IntrepidTortoise
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Total Newbie: First Camino planned for October 2nd Through to November 10th 2015
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You will be able to find a bed in SJPdP. The Pilgrim Office can help. Book ahead if it gives you peace of mind or you want a particular place.My main question: as I arrive in Biarritz latish around 5pm I aim to get the train to St. Jean and spend the first night there before setting off early in the morning of the 2nd. What I would like to know is how easy it is to secure accommodation on the day? Is it possible to just arrive and find and alburgue or would it be more prudent to book a place in advance?
Second question(s): I am starting in October and aim to be finished early November, can anyone with experience tell me what the weather is most likely to be like and what best to pack clothing wise. Also how many of the alburgue's/refugio's will still be open? I have heard they tend to close up for the winters months..
Yes...the Napoleon route is often closed due to weather ..usually in later October thru mid April on a day to day basis. Different each year.
But there has been a very recent change announced that advises the route will be closed in "late October" thru March. I do not know dates..but someone will provide them.
The Pilgrim Office in St. Jean has credentials and shells. They also will provide the current weather conditions over the pass- both Valcarlos and Napoleon routes.
And...a list of albergues along the way and elevation charts for the Camino Frances.
The Pilgrim Office in SJPdP does an outstanding job of assisting Pilgrims starting their Camino.
Don't be disappointed if you find you must walk the Valcarlos route. It is not a piece of cake. It is a challenge for your first day. There are more opportunities to stop if the weather does get bad.
Thanks mspath, I really want to do the napoleon route as after all it was the way favoured by the great french general to get his troops in and out of the country. I will be well into my pilgrimage by November so the closing date won't affect me so all I can do is just pray for good weather on the day and hopefully some good views.
Hi guys,
I am soon to be setting out on my first ever Camino! I am a little nervous (as I travel alone) but mainly excited (as I have heard such good things about the people and the path) as the departure date looms ever closer, I hope to be walking by the 2nd of October.
My main question: as I arrive in Biarritz latish around 5pm I aim to get the train to St. Jean and spend the first night there before setting off early in the morning of the 2nd. What I would like to know is how easy it is to secure accommodation on the day? Is it possible to just arrive and find and alburgue or would it be more prudent to book a place in advance?
Second question(s): I am starting in October and aim to be finished early November, can anyone with experience tell me what the weather is most likely to be like and what best to pack clothing wise. Also how many of the alburgue's/refugio's will still be open? I have heard they tend to close up for the winters months..
Anyway I hope to gain a lot and hopefully give something back on this journey and look forward to meeting some fellow pilgrims/travellers along the way.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
IntrepidTurtle
Napolean was never there. Some troops fought battles in the region. It is unlikely that they crossed on what is now the Route Napolean; they went through the Roncevaux Pass by way of Valcarlos.I really want to do the napoleon route as after all it was the way favoured by the great french general to get his troops in and out of the country.
Source in part: The Peninsular War: A New History by Charles EsdaileWhat sources did you use?
Thank you for posting this. My source is Martin Gibson's encyclopedic blog War and Security.Source in part: The Peninsular War: A New History by Charles Esdaile
Hi guys,
I am soon to be setting out on my first ever Camino! I am a little nervous (as I travel alone) but mainly excited (as I have heard such good things about the people and the path) as the departure date looms ever closer, I hope to be walking by the 2nd of October.
My main question: as I arrive in Biarritz latish around 5pm I aim to get the train to St. Jean and spend the first night there before setting off early in the morning of the 2nd. What I would like to know is how easy it is to secure accommodation on the day? Is it possible to just arrive and find and alburgue or would it be more prudent to book a place in advance?
Second question(s): I am starting in October and aim to be finished early November, can anyone with experience tell me what the weather is most likely to be like and what best to pack clothing wise. Also how many of the alburgue's/refugio's will still be open? I have heard they tend to close up for the winters months..
Anyway I hope to gain a lot and hopefully give something back on this journey and look forward to meeting some fellow pilgrims/travellers along the way.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
IntrepidTurtle
Dear Intrepid Tortoise, we began from SJPP Sep 15 and encountered fierce winds as we reached the steep switchbacks to Orisson albergue. I was blown to the ground; fortunate to land on the grassy hillside. The next day the winds were predicted to reach 85 kph (10 kph higher than the previous afternoon). We opted to be taken by the hospitaleros via back roads to Valcarlos to walk from there to Roncesvalles. While we waited a German couple we'd met the previous evening returned from the Napoleon route. The wife had fallen from wind and had broken her arm. Their Camino was over on the second day. We learned later in Roncesvalles that many peregrinos had been blown to the ground that day. On the Valcarlos route we also faced brutal winds and rain blowing horizontally at us. Today in Pamplona we were told that these were unusual cyclonic winds and that travel alerts had been issued. I say all this only to let you know that the weather can be unpredictable and that one must pay heed. The sun is shining in this festive city where we are enjoying a rest day. Tomorrow we walk onward. Wishing you Buen Camino.Thanks mspath, I really want to do the napoleon route as after all it was the way favoured by the great french general to get his troops in and out of the country. I will be well into my pilgrimage by November so the closing date won't affect me so all I can do is just pray for good weather on the day and hopefully some good views.
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