garlicbread
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 05/01/2024
Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
Yeah, looks like it will snow in Roncesvalles tooIf it’s the Pilgrim’s Office who are recommending Valcarlos, I would strongly urge you to follow their advice. Rescues on the Napoleon route in bad weather are not uncommon.
Fair enough! Just got unlucky with a storm I guess.The Napoleon is very scenic in good weather, however, not in bad weather.
Frankly, how much is there to understand: Weather bad tomorrow, walk Valcarlos route.They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
You are quite lucky you are there on the Camino. BTW, it snowed here in Laramie, WY, too last night and some of our roads in our area are closed due to extreme high winds and risk of blowing over trucks and high profile vehicles (happens pretty regularly unfortunately). Wish I was there with you instead today!Fair enough! Just got unlucky with a storm I guess.
You definitely could have mentioned that without the lecturing. The person I spoke to at the pilgrims office could barely speak English or Spanish so I could not ask for details on the severity of the weather or strength of the route recommendation. I appreciate the insight from everyone commenting.Frankly, how much is there to understand: Weather bad tomorrow, walk Valcarlos route.
I don't mean to sound unkind but if pilgrims go to the local pilgrims office, get the advice to not walk the Napoleon route because of the weather conditions and/or the trail conditions and then need to ask on social media like this forum for additional advice from us who aren't there and can do nothing more than read weather apps - that is a clear indication that these pilgrims should heed the advice of the Pilgrims Office. (It will be wet tomorrow, it will feel rather cold tomorrow like freezing, cloud cover will be low and dense, and there will be no fantastic views, and it will be more tiring and exhausting than when the weather is good for walking).
Buen Camino.
Indeed. Beautiful day today too!You are quite lucky you are there on the Camino. BTW, it snowed here in Laramie, WY, too last night and some of our roads in our area are closed due to extreme high winds and risk of blowing over trucks and high profile vehicles (happens pretty regularly unfortunately). Wish I was there with you instead today!
The Valcarlos route is scenic in any weather.The Napoleon is very scenic in good weather, however, not in bad weather.
When personal safety (and that of rescue personnel) is concerned clear words (like those by @Kathar1na) are needed to get the point across. Not sure where you are from but I’ve spent lots of times in various European mountain areas and the simple fact of “bad weather, trek closed” is usually respected here without the need of further discussion or explanation - regardless of what language the staff / volunteers speak.You definitely could have mentioned that without the lecturing. The person I spoke to at the pilgrims office could barely speak English or Spanish so I could not ask for details on the severity of the weather or strength of the route recommendation. I appreciate the insight from everyone commenting.
I REALLY don’t think we should discourage people from posting when they don’t have the information they need. Of course I will respect closures but Napoléon is not closed. The office has had a line around the block today and can’t give everyone the attention they might need. No one’s fault. The supplemental thread is extremely helpful.When personal safety (and that of rescue personnel) is concerned clear words (like those by @Kathar1na) are needed to get the point across. Not sure where you are from but I’ve spent lots of times in various European mountain areas and the simple fact of “bad weather, trek closed” is usually respected here without the need of further discussion or explanation - regardless of what language the staff / volunteers speak.
Frankly I don’t get the fascination of this first stage of the Camino Frances. It’s really not that spectacular, nobody is “crossing the Pyrenees”, and there’s going to be exactly zero chance of nice views with the predicted bad weather. In short, you aren’t missing out on a once in a lifetime stage. You’ll encounter much more beautiful nature during the next few weeks.
This is a common misconception among pilgrims: That the pass of the Napoleon route gets closed and opened by some unknown authority throughout the year.Of course I will respect closures but Napoléon is not closed.
Did it snow yesterday? Did the temperature feel like -2 ºC at midday? I guess not. There is a significant change of the expected weather conditions. The prediction is that it is highly likely tomorrow that it will rain a lot (meteoblue has an orange weather warning for precipitation) or even snow a lot (viewweather estimate is in the region of 20+ cm for 24 hours) but in any case about 44 litre per square metre over 24 hours.Even with cloud cover and steady drizzle
Uhm, that makes me kinda wonder.This is a common misconception among pilgrims: That the pass of the Napoleon route gets closed and opened by some unknown authority throughout the year.
This is not the case.
Me neither.Frankly I don’t get the fascination of this first stage of the Camino Frances. It’s really not that spectacular, nobody is “crossing the Pyrenees”, and there’s going to be exactly zero chance of nice views with the predicted bad weather. In short, you aren’t missing out on a once in a lifetime stage. You’ll encounter much more beautiful nature during the next few weeks.
