- Time of past OR future Camino
- June: Camino Frances from Pamplona
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I started on May 11th this year and wore sandals. Much of the trail over the Pyrenees is a paved road.Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes?
You never need heavy clothing - see the other threads.Do we need heavy clothing?
See the "other threads" for everything else alsoYou never need heavy clothing - see the other threads.
Is that when she run off?Happy wife, happy life!
1st May? No, and no and no again! May 1 falls on a Friday - a national holiday in both Spain and France - an extra long weekend of revelry! Be prepared for just about anything - weird bus/train schedules, closed shops, crowds of people both on and off the Camino, packed restaurants and cafe/bars. For your own sanity, arrive a day or two before or leave a day or two after!I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
Starting in SJPP is the compromise. OP's wife gave ground by agreeing to walk the Camino. OP should be grateful that she isn't insisting on starting in Le Puy.Why not compromise and start at Roncesvalless?
On the trail runners vs. boots issue, I've tried 4 different pairs in preparation for my September Camino. I've decided to stay with my older, broken-in Lowa Renegade boots. With the other 3 pairs, including trail runners, hiking shoes, and a pair of lightweight Keen boots, I've experienced discomfort in the ball of my foot along with feeling every little rock and root through the soles. The Lowa's are heavier and perhaps warmer (something I've never experienced) but the thickness of the lug sole along with the ankle support have convinced me.I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
I have started from St Jean in both early and late April. Both times there was still snow on the ground but the late April one was fairly pleasant weather wise. I watched other pilgrims in trainers/shoes struggle to get through the mud as in places it was more than ankle deep. So for me, light weight boots were the best. Came in handy on Alto de Perdon that we christened mud slide mountain. I know everyone has their own preferences but I prefer bootsI wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
Hear, Hear...Just completed my second Camino, and both times we started from Roncesvalles. I know the majority of people I saw on the way were wearing low-quarter shoes either cross trainers or runners. Honestly, I dont know how they do it. I wear mid length Keens and more times than I can remember the ankle support provided from the boot saved me possible injury. The descent into Zubiri is a killer. Outcropping of rock at many and various angles is difficult to walk at day’s end. To each his own, but I will walk the Camino again at some point, and again wear my Keens for safety reasons (granted the remainder of the way is quite good (less the descent from the Iron Cross), but for me...better safe than sorry.
1st May? No, and no and no again! May 1 falls on a Friday - a national holiday in both Spain and France - an extra long weekend of revelry! Be prepared for just about anything - weird bus/train schedules, closed shops, crowds of people both on and off the Camino, packed restaurants and cafe/bars. For your own sanity, arrive a day or two before or leave a day or two after!
People once considered SJPP to be the only place where a real pilgrim begins the pilgrimage, a proper Camino starts there and if not an automatic apology/explanation was expected. That thankfully has receded but it's still there.
Let your wife begin in SJPP and you meet her in Pamplona. You both can have some quite time and do what each of you want.I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
If you stop at Orisson, you make the second day to Roncesvalles much easier. It's only 17.5 km, and doesn't include the steepest part.if you begin at StJPdP, the first day is probably the hardest day of the whole camino, unless you stop at Orisson, in which case the second day is the hardest.
Just to be clear, the "it" that @trecile mentioned is the second day, not the walk to Orisson.It's only 17.5 km, and doesn't include the steepest part.
If you want to have a sense of history ie Hannibal. Napoleon etc the do the high routeI wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
Cool when hot en hot when cool.
You do not need heavy clothing. Just layers as always for May.
You do not need boots - I have worn trail runners every year for over 10 years
There is a bus from madrid to SJPP but not sure in May - you might have to take the bus from the Madrid airport to Pamplona, spend the night, then bus to SJPP from there. That's what I usually do anyway, spend a day or two in Pamplona getting over the time change. Then I can walk right through Pamplona on my Camino - don't have to stop b/c I"ve already seen it.
I wear Lowa Renegades and am on my 3rd pair. Also Ininji socks and bag balm on my feet. Never take a blister anymore ... great boots protect your ankles from twisting and there is a LOT of rock in Spain as you know.I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
I don't believe that there is a bus from Madrid to SJPdP. You have to take a bus to Pamplona and change there to a bus to St Jean.Also didn't know there was a bus from Madrid to SJPP
Ask theSo, my question is, how do they know to keep you warm or cool (tongue in cheek)?
