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After you have done it, give us some feedback on the adjectives you use, perhaps after you have walked to Roncesvalles the next day. I suspect you will be glad you stopped, but won't think it short or little! "The Way" makes it look far too easy. Have fun, and buen camino.That's a pretty short little walk.
It will not be an easy 10 km! The first 600 meters out of SJPdP is a "stairmaster," and you already will be glad you are stopping in 10 km. The best part of the "short" first day is that you will not feel any time pressure, and can stop regularly to tend to your feet; every 100 meters if you need to. Do not walk through hot spots and let them become blisters. Stop and treat them with Compeed, moleskin, duct tape, lubricant, bandaids, or a sock change. Blisters in the first 10 km will be with you for weeks, and it is impossible not to reach your bed in Orisson before dusk even at a crawl. Even if you have already found the perfect Camino friends, do not try to keep up with them. You will meet again in Orisson or later. Make your feet your only priority.it feels a little frustrating to imagine I'll walk less than 10 kms on day 1
falcon269 said:It will not be an easy 10 km! The first 600 meters out of SJPdP is a "stairmaster," and you already will be glad you are stopping in 10 km. The best part of the "short" first day is that you will not feel any time pressure, and can stop regularly to tend to your feet; every 100 meters if you need to. Do not walk through hot spots and let them become blisters. Stop and treat them with Compeed, moleskin, duct tape, lubricant, bandaids, or a sock change. Blisters in the first 10 km will be with you for weeks, and it is impossible not to reach your bed in Orisson before dusk even at a crawl. Even if you have already found the perfect Camino friends, do not try to keep up with them. You will meet again in Orisson or later. Make your feet your only priority.it feels a little frustrating to imagine I'll walk less than 10 kms on day 1
Buen camino.
I would opine that it is about prevention. I never get blisters because I prevent them. The only Compeed I have used has gone on the feet of other pilgrims.it'll be more about damage limitation
falcon269 said:I would opine that it is about prevention. I never get blisters because I prevent them. The only Compeed I have used has gone on the feet of other pilgrims.it'll be more about damage limitation
Prevent.
Prevent.
Prevent.
I have genuinely lousy feet, too. Completely flat. Morton's neuroma in both. Arthritis in both ankles. I do the "Camino shuffle" (those first four staggering steps when you get up) even when I am home. But I do not get blisters! Blisters are completely optional, if you want them to be.
Footwear that fits (do not automatically buy them large, but too small is worse).
Liner socks and wool socks. No cotton.
Lubricant. I use SportSlick or Hydropel. Vaseline is pretty good. Renew during the day.
Dry socks.
Rest every hour with boots and socks off (take a 30 x 30 piece of plastic to sit on the damp ground). Swing the socks around to dry them a bit.
Dry boots at night even if it has not rained. Remove insoles so they dry, too.
Avoid walking at someone else's pace.
If tired muscles have changed your walking mechanics, be ready for new hot spots. They all do not appear the first week! Trekking poles can help maintain your mechanics because you do not react as much to muscle and joint pain.
Your feet will not take care of themselves. You must be proactive.
William Marques said:Remember you do not have to stop at Roncesvalles the next day you could walk on and stay in Burguete, perhaps at Hostal Burguete where Hemingway used to stay, or in one of the villages further on. Be flexible.
Of course you can pick up a stamp on your pilgrim passport at the monastery of Roncesvalles on the way.
Hi Laurel,LaurelKay said:I booked my room at Orisson for April 2nd.
Laurel
LaurelKay said:Hi Hieu,
I think I read somewhere that Orisson officially opens on April 2nd and only opens earlier if the weather is nice. So since my reservation was for April 2nd, he already knew it would be open so the reservation was made.
I am sure if it is open when you are there it will be no problem to make a reservation the day before.
Laurel
Toobizy said:I'm a little worried. Emailed Orisson for reservation April 27 but have heard nothing. I KNOW it would be foolish for me to try for Roncesvalles in one day; could end my Camino right there. They only have 18 beds. What if I just show up there anyway? Will they turn me away?
Toobizy said:Thank you all for your replies. I am comforted. Going to try the direct email. Also thinking they are probably dealing with more immediate requests & addressing late April closer to the actual date. Also, there are probably quite a few who reserve & then, for whatever reason, don't show.
The same thing had happened to me. For whatever reason, in responding to my last email, they sent me a request for Paypal to hold my reservation. I complied with the Paypal payment and now have a reservation for April 1. Maybe in your reservation inquiry, tell them that you're willing to use Paypal to reserve your reservation. Good luck to you.Lysandre said:I contacted them through the website and got an answer after a couple days. They did not ask me to pay by paypal or anything in advance, but to call them and confirm the day before.