It. Is. Gorgeous. Very very nice walking.Enjoy the start to your Camino @garlicbread. I’ve heard the Valcarlos route is pretty nice
True. As @Kathar1na says, It's an advisory at this time of year, not a 'closure.' But you're missing nothing that special if you go via Valcarlos, hype aside. It's a big, very exposed, hill. Valcarlos is much more sheltered.Of course I will respect closures but Napoléon is not closed.
That was simply not the case today.But why do I even write this? It is not top secret. When I was last in the Pilgrim Office (which was admittedly some time ago) they even had a detailed printout of the weather forecast for the Col de Bentarte on their noticeboard for pilgrims.
Looks like the weather was nice today, but maybe not so nice tomorrow per post #22.Can someone give me a link to the best local weather page to check for SJPP? Because the one I’m looking at said it was sunny all day today and it obviously was not.
Thanks for this info! I would stay, but I don’t think I could find accommodation… already booked ahead for every day until Pamplona. Que remedioThe chart below is a forecast for tomorrow, May the 1st 2024, up near the highest point of the Napoleon Route. So the precipitation will be pretty bad. 2-4 mm per hour is not a drizzle. It is good rain, probably snow near the top. Myself I would most likely stay on Wednesday in SJPP and wait, because on Thursday it seems like it's gonna be a nice day.
Walking on the international road N-135, right next to huge trucks on a curvy road in heavy rain is not safe. I'm saying that because it is very likely that pilgrims taking Valcarlos way instead of walking on a muddy and wet trail, will just choose to walk on the side of the highway. In that aspect, the Napoleon Route is safer (no traffic).
There is currently a native speaker of English working at that office. If you needed additional assistance, you could have asked for her help. To expect that volunteers in an office in France providing advice for a walk across Spain should be able to speak English at all is a bit surprising….You definitely could have mentioned that without the lecturing. The person I spoke to at the pilgrims office could barely speak English or Spanish so I could not ask for details on the severity of the weather or strength of the route recommendation. I appreciate the insight from everyone commenting.
You know nothing about the person to whom you give this advice on this internet forum or about the persons who read this advice.If it's not closed, trek it if you want.
You know nothing about the person to whom you give this advice on this internet forum or about the persons who read this advice.
I maintain what I wrote earlier: If someone cannot assess such a situation (detailed weather forecast for a very specific location, long ascent, long overall distant, first day) on the basis of their knowledge about themselves, about their gear, about their prior experience of climbing 1000+ m or walking 24+ km, and how they coped with snowfall or strong wind or heavy rain on the ascent and the pass, then they should heed the advice of the local Pilgrim Office.
I’m not expecting it, of course. I do wish I spoke French, although I am fluent in Spanish. She said she spoke Spanish but it was actually muy poco. That’s fine, we both did the best we could with what we had. I waited 30 minutes in line and inside it was packed and unorganized. That’s why I went to this forum for supplemental information!There is currently a native speaker of English working at that office. If you needed additional assistance, you could have asked for her help. To expect that volunteers in an office in France providing advice for a walk across Spain should be able to speak English at all is a bit surprising….
The Valcarlos route is beautiful in its own way. I thought the sights and couple of cute villages along the way were a nice introduction into Spain and its Basque area. I enjoyed it so much I chose it again.
Well, another option that you wouldn't like, but you can still keep in mind, is that there is a bus from SJPP to Roncesvalles at 1:45 PM (just once a day), the ticket is just 5 euro. In the morning you can hike up to Orisson (that's along the Napoleon Route), see how bad it is, have a coffee or breakfast in Orisson, enjoy the views from their terrace, and if it is really miserable, then walk back to SJPP, and get on that bus to Roncesvalles. I can almost guarantee you that you won't be the only pilgrim on that bus tomorrow. This way you would keep on schedule, as I understand you have booked accomodation all the way to PamplonaThanks for this info! I would stay, but I don’t think I could find accommodation… already booked ahead for every day until Pamplona. Que remedio
This is the vibe I got. There was not a DO NOT GO HERE type of warning.The pilgrims office might relay general advice but i suspect they aren't doing individual assessments of pilgrims on the criteria you specifed above.
