Aloha From Kauai
A Lifetime of Journeys
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April 3rd - June 3rd, 2022
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Aloha Forum Ohana,
In six weeks I begin my journey and feel like I have an equal number of butterflies in my stomach as steps I will be walking. With my fractured foot I will be barely healed by the time I go, or not, but going I am.
I am going to post a series of short questions that will help me calm down (maybe). Many thanks in advance for your assistance.
Today's two questions:
1. I'm starting to panic about money; how much realistically, with all of the Covid related changes the Camino has had to adapt to, am I looking at needing to spend each day?
2. I will be heading out of SJPDP with no training (due to my foot), out of shape, and while not limping at the start of the day, I most likely will be somewhat by the end of the day. I am expecting I am going to feel like I've been hit by a truck, and not sure what my options are after Roncesvalles for a place to stay the second day after a fairly short walk. Does anyone have any recommendations for an albergue or inexpensive hotel not too far out so I can rest mostly the second day?
With Gratitude,
Jill
Thank you for that suggestion, someone else made it too. My intent was to walk to Orrison. From there I get nervous, but I suppose worst case, as you say, I could head back.I would suggest if you can break your first day, that might help. That first day over the mountain for a newly healed injury may be quite tough. You can either stay in one of the albergues if you can get a booking, or taxi down to SJPDP and back again the next day.
Money wise I cant tell as I last walked in Sept/Oct 2019. People who have walked more recently can advise on that.
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness. I'm going to try, you know I've day dreamed so much about that piece, the vista's, the Griffin vultures, the Madonna. I've had to adjust my thinking though and sternly tell myself it's ok to do things differently or creatively if I need to. Thank you again for your suggestion.Do you absolutely want to start in SJPDP? Just genuine concern seeing your injury.
Pamplona is a nice start also.
Otherwise lots of choices between Roncesvalles and Zubiri.
Point we'll made and taken. I have that in my mind already, both from the standpoint of being on the board of our fire department here, but also living in a place where people do exactly what you describe. I do not want to be that person. My first goal is evaluate how I feel in SJPDP, then Orrison if I feel good, and then take stock there and decide how logical it is for me to go further. I would assume I could get a bus to go around if I went back to SJPDP. Thank you for your common sense.Can’t help but admire your spirit but seriously question the wisdom of starting out from SJPDP given your described physical condition.
Aside from further damage to your foot, which could deny you further walking, if on a particular remote stretch you become immobilised you not only put yourself in potential danger but risk endangering others.
Be advised also that should a situation arise where a helicopter rescue is necessary it will be exceptionally expensive and you risk being fined.
Not wishing to a damper on your obvious enthusiasm I’d suggest starting at Roncesvalles or further down the trail.
Your choice, Jill, and, whatever, enjoy!
Paul
I made a reservation at Posada El Camino in Lintzoain for my (cancelled) 2020 camino. So I haven't actually stayed there but it's 14 km from Roncevalles and you can book a bed in a shared room for €20.Does anyone have any recommendations for an albergue or inexpensive hotel not too far out so I can rest mostly the second day?
With Gratitude,
Jill
Orisson only accepts pilgrims arriving by foot.The steepest and hardest part of the Napoleon route is the climb up to Orisson. You could take Express Bourricot there and save strain on your foot.
Aloha Forum Ohana,
In six weeks I begin my journey and feel like I have an equal number of butterflies in my stomach as steps I will be walking. With my fractured foot I will be barely healed by the time I go, or not, but going I am.
I am going to post a series of short questions that will help me calm down (maybe). Many thanks in advance for your assistance.
Today's two questions:
1. I'm starting to panic about money; how much realistically, with all of the Covid related changes the Camino has had to adapt to, am I looking at needing to spend each day?
2. I will be heading out of SJPDP with no training (due to my foot), out of shape, and while not limping at the start of the day, I most likely will be somewhat by the end of the day. I am expecting I am going to feel like I've been hit by a truck, and not sure what my options are after Roncesvalles for a place to stay the second day after a fairly short walk. Does anyone have any recommendations for an albergue or inexpensive hotel not too far out so I can rest mostly the second day?
