is a good choice
Thanks
Its not as bad as it looks on paper Andrea.
Interesting. Can anyone find a video of the Sherpa Step technique. I found a text description that described it as 'goose' stepping downhill, so that weight is always placed on a straight leg.
Weight should NOT be on a straight leg -- that's a prescription for knee pain. Here's a description of Sherpa downhill technique: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...ums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=44551
Weight should NOT be on a straight leg -- that's a prescription for knee pain. Here's a description of Sherpa downhill technique: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi...ums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=44551
My friend and I will be walking out of SJPdP on September 3rd. We have been training and planning for more than a year. Since the very beginning my friend has been most concerned with crossing the Pyrenees. We waiver between crossing in one day, staying in Orrison, stopping at Orrison and taxi back to SJPdP overnight - we can walk for three hours discussing this topic! It is nuts - as of this moment our plan is SJPdP to Roncesvalles in one day but sending our packs ahead and walking with day packs only. I fear that with six weeks to go we will change our minds at least six more times! I just want to walk - I am so ready to get started!
That is a speed of about 4kph for a steep uphill and a slippery downhill. That is not really fast, particularly for Europeans who walk more than Americans, but I think it is faster than the typical first time camino walker who takes regular breaks and airs his/her feet. I have heard hundreds of tales from those who take ten to twelve hours for the crossing (like me). In my opinion only the most fit should plan only six and one-half hours to get to Roncesvalles from SJPdP. Plan "all day" if you want a buffer.It took me 6hrs 25 min total walking time.
Which is why we are staying at Orisson!That is a speed of about 4kph for a steep uphill and a slippery downhill. That is not really fast, particularly for Europeans who walk more than Americans, but I think it is faster than the typical first time camino walker who takes regular breaks and airs his/her feet. I have heard hundreds of tales from those who take ten to twelve hours for the crossing (like me). In my opinion only the most fit should plan only six and one-half hours to get to Roncesvalles from SJPdP. Plan "all day" if you want a buffer.
The secret is to get up early and be on the road by 0630, it will give you loads of time to climb and descend.
It took me 6hrs 25 min total walking time.
That is a speed of about 4kph for a steep uphill and a slippery downhill. That is not really fast, particularly for Europeans who walk more than Americans, but I think it is faster than the typical first time camino walker who takes regular breaks and airs his/her feet. I have heard hundreds of tales from those who take ten to twelve hours for the crossing (like me). In my opinion only the most fit should plan only six and one-half hours to get to Roncesvalles from SJPdP. Plan "all day" if you want a buffer.
I look forward to hearing a full report by Day 3, as this is our dilemma too
Whilst this Forum is a wonderful resource, frequented by some awesome people, having 12 months to plan does I fear, make one 'over think it' to a degree
If I was 15 KG lighter, 15 years younger, and a lot fitter I would probably just go next week!
How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
Starting out from Saint Jean Pied de Port is a tough first day but it is what it is, it is part of the exprerience and there is no alternative. I suggest staying at Orisson the first night since you will likely be pretty tired by then. The food is great, the hospitaleros are very pleasant and they made everybody introduce themselves at dinner. It is a good beginning. The climb is challenging but I think the trip down the Spanish side is just as tough on the body. Take your time and enjoy some beautiful scenery and very nice people.How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/
I'm not sure anyone as done the math in this thread yet, so here it is. A 1200 meter elevation change is 4000 feet UP. Suddenly that seems like an awful lot to me!
Of course there is an alternative: start in Roncesvalles! AnneStarting out from Saint Jean Pied de Port is a tough first day but it is what it is, it is part of the exprerience and there is no alternative. .
This is exactly what we are doing. We will walk to Orisson or Pic de Orisson (depending on the weather) on the 5th, get a taxi back to our accommodation. The following morning we will get the 8.00am morning shuttle back up to Orisson or Pic. The price of the shuttle is 8 euros per person.Yep, changed our minds ... We have a room in SJPdP for Sept2/3 ... We will make a comfortable first day walk as far as Orisson and return to SJPdP by taxi ... Return to Orisson by taxi on the 3rd to continue on to Roncesvalles ... Our decision is based on several factors 1) we have nothing to prove to anyone including ourselves by crossing in one day 2) It is a long day and a half of travel from South Texas to St Jean to walk that far without good rest 3)We are not 'spring chickens' think 'older, rounder hens'! 4) Most importantly, I am on religious pilgrimage - I feel like I need to slow down so I do not miss a single soft whisper from God!
Absolutely LOVED the photos. That's what I am looking forward to. What a special memory your daughter will always have. Gifts from your hearts to each other.
How arduous is the climb over the Pyrenees? I am concerned it might be too much for the first day, but then again, it sounds awesome. Thoughts/