Early April and Orisson Refuge

[GoldSparkle]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

 

[C clearly]

The date of their opening probably depends on when the Napoleon pass is considered safe to be walked. It is closed at least until the end of March. So, if Orisson is still closed you should be taking the Valcarlos route anyway. That route can be broken into two days.

 

[mspath]

The end of March does NOT necessarily mean the end of winter weather! Route N135 from Valcarlos up to Roncesvalles MIGHT be left totally unplowed in bad storms. Do indeed check the weather forecasts at the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP before setting off on either the Napoleon route or the Valcarlos alternate and be prepared to alter your plans.

Nevertheless the Valcarlos municipal albergue is always open throughout the year as is an albergue at Roncesvalles monastery.

 

[Anniesantiago]

If they are not open, there are plenty of places in SJPP that will be open.
You can easily walk back down to SJPP and spend a second night there, then taxi back up to Orisson to continue over the mountain.
However, if the refuge is closed, that most likely means there is snow and you should not be walking over, but taking the alternative route.

 

[MaryLynn]

If Orrison is closed because of bad weather, but you have already paid for your reservation in advance (as required), would you get a refund??

 

[gypsywind]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

Hey Alison, I will be starting on April 1st, also having received the same msg from orison. Depending on the weather I may do the valcarlos route, since I don't want the pressure of making it to Roncesvalles on my 1st day out . You walking alone, too ? Buen Camino, and it's fun to say "see you out there"
Gypsywind

 

[Dave C.]

Alison,
I received the same reply today. The Camino will provide. So I am not stressing and will go with it and see what opportunities present themselves.
Dave & H.

 

[Dave C.]

By the way, Orrison didn't ask for payment. Just said call a day prior.

 

[SYates]

If Orrison is closed, you can always walk the Valcarlos route ...
Buen Camino, SY

 

[Susan finn]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

kle, post: 368691, member: 51575"]Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison[/QUOTE]
We are planning

 

[Susan finn]

We are planning to start on the 5th of April and stay overnight at Orisson and got the same reply so will play it by ear. We may see you

 

[May2016]

I'm planning on starting on the 2nd April & also received the same reply. Finger crossed for fine weather, I'd really like to take this route.

 

[gypsywind]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

Hello Alison (the name of my friend who turned me onto the Camino 15 yrs ago).
I am starting April 1st, first camino, solo walker. I received the same email, and am looking into the Valcarlos route if I feel like the weather is going to be an issue. I am going to split the first day, (as I am a bit old & chubby!!) so I will change my route to do so. Happy Early Birthday, I will be somewhere on the camino, for my 55th on May 3rd! Hope to see you out there, Buen Camino

 

[Cam2016]

I received the same email when I emailed late December (I wanted a reservation for 10th April). I didn't feel comfortable with leaving it to the last minute and so I emailed again just a couple of days ago and they took my booking, sent me another email to pay them by paypal and transaction is now complete! I hope to reach Santiago on my 52nd birthday!

 

[Susan finn]

Re Orisson,
as we are arriving early April and they cannot take bookings yet, are you able to turn up at the pilgrims office in St Jean and they can let you know if it is open and perhaps book you a spot?
Regards Susan

 

[Cam2016]

They took my booking 2 weeks ago for my stay on 10th April....

 

[Susan finn]

Maybe I will try and rebook too as I want to break up the first day..thanks

 

[Jenyat53]

I have been trying to book on line for 13 April this year, but the reCAPTCHA tick seems to be faulty or not work from Australia. I have tried calling both phone numbers but only get the answering machine with no capacity to leave a voice mail.
I have also sent email to the address outside of their website but have received no reply from there either.
Can anyone help me with further suggestions of how to contact them from Oz?

 

[Jenyat53]

They took my booking 2 weeks ago for my stay on 10th April....

Cam2016 how did you make your booking with them?

 

[Cam2016]

Cam2016 how did you make your booking with them?

I emailed them directly with this address: refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr waited for a few days and then followed up the email again.
Maybe their reply sitting in your junk email folder? Just a thought.

 

[Ali Jones]

Hi Alison,
I'm also planning to walk from St Jean on 5th April. ..and hoping to stay first night at Orisson. Haven't even tried to book, but thanks to your posting I will email today. Thanks...and hope to meet you on the way.
Ali

 

[tpmchugh]

I dont know if this is true but I was told last April when I booked into Orisson that if the route was to get worse overnight while staying there, he drives the pilgrims down to Arneguy on the ValCarlos route. Seems he will refund money paid if the route is closed before you start. Also, to make my booking, I did so by directly emailing them.

 

[Ali Jones]

Thanks for that information, it seems nothing is certain....I guess we have to trust !

 

[Susan finn]

We start from St Jean on the 5th too! I was just going to ring a day or so before to orisson as I saw on the weather report ? Snow. We live on the coast here in Australia so we will probably struggle with the altitude.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

If Orrison is closed because of bad weather, but you have already paid for your reservation in advance (as required), would you get a refund??

Hi Marylynn, yes you will.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I'm planning on starting on the 2nd April & also received the same reply. Finger crossed for fine weather, I'd really like to take this route.

