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Rescue services are worth their weight in gold and then some and any I have worked with never judge why you got in trouble, they just make sure you are safe."After being taken to the Valcarlos health center, where it has been verified that the pilgrim was in good condition, he has been taken to the Roncesvalles hostel..."
Well done all...
Closed till the 1st of April and depending on weather conditions it could run later. Always check with the pilgrim office in SJPdP, they will let you know what conditions are like. They told us not to walk it around 19th April one year because of snow and wind, some choose to walk it anyway and were lucky to make it through. This was before the compulsory closures.I had no idea it could be that dangerous in the Valcarlos, just found out the Route Napoleón is closed until March 31 because a lot of pilgrims end up stranded or dying during winter making the trip.
God bless the rescue workers.
If you have any doubts do the Valcarlos route, it's much safer and it's also the original route.This is really helpful reading as I am about to do the Route Napoleon on the 1st April, I will touch base before attempting it.
The article says that the man himself called for help and reported that he was lost. He was unable to give his exact location and what he could describe of the area was ambiguous. So search teams were sent to several possible locations. Given heavy snow on the ground it is quite possible that he was unable to see yellow arrows or other markers and wandered off the path. The Valcarlos route is much less travelled than the Route Napoleon and signage is less frequent.And I wish I knew what they meant - he had coverage but didn't have mobile internet. Does that mean he was out of range or did he pay for cellular and not data? That piece is unclear to me. Did he call for help because he knew he was lost?
Last year it was closed on May 1 due to snow.I had no idea it could be that dangerous in the Valcarlos, just found out the Route Napoleón is closed until March 31 because a lot of pilgrims end up stranded or dying during winter making the trip.
God bless the rescue workers.
We are planning to leave SJPP on April 1, hoping to follow the Napoleon route - but prepared to make other plans if the weather is not good. Hopefully we can get to Borda, we have booked for the first night, and then make a decision. The owner of Auberge Borda has suggested a taxi to Valcarlos would be possible if the high route was closed.This is really helpful reading as I am about to do the Route Napoleon on the 1st April, I will touch base before attempting it.
Hola @santiago, A little investigation will reveal that it can snow in the Pyrenees at almost any time of the year. All it takes is a small Atlantic storm to arrive and there you have the weather that is commented upon often. The experienced pilgrims will tell you that you should always "be prepared" when walking either of the routes from St Jean to Roncesvalles. CheerI had no idea it could be that dangerous in the Valcarlos, just found out the Route Napoleón is closed until March 31 because a lot of pilgrims end up stranded or dying during winter making the trip.
God bless the rescue workers.
Hola - given that it is still snowing down to 1500 metres (or lower) (4500ft) being prepared to change your plans is the sign of the wise pilgrim. Back in May 2017 I too had hoped to trek the Napoleonic route, but high winds, snow,sleet and temperatures down to 5C (40F) meant it was just too risky. I ran into a woman who was "blown over" by a 80km/h wind gust, ended up spending a night in hospital. Buen Camino.We are planning to leave SJPP on April 1, hoping to follow the Napoleon route - but prepared to make other plans if the weather is not good. Hopefully we can get to Borda, we have booked for the first night, and then make a decision. The owner of Auberge Borda has suggested a taxi to Valcarlos would be possible if the high route was closed.
There is no need for internet to get one's location data or to use a map app - location is satellite-based. Perhaps the person was not familiar with the technology, or did not have a decent off-line map, or was in a place where the signal was blocked, or maybe it was just that their battery was low. Or all of the above. We will never know.getting lost or getting injuries are definitely an argument for carrying a cell phone with service coverage in Spain - but the limited details on the article don't help me understand if his phone was/was not working adequately in the location. Also - it would appear he didn't have any downloaded maps in case he got lost when he was out of cellular data range.
You're right. All the tech isn't much use if you don't know how to use it!But it's a cautionary tale. If you carry a phone, install an off-line map (I use OSMand and like it a lot), make sure you have battery power (and an external means of recharging), and (essential!) know how to use all of that ahead of time.
But it's a cautionary tale. If you carry a phone, install an off-line map (I use OSMand and like it a lot), make sure you have battery power (and an external means of recharging), and (essential!) know how to use all of that ahead of time.