With Gratitude,
Jill
Excellent advice no matter where I start! The treadmill will give me a flat surface while I'm in the repair mode and really assess my quads, though I'm pretty sure I know what they're going to say. There has been some excellent advice given to my questions and I am reformulating my whole concept of my first day. Mahalo for your great tip!I highly recommend that you test out your perception of what you imagine the physical effort and challenge could be like - given your described condition - by locating a treadmill, wearing what you plan to wear and carry up Napoleon Route, setting the treadmill to a 14% grade (the usual limit, even though Napoleon can be as much as 22%), and walk on that treadmill for only an hour.
Although that hour on the treadmill is only a small part of the total time needed to walk to Roncesvalles from SJPdP for those who are fit, it may give you a more realistic glimpse of what you may face given your situation. You may decide it better to start in Roncesvalles or Pamplona.
Best advice ever IMHO after my 10-12 caminos... Without pre-training, with a not-so-good foot, you will have a "surprise" on your first day up from SJpdP... No point in ruining a whole Camino for just your first day...I highly recommend that you test out your perception of what you imagine the physical effort and challenge could be like - given your described condition - by locating a treadmill, wearing what you plan to wear and carry up Napoleon Route, setting the treadmill to a 14% grade (the usual limit, even though Napoleon can be as much as 22%), and walk on that treadmill for only an hour.
Although that hour on the treadmill is only a small part of the total time needed to walk to Roncesvalles from SJPdP for those who are fit, it may give you a more realistic glimpse of what you may face given your situation. You may decide it better to start in Roncesvalles or Pamplona.
Very kind of you, thank you!Albergue Haizea is in Espinal, which is right after Roncesvalles. I haven't stayed there but it looks quite nice and the price is very good.
Albergue Haizea in Espinal-Auzperri, Spain - 60 reviews, price from $14 | Planet of Hotels
Book Albergue Haizea in Espinal-Auzperri, Spain. Hostel is located in 560 m from the centre. Read more than 60 reviews and choose a room with planetofhotels.com. Get your hotel without any fees or prepayments.planetofhotels.com
Regarding money, it is hard to answer without having a better idea of what your expectations are - private room vs albergue, whether you might share a double room with another pilgrim, number of restaurant cafes and snacks, etc. My guess at this point is that your accommodation will range from €10-50 Euros and food from €10-25, plus a bit of change for odds and ends. So, €25/day might allow you to travel like a student on a tight shoestring, but I would expect to spend double that. Here is another thread on the topic.1. I'm starting to panic about money; how much realistically, with all of the Covid related changes the Camino has had to adapt to, am I looking at needing to spend each day?
What is your travel plan to get to SJPP? Given the uncertainties of your foot, I agree with others who suggest a different starting point such as Pamplona (or even Roncesvalles). It just seems much better to me, to have a more stress-free start. That would give you an extra day or 2 of flexibility in case you need to shorten your daily distances.2. I will be heading out of SJPDP with no training (due to my foot), out of shape,
Those day dreams are great. The realities may or may not be the same. That will be true wherever you start. Better to preserve your ability to meet the many challenges and joys you will encounter later. The Pyrenees are very nice on a nice day, but not worth risking the rest of the journey or even the worry in advance.I've day dreamed so much about that piece, the vista's, the Griffin vultures, the Madonna.
Thank you,@Aloha From Kauai, I've seen your replies but with your injury and lack of training I'm worried that your Camino may get off to a bad start. I also recommend starting in Pamplona.
But if you really want to start from SJPdP ...
The steepest and hardest part of the Napoleon route is the climb up to Orisson. You could take Express Bourricot there and save strain on your foot. Or you could take it to be dropped off further on for the day and a short walk to see the sights you want to see and head back to SJPdP and then Pamplona.
If you do walk to Roncesvalles via the Napoleon then from the Col of Lepoeder be sure to take the route to Ibaneta recommended by the Pilgrims' Office instead of the direct route down through the forest.
Buen camino.
