Ready to go!

[Arctic_Alex]

Today I finally arrived in SJPdP. Torrential downpour, strong gusts of wind ... bit intermittent moments of less rain and finally: some sun even though the spells of sun are frequently interrupted by substantial rain, it gives at least some hope for to

Route Napoleon is closed, probably for days to come as there is heavy snowfall up in the mountains.

Waiting for my first pilgrims menu to be served just now. Looking forward to my first day tonorrow!

 

[SabsP]

Buen Camino @Arctic_Alex ! Enjoy it to the fullest.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Buen Camino @Arctic_Alex ! Enjoy it to the fullest.

Thank you

 

[Rj7797]

Weather is simply part of the adventure. Smile through it all. I hope you have the time of your life!

 

[NorthernLight]

How did you manage to get a picture with no people on the street!?!

Buen camino!

 

[CdnDreamer]

Buen camino!

 

[nycwalking]

Buen camino.

 

[natefaith]

Beautiful photos! Buen Camino! Enjoy it all.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Weather is simply part of the adventure. Smile through it all. I hope you have the time of your life!

Today there was even snowfall ;-)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

How did you manage to get a picture with no people on the street!?!

Buen camino!

That is a secret ;-)

No actually it was pouring rain an the sun only came out for a couple of minutes now and then. The trick is to take the photo after the rain but before people start crawling out of their shelters again ;-)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Today I met the first forum member on the Camino. I do not know her online name though ;-)

Weather wise it was a mixed day, sun,overcast and even snowfall.
Endet up in Espinal for the night.

 

[Ed Aster]

Great snow shot, looks like you are carrying quite light!
Buon Camino

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Great snow shot, looks like you are carrying quite light!
Buon Camino

Would be 6 kg if it was not for the ancient camera which then adds it up to 7.4 kg

 

[CdnDreamer]

Your pictures are beautiful!

 

[aperfectmess]

Today I met the first forum member on the Camino. I do not know her online name though ;-)

Weather wise it was a mixed day, sun,overcast and even snowfall.
Endet up in Espinal for the night.
View attachment 54388
View attachment 54389
View attachment 54390
View attachment 54391

Here I am hiding! Pleasure to walk together those 35 something kilometres from cold and rain to spring flowers I hope for updates here how you goes. Buen camino Alex!
/Anna

 

[Beeks]

Nice pictures.... what section was the snowy one? Behind you by several days. Flying Sunday, departing SJPdP on Wednesday. Looks like it's Valcarlos for us.

Buen Camino!

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Nice pictures.... what section was the snowy one? Behind you by several days. Flying Sunday, departing SJPdP on Wednesday. Looks like it's Valcarlos for us.

Buen Camino!

The snowy bit was close to the highest point of the Valcarlos route.
So enjoy the way ... So much good food.. it is a bit like I am eating my way to Santiago ... but no worries, I will leave some for you ;-)

 

[Beeks]

Leave me the pigs ears, roast suckling pig, and the pulpo!

Ultreia!

 

[Miki Goldie]

Today I met the first forum member on the Camino. I do not know her online name though ;-)

Weather wise it was a mixed day, sun,overcast and even snowfall.
Endet up in Espinal for the night.
View attachment 54388
View attachment 54389
View attachment 54390
View attachment 54391

Lovely photos!
How does one meet other forum members? Are there forum badges on clothing or backpacks ....members don't always have there faces showing.....do you just ask if they are a F Members
Anyway, buen Camino....
Love

 

[PeterBarry]

Hi if the Napoleon route is closed is the Valcarlos route an alternative, as in does the Valcarlos route close when the Napoleon route closes?
Hope to cross from SJPDP to Roncesvalles Sunday Next April 14th.
Any help appreciated.
Buen Camino
Peter

 

[SFletcher]

The Napoleon route is higher, and while half of it is on paved road, sections of it are on a track. That means it is less accessible for rescue services, so it is safer to close it in winter months. The Valcarlos route goes through a valley which also has a main road, so it does not get closed. Some winter pilgrims have had to slog through snowdrifts in other years, but at this stage it should be ok on the Valcarlos route. The Pilgrim office in St Jean are very helpful and will have the most up to date advice.