It is entirely possible that he was not carrying a smartphone, which would provide a complete explanation for the reporting that he was able to contact the emergency services but not able to provide them his location.Anyhow - getting lost or getting injuries are definitely an argument for carrying a cell phone with service coverage in Spain - but the limited details on the article don't help me understand if his phone was/was not working adequately in the location. Also - it would appear he didn't have any downloaded maps in case he got lost when he was out of cellular data range.
Yes, very true. Funny not to be thinking of that.It is entirely possible that he was not carrying a smartphone, which would provide a complete explanation for the reporting that he was able to contact the emergency services but not able to provide them his location.
I have an app installed call GPS Coordinates that can show maps but since I have better apps for that I have GPS Coordinates set to just display my current latitude and longitude coordinates making it easy to give someone my location. You can use this app even if you know nothing about maps or how to get coordinates from a map app. You can also use it to share your location by email in which case it also includes a link to Google Maps that shows your location on that app.But it's a cautionary tale. If you carry a phone, install an off-line map (I use OSMand and like it a lot), make sure you have battery power (and an external means of recharging), and (essential!) know how to use all of that ahead of time.
Fortunately for us all it's actually not rocket science. With OSMand on my Android it's super easy. Press your index finger on your location, then press share and this menu pops up with a bunch of options.You can use this app even if you know nothing about maps or how to get coordinates from a map app
Very true. And like I said - would be nice to know more details in situation like this. Great opportunities to learn so future incidents "might" be more preventable.It is entirely possible that he was not carrying a smartphone, which would provide a complete explanation for the reporting that he was able to contact the emergency services but not able to provide them his location.
Hi Rick - I have an app "what three words" - virtually all the land mass of the world in divided up into 15m squares. Where ever you are if you click on the app up will come (in English - for me) a unique three word combo that First Responders can reverse input and track you to your present location. CheersI have an app installed call GPS Coordinates that can show maps but since I have better apps for that I have GPS Coordinates set to just display my current latitude and longitude coordinates making it easy to give someone my location. You can use this app even if you know nothing about maps or how to get coordinates from a map app. You can also use it to share your location by email in which case it also includes a link to Google Maps that shows your location on that app.
What three words (WTW) is an excellent concept, and I have it on my smartphone. Have you checked recently that the emergency services in Spain can decode WTW locations? I expect that they will have had time to implement the tools needed to do this, but I haven't checked. I know it was a big thing locally when the SES did get around to doing that.Responders can reverse input and track you to your present location
I don’t think this app is familiar to the Spanish emergency rescue services. I think the best thing to do to be prepared for an emergency is to make sure you can convey your location coordinates. It’s very easy to do via WhatsApp, and the Spanish 112 uses WhatsApp.Hi Rick - I have an app "what three words" - virtually all the land mass of the world in divided up into 15m squares. Where ever you are if you click on the app up will come (in English - for me) a unique three word combo that First Responders can reverse input and track you to your present location. Cheers
@peregrina2000, I have contacted the company that owns what3words and asked about by its use by emergency services in Spain and Portugal. I will pass on their response once I get one.I don’t think this app is familiar to the Spanish emergency rescue services. I think the best thing to do to be prepared for an emergency is to make sure you can convey your location coordinates. It’s very easy to do via WhatsApp, and the Spanish 112 uses WhatsApp.
I have a response from what3words. To quote: '... the emergency services in Spain and Portugal aren't using us yet, this page explains in details the emergency services that do use what3words and in which countries.'@peregrina2000, I have contacted the company that owns what3words and asked about by its use by emergency services in Spain and Portugal. I will pass on their response once I get one.
I have had the What3Words app on my phone for years and I've recommended OSMand on the forum. But I want something simple that doesn't require much special knowledge on either end of the rescue. I am assuming that latitude and longitude coordinates are known by emergency services.Hi Rick - I have an app "what three words" - virtually all the land mass of the world in divided up into 15m squares. Where ever you are if you click on the app up will come (in English - for me) a unique three word combo that First Responders can reverse input and track you to your present location. Cheers
Get details at Google Play.I've found several apps with similar names. Can you post a picture of the app icon?
