A pilgrim has died on the Camino near Roncesvalles - March 2013

[CaminoJohn]

I think the part with the truck takes place where the camino splits off from the paved road onto a grassy track and then heads up through a crag. I think he missed this and continued on the road to where the man found him, and then dropped back there. He says he followed the paved road again where he became stuck over night. Anyone know where that road leads to and the name of that crag/peak?

 

[Mark M]

Navarricano, good report and post.

Yes, tragic, and very similar to The Way and how Tom's son died. In St. Jean it can be a beautiful day - but that path goes over a real mountain and even on a 'good' day the weather can change in minutes.
He was so close to safety, so close. After all that trekking through deep snow he would have been so tired, perhaps already hypothermic, and his mind would probably not have been clear, the poor man.

The markers on the pass are not tall and disappear easily in snow. I went over in March and there was a lot of snow up there - snowed heavily at one point - and there were two places I can remember where the markers were buried for long stretches. A couple came up behind me and we jointly worked out which way to go. Had I been alone I would have not gone ahead as I couldn't be certain I was still on the Camino - being three we gave each other support, but it was dangerous up there ..

Something that could help significantly is long-pole markers that wouldn't disappear in deep snow and perhaps a few emergency shelters. With so many pilgrims on the Camino it would be simple to raise more than enough money to have these safety measures put in place - who wouldn't drop a Euro into such a collection tin? Such a mission could raise a hundred thousand Euros within one year ... such a project could be named after those who have lost their lives up there ....

... don't know what others think, nor how one could go forward on such a project - the pilgrim welcome centre in St Jean?

May I inquire...

What are people's experiences of walking the Mountain path out of St Jean in March. I really want to do this but not put myself or others at risk by doing so...

I fit and healthy and an experienced walker.

 

[offtrail1]

Just a sad story. As an experienced winter hiker and mountaineer, I know anything is possible - seemingly routine routes can bring death & extremely treacherous routes are navigated by novices with no ill results. In mountain environments clear skies can quickly change to dangerous winter weather, hail or snow . Muddy trails can freeze to become icy danger zones. Always be prepared, err on the side of caution, and know your limits - and even then there is a chance of tragedy. A 'buddy' is also of value in possibly dangerous areas. Be safe all - I'll be there in the spring.
Dave

 

[pudgypilgrim]

May I inquire...

What are people's experiences of walking the Mountain path out of St Jean in March. I really want to do this but not put myself or others at risk by doing so...

I fit and healthy and an experienced walker.

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...ce-for-pilgrims-setting-off-april-2013.16961/

 

[Rosemary Lyons]

Intending to walk the mountain pass out of St. Jean in March ,we were met with enough discouragement from locals plus the recent death of a pilgrim to change our minds . We started our walk from Roncesvalles instead and looked at our disappointments and accepted and knew we missed nothing at all.
It was a moment and we made our decision and did not look behind nor ahead. Accept.

 

[Susan hopes]

May his soul shine ever brightly to light his way to heaven. May happy memories of our fellow pilgrim comfort his family in the difficult days ahead.

 

[Houlet]

RIP.

I think there are many lessons on this thread for those who sacrifice essential gear with the aim of reducing pack weight.

 

[Mark M]

RIP.

I think there are many lessons on this thread for those who sacrifice essential gear with the aim of reducing pack weight.

Fully agree. Its so important to use the right gear. I always dress for the worst weather, just in case. Pilgrims should be prepared to spend a night out in freezing conditions. They may never need to but if they do - it sure comes in handy.

 

[MendiWalker]

May he rest in peace and his family find comfort within.

Buen Camino!

 

[wayfarer]

May I inquire...

What are people's experiences of walking the Mountain path out of St Jean in March. I really want to do this but not put myself or others at risk by doing so...

I fit and healthy and an experienced walker.

As stated before Mark, the pilgrim office will let you know of conditions on the Napoleon. Heed their advice. The Valcarlos is also a lovely walk or if conditions are really bad then start from Roncevalles.
Buen Camino.

 

[Mark M]

As stated before Mark, the pilgrim office will let you know of conditions on the Napoleon. Heed their advice. The Valcarlos is also a lovely walk or if conditions are really bad then start from Roncevalles.
Buen Camino.

Thank you. Fully agree.

 

[lukedarracott]

My condolences go out to his family and friends. What a terrible thing.

 

[Kathy F.]

This tragedy (The Canadian citizen who apparently accidentally mis-stepped off the Napolean in brutal conditions) happened shortly before I set out from SJPdP on my first Camino. I had planned, of course, to do the Napolean in the lovely springtime but, going on the advice of so many onthis forum, also decided that I would follow the advice of the locals in SJPdP.
When I arrived, THE END OF MAY, I was surprised to find, not the lovely spring weather I had anticipated, but cold, icy, challenging conditions which prompted the locals to close the Napolean! I walked the Valcarlos instead, a definite challenge unto itself.
One of the first lessons I learned from the Camino was that my plans were not in my hands. I couldn't allow my pride to win over common sense. I realized that if I wanted to walk the entire way and arrive at Santiago in better shape than I started, I would need to, a.) listen carefully to the Guardian Angels on my shoulders, b.) be patient with myself, and c.) plan one day at a time.
I was disappointed that I couldn't walk the Napolean that very first day - it was a hard lesson to have to learn on day one - but, 40 days later, as I practically skipped into Santiago, I was greatful for everything the Camino had taught me about myself and my place in the world.

 

[MendiWalker]

One of the first lessons I learned from the Camino was that my plans were not in my hands. I couldn't allow my pride to win over common sense. I realized that if I wanted to walk the entire way and arrive at Santiago in better shape than I started, I would need to, a.) listen carefully to the Guardian Angels on my shoulders, b.) be patient with myself, and c.) plan one day at a time.
I was disappointed that I couldn't walk the Napolean that very first day - it was a hard lesson to have to learn on day one - but, 40 days later, as I practically skipped into Santiago, I was greatful for everything the Camino had taught me about myself and my place in the world.

I totally agree with you.
And there aren´t more accidents because of those "Guardian Angels". I have read more than once of a peregrine saying that he or she didn´t listen to the locals about not walking in such bad weather conditions (e.g. snow) and boasting that nothing happened to them but if something would have happened.............

Buen Camino!