Orisson - bad weather risk

[JustEuman]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering staying a night in Orisson in April,

A couple of questions around this please,

What typically happens if the weather changes overnight making crossing from Orisson unsafe the next morning?

And secondly what happens if the pilgrims office advises you NOT to go the Napoleon route on the day you want to leave SJPdP due to bad weather forecasts?, I'm guessing this probably means find an Albergue in SIPdP and lose your booking in Orisson!!

Thanks in advance

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering staying a night in Orrison in April,

A couple of questions around this please,

What typically happens if the weather changes overnight making crossing from Orrison unsafe the next morning?

And secondly what happens if the pilgrims office advises you NOT to go the Napoleon route on the day you want to leave SJPdP due to bad weather forecasts?, I'm guessing this probably means find an Albergue in SIPdP and lose your booking in Orrison!!

Thanks in advance

Hi , when the Napoleon route is closed you can get a refund when you booked in the Albergue Orisson.
Wish you well,Peter.

 

[naplesdon]

I stayed there 15 June 2017, it was a raining heavily by the time I reached the Refuge. Over night it sleeted and was close to freezing the next morning, we walked in a dense frozen fog until we reached the top of the hill and were welcomed to the sight of clear blue skies as we descended the mountain to Roncevalles.

 

[scruffy1]

First day out from SJPP, overwhelming excitement, great expectations, new sights, many new people, lots to talk about already when taken all together make it very difficult to hit you usual rhythm and pace walking so Orrison can be a life saver. Book w-e-l-l in advance its a popular spot. Do however spend a dime and call Jean-Jacques on the telephone some time before you leave to re-confirm, mistakes and forgetfulness can happen anywhere.

 

[Davey Boyd]

If you are at Orisson and the weather closes in it is easy enough to get a cab back to St. Jean and take the Valcarlos route in the morning. The folks at Orisson will advise you, no worries.

 

[trecile]

Just FYI, when it's Orisson, two S's, not two R's. Lots of people make this mistake when they email them, and wonder why they don't hear back.
Actually, it's safest to copy and paste this email address: refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr

 

[Arn]

First day out from SJPP, overwhelming excitement, great expectations, new sights, many new people, lots to talk about already when taken all together make it very difficult to hit you usual rhythm and pace walking so Orrison can be a life saver. Book w-e-l-l in advance its a popular spot. Do however spend a dime and call Jean-Jacques on the telephone some time before you leave to re-confirm, mistakes and forgetfulness can happen anywhere.

The Pilgrim Office in SJPDP calls Jean Jacque each morning to gauge the weather at Orisson and toward Roncesvalles. No one should discount a determination that starting out is NOT recommended.

 

[JustEuman]

Just FYI, when it's Orisson, two S's, not two R's. Lots of people make this mistake when they email them, and wonder why they don't hear back.
Actually, it's safest to copy and paste this email address: refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr

Rectified

 

[HedaP]

I hesitated to respond to this thread because what happened to me was definitely the exception and very far from the norm. However, I have just responded to another thread about the same incident so feel obliged to now put something on here. I and other pilgrims walked from Orisson in September 2015 in what turned out to be a hurricane. The road was apparently officially closed but noone at Orisson told us. We had visited the pilgrim office the day before and got their advice. There is no internet access at Orisson to check the weather forecast. We were complete newbies and didn’t know better. So we walked up the mountain into the wind because that is what pilgrims do. Would never do it again. As soon as it got to the point where it was impossible to walk against the wind gusts I would turn back.
I am very pleased to hear that the pilgrim office rings Orisson every morning to gather information and also hopefully to keep Orisson informed of any advice received from the gendarmes about road closures.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering staying a night in Orisson in April,

A couple of questions around this please,

What typically happens if the weather changes overnight making crossing from Orisson unsafe the next morning?

And secondly what happens if the pilgrims office advises you NOT to go the Napoleon route on the day you want to leave SJPdP due to bad weather forecasts?, I'm guessing this probably means find an Albergue in SIPdP and lose your booking in Orisson!!