All very wise. I am adjusting my sails with the help of everyone's Aloha and experience. I had planned $50 Euro per day (Def not trying to do a student on a budget option). I will mostly be frugal and I will do mostly albergues as long as social distancing in the dorms has been adopted, but at the other side of life's midway point I'm not going to turn down an occasional reasonably priced private/semi private accommodation with a dedicated restroomRegarding money, it is hard to answer without having a better idea of what your expectations are - private room vs albergue, whether you might share a double room with another pilgrim, number of restaurant cafes and snacks, etc. My guess at this point is that your accommodation will range from €10-50 Euros and food from €10-25, plus a bit of change for odds and ends. So, €25/day might allow you to travel like a student on a tight shoestring, but I would expect to spend double that. Here is another thread on the topic.
What is your travel plan to get to SJPP? Given the uncertainties of your foot, I agree with others who suggest a different starting point such as Pamplona (or even Roncesvalles). It just seems much better to me, to have a more stress-free start. That would give you an extra day or 2 of flexibility in case you need to shorten your daily distances.
Those day dreams are great. The realities may or may not be the same. That will be true wherever you start. Better to preserve your ability to meet the many challenges and joys you will encounter later. The Pyrenees are very nice on a nice day, but not worth risking the rest of the journey or even the worry in advance.
Anyone considering the Valcarlos route because it's "easier" should take a serious look at the lengths of the purple sections -- 20% grade -- on this chart. The 2nd half of Valcarlos is equivalent to the first part of the Napoleon.Maybe I should post again my profiles of the routes from SJPdP to Roncesvalles. The Napoleon route shows the less steep route down that is recommended by the Pilgrims' Office. Clicking the image will allow you to see more information.
Elevation profiles of the tracks from St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncevalles
If seen in a post click the chart to see a page with comments on the details.
About the walk: It can be a disaster for you if you go out hard. If you do, do not buy a return ticket, as you may return home faster than you planned at home. I have seen pilgrims who had to quit after a day/week bc of overestimating their abilities. Remember, you are travelling from very far, to walk a Camino in Spain, Europe. The CF is a ca. 30 day's wonderful walk through Northern Spain; ancient villages, cities, churches, folklore, history, vineyards, culture, and much, much more (not to mention the people: Try to learn some Spanish: They will love and embrace you for your efforts). Pushing Day 1 is not worth it to risk ruining your next 30+ days of wonder of a lifetime. You won't believe what you are into until you're there.All very wise. I am adjusting my sails with the help of everyone's Aloha and experience. I had planned $50 Euro per day (Def not trying to do a student on a budget option). I will mostly be frugal and I will do mostly albergues as long as social distancing in the dorms has been adopted, but at the other side of life's midway point I'm not going to turn down an occasional reasonably priced private/semi private accommodation with a dedicated restroom!
Thank you for your continued sound advice!
I concur with Anamiri -- though I'd suggest : rest on day zero. Not sure where you plan to start, SJPP maybe, but ideally get there early ; stay there ; sleep two nights ; then move out as you see fit.Does anyone have any recommendations for an albergue or inexpensive hotel not too far out so I can rest mostly the second day?
If you want to see that by all means walk the Napoleon. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims of all shapes, ages and physical condition/fitness levels already have...successfully. I know it sounds daunting, and at times is over dramatically described difficulty wise, but it is not the road less traveled, well marked and mostly improved surfaces and a gradual ascent.Many thanks for your thoughtfulness. I'm going to try, you know I've day dreamed so much about that piece, the vista's, the Griffin vultures, the Madonna. I've had to adjust my thinking though and sternly tell myself it's ok to do things differently or creatively if I need to. Thank you again for your suggestion.
Point we'll made and taken. I have that in my mind already, both from the standpoint of being on the board of our fire department here, but also living in a place where people do exactly what you describe. I do not want to be that person. My first goal is evaluate how I feel in SJPDP, then Orrison if I feel good, and then take stock there and decide how logical it is for me to go further. I would assume I could get a bus to go around if I went back to SJPDP. Thank you for your common sense.
Alas, the weather will not always be kind! You may have fog is so thick you can only make out a few feet ahead. Or it is pouring with rain and all you want to do is get to warmth and safety. No vistas, no Griffin vultures, no Madonna visible. With its own kind of magic, but don't have too many expectations.Many thanks for your thoughtfulness. I'm going to try, you know I've day dreamed so much about that piece, the vista's, the Griffin vultures, the Madonna. I've had to adjust my thinking though and sternly tell myself it's ok to do things differently or creatively if I need to. Thank you again for your suggestion.
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