Stan Boardman (Liverpudlian comedian) used to say: Thermos flasks are clever, aren't they? They keep hot things hot and cold things cold, but how do they know?So, my question is, how do they know to keep you warm or cool (tongue in cheek)?
Were your trail runners waterproof? I’ve hear waterproof shoes are a must. We’ll be on the Camino trail Mid-Sept through Mid-Oct from SJPP to Santiago.You do not need heavy clothing. Just layers as always for May.
You do not need boots - I have worn trail runners every year for over 10 years
There is a bus from madrid to SJPP but not sure in May - you might have to take the bus from the Madrid airport to Pamplona, spend the night, then bus to SJPP from there. That's what I usually do anyway, spend a day or two in Pamplona getting over the time change. Then I can walk right through Pamplona on my Camino - don't have to stop b/c I"ve already seen it.
Waterproof shoes are definitely not a must, and can have many drawbacks. Read the excellent post #2 from @davebugg in this thread.Were your trail runners waterproof? I’ve hear waterproof shoes are a must. We’ll be on the Camino trail Mid-Sept through Mid-Oct from SJPP to Santiago.
Starting in SJPP is the compromise. OP's wife gave ground by agreeing to walk the Camino. OP should be grateful that she isn't insisting on starting in Le Puy.
If you want to have a sense of history ie Hannibal. Napoleon etc the do the high route
Not as difficult as people make out and massively rewarding. Is it seems too daunting book Orisson for the first night. Communal dinner and you’ll meet people who will be with you on and off for most of the journey.
You have to make a reservation at Orisson. They only have 28 beds, and reservations go quick. Sure, it's possible that they could have an empty bed or two, but not likely.Hello! We've since changed our date of departure to August 14th. How likely are we to find accomodations at Refuge Orisson? I've heard you need to make reservations, but I don't like to do that. Makes the trip seem more like a vacation than pilgrimage? Are there any alternate accommodations in Orisson? Thanks for your reply.
Just to insert a fact check into the opinions:u want to have a sense of history ie Hannibal. Napoleon etc the do the high route
Were your trail runners waterproof? I’ve hear waterproof shoes are a must. We’ll be on the Camino trail Mid-Sept through Mid-Oct from SJPP to Santiago.
I don't believe that there is a bus from Madrid to SJPdP. You have to take a bus to Pamplona and change there to a bus to St Jean.
I agree with you that Pamplona is a great place to start. That would be my recommendation, if asked, by friends. My guess is light running shoes would be fine but sandals over the mountains is hard any time of year. I'm wearing Ecco sandals now and wish I had some close toed shoes for all the rocks.I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
Starting following week (24th) Buen CaminoHi Barry, we started in St Jean this week. Flew into Madrid, got the train to Pamplona and had a transfer taxi pick us and deposit us in St Jean.
I'm not sure how Hannibal could march his army, complete with elephants, overland from Hispania to Italy without crossing the Pyrenees as well as the Alps. The crossing of the Alps may be more famous but crossing the Pyrenees seems to be a necessary prerequisite.Just to insert a fact check into the opinions:
The Valcarlos route is the older and more authentic of the two, and Hannibal never had anything to do with the Western Pyrenees: He was famous for crossing the Alps in the Second Punic War
As Scott was interested in following Hannibals path we did a lot of research on this, but gave up as it became clear that much of the route through Spain would be under the tourist strip of Costal del Sol etc. Hannibal landed in Cartagena and went up the coast so while he did go over the Pyrenees it wasn't at the crossing pilgrims use coming from France. This crossing is more associated with Roland and Napoleon. It's always interesting to do a bit of research on whose footsteps one travels in.I'm not sure how Hannibal could march his army, complete with elephants, overland from Hispania to Italy without crossing the Pyrenees as well as the Alps. The crossing of the Alps may be more famous but crossing the Pyrenees seems to be a necessary prerequisite.
And they now have the option to educate others although I think many people would be disappointed to hear all this as they prefer the myths to the facts in this case.perhaps this will give the OP and his wife something to debate on their treck over the pass.
