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Good Day. I can only offer my own perspective of the first day. There are many factors to consider. Have you trained for the journey? Is your footwear well broken in and comfortable? Overall health? Are you carrying too much gear? There are many factors to be considered. Many people will be walking at various speeds, so I really wasn't worried about the time aspect. I found walking at a steady pace (it's not a race) and taking breaks as needed made the trip enjoyable as opposed to daunting. The scenery was very enjoyable. Actually the downhill part of the trip into Roncevalles was tougher for me than the uphill. I felt it on my knees and was very glad that I had walking staffs for balance and to ease the load. Best advice is don't think of it as a hellish uphill day. Think of it as the start of an amazing journey. Mental preparation is equally important as physical. Buen CaminoGood Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Hi,
It can be done. Go slowly. Drink water. It’s not a race. Keep going until you get there. Decide if you want to take the road down to Roncesvalles or the potentially slippery forest way.
You also might want to review the excellent video shot by Dave Bugg, a forum member, as he climbed the same route. It will give you an idea of the difficulty, and the beauty, of this stage.
You can find at least a link to it on this forum.
All the best,
Paul
@Paul McAminoDecide if you want to take the road down to Roncesvalles or the potentially slippery forest way.
All the best,
Paul
At the highest point of Napoleon route (or a bit later) you have two options of descending to Roncesvalles. If you take left path that's the one through the forest and may be very slippery in wet weather because of tree leaves. If you take right hand option is much less steeper and you first descend to Puerto de Ibaneta pass where you have again two options. Either take left one through the forest or right one on the main N-135 road (if you have any medical issues by that point the latter will be easier).@Paul McAmino
Hi Paul
I think I know what you are sying but could you please clarify:
When you say "the road" - are you talking about the descent that will drop you into Valcarlos and is roughly 1.5km longer sort of 'to the right' vs. "the slippery forest way" which is the straight down much more steeper one but gets you stright into Roncesvalles?
Thanks for the infoWHere can I find the video please?
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
If you are taking the Napoleon route the "road" does not take you to Valcarlos, but to Ibaneta.@Paul McAmino
Hi Paul
I think I know what you are sying but could you please clarify:
When you say "the road" - are you talking about the descent that will drop you into Valcarlos and is roughly 1.5km longer sort of 'to the right' vs. "the slippery forest way" which is the straight down much more steeper one but gets you stright into Roncesvalles?
Short answer: It depends.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Its not as bad as it may seem. go slow, take breaks. Orrison is worth the stopThanks for the infoWHere can I find the video please?
Another suggestion I would like to make is that if you can arrive at SJPDP early enough start walking to Orisson (only 1 alburgue and reservation is a must). This will make the walk to Roncesvalles shorter by about 8 Kilometers and make it more manageable.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
It depends on how much preparation you do. I begin training a year in advance of every Camino I walk.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
A lot will depend on the weather.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
I found it really tough getting up to Orisson. Took me as long as a regular days walking and I was shattered when I got there. I had chosen to stop there for the night. Next day, it was not as tough until the trail left the road up to the border but after that it was easier going although the second time I did it,horrendous weather conditions made it more difficult. The trail down by road to Roncesvalles was steep and quite frankly boring as I had reached the point of just wanting to get there and that downhill was just a nuisance I wanted to get out of the way. In summary, the walk to Orisson is really tough, the walk after Orisson is not so toughGood Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
It is really not at all hard if you stop in Orisson, as we did the second time we did the Camino Frances. The walk to Orisson is easily done in the morning and then you can enjoy the rest of the day with no internet (it is quite blissful and the next day you can enjoy the most beautiful sunrise of the walk while you have your morning cuppaGood Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Excellent advice, spend the night at Orisson,is a great start to your Camino. In 2017 we only stopped there for coffee. Last year we spent the night there. At the top of the mountain took the left road( jeep track) down into Roncesvalles. Got there before they opened, at 14h00 I think. I am 68I did not find the walk up to Orisson particularly difficult, although it was my first day walking and I was 67 at the time. I started fairly late, because I arrived in SJpdP fairly late (9 am or so) and had to visit the pilgrim office and a couple of shops. I am an experienced mountain walker and I walked very slowly, since I had not done anything to get in shape for the walk. I just kept on moving slowly, only stopping briefly when there was something that I wanted to look at. I don't think I ate or drank anything on the way up to Orisson. A senior couple ahead of me who were stopped for a lengthy break remarked that they had been watching me for some distance, and I just kept on walking. I didn't see any point in getting puffed or straining my legs. One of the best treats of my life was a large, freshly squeezed orange juice, purchased as soon as I arrived at Orisson. Then all that I had to do was shower, rinse out dirty laundry, and wait until the communal dinner and conversation. For me, it was a particularly easy first day, although I had only arrived in Spain the morning before. I did not sleep well that first night: my introduction to dormitory living, too hot with all the windows shut.
