I read a comment a while back about the "walk of shame" describing those who returned to SJPdP from Roncesvalles because they had not trained & couldn't do it. I am one of those, except, even worse, I never got as far as Roncesvalles! I did train, but not NEARLY enough, and I only made it to Orisson. MAYBE if it hadn't stormed all night, soaking my clothes on the line, maybe if it wasn't cold, bitter, and pouring that morning at Orisson I would've tried the trail (3x harder than Day 1) ahead of me on Day 2--but I doubt it. Just the thought of being isolated on a mountaintop in God knows what weather, Mountain Hut probably not being unlocked--OMG! Let's just say: be prepared, be really fit! Almost everyone I met/saw was in top form, unrelated to age. I'm 63 y/o woman and I did train, but not nearly enough! And backpack too heavy (by the time I added water & food for the SJPdP-to beyond Roncesvalles about 20#). Maybe I'm just a wuss, but this is just a warning. Train well.
However, I had a great vacation in SJPdp, Biarritz, Pamplona, & Santiago de Compostela via train, bus, and air!
However, I had a great vacation in SJPdp, Biarritz, Pamplona, & Santiago de Compostela via train, bus, and air!