I like these innovative solutions.Well, another option that you wouldn't like, but you can still keep in mind, is that there is a bus from SJPP to Roncesvalles at 1:45 PM (just once a day), the ticket is just 5 euro. In the morning you can hike up to Orisson (that's along the Napoleon Route), see how bad it is, have a coffee or breakfast in Orisson, enjoy the views from their terrace, and if it is really miserable, then walk back to SJPP, and get on that bus to Roncesvalles. I can almost guarantee you that you won't be the only pilgrim on that bus tomorrow. This way you would keep on schedule, as I understand you have booked accomodation all the way to Pamplona
Appreciate it. Would love to come back with more dumb questions without hesitationI understand everyone's concern about safety (and language...though the OP is fluent in two languages), but perhaps piling on someone asking genuine questions isn't the best look for us?
Appreciate it. Would love to come back with more dumb questions without hesitation
Correct. That's exactly why I wrote that pilgrims who are not able to do an individual assessment of their own abilities and capabilities and knowledge and prior experience should heed the general advice from the Pilgrim Office and not expect to receive a tailor-made assessment from these volunteers.The pilgrims office might relay general advice but i suspect they aren't doing individual assessments of pilgrims on the criteria you specifed above.
the Napoleon Route is safer (no traffic).
I don’t disagree with it either. I’m a very cautious traveler myself, but I can see someone getting in a lot of trouble because they were too confident.The context behind some of the finger wagging (which I don't wholly disagree with) is the Pyrenees is notorious for sudden weather changes. There are a few shelters along the route expressly for this reason. In the past, pilgrims have completely disregarded weather, trying to outwit the moutains. It's a costly mistake.
Buen camino!
On my first Camino at the communal dinner table at Corazon Puro, a Spanish couple had just spent the previous night at the stone hut somewhere on the Napoleon route, unable to continue on in the cold and a fresh snow...on April 14th.The context behind some of the finger wagging (which I don't wholly disagree with) is the Pyrenees is notorious for sudden weather changes. There are a few shelters along the route expressly for this reason. In the past, pilgrims have completely disregarded weather, trying to outwit the mountains. It's a costly mistake.
Buen camino!
I'm not sure why someone in France should be expected to speak Spanish, or English, yes, it's nice but I never expect it.You definitely could have mentioned that without the lecturing. The person I spoke to at the pilgrims office could barely speak English or Spanish so I could not ask for details on the severity of the weather or strength of the route recommendation. I appreciate the insight from everyone commenting.
I agree. I am on the Sanabres Camino now, and have had great success using Google's translation app.I'm not sure why someone in France should be expected to speak Spanish, or English, yes, it's nice but I never expect it.
I have found a translation app works wonders when I need specific information.
Again I did not expect it. I wasn’t able to get enough clear info from the pilgrims office so I asked the forum. I didn’t have access to an app because I did not yet have a SIM card.I'm not sure why someone in France should be expected to speak Spanish, or English, yes, it's nice but I never expect it.
I have found a translation app works wonders when I need specific information.
I'm not sure why someone in France should be expected to speak Spanish, or English, yes, it's nice but I never expect it.
The R N is not entirely free of traffic; in fact, it looks quite hairy in the early stages (to someone who hasn’t walked on it for many years.)
Just for info: The volunteers at the SJPP pilgrim office are on two-week assignments - they offer two weeks of their time per year to assist pilgrims; they are recruited from all over the world but mostly from all over France. The SJPP pilgrim office is run by a regional volunteer Camino association - French obviously as SJPP is in France. And I am pretty certain when I say that the majority of pilgrims who start in SJPP do not have English as their first languageAlso it’s not a crazy expectation for someone who volunteers or works at a place where many foreigners visit to speak English. There were many people from all over the world there who were unable to communicate with many of the volunteers.
Thank you. I did not know about the bus. If we decided to take this bus, do we need to buy tickets ahead of time or just get them from the bus driver?Well, another option that you wouldn't like, but you can still keep in mind, is that there is a bus from SJPP to Roncesvalles at 1:45 PM (just once a day), the ticket is just 5 euro. In the morning you can hike up to Orisson (that's along the Napoleon Route), see how bad it is, have a coffee or breakfast in Orisson, enjoy the views from their terrace, and if it is really miserable, then walk back to SJPP, and get on that bus to Roncesvalles. I can almost guarantee you that you won't be the only pilgrim on that bus tomorrow. This way you would keep on schedule, as I understand you have booked accomodation all the way to Pamplona
The Valcarlos route will be wet too, but at least it's not exposed except at the very top. I never walked on the road; part of the way through the forest is very steep so unlikely to be muddy. Once you meet the road again at the top of the steep ascent, the pathway contours along until it gets to the overlook at Ibañeta. That's the part that could get quite muddy or slushy (see pic ..) But there's at least one place where you can take the tarmac at that point. And certainly from Ibañeta down to Roncesvalles I'd be taking the road if it were really wet.This is the vibe I got. There was not a DO NOT GO HERE type of warning.
