- Time of past OR future Camino
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I would like to see the look on your face as you walk beyond the old Roman walls circling St. Jean Pied de Port to the west and proceed to the first "fork in the road." You go left by the way... However, from there, and as far as the eye can see, the route is UP. That generally wipes the glee from the hardiest pilgrim's face.
But, always remember, the first 10 Km of the first stage ARE IN FACT the most steep ascent of the entire Camino Frances. Look at the ascent profiles the pilgrim office gave you when you checked in. There are steep and hazardous downhill sections. And there are other steep climbs. But no climb goes as high, in as brief a distance, as the first day.
That is the reason so many people, myself included, stop at Orisson for the first night, after 8 Km. This breaks the first 26 Km into 8 + 18 Km. On the second day, the first two km are the steepest. After that it is either undulating up and down, level, or DOWN into Roncesvalles.
But, I wish you clear weather for the first two days, for two reasons:
Even walking in snow is not that much of a problem as long as it is not too deep. And if the snow is indeed too deep for safe passage, the authorities will close the upper, Napoleon Pass and compel you to use the lower Valcarlos Route. But MUD is simply nasty. I personally hate the stuff. In fact, it is the only thing I do not like about the entire Camino.
- The views leading up to the top are simply Divine!
- Poor visibility and MUD are your worst enemies on this route.
I hope this helps. Have a wonderful Camino!
Thank you @t2andreo for this encouraging post.
You will think me mad when I say that your vivid description of the beginning of the Camino, "and as far as the eye can see the route is UP" excites me, even on further reading. That is the one problem with the Camino Frances - not enough UP! I have been backpacking in the Rocky Mountains for more than forty years and for me UP is the totally desirable way to go. I have been looking forward to the views from the top of the route Napoleon from the moment that I first saw a video of the route.
That said, I am 66 years old, with osteoarthritis, and currently not in fit shape for mountain climbing. I have been following the camino forum for some months before signing up and have discovered the refuge Orisson as a suitable place for an aging mountain hiker (me) to begin the long journey that is the camino. I already have a booking. I am going in September, so do not anticipate snow, and my boots can manage the MUD. It is an unheard luxury for me to be able to climb to the top of a mountain height on a paved road. I shall take it slowly, and if the mists clear enjoy the wonderful view from the top. If the mists do not clear, I guess I shall just have to continue my camino, slowly, and come back another year to make another effort at seeing that view. Thanks again,
Albertagirl
Tom, I did not know this is possible. Thank you. Will ask when I get my credencial. (I has ordered one, but alas it has not arrived yet and I leave in a few days. Maybe that's not a bad thing in the end!)I followed the same, full route last year "invicem" (in place of) my deceased younger brother.
Tom, are you referring to moi. I can't wait to conquer the Camino Ingles, especially after learning last month that there is one big, long climb. Gasp!
My first attempt this year is over the Pyrenees from Oloron-Sainte-Marie in late May or early June (watching the weather) as far as Logrono to be joined by some friends to explore the vines of la Rioja.
The Ingles will follow a walk with friend from my home town in Florida, as they walk from Burgos to SDC and I split with them in Astorga to take the train to Coruna.
More the merrier.
He, he, I was once married to a person with no sense of direction: Whenever she set out a course by herself and started walking, all I had to do was to turn her around 180 degrees, and she would be right on track. We eventually walked away from each other in opposite directions...I am especially grateful for your navigational tips as I have no sense of direction, an odd confession for a long time solitary hiker. A few years ago, I distinguished myself by getting turned around attempting a mountain pass while off trail and discovered, a couple of days later, that I had managed to walk about 50 k. in the wrong direction on an old fire road.
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