Yes, sorry. The app is named "My GPS Coordinates" on the Play Store but once installed on your phone you see it as "GPS Coordinates" in the drawer.Edit: I think that I found it based on the screen shot that you posted.
So not quite the circumstances one might expect on the camino! This appears to go to some basic bush-walking planning and preparation:Here's a worst case scenario. I'm with a tech luddite off trail bird watching in a wilderness area with no phone, data or wifi service available but there is a ranger station where we parked the car. A tree falls on me and I'm going to pass out. The rangers may not know about What3Words and I'd be dead before the luddite could figure out OSMand. I could probably get away with saying "Hey bud, open the GPS Coordinates app on my phone, take a screenshot and display it. Give the phone to Lassie and send her for help."
Same with the boat. Bud drank all the vodka and played with the sextants and dropped them overboard. Angry at Bud I shot him repeatedly with the flare gun. Lassie peed on the GPS receiver and shorted it out. I threw her overboard after she chewed up the life raft. Turns out the radio was a receiver only. I used GPS Coordinates to get my position, wrote them down on paper and inserted the paper into an empty vodka bottle that Bud emptied. It's all up to the Burgette bomberos now.So not quite the circumstances one might expect on the camino!
I agree that this is an incredibly useful app, but saying it is essential for these purposes implies that these things, rescue or aid by the police or bomberos, will not be possible without the app. That is clearly not true. The classic method of calling emergency services, dialling 112 or any of the other emergency numbers in Spain will still get assistance.It is essential not only for rescue, but also for crime/assault/distress etc.
I respectfully disagre with a couple of your points.I agree that this is an incredibly useful app, but saying it is essential for these purposes implies that these things, rescue or aid by the police or bomberos, will not be possible without the app. That is clearly not true. The classic method of calling emergency services, dialling 112 or any of the other emergency numbers in Spain will still get assistance.
As I look at it, the AlertCOPS app has considerable advantages in cases where one might not want to publicly reveal, say to an assailant, that one has alerted authorities to danger one might be in. I am thinking, for instance, of domestic violence or sexual assault. It also allows someone who is a bystander to report without necessarily alerting someone to that. There are good reasons if you do have a smartphone to install and activate the AlertCOPS app.
Remember that you have to activate the app, and it will be tied to the mobile SIM you are using when you do that. If you plan to get a local SIM once you arrive in Spain, do it then. If you have already activated the app using your 'home' SIM to see how the app works, you will need to do it again once you have a new SIM installed.
Which is also what the AlertCops app does: It allows a pilgrim to merely make a phone call to 112, plain and simple. True. One may object and say that one does not need an app for dialling 112. However, pilgrims who are less familiar with the ins and outs of contacting emergency services when outside of their own country benefit from having such an “all in one“ app as AlertCops. “112” is actually not as widely known as an emergency number as one might assume because many European countries have their better known national emergency numbers in addition to 112; for Spain it’s 091, 062 and 061 and you see it on posters which may add to the confusion for foreign visitors.The classic method of calling emergency services, dialling 112 or any of the other emergency numbers in Spain will still get assistance.
It is possible to use AlertCops to do just that, but the app offers several other ways of communicating with both the FFCCSE and nominated 'Guardians' - individuals/groups you have nominated to be informed should you trigger an alert. That is in addition to the warnings and other notifications that the app can provide, depending on the security level set. SeeWhich is also what the AlertCops app does: It allows a pilgrim to merely make a phone call to 112, plain and simple.
I just enabled this on my Android. Thanks, Doug and @Kathar1na.AML is a smartphone service (not an app) and is enabled on an Android in Locations settings. If it is enabled, when you call 112, the smartphone services sends an SMS message to the emergency service centre with your best location based on either GPS or WiFi, whichever is the more accurate at the time.
I just enabled this on my Android. Thanks, Doug and @Kathar1na.
Easy:
Settings>Location>Emergency Location Service>click 'on'.
This is super simple, and works in the background with no effort - requiring neither apps nor knowledge of systems. Except to call 112. Simplicity under pressure is a blessing, and could save a life.
Question is...does it work in Spain? According to this, yes. Here's a screenshot:
View attachment 143114
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