First Time; Camino Frances Sept 11

[Ruthinator]

Hi everyone first timer for El Camino and multi days/long hikes. I'm doing El Camino Frances, starting on SJPdP Sept 11th. I did my best research on gear and what to pack, prepared physically the best I could and I am just going to take a day at a time. While travelling and be stationed in Germany I grew curious about the El Camino, now that I retired and after years of recovering decided it was time. The information in this forum has been very helpful, thank you.

With that said, I only booked a night at SJPdP and it seems everything is booked at Roncevalles for the 11th, should I delay my start date, stayed somewhere else maybe Orrison. My schedule is flexible, I have a one way ticket since I am not sure how long it could take me given injuries and physical limitations.

Thanks, Ruth

 

[Tincatinker]

Hi @Ruth Urbina and welcome to the forum. September is a busy month, peak season Camino. That said at Roncesvalles there are only a restricted number of pre-bookable beds. The rest are offered on a first-come basis. Its likely that you'll get a bed at Roncesvalles on a mid-week night (avoiding the travel on Friday, start on Saturday surge). You might also consider walking the Valcarlos route and spending your second night of Camino in Valcarlos. After a pleasant night in an excellent Albergue in a friendly Basque town you'll have a shorter walk to Roncesvalles and be early in the queue for one of those free beds.

Buen Camino

 

[Ruthinator]

Hi @Ruth Urbina and welcome to the forum. September is a busy month, peak season Camino. That said at Roncesvalles there are only a restricted number of pre-bookable beds. The rest are offered on a first-come basis. Its likely that you'll get a bed at Roncesvalles on a mid-week night (avoiding the travel on Friday, start on Saturday surge). You might also consider walking the Valcarlos route and spending your second night of Camino in Valcarlos. After a pleasant night in an excellent Albergue in a friendly Basque town you'll have a shorter walk to Roncesvalles and be early in the queue for one of those free beds.

Buen Camino

Thank You, Tincatinker.

 

[alexwalker]

Hi everyone first timer for El Camino and multi days/long hikes. I'm doing El Camino Frances, starting on SJPdP Sept 11th. I did my best research on gear and what to pack, prepared physically the best I could and I am just going to take a day at a time. While travelling and be stationed in Germany I grew curious about the El Camino, now that I retired and after years of recovering decided it was time. The information in this forum has been very helpful, thank you.

With that said, I only booked a night at SJPdP and it seems everything is booked at Roncevalles for the 11th, should I delay my start date, stayed somewhere else maybe Orrison. My schedule is flexible, I have a one way ticket since I am not sure how long it could take me given injuries and physical limitations.

Thanks, Ruth

Hi Ruth; first, welcome to this forum. @Tincatinker is giving good advice. And your attitude is very sound; Take your time, play by the ear, and take each day as it comes. As you can see from my profile (left) I have done many (more that that...) Caminos: Two times I have had return flights booked: Both times I had to change them (throw them away). Be prepared for the unprepared, and let the Camino decide for you. It will work out just fine.

You start out on a hectic, but fantastic time (weatherwise) for your Camino.Enjoy. Take it easy the first week. However much you may have trained, your body needs to adjust to the Camino. But after a week or so, you will feel more physical fit, as well as having gained confidence in the living on the Camino. It is really much easier than most people fear.

Buen Camino!

 

[Ruthinator]

Hi Ruth; first, welcome to this forum. @Tincatinker is giving good advice. And your attitude is very sound; Take your time, play by the ear, and take each day as it comes. As you can see from my profile (left) I have done many (more that that...) Caminos: Two times I have had return flights booked: Both times I had to change them (throw them away). Be prepared for the unprepared, and let the Camino decide for you. It will work out just fine.

You start out on a hectic, but fantastic time (weatherwise) for your Camino.Enjoy. Take it easy the first week. However much you may have trained,
Your body needs to adjust to the Camino. But after a week or so, you will feel more physical, as well as having gained confidence it the living on the Camino. It is really much easier than most people fear.

Buen Camino!

Thank Alexwalker, I am very excited, apprehensive but not scare. Even as a solo female, relying on my military training to move forward. Thanks for the advice, really taking @Tincatinker advice specially about Vancarlos. I was told/read that Vancarlos view is not as impressionable as the other.? What is both of you take on it?

 

[alexwalker]

Thank Alexwalker, I am very excited, apprehensive but not scare. Even as a solo female, relying on my military training to move forward. Thanks for the advice, really taking @Tincatinker advice specially about Vancarlos. I was told/read that Vancarlos view is not as impressionable as the other.? What is both of you take on it?

