Jim McMurtrie
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances April-May 2018
Frances September-October 2019
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Before leaving SJPdP go to the Pilgrimsoffice for info about the weather.We leave fro Madrid tomorrow and should be in SJPdP the on the 11th. Wondering if there is anyone that can give us current walking conditions on the Napoleon route.
You can check the site but they give only a weather forecast and not iff it’s open or not .Just had a quick google and came across this: https://stjeanpieddeport-roncevaux.jimdo.com/english/
Excellent link, thank you! I’ve never seen this before. It’s the website of the Tourist Office of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and it’s available in French, English, Spanish and Basque. So finally a website that provides up to date information as well as an up to date recommendation on the SJPP-Roncesvalles paths. Long overdue!Just had a quick google and came across this: https://stjeanpieddeport-roncevaux.jimdo.com/english/
The website of the Tourist Office of Saint Jean Pied de Port says this: The way by the Napoleon's Road, between St Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles, is officialy open. But it's still strongly not recommanded. We invite you to take the low road, by Arnéguy and Valcarlos.You can check the site but they give only a weather forecast and not iff it’s open or not .
Today we can't know the weather in mountain on the 11th. When you arrive at SJPP you have to go on the pilgrims office 39 rue de la citadelle, the volunteers will give you all advices for this step, if you can go by Napoleon Route or notWe leave fro Madrid tomorrow and should be in SJPdP the on the 11th. Wondering if there is anyone that can give us current walking conditions on the Napoleon route.
Thanks to all. I have been watching the weather but being a novice I was more interested in how it affects the route. The Valcarlos route it is.
Off to the airport!
Walked from SJdPP to Orisson yesterday in lovely weather although some wind. Today walked to Roncesvalles in cold wind , small hail and rain and at one point it was getting misty. I think it can change very quickly so you just need to watch the weather forecast and check with the pilgrim office. Lots of people walked all the way from SJdPP to Roncesvalles today via Orisson and although pretty tired they seemed OK , younger than my 65years though. It is hard walking but bea7t8f7l.We leave fro Madrid tomorrow and should be in SJPdP the on the 11th. Wondering if there is anyone that can give us current walking conditions on the Napoleon route.
There was some old snow along the sides but only a few places where you needed to walk through it. A bit of mud in places.Thank you for providing feedback, @Jan Jones, I'm sure those who want to cross in the next few days will appreciate it very much. What's the relatively short part of the trail that is not on the road like at the moment? Soggy, muddy, ok in trainers, needs gaiters, that sort of thing? I guess the old snow is all gone?
Keep in mind that it is not possible to check detailed weather forecast for one’s self at Orisson as there is no internet access.I saw a report on a Facebook group today where someone said that they travelled over the Pyrenees today (10 April) but "unfortunately were not warned at Orisson not to go". After about 2 hours up it started to rain, followed by snow and wind speeds over 100km [I'm not quite sure about that number; the forecast was something like wind gusts of up to 60 km/h if I remember correctly]. They say they were blown sideways cold and wet and everyone was concerned and one person got rescued by police as she couldn't go on.
I'm posting this only to emphasise that you should take warnings seriously (see above) and it may be a good idea to check the detailed mountain weather forecast for yourself before starting out.
but "unfortunately were not warned at Orisson not to go".
Totally agree about taking personal responsibility but it’s not quite that straightforward, Robo. We did all the recommended checking and asking in SJPdP and still got slammed by hurricane force winds when we left from Orisson the next day. The winds were so bad that the Napoleon was actually closed on that day but noone told us and there was no way to find out for ourselves because there is no internet access at Orisson. Plus we were complete newbies.Part of the problem I think.....
Don't expect people to warn you and 'hold your hand' !
Take personal responsibility..........
Check the forecast, ask in the Pilgrim office.
I've just signed up for the @BomberosNavarra tweets. Didn't know about that one.
But I'm regularly checking these weather sites that are frequently shared here.
Best one I've found so far for the 'top of the hill' out from St Jean.
http://fr.viewweather.com/w1781825-previsions-meteo-pour-col_de_bentarte-spain_general_.html
And other more general sites:
https://www.wunderground.com/https://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Navarra/Zubiri/
https://www.yr.no/place/Spain/Navarra/Zubiri/
Totally agree about taking personal responsibility but it’s not quite that straightforward, Robo. We did all the recommended checking and asking in SJPdP and still got slammed by hurricane force winds when we left from Orisson the next day. The winds were so bad that the Napoleon was actually closed on that day but noone told us and there was no way to find out for ourselves because there is no internet access at Orisson. Plus we were complete newbies.
Where we went wrong was in assuming that we would have been told if it was dangerous and so we kept walking. Took us 10 hours to get to Roncesvalles. What we should have done is turned around and walked back to Orisson after the first few hours of struggling against the wind. Knowing when to bail out really is taking personal responsibility but it’s easy to say this in hindsight and with a lot more experience under my belt.