About 3 hours sounds about right. Allow yourself 4 and just stroll up to Orrison and you will really enjoy this first part of your "way". Just remember they have a communal dinner and don't arrive late or you may miss out!riatolken said:tell us how long does it take you from StJPdP to Orrison
Anyone know what time the communal dinner is?riatolken said:Just remember they have a communal dinner and don't arrive late or you may miss out!
mad galway man said:Orrisson, walk takes 1hour, bit more if you walk slow, I find its too early to stop for coffee, so I keep walking , 6 hours to roncesvalles, including, break for rest, food.
Thanks. I can't wait.nreyn12 said:This year the dinner started at 6:30pm, and then the bar and dining room closed at 9:00pm and everyone was off to bed.
Taylor,
You can try emailing them directly at refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr
See you at Orisson on the 5th
We did the walk in September October and stayed the first night in Orisson. Decided as we were walking over the Pyrenees, we'd stay in them because we could. It was a magic night with a pilgrim meal, followed by persons introducing themselves (if they wished) and talking about why they were doing the Camino. We walked the entire trip to Santiago with some of these people - just kept seeing them along "the Way". It is the start of the Camino Family - very special.Thank you. I plan to start from SJPdP on May 29. I'm a pretty task-oriented person, which is probably my true motivation for getting to Roncesvalles in one day. I forgot to consider the down-hill, and from all I have read it would probably do me well, in more ways than one, to take my time getting to Orisson and just enjoy. And who knows, my 32 euro may be the best investment I make. -M :arrow:
Exactly our experience. Periodically running into pilgrims we had met at the communal dinner in Orrison, catching up with them on how it was going, etc. was really special. I normally hate group introductions, but this turned out to be a wonderful beginning to many friendships.It was a magic night with a pilgrim meal, followed by persons introducing themselves (if they wished) and talking about why they were doing the Camino. We walked the entire trip to Santiago with some of these people - just kept seeing them along "the Way". It is the start of the Camino Family - very special.
For some unbelieveably good cheeses in SJPdP try Garaziko Gasna Etxea.I'll walk over to the local "supermarket" not far from the station (there is also a great market back over the bridge) and buy any supplies I think I will need for the next day's walk to Roncesvalles. This really puts my mind at ease. In addition to this, there was a small bakery which opened maybe near half 6 where I stopped both times
Two things I learned about Orisson: definitely worth it, but don't rely on their breakfast and pre-ordering their bocadillo/sandwich to sustain you for the walk into Roncesvalles the next day. Buy a banana, a bar of chocolate or something before you leave St Jean, because it's a long walk from Orisson with no shops. Unless it's changed the Orisson breakfast consists mainly of bread and jam and the sandwich is a stick of white bread with a few slices of meat or cheese on it. If it hadn't been for the Man in the Van on the mountain, who sold boiled eggs, fruit, coffee, cold drinks and snacks, and who apparently is not there anymore, the walk to Roncesvalles would have been a hungry walk. Prepare for that, without going overboard, and it will be even more enjoyable!
Great ideas about stocking up for the walk into Roncesvalles. Thanks for the reminder. If Orisson costs 34euro for the night does this also include the dinner ?Two things I learned about Orisson: definitely worth it, but don't rely on their breakfast and pre-ordering their bocadillo/sandwich to sustain you for the walk into Roncesvalles the next day. Buy a banana, a bar of chocolate or something before you leave St Jean, because it's a long walk from Orisson with no shops. Unless it's changed the Orisson breakfast consists mainly of bread and jam and the sandwich is a stick of white bread with a few slices of meat or cheese on it. If it hadn't been for the Man in the Van on the mountain, who sold boiled eggs, fruit, coffee, cold drinks and snacks, and who apparently is not there anymore, the walk to Roncesvalles would have been a hungry walk. Prepare for that, without going overboard, and it will be even more enjoyable!
Yes, and breakfast, albeit pretty basic. They'll also do a lunch to take with you.If Orisson costs 34euro for the night does this also include the dinner ?
Stopping could also be beneficial for those not starting the walk in the morning. There are many who arrive early in the day in SJPdP. At these times, all "necessities" can be sorted, some time to walk around the little town (It's really cool.), take in some coffee and/or lunch at outside cafe', and start walking later in the afternoon so as to arrive in Orisson maybe 17:00/18:00. A nice dinner with others and head start for the next morning is quite enticing.
April 25th, my birthday, so remember to celebrate your first day on the Camino.I decided to split the first day into 2, I hope the weather is good for some sunsets/Sunrise photography, I have booked a bed at Orisson on 25th April
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