I’m definitely got a solid “do not go” when I went back to the office before it closed. Maybe the first time I didn’t understand but I got a different message. I’m worried about people who had similar experiences as me at the office.I think, generally speaking, if the PO in St Jean advises against the Route Napoleon then that’s it. No further or detailed explanation should be required. They don’t offer such advice on a whimsy but after consideration of forecasts and consultation with the emergency services.
The advice I might seek, even from the TV in a bar, is as to the lower route and the likely weather conditions at Puerto de Ibañeta. I can then make an informed decision on whether to walk on to Valcarlos and its pleasant Albergue and take the opportunity to get up and over early in the day and before the surge of the disgruntled coming from St Jean, or to try and book another night in St Jean.
That's the ALSA bus that brings people from Pamplona to SJPP, on the way back. I haven't used it yet, but I know you can buy tickets from the ALSA website or ALSA app. Probably from the driver as wellThank you. I did not know about the bus. If we decided to take this bus, do we need to buy tickets ahead of time or just get them from the bus driver?
Not their first language, but second. I saw a couple of folks from Asia trying to communicate in English but the volunteers didn’t speak it. Trust me, I hate the assumption that everyone speaks English as much as the next guy, but in an environment like this it’s almost a necessity for people’s safety.Just for info: The volunteers at the SJPP pilgrim office are on two-week assignments - they offer two weeks of their time per year to assist pilgrims; they are recruited from all over the world but mostly from all over France. The SJPP pilgrim office is run by a regional volunteer Camino association - French obviously as SJPP is in France. And I am pretty certain when I say that the majority of pilgrims who start in SJPP do not have English as their first language.
And don't they have tags on their desks that indicate the languages in which they can communicate or am I mistaken? Obviously, that would mean that the foreign pilgrim may have to wait before a suitable volunteer becomes available and given that we are on the eve of the 1st of May (which is a very busy pilgrimage period in SJPP as widely known) the pilgrim may not have the time to wait ...
That’s a shame. They would be better devoting their energy to planning how to stay as warm, dry and safe as possible tomorrow. Or booking a bus ticket before they’re all gone.Literally people in the albergue are still discussing which route to take.
I am advising everyone I can. There’s a lot of panic in the air.That’s a shame. They would be better devoting their energy to planning how to stay as warm, dry and safe as possible tomorrow. Or booking a bus ticket before they’re all gone.
Perhaps you could share this thread with a few
Literally people in the albergue are still discussing which route to take.
This isn't aimed at you, after the update, but at others who might come to this thread with a similar question on another day.They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
UPDATE. I went back at 7:55 pm and spoke the the American girl. She said absolutely no passage via Napoleon because of snow. She explained it well. Glad I went back. She was impossibly busy when I was here earlier so I didn’t get a chance to speak to her.
There is only one strength. You were advised not to go. The Pilgrim Office does not do so lightly, and has far more experience with the local conditions than any of us might as individuals.so I could not ask for details on the severity of the weather or strength of the route recommendation.
I second the above post. I have just had a brief call with a friend in Pamplona. It is going to be a bit miserable in the area.... Read that, weather wise, as you wish. Here is a notice from my paper today.
View attachment 169177
What would you do, having read it? Would you ask for thoughts? I would not. I would believe the people on the ground.
Ich nichten lichten, as I thought to myself, donning my poncho leaving the German Association run albergue in Pamplona a couple of hours ago.."I don't like it but I'll have to go along with it"
Generally speaking, if you have to ask the question 'How foolish would it be ..' You already know the answer . ..They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
UPDATE. I went back at 7:55 pm and spoke the the American girl. She said absolutely no passage via Napoleon because of snow. She explained it well. Glad I went back. She was impossibly busy when I was here earlier so I didn’t get a chance to speak to her.
I just love making screenshots of the Iraty webcam and putting them togetherthe Iraty webcam are showing snow on the ground too at the moment.That seems to add weight to the forecast of snow on the Route Napoleon at a similar height.