Trust your instincts and be safe out there, pilgrims.
They've certainly done that but I wonder whether they do it all the time. After all, they have - what - 28 guests when they are full? They'd need a bus to transport so many people on a regular basis. And the weather is bad on a regular basis.Thing is that in another thread it says that Orisson take you to Valcarlos if weather up Napoleon impassable.
It's possible but it's not marked as such and I wouldn't attempt it without a proper map and map reading capabilities although it's just country roads. No bus.Can I get to Valcarlos from Orisson? Or do I need a cab or bus?
Thanks very much.
I think I'm doing plan B
can I get to varcarlos from orisson? Or do I need a cab or bus?
Hi Lucy,Thank you both.
I have a booking for orisson and do want to get up there.
So if weather not dramatically changed I will cab back to sjpdp the following day and take a bus to Roncesvalles.
Hi, Mona,Hi Lucy,
I know very well this mountain, it's my country and it's not possible to go from Orisson to Valcarlos walking (there is no markup)you must go down again on SJPP by taxi or Express Bourricot.
Thank you both.
I have a booking for orisson and do want to get up there.
So if weather not dramatically changed I will cab back to sjpdp the following day and take a bus to Roncesvalles.
Sorry Robo, late reply because bit busy here. The road itself was passable the whole way. It was the 100+ km head winds that were making it dangerous. And keep in mind when reading this that what happened to us was the exception rather than the rule. The winds were bad when we started but we only hit the really big winds when the road was more exposed about an hour or so from Orisson. When it got to the point where it was impossible to walk against the wind gusts and people were being blown off their feet we should just have turned around and gone back. Simple and safe. But being newbies and having this idea in our minds that pilgrims do not complain and instead walk on pretty much regardless, that’s what we and most of the other Orisson pilgrims did. Would not happen again and I’m sure you would not make the same mistake. When the going gets really tough there is no shame in turning back.Sounds like you tried to do the right thing. Sorry to sound a bit harsh
(It's easy from the comfort of home)
Knowing when to bail is as you say the key, and once you get to the 'top' which 'way' makes most sense to bail.
Starting to get me thinking about our Plan B in such a situation.....
Was the road still passable up to the Cross (Croix Thibault) ? Might be worth having a St Jean taxi number in the pocket........ And likewise for the far side (Spain) after reaching the road.
I can remember the voice of 'Capt' Albertson, when teaching me to handle a motor boat.
If you lose an engine now, what will you do?
You're close to a lee shore, if the engines cut now, what will you do?
I was always taught when Hiking in bad weather to take a similar approach. A bit like a pilot.
If we bail now, which way will we head? Onwards, turn back?
If the weather gets worse, where will we shelter (those trees 400 m back, that hut up ahead)
But it's good that no one has been hurt.
Hi, Mona,
You're very helpful. I remember in another post some time ago somebody wrote that there is a shortcut on a side road from the Refugee Orisson/SJPdP road to SJPdP/Valcarlos road. This is what Google gives me>
https://www.google.si/maps/dir/Refuge+Orisson,+Orisson,+64220+Uhart-Cize,+Francija/Valcarlos,+Luzaide/Valcarlos,+Španija/@43.1148113,-1.3049812,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0xd50d492f1759f15:0xbf278f6083acf4a3!2m2!1d-1.239412!2d43.1078991!1m5!1m1!1s0xd50d6b371340953:0x8defe6ccd022f10c!2m2!1d-1.3027412!2d43.0918797!3e2?hl=sl
Can you confirm this or it isn't passable because of private property and locked fence doors?
Thank you!
Blimey. Just reread your post. More than bit harsh frankly.It's very possible if the weather makes the road impassable that Orisson will be closed. It's also quite possible that if the weather is that bad, the shuttle will NOT be running. So if I were you, I would take everyone's advice and not walk up there. But if you insist, which the 8 headstrong people who were rescued yesterday insisted, then please call ahead to both Orisson and the shuttle to be sure your plan will work. And I hope you have a big bank account, because if you must be rescued, they've taken to billing the rescued person and it's not inexpensive. If I sound frustrated, I am.
Blimey. Just reread your post. More than bit harsh frankly.
Actually I'm trying to be sensible. I won't go to orisson at all costs. I was saying I wouldnt risk going any further.
You completely missed my intentions.
Yes I know. I'm sorry. I know exactly what you mean. It is so important to respect the elements whether mountain or sea. And thanks very much for the tip about the slots off the road on way to orisson.Sorry about that. . I was just frustrated that more than 8 people required rescue over the few days of bad weather because they didn’t listen to the advice of the locals. The walk up to Orisson, though short, has spots off the road that can be dangerous in blizzard type weather and it sounded to me like you were saying you would at least walk that far regardless.
Sometimes it’s difficult to communicate in writing without seeing body language or facial expressions.
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