billclemett
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- My first will be from France (September 2021}
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As soon as you have your dates make a reservation at Refuge Orisson to break up the first day over the Pyrenees.I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
Thank you I appreciate any info and I might go end September if not so hot. C-19 unknown but I am hopeful!Hi! Welcome to the forum! I haven't walked in September, but understand that it can be quite hot. You might want to consider starting late in the month - both for reasons of crowds and for cooler weather. Of course, none of us knows what the number of pilgrims (or the weather) will be like next year. I have walked in October-November and quite enjoyed it.
When you say you want to start in France, do you mean to start at St Jean Pied de Port (SJPP)? Many people choose to start at Roncesvalles on the Spanish side of the border, or even in Pamplona or elsewhere. It is simply not true that you must or should start the Camino Frances at SJPP. It is misguided to have the idea that you must start there in order to do a "whole Camino." You will understand that better after a few days of walking.
The full day from SJPP to Roncesvalles is somewhat arduous, especially if you are jet-lagged and just getting your legs going. You have a choice of two routes:
The number of beds is limited at Orisson and you must reserve well in advance because they are usually fully booked in September.
- Napoleon route that goes a little higher over the Pyrenees, past the Orisson albergue (mentioned in the post above). The views are great, IF the weather is good, but the first 8 km might be the hardest section you encounter on the Camino Frances. I find that as long as I walk very slowly, stop every few minutes for breath, and avoid trying to chat to other people, I am fine. But I don't generally have a problem with overheating.
- The Valcarlos route through the town of Valcarlos, where there is an albergue and other lodging. I haven't walked it, but those who have say it is lovely. It gives you two slightly more even days, and more flexibility in last-minute accommodation decisions.
There are various ways you can manage that first stage - for example taxis are available from SJPP to Orisson in case you don't want to do 27 km to Roncesvalles and you can't get accommodation at Orisson. You can walk there one day, get a taxi shuttle back to SJPP, and then get transport back to Orisson the next morning. (This is very easy to arrange, and you will find you have lots of company.) You might also arrange to have your backpack transported that day, even if you never expect to do it again.
There is a lot of information here on the forum about what the route and facilities are like. However, there are so many unknowns about the post-Covid situation that it is very difficult for us to make planning recommendations. Even so, we will try to answer your questions!
Yes it is a Holy Year, and in normal times, that results in a large increase in walkers. But these are not normal times, and while at this stage it's impossible to predict how the pandemic will affect pilgrim numbers, I suspect that 2021 will be more like a pre-pandemic 'normal year'.As far as I can tell 2021 is a "holy year" which might increase the walkers. Now all I have to do is get a bunch better at long distance walking.
Hi Bill. I am the same age as you. I have walked the Frances twice. I have been doing a camino since 2011. I did not go in 2020 due to Covid. I have done SJPP-Roncasvales in one day without any problems. I train before I leave home. I walk every day at home for an hour each day- that is the norm. Starting a few months before my camino I lengthen the daily Wal. I end up doing mainly 2 hours as a base, but intersperse longer days during the week. I keep a log. (Suunto gps watch) My weight is pretty constant at 90kg. As I train I gain muscle lose fat.I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
Don't start in SJPDP. The views are breathtaking as long was weather cooperates which on many days is just doesn't. Can be nothing but fog. Makes no sense to start on one of the more difficult sections if fitness is a concern. Watch the weather reports and bus back on a clear day when you've got a few miles under your belt and a feel for what you can do. Also, September can have some warmer days.I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
And geographically Spain should be in a different time zone. It is likely that for you the sun in Spain at 1:00 in September is in the same position that it would be at 12:00 in March at your home in NZ (except you look south instead of north).So, from 1PM or so, whatever, when the afternoon heat mat set in, you have already completed the day's walk
I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
Good point! I agree!Make sure you have a set of collapsible poles
At the Camino office in St Jean you can get a bus to the cross which is quite near the top. From there it is a good gentle and not too far to walk.
The Pilgrim's Office doesn't have the bus. That's the business next door, Express Bouricott, which I mentioned above.
Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port
Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage regionwww.expressbourricot.com
View attachment 88820
Good point! I agree!
Make sure you have a set of collapsible poles they will be invaluable as there are some tough climbs and you will need them to also help to offset the weigh on your knees at times.
