Is it me? I didn't think that the Napoleon Pass was so bad, actually, I thought it utterly wonderful ... - I mean, there isn't any climbing or scrambling is there.... you are on a well paved road for most of the upwards section, then through a pass and splendid views of mountains forever, and hovering Egyptian vultures and miles and miles of track and then a choice of two descents, one short that is scrambly in the wet, and one a little longer that is less steep.
I did it in one go from St. Jean, and, yes, I was tired - and there was one place where I lay and rested for perhaps an hour - and it did start to snow at one point (March) and I did get frighteningly cold at that point - but it wasn't Hannibal going over the Alps with elephants ... true, people die up there - but only in heavy snow or because of bad hearts and people die on the Meseta too, and in their beds at home.
Starting with Napoleon's whole army, with horses and cannons, and wagons, and the women and children that followed those armies, how many people have gone over the Napoleon Pass?
How many people of all ages, fit or not fit, slim or fat, young or old - ancient even, have left St. Jean in the dark, walked up past Orrison, over the top and down into Spain, arriving when it is still daylight and feeling so wonderful? And knowing "if I can do that - I can do anything! - the rest of the Camino? Bring it on!" How many?
A million? Two million?
There is so much fear. As you said, you are an amputee, you didn't say that you were disabled. The chances are that you are more fit than most of the people who start in St. Jean.
You will know your own fitness level, and how much you can do with your prosthetic - I say go for it.
Start early, take your time, take food and drink and a clear mind, and stroll over the Napoleon Pass into Spain. :wink:
