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I took the bus from Bayonne to SJPdP on 2-1-'18 and arrived about 8.50. By the time I'd got my Credencial, visited the Church, and bought some food it was after 10 o'clock.
It was a day of rain the like I'd never seen.
I arrived in Valcarlos about 3 and foolishly decided to push on to Roncesvalles.
I'd passed the point where the trail joins the road for about 100mts and was walking, sometimes ankle deep , along a very muddy and slippy path. I eventually came to what could be described as a torrent rushing down the hill from the right. It crossed the path like a river and tumbled down into the gorge to the left.
I thought slipping there could have had really serious consequences so decided to turn back.
The light had gone by the time I got back to the road. So it was pitch dark and still pouring down.
Even at the best of times I've never liked walking along the side of a road. Doing it that night would have been very dangerous so I phoned the emergency number for help.
The firemen arrived very quickly and drove me to Roncesvalles.
They asked if I was injured (well, my pride was) or lost. I said lost.
I guess if there's a lesson to be taken from this it is don't try to do on a short Winter day what you could easily accomplish on a long Summer one.
Initially I was so angry with myself I thought of going home. But the next morning was feeling in better spirits and set out for Zuburi.
It can be dangerous to walk in bad weather in the mountains especially when it's dark.I took the bus from Bayonne to SJPdP on 2-1-'18 and arrived about 8.50. By the time I'd got my Credencial, visited the Church, and bought some food it was after 10 o'clock.
It was a day of rain the like I'd never seen.
I arrived in Valcarlos about 3 and foolishly decided to push on to Roncesvalles.
I'd passed the point where the trail joins the road for about 100mts and was walking, sometimes ankle deep , along a very muddy and slippy path. I eventually came to what could be described as a torrent rushing down the hill from the right. It crossed the path like a river and tumbled down into the gorge to the left.
I thought slipping there could have had really serious consequences so decided to turn back.
The light had gone by the time I got back to the road. So it was pitch dark and still pouring down.
Even at the best of times I've never liked walking along the side of a road. Doing it that night would have been very dangerous so I phoned the emergency number for help.
The firemen arrived very quickly and drove me to Roncesvalles.
They asked if I was injured (well, my pride was) or lost. I said lost.
I guess if there's a lesson to be taken from this it is don't try to do on a short Winter day what you could easily accomplish on a long Summer one.
Initially I was so angry with myself I thought of going home. But the next morning was feeling in better spirits and set out for Zuburi.
Maybe print and electronic guide books should include taxis to call from each town.Why the firefighters? Did taxi drivers not want to come collect you?
Yes, because not everyone carries smart phones and can google on the spot. But I always take the photo of taxi adverts as I walk, because one never knows when one will come in handy. Then I delete the photo as I move further away and take a new one of the new local service.Maybe print and electronic guide books should include taxis to call from each town.
I always have phone # handy for taxis and lodgings where I will be staying to call in case I need help. Pictures of taxi service ads are great. Usually, one taxi services multiple towns along a riute. To me, having a working phone and data are as essential as my first aid kit.Yes, because not everyone carries smart phones and can google on the spot. But I always take the photo of taxi adverts as I walk, because one never knows when one will come in handy. Then I delete the photo as I move further away and take a new one of the new local service.
Well, here is the map Gronze provides, no elevation on the map, only in text.Can I ask a veteran of the Valcarlos Route, (I've been over the Napoleon in June), how long it would likely take to walk from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles in decent weather? Would Stephen have made it before dark in ideal conditions? It does after all climb to over a thousand metres at the pass near the Roland Monument, and it seems the weather was foul.
If I'd had a number for a taxi I'd have used it. I did try to call the albergue at Roncesvalles but couldn't get through.Why the firefighters? Did taxi drivers not want to come collect you?
I took the bus from Bayonne to SJPdP on 2-1-'18 and arrived about 8.50. By the time I'd got my Credencial, visited the Church, and bought some food it was after 10 o'clock.
It was a day of rain the like I'd never seen.
I arrived in Valcarlos about 3 and foolishly decided to push on to Roncesvalles.
I'd passed the point where the trail joins the road for about 100mts and was walking, sometimes ankle deep , along a very muddy and slippy path. I eventually came to what could be described as a torrent rushing down the hill from the right. It crossed the path like a river and tumbled down into the gorge to the left.