I found the walk on to Roncesvalles equally low stress, with the exception of the downhill just before arrival. It was steep, with bare patches of dirt that would have been very slippery, if wet. I had missed the beginning of the longer, and easier, road route.
If you have questions about the walk to Roncesvalles, or if you want to take it easy at first, book the first night at Orisson. I do not say that this is compulsory, just easier, and less stressful for a first day's walk, maybe after a long journey from your home.
I loved the first day. Make sure to stop in Orisson for a second breakfast and take a sandwich along with you. It is a wonderful amazing walk to Roncesvalles. Enjoy every step of the way.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
My first day took 10.5 hrs; mud, rocks, rain and fog.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Hello Garry from Aussie here , gee you now have lots of input ! I walked STJohn via Valcarlos and then 2017 at age 73 Napoleon way all day into a headwind May 16. I am very fit ,have run marathons but this was a tough 7 hour walk and especially the last 1.5 k down to Roncesvalles.I did enjoy the half hour coffee stop at Oriston with stunning . scenery.By the way October was just brilliant weather.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Dave, I can't tell you have much I appreciate your advice! This past weekend, in preparation of the beginning of my walk in July I once again traipsed through the woods of northern Manitoba with my bear-bells (yes the bear are awake and abundant). This past weekend I decided to walk 10k to an old mine (hiding in the forest for 20 minutes when I saw a wandering large dog up ahead, feeling pretty sure that my jingling bear bells wouldn't have the same effect on a roaming large dog as a traveling black bear). This time I had decided to have my sandwich and apple after my 10km pit stop which was a little longer than anticipated because of my hiding from the big dog episode. And I didn't have my regular nuts and dried fruit to snack on.... AND for some reason I wasn't very thirsty so I only draft water periodically. Anyways by the time I returned to my home and had some more food I was utterly exhausted after only 18km, crawled into bed and slept for 2 hrs. I thought, gosh I better toughen up fast! But what I realized by the next day is that my body is fine, not sore. I love my shoes and my backpack and all my gear. I just think after reading your advice that I need to take a break every 45 - 50 minutes and make sure that I snack on food pretty regularly. Happy that I won't have to worry about bears on the Camino, hoping I won't see mean or scary dogs. Thanks Dave!I have walked from SJPdP to Roncesvalle twice now. It is done by a large number of pilgrims each day, and the majority are not iron-legged, super fit backpackers. Below is a writing I have posted before. Hopefully it will provide a bit of help and encouragement.
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With some level of cardio fitness, making it up a long uphill grade is a matter of pace, maintaining calorie intake, hydration, and utilizing meaningful breaks.
1. As you head uphill, adjust your pace to a comfortable level which you are able to maintain without needing to frequently stop and start. Frequent stops and starts adds to exhaustion. It doesn't matter if your pace is 4 miles per hour or 0.5 miles per hour. What matters is continuously walking between planned breaks.
Set a planned interval for a short and deliberate break -- say every 20 minutes, for five minutes. Set your pace so that you can walk until that break time.
