Oct 7 by way of Valcarlos

[Bala]

Less than two months until we're on the camino. Time to get on the calendar! My husband and I will start from St. Jean the morning of Oct. 7, after a night at Pension Corazon. We're taking the Valcarlos route and plan to walk as far as the next 14 nights will take us -- hopefully Burgos, but who knows? It will be on to Santiago sometime in 2016.

We're from southeast PA in the states, have traveled extensively (and lived) around the world -- and have never done anything even REMOTELY like hike with a pack on our backs. Breaking out of that comfort zone.

When I first introduced myself on this thread (two years ago, wow) there were only about a dozen or so previous posts. Now look at the Class of 2015 -- over a thousand posts and still going strong.

Buen Camino to everyone in the Class of 2015. Many are already "old pros" by now! I hope it was all you wished for. And for all of us still preparing, safe travels on our journeys!

 

[Mike Savage]

Buen Camino to you too Bala!

 

[Bala]

Buen Camino to you too Bala!

Thank you!

 

[wayfarer]

Buen Camino to you both Bala, the Valcarlos route is beautiful IMO, if the weather is inclement I would stay on the road after Valcarlos as the track off the road plunges down a ravine and back up again, this can be pretty strenous if its wet and muddy. This track cuts out loops in the road so if you stay on the road its easier but slightly longer.
Enjoy every step.

 

[Bala]

Buen Camino to you both Bala, the Valcarlos route is beautiful IMO, if the weather is inclement I would stay on the road after Valcarlos as the track off the road plunges down a ravine and back up again, this can be pretty strenous if its wet and muddy. This track cuts out loops in the road so if you stay on the road its easier but slightly longer.
Enjoy every step.

Thanks for the advice, Wayfarer. Forewarned is forearmed.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Less than two months until we're on the camino. Time to get on the calendar! My husband and I will start from St. Jean the morning of Oct. 7, after a night at Pension Corazon. We're taking the Valcarlos route and plan to walk as far as the next 14 nights will take us -- hopefully Burgos, but who knows? It will be on to Santiago sometime in 2016.

We're from southeast PA in the states, have traveled extensively (and lived) around the world -- and have never done anything even REMOTELY like hike with a pack on our backs. Breaking out of that comfort zone.

When I first introduced myself on this thread (two years ago, wow) there were only about a dozen or so previous posts. Now look at the Class of 2015 -- over a thousand posts and still going strong.

Buen Camino to everyone in the Class of 2015. Many are already "old pros" by now! I hope it was all you wished for. And for all of us still preparing, safe travels on our journeys!

Hi Bala, wish you both a wonderful journey. The distance to Burgos is about 300 km. that is duable in 14 day's. And I wish you both a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[Bala]

Hi Bala, wish you both a wonderful journey. The distance to Burgos is about 300 km. that is duable in 14 day's. And I wish you both a Buen Camino, Peter.

Thank you! It sounded so doable when we first started planning, but the closer it gets the more I feel like, "What on earth are we thinking!" I have confidence it will all work out, though. So many others have done it in the same time (or less). This forum is the best.

 

[OTH86]

Hi Bala, Walk as far as you can in the 14 days you have, then catch a bus or taxi into Burgos! It's NOT cheating!!!
BTW, I'm going to be a day behind you staying with Istvan & Barbara on the 7th, and start walking to Valcarlos the morning of the 8th. I walked the lower route last year, and that first day was fabulous!! I may follow Wayfarer's advice (even in nice weather) and stay on the highway after Valcarlos - even if it's longer. In 2013 I went over the Napoleon, and it was fabulous as well!!
A VERY Buen Camino to you and your husband!!
Terry

 

[Bala]

Hi Bala, Walk as far as you can in the 14 days you have, then catch a bus or taxi into Burgos! It's NOT cheating!!!
BTW, I'm going to be a day behind you staying with Istvan & Barbara on the 7th, and start walking to Valcarlos the morning of the 8th. I walked the lower route last year, and that first day was fabulous!! I may follow Wayfarer's advice (even in nice weather) and stay on the highway after Valcarlos - even if it's longer. In 2013 I went over the Napoleon, and it was fabulous as well!!
A VERY Buen Camino to you and your husband!!
Terry

Oh, that's great, Terry! You'll probably pass us, or we'll meet up in Roncevalles. We're planning to spend the first night in Valcarlos. Are you stopping there or going straight through? Nice to hear such an enthusiastic recent report on this route.

Taking the bus or taxi is exactly what we plan if we find ourselves falling behind schedule. I wish we had the time to do the entire camino in one go. But an upside of splitting it means we can start up again next year right where we left off, or pick up at another point, or even split the camino into three segments if need be. I'd much rather take an extra rest day, explore an interesting village, spend time in church, or just generally stop and smell the roses (or lift a glass -- or two -- of vino tinto!!), than feel the pressure of "must be at Point B by such-and-such a time."

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Thank you! It sounded so doable when we first started planning, but the closer it gets the more I feel like, "What on earth are we thinking!" I have confidence it will all work out, though. So many others have done it in the same time (or less). This forum is the best.

Hi again, I was looking at my travel notes and what I saw was that it took me 14 day's from SJPdP to Burgos. I walked the Napoleon route. Wish you well, Peter.

 

[Bala]

Hi again, I was looking at my travel notes and what I saw was that it took me 14 day's from SJPdP to Burgos. I walked the Napoleon route. Wish you well, Peter.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[OTH86]

Ahh, Bala, I won't catch up to you! I usually do 6 - 8 mi a day -- occasionally more, but not often! I like to really take my time and chat with the snails, flowers, butterflies, ants, along the way. Do it YOUR way, and have a wonderful Camino! terry