2 days to go and a late concern

steve392 · Sep 3, 2016

Hi all,
I fly out to Biarritz on Monday for the start of my camino and I have everything in place and ready to go.
The only problem is that over the last couple of weeks I've been ill with flu and a chest infection and my fitness isn't what it should be. I'm concerned that the first 2 days (orisson booked) over the Pyrenees and into roncevalles is going to be a bit too demanding as my chest is still tight and I can't breath as freely as I should be. Therefore I don't want to be putting myself and anyone who would have to help me at risk if the worst should happen and I got into difficulties.
So my question is this. Is the lower route via valcarlos a lot easier?
Is there a bus service that could take me to roncevalles from SJPDP?
The bus option would be a last resort if I feel I needed it.
It would be a shame to miss the Pyrenees, but they aren't going anywhere and I can always go back another day. I just don't want to risk the entire camino just because I pushed myself too hard on the first couple of days.
Your thoughts and advise will be very welcome.
Steve.

wayfarer · Sep 3, 2016

Hi Steve, sorry to hear about your flu. my advice would be to consult your doctor first and foremost and let him know your plans and take his advice. There used to be a bus from St Jean to Roncevalles but I don't have details of it at hand, but I am sure someone here will know.
I walked the lower route in 2012 and found it easy, past Valcarlos it got a bit harder. I would avoid going off the road after Valcarlos as these sections are very steep. I walked almost to Orrison in 2014 and found it tough going but then I had to abandon due to health problems.
I hope all works out for you and that you have a great Camino.
PS. I put this into Google and got several hits for a bus service.
"bus from st jean pied de port to roncesvalles"

Ants · Sep 3, 2016

A taxi is another way of getting over..as someone used that service when my wife and I were in sjpdp

mspath · Sep 3, 2016

Another solution is to use the car pool services of Express Bourricot.

See more here
http://www.expressbourricot.com/persons-transport/

Good luck and Buen camino!

Deleted member 43985 · Sep 3, 2016

The Valcarlos route has the added advantage that it is a pretty easy 13kms to Valcarlos and you can spend the night there and rest up for the steeper section from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles. It only takes 3-4 hours to get to Valcarlos and plenty of good places to sleep. Then if you leave around 9am from there you can take it real slow and easy and still arrive in Roncesvalles mid-afternoon, well ahead of the crowd that left SJPDP that day ensuring you get a good bunk at the Albergue and there will still be dinner and breakfast spots open. Next couple of days after that are pretty easy too so hoping you get your legs under you and your lungs back by then! Buen Camino!!

Annie Little · Sep 3, 2016

jozero said:
The Valcarlos route has the added advantage that it is a pretty easy 13kms to Valcarlos and you can spend the night there and rest up for the steeper section from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles. It only takes 3-4 hours to get to Valcarlos and plenty of good places to sleep. Then if you leave around 9am from there you can take it real slow and easy and still arrive in Roncesvalles mid-afternoon, well ahead of the crowd that left SJPDP that day ensuring you get a good bunk at the Albergue and there will still be dinner and breakfast spots open. Next couple of days after that are pretty easy too so hoping you get your legs under you and your lungs back by then! Buen Camino!!

That's got my vote .... Assuming you are fit to fly ...

Annie

Deleted member 36903 · Sep 3, 2016

jozero said:
The Valcarlos route has the added advantage that it is a pretty easy 13kms to Valcarlos and you can spend the night there and rest up for the steeper section from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles. It only takes 3-4 hours to get to Valcarlos and plenty of good places to sleep. Then if you leave around 9am from there you can take it real slow and easy and still arrive in Roncesvalles mid-afternoon, well ahead of the crowd that left SJPDP that day ensuring you get a good bunk at the Albergue and there will still be dinner and breakfast spots open. Next couple of days after that are pretty easy too so hoping you get your legs under you and your lungs back by then! Buen Camino!!

Based on my own experience, I second @jozero's suggestion. SJPDP to Valcarlos is a nice, gentle walk from France into Spain without putting your body under too much pressure. The albergue in Valcarlos is excellent and there are many places to eat and stock up on snacks etc. for the lower climb over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles. Wishing you a speedy recovery - take some of those effervescent vitamin c tablets with you to help build your resistance - and Buen Camino!

Deleted member 3000 · Sep 3, 2016

steve392 said:
Is there a bus service that could take me to roncevalles from SJPDP?

There are buses at 1145 and 1915 from SJPdP to Roncesvalles/Pamplona. The bus stop is across the river in Uhart Cize. The fare to Pamplona is 22E (probably less to Roncesvalles).