The walk down to Roncessvalles can be a bit tough and then the one into Zubiri is rather dangerous as there is loose shale that has very sharp edges. I saw quite a few people who had fallen and slashed their knees, hands, arms, and legs.
The attached ZIP file may help as it shows the route, town, and height profiles.
Excellent!! I think you can do it. Lots of good advice here. I’ll toss in my own here. 1) I think a 20 Sept start would be optimum, 2) Consider starting in Roncesvailles. The first segment is the hardest physically. 3) There is no success or failure. You are walking your own Camino at your own pace and reaping your own rewards and relying on your own resources. There is no standard and no comparisons. 4) if you do walk to Roncesvailles you can send your pack on ahead at least that one day. You can break it into 2 days. My recommendation is that if you do walk, I would add some hill climbing and/or stair climbing as part of your pre-Camino conditioning.
As others have said, fitness is more of a factor than age. At 79, if you are not already used to walking long distances in possible heat, might I suggest consulting with your physician before undertakng a camino - the most strenous day, may be your first! It is a taxing walk from SJPdP TO Roncevalles.I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
Bill, I reckon if you use the Port Hills as your training ground, you will have no problems. Lots of challenge in those hills. Just take them slow. You'll look at the Pyrenees and wonder what the fuss was about. Ditto O Cebreiro. And you have that circular route through Christchurch if you want flat. And all that other fantastic walking nearby. Otherwise have your pack carried if still unsure. And learn to use two walking poles.I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100k
I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 from France (C-19 permitting). I know from past biking and hiking experience when I was 20 years younger the first 2/3 days are the toughest as you adjust to conditions and find your pace. My enemy is the heat as I am 100kgs (1.88) and lose energy once overheated so would be planning to walk early for the first few days. Has anyone had any similar experience or tips? Thankyou for any wise words.
I can fully endorse the above comments. I'm 10yrs your junior and did the CF in 2019. 173cms and 90kgs.Hi Bill. I am the same age as you. I have walked the Frances twice. I have been doing a camino since 2011. I did not go in 2020 due to Covid. I have done SJPP-Roncasvales in one day without any problems. I train before I leave home. I walk every day at home for an hour each day- that is the norm. Starting a few months before my camino I lengthen the daily Wal. I end up doing mainly 2 hours as a base, but intersperse longer days during the week. I keep a log. (Suunto gps watch) My weight is pretty constant at 90kg. As I train I gain muscle lose fat.
I travel very light-7kg pack plus water and daily snacks. No transporting. Conditioning is my secret! I usually start at the very end of August and keep to Brierly stages pretty much but take two nights in some of the beautiful towns. I am in no rush!
Maybe I'll see you in September.
There's no necessity to start in SJPDP for any reason, unless that's where you wish to start.As for starting in SJPP, I started my journey in Feb/March and the mere act of getting there was too much of a pain. I appreciate that may not be the right approach for some but I wasn't doing the Camino for religious reasons (charity fund raising) so that wasn't a necessity
As a fellow Marine, I can appreciate the “cobwebs” comment. There is nothing like a 10-12 km warm up to Orisson, sitting on the deck with a beer and watching young folks trudge in with overloaded packs and unbroken in boots. I hit Orisson in 2008 and arrived in SDC 33 days later on crutches. My intent is walking later in 2021 before Orisson closes in October or delaying to April/May starting from Lourdes France.Hi Bill. I was 75 in 2017 when I did the CF starting in SJPdP. I plan on doing it again when I'm 80 in 2022. {I've mentioned my experience re: age in several postings which can be found under my IVAR profile.} I stayed at Orisson to shake off the cobwebs and make adjustments to pack, pace, and gear. I started in late April. I contracted food poisoning in Bayonne, so I was suffering from its effects the first few days. While at Orisson, I ran into a fellow Marine (whose name was also Bill). He was 86 and hiking the Camino to honor his wife's memory. We walked on and off for the next few days and joked that when we were together we were probably the oldest duo on the Camino at a combined 161 years.
Trecile offers sound advice re staying at Orisson. Please consider it; you'll be glad you did. Best of luck to you as you continue to prepare. One geezer to another: you can do this!
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How do you walk 500 kms to SdC? One step at a time.walking the Camino aged 79 (the French way)
I'm intending to walk the Camino September 2021 . . . Thankyou for any wise words.
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