The Valcarlos route is a great route to according to my wife anyway she walked this route in 2013.
Wish you well, Peter.

 

[Pi Wakawaka]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

Hi Alison, I also got the same email from Refuge Orisson just last week. And I also got an email just days ago from my upcoming stay at St Jean hostel owner saying that it is still winter and there is snow and the pilgrims are walking the Valcarlos route. I will be in SJPP early April. So I will go which ever way is recommended. I also wish to stop half way either route allows this. Happy Birthday, what a grand gift to yourself!

 

[Pi Wakawaka]

They took my booking 2 weeks ago for my stay on 10th April....

Interesting because they told me to wait until the night before to ring them as the weather issue... they sent me this email on March 22. I am not stressed.

 

[Pi Wakawaka]

I emailed them directly with this address: refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr waited for a few days and then followed up the email again.
Maybe their reply sitting in your junk email folder? Just a thought.

First reply I got indicated that my mail went to their junk folder...

 

[Pi Wakawaka]

I emailed them directly with this address: refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr waited for a few days and then followed up the email again.
Maybe their reply sitting in your junk email folder? Just a thought.

First reply I got indicated that my mail went to their junk folder...

 

[Reedmont]

Hi Alison, I also got the same email from Refuge Orisson just last week. And I also got an email just days ago from my upcoming stay at St Jean hostel owner saying that it is still winter and there is snow and the pilgrims are walking the Valcarlos route. I will be in SJPP early April. So I will go which ever way is recommended. I also wish to stop half way either route allows this. Happy Birthday, what a grand gift to yourself!

 

[Reedmont]

hello all. I just stumbled upon this thread and was curious if anyone knew current weather conditions from SJPP to Roncesvalles. My son and I plan on departing SJPP the morning of April 7th and would like to make it all the way to Roncesvalles first day. Need we bring boots for potential snow accumulation on the trail? Many thanks .

 

[Urban Trekker]

Hi everyone, I'm schedule to start walking on my birthday, April 4. I emailed the Orisson refuge on January 2nd asking to reserve on April 4 and I got a response on Jan 12 that said:

"At this period of the year we don't know if the weather is good so just call us the day before to know if the refuge is open."

Which is mildly concerning. But I suppose if they're not open or available on April 4 it's straight to Roncesvalles for me!

Is anyone else walking early April who tried to get a reservation at Orisson? I've seen people get reservations for mid and late April. I've got a small foot problem and really hope to be able to split the first day in half.

Alison

Took mine for the 14th

 

[Kanga]

@Reedmont snow is forecast for the 7th. Please check with the pilgrim office before you set out - we have already had a couple of rescues this season (and those rescued now get charged the full costs), and it is only a few years since a couple of deaths. In snow and fog it is easy to lose the path. If the weather is not good then go via Valcarlos, not the route Napoleon.

 

[Reedmont]

As always, thank you Kanga!

 

[Pi Wakawaka]

Woop woop arriving in SJPP today.

 

[SanJo]

We are planning on beginning our Camino Frances in SJPDP April 1, 2017 - perhaps this is too early, weather-wise? Would it be better to begin mid April? (we will be retired, so our timing is flexible) Also, I have read that there is lots of room at the alburgues until approx. mid-May, so why the need to book beds for April? (just checking in case we really do need to book.) Gracias!

 

[Tincatinker]

A camino commenced on All-fools Day - what could be more perfect. The weather will be what it is, and is un-predictable much more than 3 days in advance. Walking in April has brought me snow, rain, wind and sun. Be prepared, be flexible: and in early April no need to book accommodation.

 

[Mycamino Maya]

We are planning on beginning our Camino Frances in SJPDP April 1, 2017 - perhaps this is too early, weather-wise? Would it be better to begin mid April? (we will be retired, so our timing is flexible) Also, I have read that there is lots of room at the alburgues until approx. mid-May, so why the need to book beds for April? (just checking in case we really do need to book.) Gracias!

My husband and I walked the Camino Frances in 2015 and started April 1, that worked out really well for us because we do not like the heat. In the 35 days we had sun, heavy rain, snow, fog, wind and hail. We never booked any albergues and never had a problem and we were slow so always one of the later pilgrims. Something that we often said was handy that if you start on day 1 on the first you always know which day you are one. We walked the beautiful Volcarlos route because the Napolean was still closed on the first. Enjoy your preparations. Maya

 

[Saint Mike II]

Now I know why I am planning to start from St Jean around May 4, but will be prepared to take either rout. Remember the weather has no memory and does not have a gregorian calendar - so March 20, April 1, May 3 are all the same!!

 

[VNwalking]

The end of March does NOT necessarily mean the end of winter weather! Route N135 from Valcarlos up to Roncesvalles MIGHT be left totally unplowed in bad storms. Do indeed check the weather forecasts at the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP before setting off on either the Napoleon route or the Valcarlos alternate and be prepared to alter your plans.

To emphasize what @mspath so accurately points out:

March 21, 2015 (Near Villafranca Montes de Oca)

March 28, 2016 (near Fromista)
Springtime snow can be anywhere, not just in the Pyrenees!