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Starting my first Camino

Noey

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Oct 2015 began on the Camino Frances and then moved to Via de la Plata and ended in Santiago. Hope to walk more of the Camino Frances someday
hi folks I will be starting my first Camino tomorrow morning (oct 17th). Currently in Pamplona and will take the bus to SJPdP. Are there any other pilgrims beginning tomorrow? Any tips from past pilgrims on where to stay for the night? Lastly, any tips for maintaining through the first days uphill climb and downhill descend? I met a pilgrim last night who had a hard time walking after the first day. I already have a bad knee on one leg and a pulled something on the other. Plan on pushing through, but any tips are welcome. Gracias!
Noey
 
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Hi Noey, I would say walk kalm the first day's and keep listening to your body.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.
 
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Noey, heed the advice of Peter.
Enjoy each step! Wish you a Buen Camino!
 
Buen camino! Know when to quit! It is easy to overdo it the first days; you have a lot of enthusiasm and adrenaline that may mask the need to stop. What you do in these days sets up your entire camino as with the pilgrim you met. Have fun!
 
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Thank you, will do.
nidarosa said:
And bring some food and snacks from St Jean for the walk from Orisson because there is nowhere to stop or eat on the way to Roncesvalles! Also if you get a bed at Orisson, take it. Buen camino!
Click to expand...
 
If you already have a bad knee I would STRONGLY suggest you take stage 1 in two days.

Stop at Orisson and either walk or taxi back down to SJPP. Sleep there a second night. Next morning, taxi up to Orisson and continue.

There is no need to hurt yourself the first day and risk your entire Camino.

On my first Camino I had reservations for Orisson. The hospitalero at SJPP insisted I should go all the way to Roncesvalles so I cancelled that reservation.

It was horrible for me and resulted in feet so painful I cried each step plus shin splints a day or two later.

Don't risk it. Spend the cash for a taxi. Carolyn takes pilgrims up to Orisson every morning. Your hospitalero can call and make the arrangement or you can. She speaks great English. Express Bouricot (sp?) is the company.

The downhill into Roncesvalles is harder to me than the uphill.

Buen Camino.
 
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falcon269 said:
Buen camino! Know when to quit! It is easy to overdo it the first days; you have a lot of enthusiasm and adrenaline that may mask the need to stop. What you do in these days sets up your entire camino as with the pilgrim you met. Have fun!
Click to expand...
I'm not in the greatest shape and I've spoken to a few pilgrims who are beginning in Roncesvalles, because it is so difficult from SJPDP. I'm starting to feel unsure since I will be solo. The pilgrim I met at the albergue said he was alone most of the way to Pamplona. Does anyone have insight to risks being alone with the iffy weather and the descend?
 
Your FIRST Camino? How I envy you. I remember being full of questions and not satisfied with the speed at which answers came. Which is the first lesson I learned on the Camino. The time on The Way is the best. Reaching Santiago is great but the time on The Way..... there's nothing like it. Have water with you at all times, and some nibbles: dark chocolate works wonderfully well for me. Just enjoy yourself. You're ON THE CAMINO. Buen Camino, Sister
 
Hi Noey,
I'm also going Camino 2016 and I have this plan:
- From SJPP to Honto is 309 m elevation and from Honto to Orisson another 308 m. In total 617m elevation.

- From SJPP to Arneguy is 59 m elevation and from Arneguy to Valcarlos another 116 m. In total 175m elevation.

My choice is Valcarlos, not Orisson.
 
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I crossed from SJPDP in April in 2 stages,1st Night at Orrison and on next day.If you want to enjoy the experience stop at Orrison and continue next day.You will also enjoy the company of others doing the same.So much easier than pushing to the limit.I expected that my lack of fitness and my age(68) would make the crossing difficult and even with the break ,it was.
Buen Camino
 
Depending on your personal level of fitness and preparation, the upper route can either be a walk in the park or exhausting. Apart from that, you have to take notice of weather warnings in St Jean. We went over in September on a clear day and the only inconvenience was a strong wind. What it's like now, I've no idea but take advice accordingly. We happily went the high route but would have gone the other way if advised to.

If you're worried about fitness, take the advice of other posters and either arrange a stop at Honto or Orrison. From what you say, you are already carrying injuries so caution might be advised. The descent to Roncevalles can be done in a couple of ways, as I remember and the Pilgrim Office used to advise taking the road route. We ended up doing a bit of both. A bit of care was needed but that's all.

Again, I've not been on the Camino this late but I would have thought you could judge numbers likely to be walking from how many rucksack carriers are about in St Jean and in the place you're staying. Ask around to see if there are people setting off when you are with whom you might like to walk.
 
