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Good job, Doug! That's why I checked out the exit routes on a reconnaissance the day before. (No rushing to SJPP and off onto the camino for me!)I have successfully managed to get lost leaving SJPP
Sensible advice. But actually there is a very scarce traffic on this route, and after a couples of miles it almost disappear. Drivers are local people that seem used to share the road with the long queue of pilgrims.In past situations when groups of us needed to travel in the dark on roads we adopted a simple practice .
there are some lightweight just-in-case items you can get at sports/running stores or online. Tiny clip on lights that flash, and reflective waist/wrist/ankle straps. Walking in dark or fog/rain I put day glo yellow pack cover on, reflective waist belt across my pack, bands on outside wrist/ankle, and lights on pack and outside wrist/ankle.travelling alone then a cheaper one you can dispose of or donate might work for those first few hours . In any case and at the very least, a reflective vest tied to the outside rear of your pack will make you stick out like a Christmas tree .
Nightrunner270.com sells cool looking shoe laces lights. I saw these on TV recently & thought they would be more comfortable than a headlamp.there are some lightweight just-in-case items you can get at sports/running stores or online. Tiny clip on lights that flash, and reflective waist/wrist/ankle straps. Walking in dark or fog/rain I put day glo yellow pack cover on, reflective waist belt across my pack, bands on outside wrist/ankle, and lights on pack and outside wrist/ankle.
Edit : maybe over cautious but sometimes drivers are t familiar with the road either. I didn't want to be the person I swear at when driving on some dark, rainy, winding road I've never used before
I looked at the video and it looked interesting, 'though I'm not sure if I would find the white light distracting at my feet...but I didn't use a headlight either. I had a small flashlight with filters for looking at signs, or in my pack, and tried to avoid walking in the dark (three times in 90 days, one was at the end of the day). If I were doing a lot of night walking I'd want to see around me, not just my feet, though it would help others see me I suppose...those might be better for running on a road or trail that's familiar...but I could be wrong (and usually am). If someone uses them on the Camino I'd be interested in hearing how they worked outNightrunner270.com sells cool looking shoe laces lights. I saw these on TV recently & thought they would be more comfortable than a headlamp.
That's true, but if you take the time to look back every so often, and the conditions are right, you will get the wonders of the sunrise.I think that the biggest danger of starting so early is missing some beautiful sights.
Slightly offtopic maybe since OP question is about Napoleon route but I remember walking Valcarlos route in 2009 two peregrinas were "going back" on the route soon after SJPdP. They asked if this is the route to Valcarlos and when I explained it's in the other direction they wouldn't believe me so they went back to SJPdPI have successfully managed to get lost leaving SJPP on the Valcarlos route both times I have walked the Camino Frances, both times in good light. I cannot speak for the Napolean route, but my view is that it takes some care until you have left the town behind.
I think people have inferred that, but it isn't clear from the original post that this is that caseSlightly offtopic maybe since OP question is about Napoleon route
Hi CharlesI can't like your post Penny mainly because it could have been so much worse , but I can thank you for being brave enough to make it .
This sort of thing happens in the suburbs at home as well , I very nearly lost my head to a wing mirror from a bus in Collins st . Melbourne .
To answer you question in one word: yes. It is okay, just like 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, ......I begin walking on 10/16 from SJPP and I noticed that sunrise is not until after 8am. I would like to begin walking earlier since it is a long day. I will be walking alone that morning and I was wondering what time most people begin their day and how safe it is to begin that first day in the dark. Is it okay to begin at 6:30? Thanks.
We started at 6 AM every morning...word to the wise, when you get to where you will spend the night do a short walk to see how to get out of town in the morning...that was the hardest trying to find your way out in the dark.Hi all,
I begin walking on 10/16 from SJPP and I noticed that sunrise is not until after 8am. I would like to begin walking earlier since it is a long day. I will be walking alone that morning and I was wondering what time most people begin their day and how safe it is to begin that first day in the dark. Is it okay to begin at 6:30? Thanks.
Hi all,
I begin walking on 10/16 from SJPP and I noticed that sunrise is not until after 8am. I would like to begin walking earlier since it is a long day. I will be walking alone that morning and I was wondering what time most people begin their day and how safe it is to begin that first day in the dark. Is it okay to begin at 6:30? Thanks.
you can't get any breakfast anywhere in St. John
Thanks, everyone. I ended up leaving at 8:15 and there was lots of time to get to Roncesvalles while it was still light. I did meet up with someone who left around 6am and made the wrong turn. Luckily, several miles down the road, a local ran out of his house to turn the young man around. He did not have food since he left SJPP too early--but luckily, another peregrino had extra food for him and gave him a sandwich.
I must be a little map challenged, but I almost made a wrong turn at the first fork out of SJPP, but luckily two peregrinos walked up behind me and we all figured out that we had to go right at the first fork, and then left at the second fork to take the Napoleon Route. We left 10/16 and Orrison was already closed for the season. Had the best day ever! Thanks again for your replies. Buen Camino!
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