Thanks in advance

I know exactly what you are going through. I departed St Jean on May 1st last year; the weather on the Napoleon route on the Saturday an Sunday was almost like being in mid-winter - rain and snow; 60-80 km winds and a temperature of 6 or 7 at best. I had booked Orisson for the evening of May 1st, but after consulting with the Pilgrims Office in St Jean I decided to walk via Valcarlos (with an overnight stop here). As it turned out the Monday afternoon at Orisson was good but the next morning with the climb to over 1340/1450 metres it was risky at best. Even down in the valley it was still raining - but no snow. So what I am saying is - you pay your money for the Orisson reservation but be prepared to make alternate plans (you can expect to loose your E30 reservation fee). Buen Camino

 

[JustEuman]

I know exactly what you are going through. I departed St Jean on May 1st last year; the weather on the Napoleon route on the Saturday an Sunday was almost like being in mid-winter - rain and snow; 60-80 km winds and a temperature of 6 or 7 at best. I had booked Orisson for the evening of May 1st, but after consulting with the Pilgrims Office in St Jean I decided to walk via Valcarlos (with an overnight stop here). As it turned out the Monday afternoon at Orisson was good but the next morning with the climb to over 1340/1450 metres it was risky at best. Even down in the valley it was still raining - but no snow. So what I am saying is - you pay your money for the Orisson reservation but be prepared to make alternate plans (you can expect to loose your E30 reservation fee). Buen Camino

Thanks for the reply, I have decided to not book ahead based on feedback

How fast it can change, I crossed the Napoleon Route April 15 last year and it was a fantastic day.
On the day you mention I was doing the stretch on the Meseta between Carrion de los Condes and Terradillos de los Templarios and that same weather & cold snap came across the plains .. that stands out the single hardest day of the whole journey for myself and others I walked with

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Previous replies to a similar question indicate that there will be a refund and even help if you do stay there but weather keeps you from continuing the next day. See
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/orisson-question.39139/

 

[JustEuman]

Previous replies to a similar question indicate that there will be a refund and even help if you do stay there but weather keeps you from continuing the next day. See
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/orisson-question.39139/

Previous replies to a similar question indicate that there will be a refund and even help if you do stay there but weather keeps you from continuing the next day. See
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/orisson-question.39139/

Yes thank you I did see that thread

 

[Lucy Keenan]

Hi , when the Napoleon route is closed you can get a refund when you booked in the Albergue Orisson.
Wish you well,Peter.

I have just been in touch with the folks at the Albergue in Orisson as I am walking at end of April. They said if weather closes in they will drive people to the alternative route.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Thats a service they provide .
Wish you well,Peter.

 

[Penny Kingma]

My stay at Orisson and that beautiful walk from SJPDP to Roncesvales was a beautiful start and a highlight of my 2016 Camino. The pilgrims I met at Orisson met up and continued to travel together at times...and remain friends today. Also while slippery the path through the woods into Roncesvaes.....beautiful.
Buen Camino....follow your

 

[Thornley]

Hi everyone,

I'm considering staying a night in Orisson in April,

A couple of questions around this please,

What typically happens if the weather changes overnight making crossing from Orisson unsafe the next morning?

And secondly what happens if the pilgrims office advises you NOT to go the Napoleon route on the day you want to leave SJPdP due to bad weather forecasts?, I'm guessing this probably means find an Albergue in SIPdP and lose your booking in Orisson!!

Thanks in advance

Hi Sean ,
As your photo on Forum indicates you will be aware when Air Traffic Control tells the pilot one more lap mate you can't approach.
Thats the same with over the top.
Orrrissson [ just to upset Trecile] has only 44 beds , whilst each day there are 100's that commence.
Valcarlos might be recommended , if so enjoy the stop there its a great little village.
And don't for one minute think you are taking the easy way ,
Its the original way , Napoleon was never @ Orisson or near it , its just as hard but you can leave StJPP later in the day and have a leisurely walk in the basque countryside before good accommodation and food.
The next day you could consider well past Roncesvalles for a stop.
Be guided mate from the office and have a great camino.

 

[JustEuman]

Hi Sean ,
As your photo on Forum indicates you will be aware when Air Traffic Control tells the pilot one more lap mate you can't approach.
Thats the same with over the top.
Orrrissson [ just to upset Trecile] has only 44 beds , whilst each day there are 100's that commence.
Valcarlos might be recommended , if so enjoy the stop there its a great little village.
And don't for one minute think yu are taking the easy way ,
Its the original way , Napoleon was never @ Orisson or near it , its just as hard but you can leave StJPP later in the day and have a leisurely walk in the basque countryside before good accommodation and food.
The next day you could consider well past Roncesvalles for a stop.
Be guided mate from the office and have a great camino.

Thanks Thornley!

My first preference is over the top, but on the day I would be just as happy with the route via Valcarlos