- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23
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@Robo , well said.
Most damage done is the first day .
I still cannot believe why pilgrims do not go back 3 days prior on the GR65 and warm up before RON.
Three times over the Pyrenees from SJPdP to Roncesvalles. Twice on the Napoleon route and once on the Valcarlos. Every time I did it I left SJPdP at about 7:00 am and got to Roncesvalles somewhere around 3:00-4:00 pm, and that was with a fair amount of rest breaks and even a stop for coffee at Orisson.Tumblie Dear...are you saying that SJPP to RONCI can easily be done in 8 hours? I was hoping to leave around 7:00 a.m. to avoid the hot JULY sun. Do you think it would be reasonable to say that I will get to RON at around 5:00 PM? With a two hour break in between?
I do get concerned about some of these discussions. My fear is that it can be misleading for those who are yet to walk their first Camino. Particularly those who are not as fit as they could be. It was only a few months ago that I too would hang on every bit of advice gleaned from this forum.
My concern is about the capabilities of Pilgrims. Their age, level of fitness, experience of long distance hiking, the weight they are carrying, the suitability of footwear.....
We all vary so much. OK, I was one of the slowest walkers probably, most were of fairly average fitness, many very unfit and over weight quite frankly. They suffered early on, but soon got into their stride.
Maybe it's bravado. Maybe we have a smattering of hardened hill walkers amongst us. Maybe I'm just really unfit. But there seems to be a bit of 'chest beating' about "how fast I got to Roncesvalles"...... If you ran all the way in 4 hours. Great. Well done. But please don't try to tell a budding Pilgrim that it's easy.....
I certainly did not see many Pilgrims on my Camino that could breeze up from St Jean to Orisson and then on to Roncesvalles all in one day in 6 or 7 hours and not experience considerable discomfort. OK, there are obviously a few here. That's great. But I would suggest those people are the exception rather than the rule, and perhaps represent less than 10% or so of Pilgrims in terms of overall fitness and being 'Camino ready'. Perhaps they are regular walkers.
The other 90% huffed and puffed their way up the hill. Getting to Orisson in maybe 2 to 2 1/2 hours. I took 3. It's not far. It's 8 kms. But it IS Steep.
I could probably have done another 7 or 8 kms. I certainly felt that only 8 kms was a bit short. But the only other option was to walk another 17 kms. That would have been tough on Day 1. Of course lots do. Most Pilgrims do. There aren't that many beds at Orisson.
But let's be realistic. It's not exactly a walk in the park. Is it?
Sorry to rant a bit.....
I would just hate for some Pilgrim on their first Camino to have problems on day 1.
I skipped Orrison and did it all inone day. I began at 7:00am and arrived in Roncesvalles at 5:00pm. Went through the forest and saw nobody the whole time. I was scared to death and my feet were killing me, but I made it!! Good luck!MANI DEAR...I am exactly where you are. It is a toss-up and I've voted on going the whole way. Those *astards at ORISSON are gouging people for 32 or 35 euro for a bunk bed. Have they lost their cotton-pickin' mind? So out of principle I say "NO"...let's not leave our hard-earned euro there. What I plan to do is go up that mountain gently even if it takes me four hours. Walking time is 7 hours. I will budget nine so I can take a couple of long rest periods. GOD BLESS! Let me know how you feel. regalsolomon@gmail.com
Hi there. I'm just back from the Camino and was one of the people who read these posts and decided to book Orisson before setting off. In case this is helpful for anyone trying to decide now, I wouldn't recommend stopping there if travelling solo and in case you connect in any way with fellow journeyers from St Jean. My experience as a solo walker was 1) that I didn't want to miss walking with these lovely people I'd met the day before and 2) that I realised I was able for more walking that day and 3) that I found the Orisson staff not very friendly. I arrived in Orisson, my fellow walkers moved on and after a lot of prevaricating of head (sensible) over heart (gut instinct), an hour later I asked the main Orisson lady if I was crazy to consider walking on solo at that late hour (130pm). Her reply was to shrug and say that I couldn't get my Orisson booking refund if I left. That decided me and so off I went. I never regretted it and caught up with my new friends along that way and had a fantastic camino. Buen Camino to anyone lucky enough to be setting off shortly!I am debating on whether or not to stop for the night in Orisson or to continue to Roncesvalles on Day One. On the one hand, I don't want to push my self too fast, on the other, Orisson does not seem like much of a push for the first day. I don't want to regret booking ahead and paying for a room I don't use and I don't want to get that far and regret not not having a room. I know it seems minor but 32 euro is 32 euro. Any advice? I am walking alone and have been thinking a lot about this. Thank you! - M :arrow:
I had the same experience only I arrived at 9:30, felt great, and decided to keep walking. I told the gentleman I wasn't going to stay and he said "no refunds". I said, "Just give my bed to someone else who may need it." I'm sure they resold.Hi there. I'm just back from the Camino and was one of the people who read these posts and decided to book Orisson before setting off. In case this is helpful for anyone trying to decide now, I wouldn't recommend stopping there if travelling solo and in case you connect in any way with fellow journeyers from St Jean. My experience as a solo walker was 1) that I didn't want to miss walking with these lovely people I'd met the day before and 2) that I realised I was able for more walking that day and 3) that I found the Orisson staff not very friendly. I arrived in Orisson, my fellow walkers moved on and after a lot of prevaricating of head (sensible) over heart (gut instinct), an hour later I asked the main Orisson lady if I was crazy to consider walking on solo at that late hour (130pm). Her reply was to shrug and say that I couldn't get my Orisson booking refund if I left. That decided me and so off I went. I never regretted it and caught up with my new friends along that way and had a fantastic camino. Buen Camino to anyone lucky enough to be setting off shortly!
Just give my bed to someone else who may need it.
Indeed. There is mo way I can walk St Jean to Roncesvalles in one go...
Hi there. I'm just back from the Camino and was one of the people who read these posts and decided to book Orisson before setting off.
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.
Some of us take a lot longer .... it is steep!If you start from St Jean in the morning you will be at Orisson well before noon. It should only take 2.5 hours or so.
Orisson is very special. The accommodations are fine and the people are very elcoming. The pilrram meal is very special and a great way to start your Camino.I am debating on whether or not to stop for the night in Orisson or to continue to Roncesvalles on Day One. On the one hand, I don't want to push my self too fast, on the other, Orisson does not seem like much of a push for the first day. I don't want to regret booking ahead and paying for a room I don't use and I don't want to get that far and regret not not having a room. I know it seems minor but 32 euro is 32 euro. Any advice? I am walking alone and have been thinking a lot about this. Thank you! - M :arrow:
Update: I got to Orisson at 9:30am, gave up my room, and kept going! My toes were killing me when I walked out of the beech forest at 5:00pm, but I made it! What a high to end my first day on the Camino, except I was so exhausted and hungry.I think I've decided to stop for all the reasons mentioned above. I've already emailed them to book my spot. Thank you. This forum has been invaluable to me! - M :arrow:
Nice of you to updateUpdate: I got to Orisson at 9:30am, gave up my room, and kept going! My toes were killing me when I walked out of the beech forest at 5:00pm, but I made it! What a high to end my first day on the Camino, except I was so exhausted and hungry.
if I had to do it again, I think I would do the same.
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