Starting to Camino from SJPDP on 2 of April

[NUEVOMUNDOOO]

I wish buen camino to everyone! I'm planning to start to my camino on 2 of April. Is there any ideas about taking the Napoleon route on this date ? Anybody is aware of the last conditions of the route ? Thanks

 

[theclaireperson]

Hello! This is the best website for the weather on the pass https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/col-de-bentarte_spain_3128263

I am hoping to start on the 1st but there will be heavy snowfall in the day and night. The 2nd looks sunny and clear so far!

 

[NUEVOMUNDOOO]

Hello! This is the best website for the weather on the pass https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/col-de-bentarte_spain_3128263

I am hoping to start on the 1st but there will be heavy snowfall in the day and night. The 2nd looks sunny and clear so far!

Thank you so much, i wish you a buen camino

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

I wish buen camino to everyone! I'm planning to start to my camino on 2 of April. Is there any ideas about taking the Napoleon route on this date ? Anybody is aware of the last conditions of the route ? Thanks

Very simple, go to the pilgrims' office and follow their recommendations. At the end of April 2008, on my first camino, the pass was repeatedly closed due to fresh snow. A possible rescue operation can be quite expensive.

 

[trecile]

Buen Camino!
If you'd like, you can add yourself to the list of those starting in April by clicking here.

 

[lt56ny]

I wish buen camino to everyone! I'm planning to start to my camino on 2 of April. Is there any ideas about taking the Napoleon route on this date ? Anybody is aware of the last conditions of the route ? Thanks

Very simple, go to the pilgrims' office and follow their recommendations.

If there is ANY doubt whatsoever DO NOT walk the Napoleon Route. You may very well be taking your life in your hands. Take Valcarlos.

 

[Kathor1]

Hello! This is the best website for the weather on the pass https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/col-de-bentarte_spain_3128263 I am hoping to start on the 1st but there will be heavy snowfall in the day and night. The 2nd looks sunny and clear so far!

You must go to the Pilgim Office and ask and follow their advice in early April!

The weather is only one part of the equation. The other part is the condition on the ground in early April !!! In addition, considerable snowfall is predicted for the 1st of April, it will be cold with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h (!!!) although the predictability level is still low.

Weather report for Col de Bentarte (Friday, 1 April 2022)​

Night and day it is cloudy and snowing. Heavy precipitation of 20-30 cm is forecast for Friday. The sun will not be visible. The chance of precipitation is extremely high, exceeding 95%. Temperatures as high as 0 °C are foreseen.​

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[Hans-Georg Goebel]

You must go to the Pilgim Office and ask and follow their advice in early April!

The weather is only one part of the equation. The other part is the condition on the ground in early April !!! In addition, considerable snowfall is predicted for the 1st of April, it will be cold with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h (!!!) although the predictability level is still low.

Weather report for Col de Bentarte (Friday, 1 April 2022)​

Night and day it is cloudy and snowing. Heavy precipitation of 20-30 cm is forecast for Friday. The sun will not be visible. The chance of precipitation is extremely high, exceeding 95%. Temperatures as high as 0 °C are foreseen.​

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It is not only the 1st of April, but also the assured weather situation, that decides, whether the pass will be opened. It is probably not for nothing that Orisson will only accept binding reservations for mid-April. If the weather is dubious, we really can only advise not to hike the pass at one's own risk. High up there is often heavy fog, and if there is snow on top of that, the danger of getting lost is extremely high. Around 20 April 2008 (shortly before my first Camino) a Belgian pilgrim froze to death up there in such weather conditions. so be carefull

 

[Kathor1]

the danger of getting lost is extremely high

Not only that. When there is still old snow and ice on the ground at altitude, possibly with fresh snow on top of it, people will advance even slower than they would otherwise, risk slipping or falling with potential injury more than otherwise, are wearing shoes that are not suitable for such conditions on the ground, will get wet and suffer from hypothermia more than otherwise ...

They really must ask for on the ground information at the Pilgrims Office and follow the advice that they receive.

 

[theclaireperson]

I was definitely going to the pilgrim office, I’ve done enough hiking to have common sense about me thankfully. I value my life and I always err on the side of caution when I climb the mountains here. I just love the irony of life having weeks of +15 degree days then BAM 30cm of snow

 

[koknesis]

High up there is often heavy fog, and if there is snow on top of that, the danger of getting lost is extremely high.

Exactly, the odds might be not in your favour..

 

[Kathor1]

I just love the irony of life having weeks of +15 degree days then BAM 30cm of snow

I was surprised at first when I read about the expected snowfall and double checked. It'll be like this at the end of this week not only in the Pyrenees but all over much of Europe. It's the polar vortex thingy again.

 

[Former member 99290]

Just to add an observation. No need to be disappointed if conditions mean you are unable to walk the Napoleon route. I’ve walked both. Having walked the Napoleon route in 2011, when I had to walk the Valcarlos route on 1 April 2013, due to snow on the Napoleon, I was at first disappointed. But needn’t have been. It’s a beautiful walk - and ‘no walk in the park’ either. Enjoy.

 

[Former member 99290]

I was surprised at first when I read about the expected snowfall and double checked. It'll be like this at the end of this week not only in the Pyrenees but all over much of Europe. It's the polar vortex thingy again.

We are enjoying fabulous sunshine and warm temperatures in Paris this week - clear skies and up to 20/22 each day. But for the start of ou Chemin du Piémont in Carcassone in a few days it looks cold, grey and wet. ️