Setting your pace is a dynamic process, you need to adjust it as circumstances dictate. Please set your pace based on what you need, not on how you feel.
How do you maintain a pace at a set speed? My trick is to periodically check myself by silently hum a tune... the same tune.... which is easy to sync to each step I take. Don't laugh, but I use 'Hark The Herald Angles Sing'. It is NOT the speed of the tune that determines my pace, but my pace will determine the speed of the tune. Once that pace is determined, then you can use the speed of the tune to check yourself.
Some folks may view this as too formulaic or too rigid, but that is not the case. It is simply a self-determined tool to assist in understanding your body's rhythm while walking. The more familiar you become with your bodies needs while hiking -- which happens as your experience grows -- the less need there is for such help.
As the grade uphill gets steeper and I need to slow down a bit, I don't necessarily slow how fast I take a step, I adjust the length of each step. In other words, in keeping time with my song, I might go from, say, 10 inches between one footstep to the next, to only 5 inches between steps. That will automatically slow how fast I am moving, and still keep me in step with my song.
Inexperienced folks will start out fast and try to maintain that pace because they are fresh, full of energy, and not at all tired. Yet. They want to keep up with those in better shape. They are in a race for beds. They are worried about being caught in the rain. Whatever.
They will start to crump within a fairly short distance up the hill; and the crumping will become cumulative with each step, even if they slow down later, because they have burned through their energy producing stores with that initial fast pace. They not only will crump, but they are now going to stay in a state of depleted energy which only a very prolonged break can solve.
So, start slower than you feel is normal for you. Let people pass you by, and see how that pace feels as you continue uphill. If you start feeling too out of breath, slow down. If your leg muscles start feeling too fatigued, slow down.
Also, be aware to observe and follow the above strategy AFTER a break, too. You will feel refreshed and you will be tempted to start out faster than you should. RESIST.
2. At every short break time, eat something. Your stomach and GI tract can only process food at a specific rate of time, so you want to match your intake of food to that optimum time frame. 100 calorie increments of food every 25 to 30 minutes is a good time frame. A quarter of a Snicker bar and a bite of cheese, or a handful of trail mix, or a bit of bocadillo,or some Peanut M&Ms, or some energy gel with some nuts, etc.
The idea is to replenish your energy producing stores that your muscles will need in the next 25 to 30 minutes. In addition to hydrating during the break, you also need to be sipping and drinking water as you are walking.You need to stay hydrated without overdoing water consumption.
3. If it starts to become very difficult to walk 20 minutes without stopping in between, then lengthen your break from 5 minutes to 8 minutes, or 10 minutes. Give your calorie intake a longer period to do its job, and for you to re-oxygenate and fuel your muscle cells. If you find that it fairly easy to walk 20 minutes before stopping, then add 5 more minutes to your walk time between breaks. Still fairly easy? Then keep adding 5 minutes to the interval before stopping. However, I would advise not going longer than 1 hour without taking a break. I usually break every 55 minutes or so.
4. It is understandable if you have some jitters about a physically demanding and prolonged walk up into the mountains or hills. Or even on less aggressive elevations.
The nagging of "CAN I DO THIS?" is Doubt's piercing and persistent blathering which forces one's mind and gut to focus on perceived inadequacies. Doubt doesn't wait for evidence of one's ability to perform, or to look at what actually will occur during your hike. Nope, all Doubt is concerned with, is making you feel inadequate and insecure.
So as you prepare for your Camino, and those physical challenges that are part of it, you can either let Doubt have its fun with you, or you can push Doubt to the background and tell it to, "Shut up; you just wait and see what I can do!!!".
I go through at least a portion of the above every time I go on a multi-day backpacking trek. I went through that for my Camino two years ago, and before last year's Camino. I am hearing those voices again this year as I am planning on a Camino this Fall.
I just simply respond to the question of 'can I do this' with the answer that "I am as prepared as I can be, I will be flexible to things happening around me, and regardless of what happens life will continue on".
