August 15-24 start and Orisson reservations

[cmsmith]

I understand that the Camino Frances is very crowded in the summer, so I am considering a September-October camino. At my speed and with rest stops, I will need almost 2 months. To avoid the end of October and increasing possibilities of rain, what about starting in the last half of August? I know that August is vacation month for many Europeans, but will the first stages of the Frances be crowded then or will everyone be on down the road?

I will definitely take the advice to stop first in Orisson. But I am a little puzzled. How does one hang around in SJPP, waiting for the advice of clear weather, and still get a bed at Orisson? Is it realistic to call for a reservation on the morning of departure?

CMSmith

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Hi,

Orisson is a single house all on its own half way up the Pyrenees 800 meters. ( go on to google maps and see).
you have to book in advance and pay up front with paypal. I am told that they can get booked out several months in advance. I booked in early December for May.

Of course if fog came down and all the pilgrims decided to go by the other route by Valcares they would get no money if pilgrims had not paid in advance, so I can see their point. They are running a business and have no competition.

It is €32 for the night which includes dinner and breakfast. Most people who have stayed there seem very happy and there is a great communal atmosphere as all sit down to dinner together,

I am looking forward to it

Buen Camino

 

[cmsmith]

Thanks Lydia. Maybe I should just start in Roncevalles. I understand the views as you cross the Pyrennes is what makes people start at SJPP. Are they as good from Roncevalles?

I envy your May start. Buen Camino!

 

[Arn]

Welcome to the Class of 2012!

There is no view from Roncesvalles...unless you consider the Monastery (for the architecture)and the view out the dorm toward the roadway. That's your view!

Orrison on the other hand is breathtaking!

As far as weather goes, on average, the August-Sept period temperatures are still in the high 70's and low 50's. There are few rain or fog days to consider. Therefore, book Orisson.

It's the December thru April pilgrims that have to consider bad weather. When they arrive in SJPDP, the Pilgrim's Office will advise on the weather. If the forecast is bad, you either stay or taxi up to Roncesvalles if you must start that day.

Hope that helps.

Arn

 

[ranthr]

Bad weather during summer is probably not a big problem.
I have walked the Napoleon route three times, once end of April and twice in Sept./Oct. in bad weather all the times, fog or heavy rain and wind. It is not a pleasure, missing the views etc., but doable and often with a lot of other pilgrims on the road.
Think I have read somewhere in this forum that the owner at Orrison brought people down to Valcarlos when the weather was too bad to continue over the mountain.
Randi

 

[cmsmith]

Thanks for the last two posts; they did help.

Do you have any insights as to the crowds in mid or late August at the beginning of the Camino? Obviously, reservations at Orisson are necessary at any time.

It is the "bun fight for beds" (as one poster called it) that worries me--especially at the beginning of the Camino. I think I will have figured out my rhythm by the end of the journey, even though I understand the "buns" will be flying fast by then.

CMSmith

 

[Arn]

Unofficial numbers of pilgrims passing thru the Pilgrim Office in SDC was about 40,000 (Aug 2011), the number drops toward 20,000 (in Sept). That's from all Caminos. High numbers on CF are in Roncesvalles...about 100 per day...as the pilgrims make their Way to Burgos the winnowing has begun...so finding a bed isn't difficult. From Sarria...the number picks up again, but should be no problem finding a bed at all.

Saludos,

Arn