Buen Camino! I did that first stage three weeks ago! I did it in a single pass but have walked with, passed, and been passed by folks who did it in two, everyone is on her own schedule here. When you begin the descent, you may notice that the official path cuts straight down, while a wider road seems to meander. Taxi drivers who were delivering people to this point directed me to the road which had a much gentler slope. I'm glad for this advice as it was not treacherous or slippery with loose footing at all, even if it added a km or two extra.

One thing I wish I did sooner was get a massage on my calves. The ascent turned my calves rock hard with lactic acid, which sure enough, contributed to some pain one week in. I finally succumbed in Santo Domingo.

Best wishes to you--
 
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Agree about the downhill more difficult. Buen camino
 
Peter Fransiscus said:
Hi Noey, I would say walk kalm the first day's and keep listening to your body.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.
Click to expand...

Hola Noey, as what Peter said, walk/hike slow watch your step...one day you walk the planned distance, another day listen to your body.. walk your own pace you are comfortable doing, you will get to your destination in one piece. Take care of your bad knee, you can buy a knee brace next town. Downhill more difficult, use your poles and go down slowly! Drink lot's of water to avoid dehydration

Buen Camino,
 

Well, I was waiting for the bus in Roncesvalles. to take me from Roncesvalles to St Jean Pied de Port. The bus arrived I said a very quick goodbye to the new friend I made, turned around to grab my pack and the bus was gone. It never even opened its door. I was in shock. I realized I needed to take a cab now. no other pilgrims were going there at that time. It's a Saturday and the transportation is limited. The tourist office was closed and I didn't know where to go. I ran into another pilgrim I had met earlier and he began to help me figure out a taxi. I then run into the other pilgrim I made friends with and she says, what are you still doing here? I tell her the bus left me. She said Noey it's a sign. The Camino has many signs and this is one of them. You are meant to stay here and begin with us. I hesitated for a minute. I came all the way here to begin at what folks say is the hardest part and now I'm not going to do that. Then I let go and said okay, maybe this is the way it is meant to be. I will begin from Roncesvalles tomorrow with you two. They walked me to the monastery so I could get a bed and I will bring my journey with them in a few hours. I appreciate the feedback on SJPDP from you folks. Maybe someday I will come back and begin my journey in SJPDP, but this journey is beginning in Roncesvalles.

Update. I did the leg from Roncesvalles to Zubiri and it was so wonderful until the last 1-2 miles where it became very steep and so slippery from the rain. I fell a few times no major injuries.

Thanks all.
 
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Hi Noey,
it is one of the true, my friend pilgrim told me.
Do not be afraid, let these signs show you the way.

Buen Camino
 
Botaivica said:
Hi Noey,
it is one of the true, my friend pilgrim told me.
Do not be afraid, let these signs show you the way.

Buen Camino
Click to expand...


Thank you for your note Botaivica.
 
So happy for you to have arrived safely in Zubiri.
Yes, perhaps taking the path from Saint Jean is for another time. There is no shame in beginning from Roncesvalles, do not feel bad.
Buen Camino, Noey, enjoy the rest and do post when you can to let us know how you are getting on.
 
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Hi Noey,

May you have the best of all journeys.

Always carry extra chocolate and wine to share.

Trust in the arrows,
Simeon
 
Last edited:
Good to hear. You're on your way and you've some company as well. Job done, apart from a month's walking. Good luck, Noey.
 
Have a wonderful journey Noey. My advice is to make sure you have a walking stick or poles, mind that knee and make sure you tend to any blisters you may have. Buen Camino!!
PS: Keep walking, keep going and when you reach the middle keep your eyes out for the albergue in San Bol!! This is a true desert oasis and somewhat of a hidden gem.
 
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Thank you. I arrived in Pamplona. Walked alone a lot but really enjoyed it. Some of the descends are tough. I'm moving on to Ourense tomorrow and the day after beginning the VDLP for the last 100k.
 
Thanks! Great advice. I will miss the albergue in San Bol. I'm taking a train to Ourense to do the last 100k.
 
aghamore said:
Good to hear. You're on your way and you've some company as well. Job done, apart from a month's walking. Good luck, Noey.
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
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mralisn said:
Hi Noey,

May you have the best of all journeys.

Always carry extra chocolate and wine to share.

Trust in the arrows,
Simeon
Click to expand...
Mmmm chocolate and wine. Thanks!
 
Noey said:
Thank you. I arrived in Pamplona. Walked alone a lot but really enjoyed it. Some of the descends are tough. I'm moving on to Ourense tomorrow and the day after beginning the VDLP for the last 100k.
Click to expand...
beautiful entry to Santiago from Ourense . Enjoy.
Buen camino
 
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