After all, I am not going into combat, or heading into a burning building; I am just going for a walk.
Dave, I can't tell you have much I appreciate your advice! This past weekend, in preparation of the beginning of my walk in July I once again traipsed through the woods of northern Manitoba with my bear-bells (yes the bear are awake and abundant). This past weekend I decided to walk 10k to an old mine (hiding in the forest for 20 minutes when I saw a wandering large dog up ahead, feeling pretty sure that my jingling bear bells wouldn't have the same effect on a roaming large dog as a traveling black bear). This time I had decided to have my sandwich and apple after my 10km pit stop which was a little longer than anticipated because of my hiding from the big dog episode. And I didn't have my regular nuts and dried fruit to snack on.... AND for some reason I wasn't very thirsty so I only draft water periodically. Anyways by the time I returned to my home and had some more food I was utterly exhausted after only 18km, crawled into bed and slept for 2 hrs. I thought, gosh I better toughen up fast! But what I realized by the next day is that my body is fine, not sore. I love my shoes and my backpack and all my gear. I just think after reading your advice that I need to take a break every 45 - 50 minutes and make sure that I snack on food pretty regularly. Happy that I won't have to worry about bears on the Camino, hoping I won't see mean or scary dogs. Thanks Dave!
That is the amazing thing about our bodies - how much they repair themselves overnightDave, I can't tell you have much I appreciate your advice! This past weekend, in preparation of the beginning of my walk in July I once again traipsed through the woods of northern Manitoba with my bear-bells (yes the bear are awake and abundant). This past weekend I decided to walk 10k to an old mine (hiding in the forest for 20 minutes when I saw a wandering large dog up ahead, feeling pretty sure that my jingling bear bells wouldn't have the same effect on a roaming large dog as a traveling black bear). This time I had decided to have my sandwich and apple after my 10km pit stop which was a little longer than anticipated because of my hiding from the big dog episode. And I didn't have my regular nuts and dried fruit to snack on.... AND for some reason I wasn't very thirsty so I only draft water periodically. Anyways by the time I returned to my home and had some more food I was utterly exhausted after only 18km, crawled into bed and slept for 2 hrs. I thought, gosh I better toughen up fast! But what I realized by the next day is that my body is fine, not sore. I love my shoes and my backpack and all my gear. I just think after reading your advice that I need to take a break every 45 - 50 minutes and make sure that I snack on food pretty regularly. Happy that I won't have to worry about bears on the Camino, hoping I won't see mean or scary dogs. Thanks Dave!
Hi- I will be starting July 16th from St. Jean as well. When I booked my flight in January I had lost 30lbs (still quite overweight) and was working out all the time. Due to some personal circumstances, I fell into quite a funk from April-Now and have put on 20lbs making it feel like carrying an extra pack as well as stopping my training. I only have 3 weeks and trying to change my mindset from "how will I ever" to "I'm just going to walk till I can't and take some transport from whatever point that may be"- That being said, I have read about splitting the day in two with a stop in Orisson. I, unfortunately, can't do that as I need to be in Roncevalles by days end. My new thought is, would it be possible to leave St. Jean and take transport to Orrison and start from that point?
Yes, Express Bourricot offers a service that they call the Mountain Shuttle.Hi- I will be starting July 16th from St. Jean as well. When I booked my flight in January I had lost 30lbs (still quite overweight) and was working out all the time. Due to some personal circumstances, I fell into quite a funk from April-Now and have put on 20lbs making it feel like carrying an extra pack as well as stopping my training. I only have 3 weeks and trying to change my mindset from "how will I ever" to "I'm just going to walk till I can't and take some transport from whatever point that may be"- That being said, I have read about splitting the day in two with a stop in Orisson. I, unfortunately, can't do that as I need to be in Roncevalles by days end. My new thought is, would it be possible to leave St. Jean and take transport to Orrison and start from that point?
Vergis je niet in de tweede dag!Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
My first day took 10.5 hrs; mud, rocks, rain and fog.
Short answer is yes. By the time I had reached St Jean I'd been on my pilgrimage for several months (I'd walked from Wales) In my whole 5 1/2 month Camino the walk to Roncesvalles from St Jean was easily my most challenging.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Ok this is a really fun question!!! What does SJPDP stand for?Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
St Jean Pied de PortOk this is a really fun question!!! What does SJPDP stand for?
If you google "sjpdp" you will find the first hit explains - St. Jean Pied de Port. Also known (in Camino circles) as SJPP.Ok this is a really fun question!!! What does SJPDP stand for?
If you do stay at Orisson there is no need to leave St Jean early. Have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the town. I left around 11:00 this year, and had plenty of afternoon left.Roncesvalles is do-able in a day, for sure. But I’d stay in Orisson next time. A very short leg, but I’d saunter out of St. Jean rather than burst out from the blocks.
I've taken the road every time. I don't want to risk injury before I've barely started!2. I’d take the road option. The steep descent into Roncesvalles and rocky path were pretty tough. It’s possible that breaking it into two legs would make it a bit less damaging
If you bring hiking sandals you can change into those for steep descents and completely avoid toe blister from downhills.I am surprised no one has mentioned blisters in this context. The downhill segment throws your feet forward in your shoes, tending to produce in blisters on your toes.
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
On my first CF, at age 67, I didn't go all the way from SJPDP to Roncevalles because I didn't want to push myself hard the very first day. As a polio survivor with an artificial knee I wasn't even sure I could complete the camino. So I made reservation at Orisson and was glad that I did. The scenery on that first day climb was spectacular - and I arrived at Orisson much quicker and fresher than I had thought. However I did discover that my backpack (at 19 pounds) as much too heavy. I shed all the "just in case" items in Roncevalles (that my thoughtful wife had encouraged me to bring along) and trimmed the pack down to 12 pounds. Six years later and with 4 caminos under my belt may I suggest that you keep your daily distances (especially at the beginning) to a reasonable number. There's no reason why the first day, or any day on the camino, should be "hellish"! Of course, keep your backpack as light as possible goes a long way toward this goal. Buen camino.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
I thought it would be harder than it was, but I was very please that I a) stayed in Orisson the first night and b) got my pack taken to RoncevallesGood Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Thank You. Basically we are talking about the same thing inasmuch as I asked originally 'to clarify which route Paul was talking about is which'. Seems you confirmed that the slippery route is the 'left one' straight down through the forrest whereupon 'the right one' is not. I said 'drop you into Valcarlos' and what I meant was onto THAT (VC) route not the place itself.At the highest point of Napoleon route (or a bit later) you have two options of descending to Roncesvalles. If you take left path that's the one through the forest and may be very slippery in wet weather because of tree leaves. If you take right hand option is much less steeper and you first descend to Puerto de Ibaneta pass where you have again two options. Either take left one through the forest or right one on the main N-135 road (if you have any medical issues by that point the latter will be easier).
Simple map here: https://www.gronze.com/etapa/saint-jean-pied-port/roncesvalles
Valcarlos is on the Valcarlos Route which paralels N-135 through the valley more or less all the time and you would end up at Ibaneta Pass too. From there two options as described in above paragraph.
I am surprised no one has mentioned blisters in this context. The downhill segment throws your feet forward in your shoes, tending to produce in blisters on your toes. Training for the camino should include steep downhill segments in the same hiking boots that will be worn on the camino, and with the filled backpack.
Yes it’s tough and depends on the weather. I stayed in Orison and would probably recommend this but then I was 70.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Hi Min200Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
If you do stay at Orisson there is no need to leave St Jean early. Have a leisurely breakfast and enjoy the town. I left around 11:00 this year, and had plenty of afternoon left.
It is my understanding that although steep it is not as wet. I think that safety-wise its a simple question of extra caution descending on the Roncesvalles via 'left' route due to the possibility of the slippery condition as amply mentioned on this thread.Anyway, the descent down to Roncesvalles from up top simply is not as hard as the one down after Cruz de Ferro towards Triacastela -- it's just that on the latter one, far more pilgrims than from out of SJPP have hundreds of K in their legs to strengthen them, and so their experience of it is therefore likely to be less daunting.