I thought slipping there could have had really serious consequences so decided to turn back.
The light had gone by the time I got back to the road. So it was pitch dark and still pouring down.
Even at the best of times I've never liked walking along the side of a road. Doing it that night would have been very dangerous so I phoned the emergency number for help.
The firemen arrived very quickly and drove me to Roncesvalles.
They asked if I was injured (well, my pride was) or lost. I said lost.
I guess if there's a lesson to be taken from this it is don't try to do on a short Winter day what you could easily accomplish on a long Summer one.
Initially I was so angry with myself I thought of going home. But the next morning was feeling in better spirits and set out for Zuburi.
When you feel you have reached the danger point, it is the wrong time to be shy or embarrassed. Call 112. And don't second guess the decision.I wouldn't have used the emergency services if I could have seen another way to get out of the situation I was in
As I said in my second post, it’s true that not every body carries a smart phone and can google a taxi telephone number, but initially I assumed you had called and they would not come get you. I wondered why that would have been the case.If I'd had a number for a taxi I'd have used it. I did try to call the albergue at Roncesvalles but couldn't get through.
Believe me, I wouldn't have used the emergency services if I could have seen another way to get out of the situation I was in.
Their job is pretty much to sit around, eat, and wait for a call. They probably were delighted to go out on a call that did not put them at risk -- a roadside rescue!I am concerned that decision making resulted in first responders having to go out!
I doubt that this is going to apply in Stephen's case but according to Navarra's laws here are the charges for rescue: (Thanks to @Kathar1na for finding the http://www.lexnavarra.navarra.es/detalle.asp?r=28015 webpage last year.)Don´t be surprised if you get a pretty startling bill in the post...
...alternatives such as a taxi and Uber do not make the decision wrong, particularly when a taxi/Uber is a long shot in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere with no access to a way to contact them. I have carried a flip phone on a lot of caminos, and 112 would have been my ONLY alternative.
A more foolish decision would have been to perish as the result of having made a mistake!He himself, stated that his decision was a foolish one.
Stephen...the original poster... has written about his experience.
Most posters have responded to his safe arrival in Roncesvalles in a very positive way.
The few highly critical posts of the OP's experience have been deleted and everyone is requested to refrain from any further criticism of the actions or posts of other members.
When you dial 112, the firefighters are the ones that respond. And they prefer to use WatsApp for commications.Why the firefighters? Did taxi drivers not want to come collect you?
You missed the snow today in Pamplona so...Today's walk from Puente la Reina to Estella was similiar to the first one in this respect, it rained and rained.
I notice a lot of the young South Korean walkers are wearing gaiters. A good idea.
My raincoat keeps my upper body dry but drips most of the water its protected me from around my trouser bottoms. They've been soaking at the end of each day. So I unzip the bottoms and try to find somewhere to let them dry.
Some of you may remember the trouble I had on The Norte/primitivo last year with trousers when I walked the legs off them.
I learned a lesson from that and now carry 8 safety pins at the bottom of my pack. If the worst happens I'll pin them together. A punk style pilgrim.
Last night in Puente la Reina we enjoyed watching their Three Kings parade to the Church. There were stilt walkers, fire jugglers, traditional dancers, and a float where the Three Kings distributed sweets and small presents to the smaller children.
The look of enjoyement and excitement on their faces is a sight that will stay with me for a long time.
I have walked from Valcarlos to Roncevalles twice, both in mid April. I had sunny weather and although it had lots of climbing, I remember I walked from approximately 8:00am until 2:00 or 2:30pm. Totally doable in good weather.Can I ask a veteran of the Valcarlos Route, (I've been over the Napoleon in June), how long it would likely take to walk from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles in decent weather? Would Stephen have made it before dark in ideal conditions? It does after all climb to over a thousand metres at the pass near the Roland Monument, and it seems the weather was foul.
Seems to be sweeping across from the West so hope you are well equipped.Snow in the Meseta as well.
And O Cebreiro!Snow in the Meseta as well.
Such a variety of wise, uplifting and compassionate comments from all who responded. How nice that Stephen laced up his walking shoes and marched on! Yes, @jeffnd, a thread for others to learn from...and I too, loved my stay in Valcarlos.This reminds me of the movie The Edge, when they are talking about how most people in the wilderness die of shame.
