LIVE from the Camino Snowed in at San Juan de la Pena!

[Vacajoe]

Weather in Spain is truly insane right now, but we thought we’d be safe avoiding the worst of it by starting in Jaca just south of the Pyrenees... GUESS AGAIN!!!

We are literally snowed in at the hotel at the San Juan de la Pena monastery and it’s only guest (in that gigantic hotel!). The rain in the valley turned into snow as we walked up the road (trail is closed), ending with over a foot of snow on the ground as we arrived. Pure craziness, but thrilled to have my pick of room and dinner delivered by the only worker onsite! Definitely a Camino memory.

PS: Darn Tough socks kept my feet warm despite being soaked. Worth every penny

 

[Bala]

Wow! Quite an experience! Stay safe, warm, and dry.

 

[HedaP]

Well that’s an interesting way to start a camino! Dinner looks good and view from the window is beautiful. Take care and buen camino.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Whoah!

 

[Cayou]

Great photo Vacajoe! The incredible snowy outside one, not so much the food.
Glad it's you and not me, but glad you're there to share a wonderful Camino moment to those of us still dreaming about being there, while counting the months, weeks, days ....... enjoy your journey!

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s spain, so the soup was followed by tortilla (served at 10pm, of course! ). It was all quite delicious, especially since the sole employee here just threw together what he could find for us. No complaints!

 

[Cayou]

don't get me wrong ... mi gusto mucho la ensalada y caldo!

 

[Sheffield James]

Weather in Spain is truly insane right now, but we thought we’d be safe avoiding the worst of it by starting in Jaca just south of the Pyrenees... GUESS AGAIN!!!

We are literally snowed in at the hotel at the San Juan de la Pena monastery and it’s only guest (in that gigantic hotel!). The rain in the valley turned into snow as we walked up the road (trail is closed), ending with over a foot of snow on the ground as we arrived. Pure craziness, but thrilled to have my pick of room and dinner delivered by the only worker onsite! Definitely a Camino memory.

PS: Darn Tough socks kept my feet warm despite being soaked. Worth every pennyView attachment 41120View attachment 41121

Hi Vacajoe, thank-you for posting 'live from the camino'. I am on the verge of booking a camino trip from Lourdes to SdC, and I plan to walk the CA as part of the route. I have to say that I am surprised by how little (recent) information has been posted on the CdS forum about this camino, so it would be good to know what resources you have relied on to prepare for/follow the route. I am not adept at using GPS or similar, so any other guides, maps, internet sites, etc., you have used will be of great interest to me.
Buen camino. I hope the weather improves for you very soon.

 

[jascreative]

Hi Vacajoe, thank-you for posting 'live from the camino'. I am on the verge of booking a camino trip from Lourdes to SdC, and I plan to walk the CA as part of the route. I have to say that I am surprised by how little (recent) information has been posted on the CdS forum about this camino, so it would be good to know what resources you have relied on to prepare for/follow the route. I am not adept at using GPS or similar, so any other guides, maps, internet sites, etc., you have used will be of great interest to me.
Buen camino. I hope the weather improves for you very soon.

Hi Sheffield James,
My dad and I walked the Aragones route from Somport to Puente la Reina in 2015. We used a couple different guides – a Confraternity of St. James guide that includes Toulouse to Puente la Reina (https://www.csj.org.uk/product/pilg...-la-reina-part-2-toulouse-to-puente-la-reina/) and also a guide/information booklet I found online --
http://www.aragon.es/estaticos/Impo...resProvincias/GUIA_CAMINO_SANTIAGO_INGLES.pdf

In addition, I had the Wise Pilgrim app for the Aragones on my phone.

CSJ also has available a Miam Miam Dodo that includes the Aragones – although in French, the MMD guides are easy to understand (used their Le Puy route guide on another Camino). You might check that one out too --

My blog about the Aragones walk has pictures & further info -- https://amandapilgrim.blogspot.com/2015/06/somport.html

It’s a quiet path and lovely – the old monastery of San Juan de la Pena built into a cliff is an art historical gem -- am glad we explored this “Road less traveled”!
Buen Camino!

 

[Vacajoe]

All great advice above! The trail is EXTREMELY well-marked for most of the route but definitely a smart-phone based guide would be happy.

I highly recommend the maps.me app which is an offline map which tracks your location without internet access. Additionally, I spent a $2 or $3 for the Aragones portion on the app called Buen Camino. It’s pretty simple and not as sophisticated as others, but it does have a good route planner and can also track your location on its map if you have an iPhone.

The Aragones isn’t easy, but it’s definitely rewarding!

 

[RENSHAW]

Did you at least get to see the Ancient Monastery?

 

[Vacajoe]

Yep, open no matter what the weather! Both the old and new monasteries are worth the detour for anyone walking the CA.