Dave - just want to ask - did you take the easier/long route or the steeper/quick route at the split on the way down? I watched it all but it was hard to me to tell, having not done it yet!You will find it below. My video was included as part of a series of other videos, filmed by by John Sikora, showing the entire Camino Frances as it looks while walking. Each video segment is 'hyperlapsed' so it lasts only 20 to 30 minutes to watch, instead of 5 to 8 hours.
Im a word, YES...and not for the faint hearted. Here is my take, no matter how hard you work out, (and I can recommend you cannot work out hard enough) that first day, is very difficult. Best of luck!Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Dave - just want to ask - did you take the easier/long route or the steeper/quick route at the split on the way down? I watched it all but it was hard to me to tell, having not done it yet!
I recommend booking to stay at Refuge Orisson on the way up. I think it is a lot to do in one day ?1200 metres up and about 1,000 down, 26 km distance if I remember rightly. Especially if you aren’t used to climbing with a pack. I do walk in the Pyrenees, but I wouldn’t usually do that amount of climbing with that distance. Just depends on your hill walking fitness. Besides, Orisson is a lovely place to stay and meet people. Buen Camino.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
I’ll add my pence worth. This is an amazing section of trail, and yes it is pretty steep. But I wouldn’t rush it. I stopped at Orisson and found breaking up what is a challenging first day, suited me well. It also allowed me to listen to my body, and despite some spectacularly crappy weather I really really enjoyed the first 2 days out.Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Absolutely. It's so beautiful up there. It's a shame to rush off.I recommend staying in Orisson both as a way to test out your capacity and to stretch out the beautiful time in the Pyrenees.
Yes, I needed all my layers, my gloves and my hat at the end of April the year I walked it. It was snowing and incredibly windy at the col. I would still recommend this as the views are usually amazing.The weather up on the top of the Napoleon Route can be much colder, and wetter, than what you met in SJpdP, and unpredictably changeable. If you are sending your pack ahead to lighten your load, do not go on without rain gear and warm clothing. They may save your life. You will be grateful for them if you meet rain and sleet at the top, as is fairly common, even in the summer season. This route is closed in winter.
Gracias for the video,so nice to see the little Refugio to have a rest and lunch,so happy memories.You will find it below. My video was included as part of a series of other videos, filmed by by John Sikora, showing the entire Camino Frances as it looks while walking. Each video segment is 'hyperlapsed' so it lasts only 20 to 30 minutes to watch, instead of 5 to 8 hours.
Buen Camino!Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
Like you, this first day kept me up at night agonizing if I would be able to make the full trek. In the end, although difficult, was one of my favourite memories on the Camino. The scenery is breathtaking and the realization that “I’m actually doing this” makes for a wonderful day. My tips to you are first pre-book your hostel... the day we went, many were turned away as it was full. I chose to have my bag transported and only brought a small day bag with water and snacks. I also bought poles in St.Jean. I loved walking with them... like an extra set of arms and legs. We even named them after a few days on the hike, as they became good reliable friends on the walk. My last tip... on high inclines take BABY STEPS. I mean this quite literally. I found small, slow, intentional steps were far less exhausting than a longer stride uphills. We flew in the night before after three flights from Canada, arrived late, up early to catch the train. Then ran around St.Jean to register, ditch bags, eat breakfast, buy snacks and didn’t start until 930 am and still made it to the top before 6 pm... which still allowed us many mini breaks throughout the day. Wishing you well on your journey!Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
Good Afternoon everyoneAs I sit here planning my next Camino trip I am wondering what your experiences were of the first day out of SJPDP.
How long did this, what looks like a rather hellish uphill kind of day, take each of you to complete? My plan is to go from SJPDP to Roncesvalles so any top tips would be appreciated
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