I think I know the exact spot you're talking about. When I walked, there quite a flow of water from there as well, not something to mess with in the dark.
Your only mistake was not staying in the lovely town of Valcarlos. After that, every time you saw danger, you made the right choice, first to turn back, and then to call for help.
Sure, maybe you'll get a bill for the rescue. Maybe your pride is wounded. But now we have this thread that others can learn from. Imagine the thread we could have had, some family member coming on here and asking "Does anyone know Stephen from Belfast? He left St. Jean on the second and we haven't heard from him."
It makes a good story today!! There are several lessons in the story, but the one that hits home with me is that previous camino experience is not a perfect predictor of what happens on this one, today. Stephen is not a first timer. He knows it is not easy having walked across the Pyrenees twice before, but on this day, in this weather, in this physical condition, what he did before he could not do again. It is laudatory that he realized this, and did the right thing. We should all become so wise so easily!One day this will make a good story
Charles Morse: You know, I once read an interesting book which said that, uh, most people lost in the wilds, they, they die of shame.This reminds me of the movie The Edge, when they are talking about how most people in the wilderness die of shame.
If I'd had a number for a taxi I'd have used it. I did try to call the albergue at Roncesvalles but couldn't get through.
Believe me, I wouldn't have used the emergency services if I could have seen another way to get out of the situation I was in.
ALL negative comments commenting on pilgrims needing emergency services should always be dealt with in this manner. Anyone who feels the need to laugh, make fun of or give some sob story aboutStephen...the original poster... has written about his experience.
Most posters have responded to his safe arrival in Roncesvalles in a very positive way.
The few highly critical posts of the OP's experience have been deleted and everyone is requested to refrain from any further criticism of the actions or posts of other members.
LOL- if I ever need a helicopter I would be happy to pay that bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I doubt that this is going to apply in Stephen's case but according to Navarra's laws here are the charges for rescue: (Thanks to @Kathar1na for finding the http://www.lexnavarra.navarra.es/detalle.asp?r=28015 webpage last year.)
English first then Spanish (edited)
CHAPTER VII
Rate for firefighting and rescue services. Validity note
Article 51 bis Validity Note
1. Taxable event.
c) Rescue in areas of risk or difficult access, when due to reckless or reckless behavior of the beneficiary.
AMOUNT PER HOUR OR FRACTION (euros)
1. Intervention for each personal cash 30.00
2. ... Jeep, van or tourism 30.00 ...
[4. Helicopter rescue 1,200 to 1,400 per hour depending on type.]
b) Once the benefit constituting the taxable event has ended, the competent body in civil protection matters will issue the settlement of the rate that must specify the time invested and the number of personnel that have intervened, as well as the amount according to the established rate in this section.
6. Exemptions
The services listed in letters b), c), d) and e) of section 1 shall be exempt from the fee in the cases in which the request or provision of the service is motivated by fortuitous causes, unavoidable or not attributable to the conduct of the beneficiary.
CAPITULO VII
Tasa por servicios de extinción de incendios y salvamentos Nota de Vigencia
Artículo 51 bis Nota de Vigencia
1. Hecho imponible.
c) Rescate en zonas de riesgo o de difícil acceso, cuando sea debido a conductas imprudentes o temerarias del beneficiario.
5. Tarifa.
a) La cuantía de la tasa se determinará de conformidad con los siguientes importes:
IMPORTE POR HORA O FRACCIÓN (euros)
1. Intervención por cada efectivo personal 30,00
2. Intervención Vehículos ... Jeep, furgón o turismo 30,00 ...
b) Finalizada la prestación que constituye el hecho imponible, el órgano competente en materia de protección civil emitirá la liquidación de la tasa que deberá especificar el tiempo invertido y el número de efectivos que han intervenido, así como el importe de acuerdo con la tarifa establecida en este apartado.
6. Exenciones.
Los servicios enumerados en las letras b), c), d) y e) del apartado 1 estarán exentos de la tasa en los supuestos en los que la solicitud o prestación del servicio se encuentre motivada en causas fortuitas, inevitables o no imputables a la conducta del beneficiario.
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