Castilian · Sep 3, 2016

steve392 said:
Is there a bus service that could take me to roncevalles from SJPDP?

Yes, with Alsa (www.alsa.es/en)

steve392 · Sep 3, 2016

Thanks all.
The lower is looking the more likely as time passes. Hopefully come Monday morning i'll be feeling a lot better and shouldn't have to worry too much.
Steve

Bala · Sep 3, 2016

My vote as well, for all the reasons given above. If you don't feel up to the next day's steep trail (check the altitude charts) it would be easy to arrange transportation to Roncesvalles. The night we stayed, one woman felt ill and took a taxi the next morning to a clinic somewhere further along. (She ultimately made it to Santiago, so this was clearly a good move.)
We took the trail, absolutely beautiful! But it's through woods, very isolated, very off the beaten path. I didn't see a single other pilgrim the entire day, so the road might be a better choice if your health is a concern.
Hope you are fully recovered soon. Buen Camino!

Mark Lee · Sep 3, 2016

Hydrate, B complex vitamins and zinc, bus to Pamplona and hang out there for a couple of days until you feel better and hit the trail.
The CF is a plenty nice walk from there. You wouldn't be depriving yourself of anything.
cheers

VNwalking · Sep 4, 2016

The Valcarlos route is gorgeous, authentic, and in no way a 'poor second choice.' If it turns out you feel OK to walk (versus taking Express Bourricot or a bus) I'd also wholeheartedly recommend that--and it has the added advantage of being less popular.
Whatever--go to SJPP and decide what to do when you get there, depending on how you feel and the weather.
Buen Caamino, Steve!

steve392 · Sep 5, 2016

Cheers again guys.
Woke up this morning and feel pretty good. Still have the tightness in my chest though.
6am at the moment and I'll be out the door and on my way in about an hour. The valcarlos route looks pretty good and I'm sure I'll be able to walk it with no problems. Still very unsure about route napoleon though.
I guess I'll find out tomorrow when I start walking.
Thanks once again and buen camino to you all.
Steve

Scarlet Fez · Sep 5, 2016

Good luck Steve, take it easy, you might find that once on the trail the lack on anxiety will help further. I fly out next week 14/09 and over the weekend have tweaked something in my back which is painful and annoying. Hopefully it will settle, give it a couple of days then a quick visit to my chiro could be on the cards!
Buen Camino

steve392 · Sep 10, 2016

Quick update.
By the time I got to sjpdp I wasn't feeling too bad at all. Sat down with 3 other pilgrims for dinner and decided to just man up and walk the route napoleon.
I honestly thought it would be a lot more tougher than it was. The worst part for me was getting up to orrrison where I'd booked a bed for the night but decided not to stay as I was feeling good. Once past orrison i honestly thick that it's more about the distance than the gradient and the last ascent just before you reach lepoeder that makes it tough. Made it to roncevalles just after 3 pm.
3 days later and after a rest day in pamplona (fantastic) I'm starting to feel ill again. Typical. Farmacia here i come.

C clearly · Sep 10, 2016

Pamplona is a good place to stay for another day or two, to be sure you are on the mend properly! You did say you had a chest infection, so it might need further treatment.

Craglin · Mar 11, 2018

steve392 said:
Hi all,
I fly out to Biarritz on Monday for the start of my camino and I have everything in place and ready to go.
The only problem is that over the last couple of weeks I've been ill with flu and a chest infection and my fitness isn't what it should be. I'm concerned that the first 2 days (orisson booked) over the Pyrenees and into roncevalles is going to be a bit too demanding as my chest is still tight and I can't breath as freely as I should be. Therefore I don't want to be putting myself and anyone who would have to help me at risk if the worst should happen and I got into difficulties.
So my question is this. Is the lower route via valcarlos a lot easier?
Is there a bus service that could take me to roncevalles from SJPDP?
The bus option would be a last resort if I feel I needed it.
It would be a shame to miss the Pyrenees, but they aren't going anywhere and I can always go back another day. I just don't want to risk the entire camino just because I pushed myself too hard on the first couple of days.
Your thoughts and advise will be very welcome.
Steve.

It is definitely an uphill climb and you will be out of breath but staying in Orisson will break it up. Don't fall into the trap of worrying about other people passing you by. Take lots of mini breaks. If you don't feel up to the next day's long climb you can get a ride from Orisson down to a bus I believe. From Orrison to Roncevalles is a long haul and there is no way to get to alternate transportation at a certain point. If your lungs feel weak after your night in Orrison, don't continue up that way!

Deleted member 3000 · Mar 11, 2018

steve392 completed his camino in October of 2016, so his lungs did okay!

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