Let your eventual fears stay at home. You are in for an adventure of your life!

The first day from SJPdP to Roncesvalles is definitely the hardest day of the whole walk. If you are very fit, you CAN make it in one day; if not/average, I strongly advice you to stay in Orrison, if you take the Napoleon route (mountain). If not possible to book there, go as @Tincatinker advices. After Roncesvalles, it is all more normal.

Alone woman, military background? Have no fears. The Camino is a safer place than cities. And you will meet people who you will team up with. Some of them may be lifelong friends. They are on the Camino because they are a bit like you.

Regarding views: You have a totally new world coming up for you: Pamplona. Burgos. The peace of the Meseta. Leon. Cruz de Ferro. Ponferrada with the 11th AD Templar castle, Villafranca del Bierzo. O'Cebreiro. Samos. And much more.

Sip the Spanish wine. Eat tortilla. Have a cold beer with shoes and backpack off at an outdoor cafe. Enjoy your freedom. And Think/Contemplate.

Ultreya! (Upwards and forwards!)

 

[Jamminclark]

Hi Ruth, welcome to this excellent and very informative forum! I am restarting my Camino in Pamplona on 16 September 2019 so maybe our paths will cross somewhere on the way.

Buen Camino!

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

Ruth, if you are not successful getting a bed at the albergue in Roncesvalles, you can check Booking.com to see if beds / rooms are available at other locations in Roncesvalles. For example, the popular bar / restaurant Cafe Sabina offers overnight accomodations. My wife and I have walked CF twice and stayed in the albergue both times. We found it difficult to sleep due to the number of pilgrims staying there and how quickly noise travels across the large rooms. This time we're staying in Hotel Roncesvalles.

With regards to route out of St Jean, we hiked the ruta Napoleon in 2015 and ruta Valcarlos in 2017. Both were interesting and challenging. My wife and I liked the Valcarlos route since there are a few places to stop, use the bathroom, buy snacks or cafe con leche. We've decided to walk the Valcarlos route again this time. We hike out of St Jean Sept 20.

Bob

 

[Ruthinator]

Ruth, if you are not successful getting a bed at the albergue in Roncesvalles, you can check Booking.com to see if beds / rooms are available at other locations in Roncesvalles. For example, the popular bar / restaurant Cafe Sabina offers overnight accomodations. My wife and I have walked CF twice and stayed in the albergue both times. We found it difficult to sleep due to the number of pilgrims staying there and how quickly noise travels across the large rooms. This time we're staying in Hotel Roncesvalles.

With regards to route out of St Jean, we hiked the ruta Napoleon in 2015 and ruta Valcarlos in 2017. Both were interesting and challenging. My wife and I liked the Valcarlos route since there are a few places to stop, use the bathroom, buy snacks or cafe con leche. We've decided to walk the Valcarlos route again this time. We hike out of St Jean Sept 20.

Bob

Thank you, will look into it. and Buen Camino!

 

[Ruthinator]

Hi Ruth, welcome to this excellent and very informative forum! I am restarting my Camino in Pamplona on 16 September 2019 so maybe our paths will cross somewhere on the way.

Buen Camino!

The World is a small place. Buen Camino!

 

[Richard A Stead]

Hi everyone first timer for El Camino and multi days/long hikes. I'm doing El Camino Frances, starting on SJPdP Sept 11th. I did my best research on gear and what to pack, prepared physically the best I could and I am just going to take a day at a time. While travelling and be stationed in Germany I grew curious about the El Camino, now that I retired and after years of recovering decided it was time. The information in this forum has been very helpful, thank you.

With that said, I only booked a night at SJPdP and it seems everything is booked at Roncevalles for the 11th, should I delay my start date, stayed somewhere else maybe Orrison. My schedule is flexible, I have a one way ticket since I am not sure how long it could take me given injuries and physical limitations.

Thanks, Ruth

 

[Richard A Stead]

Walk to Orrison day 1. Taxi back to SJ and taxi back next morning. Think other transport available to do this but to go to Roncesvalles in one hit is too tough in my opinion.

 

[Ruthinator]

Thanks after hiking up to Orisson I realize going to Roncesvalles will be hard so I stayed at Orisson. Best decision ever.

 

[Ruthinator]

Hi everyone, started mi Camino on Sept 11 and thus far has been amazing. Currently at Belorado. I’m trying to blog but Im way behind but surely posting. Here is the link
Www.urbinatravels.wordpresss.com

 

[Ruthinator]

The World is a small place. Buen Camino!

Currently at Hontanas. How is your Camino