Oh no, let's not be "those pilgrims" and try and educate people, we all love to cling to our myths dispite being slapped in the face with brutal facts... I must admit I was hoping to see the Basque Bigfoot until Scott told me we were in the wrong spot.
I thought the same then realized my spare Merino wool socks had multiple uses and less likely to leave them behindI didn't have heavy clothes, just layered with what I had, but I would have given anything for a pair of warm gloves. A pair is going with me when I return next year. Hopefully I won't need them.
Sure, but please look at the map attaced to my post, David, and read what I actually posted. The Eastern Pyrenees is far away from the Camino Frances.I'm not sure how Hannibal could march his army, complete with elephants, overland from Hispania to Italy without crossing the Pyrenees as well as the Alps. The crossing of the Alps may be more famous but crossing the Pyrenees seems to be a necessary prerequisite.
Educating us all is what this forum is for. Getting basic facts straight isn't being a geek, it's a service to everyone.Sorry for taking over the thread on history geekdom
I don't believe that there is a bus from Madrid to SJPdP. You have to take a bus to Pamplona and change there to a bus to St Jean.
He didn't have an elephant, just me. And I would have followed him anywhere.Oh, and someone who researches Hannibal's path and tries to follow his steps, even without an elephant, would be a person after my own heart.
I've been planning on recreating Hannibal's crossing of the Alps with elephants but I'm having trouble training them to use pitons and other mountaineering equipment.Well I'm glad to have been disabused of the notion that Hannibal crossed at SJPP. I was gearing up to make the crossing in character. How foolish I would have appeared to any passing history mavens.
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I started on May 11th this year and wore sandals. Much of the trail over the Pyrenees is a paved road.
Starting following week (24th) Buen Camino
I wore sandals with socks on my entire Camino this year - the Frances from SJPDP to León, then the Salvador to Oviedo and connecting to the Norte to Santiago, then on to Finisterre.Hi Trecile!
I just wanted to clarify: did you wear sandals from SJPDP to Roncesvalles? I wore sandals the entire Camino from Pamplona to SDC last year with trouble only once in deep mud. I am planning, again, to leave my shoes home. Mistake? I leave August 14th.
If I don't wear socks my feet might turn into hooves.Great! That's what I thought. I'm surprised about the socks, though. I'll do that. Last year, many people said how much they envied, as their feet were "roasting."
Have you seen this documentary series:...
Oh, and someone who researches Hannibal's path and tries to follow his steps, even without an elephant, would be a person after my own heart.
Well, Hannibal had his elephants but Roland had his Olifant (the horn he blew, too late!, to call for help). I believe that olifants are much easier to bring across mountain ranges than elephants.Ha ha actually Hannibal did cross the Pyrenees ( nobody knows exactly where ) but nice too give everyone a bit of fun. Perhaps finding jokes about Roland might be harder.
Maybe not. Hannibal did cross two mountain ranges with the elephants. Roland only managed to get Olipant across the Pyrenees one and a half times.Well, Hannibal had his elephants but Roland had his Olifant (the horn he blew, too late!, to call for help). I believe that olifants are much easier to bring across mountain ranges than elephants.
We started April 20 in SJPD and had open passage.I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
I wanted to start in Pamplona as I did last year, but since I only barely convinced my wife to even go and she asserts she wants to leave from SJPDP, I need SJPDP information.
If we leave from SJPDP May 1rst, how likely is it that the passes will be closed. Do we need heavy clothing? Are boots a must (I prefer sandals and was fine from Pamplona to SDC in June)? Or could I make it in sandals, or light running shoes? Is there a train that goes direct from Madrid to SJPDP, or must you go into Pamplona first, then take a bus/train?
Thanks for any information and thanks for putting up with all my varied posts.
Warmly,
Barry
¡Hola, @barryg! I'm relieved to see that starting "at the beginning" apparently didn't kill you as you are already in Najera. After all our efforts to provide answers to your questions, please do tell us how it went ... ☺You are SO right! She is quite insistent on starting at the beginning. I can't convince her that there really is no official beginning. I'll do it, but it may kill me! Thanks for your reply.
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