january from SJPDP

[wingnut]

My Camino is close now and i plan to actually start walking from SJPDP on the 11th or 12th of Jan and split the route to roncesvalles into 2 (advice already taken from the forum). Is it possible to benefit from the more dramatic nature of the "high" route this time of year and stop at Orisson (if indeed it is open) or more advisable to take the road route and stope at valcarlos (if again, actually open). Has anybody an insight into current snow levels and risks covering next week??

 

[sillydoll]

Orisson is closed until end of March but there are other options with Gites at Hunto and other places on the way to Orisson (nothing thereafter).
The albergue in Val Carlos is open all year.

Has anybody an insight into current snow levels and risks covering next week??

The weather there is so unpredictable that it changes daily - and hourly. Listen to the locals. If they say don't use the Route Napoleon, don't use it!

The road route is an original Chemin over the mountain, through the Valley of Charlemagne and on a clear day is a very beautiful route. Be safe!

 

[cecelia]

Hi wingnut,
There are some pretty good weather sites for places on the camino. Here's one for Roncesvalles:
http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/predicc ... es-id31211
and one for Valcarlos:
http://www.aemet.es/en/eltiempo/predicc ... os-id31248
Both addresses are thanks to Grant Spangler.
The highest peak between SJPP and Roncesvalles is just over 1400 metres so these sites will give you an idea what's expected but not what is already on the mountain.If you don't have a profile map of the hills and dales you might be interested in this link which is a part of Les Amis de Saint-Jacques:
http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/spi ... ubrique564

I don't think that the auberge at Orisson is open during the winter but here are their phone numbers:
Telephone: 05.59.49.13.03
Portable : 06.81.49.79.56
Or you can email them from their website:
http://www.refuge-orisson.com/auberge_c ... ontact.php
I hope something here is helpful.
Buen camino
Cecelia

 

[cecelia]

oops - Sillydoll (above) just posted before me and says Orisson is closed so I'd take her word for it. She may be wrong sometime :lol: but is most often right!
Cecelia

 

[wingnut]

i will take the safe route, thank you very much

 

[tyrrek]

Wingnut - a final word on safety if going on the Valcarlos route.

The first stretch after Valcarlos is one of the few along the whole Camino where you are walking on the edge of a significant road rather than on a path alongside. It's not the busiest of roads, but it is a winding route and drivers may not be expecting to encounter many pilgrims this time of year.

As it's winter and will probably be early morning when you're walking that bit it would be wise to make yourself as visible as possible to oncoming traffic. Perhaps with one of those high-viz sashes that cyclists wear. They're cheap and you could probably dump it in Roncesvalles to save weight.

Buen Camino!

 

[wingnut]

Thanks i think a high Viz rucksack cover is in order and one of those flashing cyclist clip-on lamps. I have the cover complete with reflective markings and i will get the lamp tomorrow.... now to book my stay in biarritz on Tuesday night ! i think if i get the 8am train to Saint Jean on wednesday i can pick up my pilgrims pass about 10.30am and then walk to valcorlos before it gets dark.