Certainly not a dumb question at all given the information you had to hand, and what other pilgrims were planning. In fact it's smart that you still had the foresight to come on here to ask, and I hope some responses don't put other people off from doing the same no matter how well intentioned they may have been trying to be.I’m not expecting it, of course. I do wish I spoke French, although I am fluent in Spanish. She said she spoke Spanish but it was actually muy poco. That’s fine, we both did the best we could with what we had. I waited 30 minutes in line and inside it was packed and unorganized. That’s why I went to this forum for supplemental information!
My question was dumb but I actually got a lot of good information and I’m glad I posted.
I predict: Some will have found it easy-easy, some will say that the weather forecast got it all wrong, some will say that it was much harder than expected but they made it and would not have wanted to have missed it for the world despite the low temperatures and the fog and clouds, some will say that they walked Valcarlos and some will say that they didn't, and the overwhelming majority will not post here, and hopefully we will not see a Twitter feed from the Burguete Bomberos this evening that they had to start their all-terrain vehicle and had to drive up to the pass because of pilgrims who could not walk one step further, and that those of the first responder teams who were on duty on this 1st of May holiday could enjoy the comfort of their station with their colleagues.Anyone who set off from the Orisson this morning is probably there by now, that is if anyone took the route and didn't get buried in an avalanche. Hopefully someone in Roncevalles right now can tell us about their journey.
A bit of a dusting.. looks similar to what we had up at Somport last week, was short lived.
It wasn't a dumb question. It was actually a good one if you ask me. And you were right to post it in this forum since there are a lot of well-experienced people here who can offer good and helpful advice. In some cases the tone may be condescending or all-knowing but they do mean well (based on my experience). Buen Camino!I’m not expecting it, of course. I do wish I spoke French, although I am fluent in Spanish. She said she spoke Spanish but it was actually muy poco. That’s fine, we both did the best we could with what we had. I waited 30 minutes in line and inside it was packed and unorganized. That’s why I went to this forum for supplemental information!
My question was dumb but I actually got a lot of good information and I’m glad I posted.
Yes. There was a heavier fall at O Cebreiro which has largely melted now. Slippery underfoot while it lasts though. Not a good day to walk the path down to El Acebo. Safer on the road today.A bit of a dusting.. looks similar to what we had up at Somport last week, was short lived.
I hope this is a crucial lesson learned for now and the future. ANYWHERE along the camino you may encounter really horrible weather. A few years ago I (note it was in late November) I was staying in the Albergue San Javier in Astorga. We had a wonderful dinner that the owner prepared for us. There were about 6 of us there. At dinner he said it was starting to snow pretty hard from before Rabanal. He said he would let us know in the morning. At breakfast he said that they were busing people back to Astorga the night before because the albergues were full. In fact they were stopping people before they even got to Rabanal. He told us we had three choices. We could stay in Astorga for a day or two, bus to Foncebadon or, as he put it be really stupid and try walking this morning. Even after this warning 2 people were really stupid. I chose to bus to Foncebadon as I was going to meet my daughter who was going to graduate school in Manchester. We were going to meet in Porto. If I had waited a few days to be safe I would have had less time with my girl. I may love the camino but I love my daughter more than life and would take her any day of the week first!!!!They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
UPDATE. I went back at 7:55 pm and spoke the the American girl. She said absolutely no passage via Napoleon because of snow. She explained it well. Glad I went back. She was impossibly busy when I was here earlier so I didn’t get a chance to speak to her.
This. Exactly this. May it be so.hopefully we will not see a Twitter feed from the Burguete Bomberos this evening that they had to start their all-terrain vehicle and had to drive up to the pass because of pilgrims who could not walk one step further, and that those of the first responder teams who were on duty on this 1st of May holiday could enjoy the comfort of their station with their colleagues
Welcome to the forum!!!They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
UPDATE. I went back at 7:55 pm and spoke the the American girl. She said absolutely no passage via Napoleon because of snow. She explained it well. Glad I went back. She was impossibly busy when I was here earlier so I didn’t get a chance to speak to her.
No, that's not what the "Codex Qualixtinus" says. This historical document states that the Route passes through St Michel le Vieux and over the passes. The chapel on the Ibañeta pass is built on the ruins of the old pilgrims' hospital.The Valcarlos route is scenic in any weather.
If the Pilgrim's Office is saying go that way, it's wisdom to follow their advice. And via Valcarlos you'll be on the real historic camino, not the Hollywood one.