 

[RJM]

Hi if the Napoleon route is closed is the Valcarlos route an alternative, as in does the Valcarlos route close when the Napoleon route closes?
Hope to cross from SJPDP to Roncesvalles Sunday Next April 14th.
Any help appreciated.
Buen Camino
Peter

When the Napoleon route is closed, the ValCarlos is the only walking route to Roncesvalles. It is open when the Napoleon is closed.
I suppose it is possible for the weather to be so bad that walking either route is not recommended.

 

[PeterBarry]

When the Napoleon route is closed, the ValCarlos is the only walking route to Roncesvalles. It is open when the Napoleon is closed.
I suppose it is possible for the weather to be so bad that walking either route is not recommended.

Thanks for the Info.
Due to arrive April 13th, normally walk alone but will have a party of 4.
Should be interesting!
Thanks again.

Peter

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Lovely photos!
How does one meet other forum members? Are there forum badges on clothing or backpacks ....members don't always have there faces showing.....do you just ask if they are a F Members
Anyway, buen Camino....
Love

Well, I think there are badges, but I do not have any. And I do not show my face properly on here either.
So this was discovered only by pure luck! We happened to have beds in the same room and later to have the pilgrims menu at a table of four. So you talk a lot and the suddenly It was discovered that I must be Arctic Alex ;-)

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Ok, the walk continued! With highs and lows of course ... ;-)
Quite a lot of rain, also real downpour and just two days ago I got caught in a thunderstorm with hail and heavy rain in the Meseta 50 km before Leon. I actually enjoyed that even though my trousers got soaked ;-)
A real low was when a nice fellow pilgrim who was severly sick passed his feverish cold on to me in an Albergue. I lived through 3 nights of fever myself, but stayed away from Albergues myself during that time. I consider it irresponsible to put other people recklessly in danger ... apparently others do not care. (I know your face mate! I hope for your sake we never meet again!)
Of course my daily mileage went down on the fever days, but still I am maintaining an 33k/day average since SJPdP.
Another low was two subsequent Albergues being still closed, opposing official information in all up-todate-lists. That forced me to walk 45k one day. A lot even for me ;-)
But overall a pleasant experience so far! Left Leon this morning.

 

[Miki Goldie]

Well, I think there are badges, but I do not have any. And I do not show my face properly on here either.
So this was discovered only by pure luck! We happened to have beds in the same room and later to have the pilgrims menu at a table of four. So you talk a lot and the suddenly It was discovered that I must be Arctic Alex ;-)

Thanks for replying to that Alex. As I've said I have now glued my forum badge on my bag, just pointing backwards. Bit of a laugh.....
Love

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Thanks for replying to that Alex. As I've said I have now glued my forum badge on my bag, just pointing backwards. Bit of a laugh.....
Love

Just walk fast, just walk past ... and all will see

 

[Arctic_Alex]

So that was it ... I arrived in Santiago today, alter a lot of rain and sleet in recent days ;-) but it was still a great experience

 

[Former member 49149]

So that was it ... I arrived in Santiago today, alter a lot of rain and sleet in recent days ;-) but it was still a great experience View attachment 56197

Well done, peregrino! I share your sense of whatever. There is joy, and quietness, and: amen!

 

[FamPed]

You did it! Congratulations pilgrim. ☺ I loved your photos, please share some more if you like.

 

[VNwalking]

24 days - that's so fast that I'm only discovering your thread now and you've already finished, Alex.
Well done, peregrino - may you enjoy Santiago!

 

[CdnDreamer]

Congratulations! I took 42 days with no rest days or illness to deal with - I knew you were going fast, but that was really fast. Glad you had a great time. You take great pictures. Enjoy Santiago!