Hey Vaughn,
First, thank you for the Likes today.
I am one of the few who will never book a place outside of SJPP on the first day. If you show up and there are no beds available, the folks at Orrison will get you to where there is a bed. An option is to take a cab back to SJPP and cab it back to Orrison in the morning.
Either way, it will all work out.
Funny story: I walked up to Orrison in Aug/16. It took me from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM to get there, and a good samaritan took my pack for the last 2 km up to Orisson. Once there I told the lady at the Desk, "I can go no further. I do not have a reservation, but I am happy to wait to see if there is a no show or a cancellation. Otherwise, I am just as happy to sleep outside this window, as I pointed out toward the road." My pack arrived before me. She booked me in immediately and Jacques grabbed my pack, carried it across the road and down tp the lowest level. I wish he had carried me down there as well.
That was such a great experience, staying there.
In 8 days, I will be leaving SJPP and taking the Valcarlos Route this time. I wish I was leaving right now!!!