Val Carlos way is beautiful. Enjoy!They are expecting snow at altitude. Talking to other pilgrims, some are going Napoleon anyway. Thoughts? I was hoping to go Napoleon myself.
I might add, lots of communication barriers at the pilgrims office. Most volunteers didn’t speak English or Spanish. Might get some people in trouble if they didn’t understand.
UPDATE. I went back at 7:55 pm and spoke the the American girl. She said absolutely no passage via Napoleon because of snow. She explained it well. Glad I went back. She was impossibly busy when I was here earlier so I didn’t get a chance to speak to her.
On April 18th 2013 we went Valcarlos route, just because, and those who waked the Napelon route felt lucky to be alive. So much snow at the top that they couldn't see any arrows at all. Someone had a gps which got a whole group of them to Roncevalles safely. I've done 13 Caminos and my credo is "always listen to the locals". They are trying to ensure that you have a happy, safe, camino.I REALLY don’t think we should discourage people from posting when they don’t have the information they need. Of course I will respect closures but Napoléon is not closed. The office has had a line around the block today and can’t give everyone the attention they might need. No one’s fault. The supplemental thread is extremely helpful.
And because of it I have decided to be extremely prudent and will encourage other pilgrims to do the same!
Merci, Mona. I'd been told (and read) otherwise, but am happy to be corrected. And Ibañeta is where the two roads (high via the Napoleon route and low via Valcarlos) come together, right?No, that's not what the "Codex Qualixtinus" says. This historical document states that the Route passes through St Michel le Vieux and over the passes. The chapel on the Ibañeta pass is built on the ruins of the old pilgrims' hospital.
Just saw a Facebook post from someone who walked the Napoleon today. With 12 photos. Seems the snow was pretty light but accompanied by cold, rain and wind.
Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.www.facebook.com
Thank you for sharing your experience. There is no authority in Spain or France that closes the pass of the Napoleon route during April to October. This myth makes people wrongly believe that they will be fine “when the pass is open”. It creates a wrong sense of security and safety. The pass is (legally) always open during April to October even when the weather conditions or the conditions on the ground make it next to impassable or at least “strongly advised against”.winds blowing 80 to 90 km/h - this was the hardest hike I ever did and I think it should have been closed! It wasn’t so I walked through the winds and it wasn’t really enjoyable.
What am I missing here? You come from another country, ask the advice of people who reside in the area and decide you would be better asking strangers from all over the world on a blog. There is a.history of rescues in this area. I suggest people in the pilgrim's office do not make this suggestion on a whim.It's not advice.
If someone thinks they're fit for a moderate hike in poor conditions by all means they should go for it.
The pilgrims office might relay general advice but i suspect they aren't doing individual assessments of pilgrims on the criteria you specifed above.
Hola - in 2017 I met a young Italian woman pilgrim who had a similar event. She spent two days in hospital (first time in her life). It was about 5 days after the event when I met her and she still had significant bruising. So yes I totally agree - if the SJPP PO says/recommends the Valcarlos then that is what you do. You can't complete a camino in one day or one week but you can definitely END one in one day. Buen Camino.Thank you for sharing your experience. There is no authority in Spain or France that closes the pass of the Napoleon route during April to October. This myth makes people wrongly believe that they will be fine “when the pass is open”. It creates a wrong sense of security and safety. The pass is (legally) always open during April to October even when the weather conditions or the conditions on the ground make it next to impassable or at least “strongly advised against”.
(One year I met someone who, the previous day, had been lifted up by a very strong wind gust on the Route Napoleon, fell to the ground and broke her shoulder bone. End of Camino for her on her first day. We walked towards SJPP on the day of her accident but were aware of the storm - barely noticeable in the flat valley and the following day when we climbed the weather had improved and we had made sure to check it beforehand)
I absolutely did not have the right gear for napoleon. I honestly just needed more details about the snow situation. A light dusting I could deal with. Heavy snow would be a problem.I see from another thread that op only had trail runners, a fleece and a too small poncho.
That's part of the reason the pilgrims office recommend valcarlos.. because people don't have the right gear.
Personally I didn't take their recommendation of valcarlos 2.5 years ago, instead opting to spend a night in the Orisson and assess the situation the next morning. Spoiler alert: it was fine.
Yes the pilgrim's office plays an important part in risk reduction. If its advice scares off the people most at risk, it's done its job.
But let's have a little perspective... There's no need for paved roads up the mountain!
Actually my advice would be if conditions are bad or changeable that there's safety in numbers.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?