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Good point! I’m referring to difficulty due to weather and path/road conditions. I’m not worried about the general terrain, ascent, etc. If it were summer, I wouldn’t be thinking twice about it!Would you elaborate a bit on what you mean by 'difficult'? Are you meaning the road conditions and the short sections of paths? The physical effort? Or something else?
Good point! I’m referring to difficulty due to weather and path/road conditions. I’m not worried about the general terrain, ascent, etc. If it were summer, I wouldn’t be thinking twice about it!
I would stop in Orisson for the amazing experience. The weather can turn very nasty without warning at that time of year. Although a week earlier than that, I started up last April in glorious sunshine, stopped in Orisson just before the wind and rain hit. Next morning, I started up the road and before I came to the point where camino and road finally part, the wind and rain was a nightmare. By the time I crossed the border, it was hail rain and snow all the way to Roncesvalles. It was bad enough being caught in that weather early in the day but later on when I would have been really tired does not bear thinking about. It may sound like a challenge but push yourself too hard on the first couple of days just for a 'challenge' could result in your camino ending early. A young man once said to me that he had just done 40km as he wanted to test his body. I asked him what he would have done if his body had failed the test. I met him next day as he came crawling into the albergue I had stopped in two hours earlier. He reckoned he had just about passed the test the day before but had just had a really hard post graduate day. He was in no fit state to go for dinner. He was 25 and I was 67. Both got to the same place but I was a lot happier than he was. Take it easy for the first couple of days and get yourself into a routine slowly. Valcarlos route is fairly level for most of the day but then when you are tired, you have to climb the equivalent of the steep road to Orisson at the end of the day. Once again, I would suggest breaking it into two days and stopping in Valcarlos. Given what you say about your experience, two days seems to me to be the most sensible. Personally, I would not dream of doing it in one day but then, I am slow old 70 year oldI didn’t want to hijack another recent thread so I decided to post a new one, I apologize if it’s a little redundant. I’m a first timer hoping to walk the Napoleon and make it to Roncesvalles the first night (April 18). For those familiar with the routes and the weather, is this too ambitious?? I’m by no means an experienced backpacker, this is literally my first ever walk. I’m 46 and in fairly good shape, I love to walk/hike locally (day trips) and I’d like the challenge. However, being from a very warm climate I’m definitely not used to the cold! Honestly I hate it. If the route is deemed “passable” what’s difficulty likely to be this time of year? Is Valcarlos more realistic?? I know there’s always the option of stopping in orrison (if there’s a bed!) but I’d prefer to press on.
Hi Maria Jo,I would like to thank everyone who provided such thoughtful responses! I really appreciate the time and insight you’ve given. For a newbie it’s such a tough call, given the fact that Orrison must be booked so far in advance. I’d love to just see how I feel when I reach Orrison, depending on my energy level, the weather, etc. but that doesn’t seem to be an option. Sounds like If I don’t prebook I’m out of luck.
I neglected to mention that I’ve only got about 12 days to walk before I must return home. Although I do not want to feel rushed and I do NOT plan on making it a race, I would like to get as much walking in as I can before I must cut my Camino short (hopefully to return again at a later date). This is probably the driving force behind my wanting to reach Roncesvalles on day 1.
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