Camino in April 2009

[JDM]

Hello! I will commence the Camino from SJPP on 31 Mar 09. Will any other readers be in the vicinity then? jdm

[Castellana]

Hello,
We will start in Burgos on April 6-7, and plan to walk for two weeks, hopefully reaching Astorga or Ponferrada. The second part of the travel, all the way to Santiago, will be shelved for next year.
Ultreia!
Angela

[MikeonTV]

We leave from Madrid on the 1st of April

[leonieindublin]

A friend and I will be walking at the end of April/early May from St Jean - not sure how far we will get. I guess it depends on so many things - the weather, our footwear our fitness and if we can keep the load down in our packs. I really wanted to find out what the weather is usually like and it seems it could be anything - much like I find here in Dublin. Any advice will be welcome.

Thanks for the advice about weather, buses, taxis etc. Is anyone going to be leaving from St Jean PP about the end of April/early May?

[shirley]

I'm travelling from Madrid to St.Jean on April 6th to start the Camino. I've been told that it can be difficult to get bus/train tickets that week as it's the start of Semana Santa ... does anyone know if I should purchase in advance? I haven't yet decided on exactly how I'll get to St Jean so any advise on that would be appreciated. I'm thinking I may take a bus to Roncesvalles then a taxi to St Jean - ideally, meeting up with others who may want to join in for the ride.
Looking forward to sharing the path with fellow spring walkers!
Shirley

[JDM]

Shirley:

This is the taxi resource I found elsewhere in this list of postings. I e-mailed Caroline and she responded that she charges Euro 80 for the trip from Pampolona to SJPP.

I thought that was expensive but when I Googled the distance, it is approximately one and one-half hours.

I hope this helps. JDM

caroline aphessetche [apcaroline@hotmail.com]

[Covey]

You could also catch a bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles and then get the taxi to St Jean.

The bus route is the service Pamplona to Jaurrieta which takes 70 minutes and costs ?5.40, for the stage to Roncesvalles.

http://www.autocaresartieda.com/default.html

A lot of pilgrims do it that way and then share a taxi over the hills to St Jean, which cuts the cost down a bit.

[vjpulver]

There is a daily bus from Pamplona to Roncevalles...or you can pay extra for a taxi. If your are tstartring at tSt Jean, consder flying into France and traveling down to it on foot or via public transport.

Las Montanesa (948.22.15.84) runs a bus from Pamplona - 1 1/2 hours and about 4 Euros. A cab might be about 50 Euros.

It may be snowy in April...dress warm and pay attention as you walk.

I am walking from Rincevalles in mid-April...

Life is good...

"Ginn"
Pilgrimage of Gratitude: My Camino

[proon4]

A friend and I will be walking at the end of April/early May from St Jean - not sure how far we will get. I guess it depends on so many things - the weather, our footwear our fitness and if we can keep the load down in our packs. I really wanted to find out what the weather is usually like and it seems it could be anything - much like I find here in Dublin. Any advice will be welcome.

Thanks for the advice about weather, buses, taxis etc. Is anyone going to be leaving from St Jean PP about the end of April/early May?

Hi Im arriving in Bayonne airport on Wednsday 29th April. Then goint to SJDDP
hope to start the walk from st jean on 30th April. Padraic ( Sligo )

[sean]

Hi,

I returned last week after completing the Camino from SJPdP to Santiago.
It was the experience of a lifetime, with the people I met along the way coming first and the ever changing landscape coming a close second.
I found there were sections of the walk ruined by dumping of litter from local villages and many of the scenic spots and obvious picnic spots were spoiled by discarded plastic bottles. Graffiti is also ruining sections.
I found the food and wine quality improves as you head West, with Cape Finnestere being a jewel.
Weather along the way was mixed, with snow, sleet, rain and sunshine. The mud on the way into Astorga resulted in damage to my right ankle.
I am still feeling the road a bit when I walk but it was all worth it in the end.
A big thank you to the people on this site for the help given since I decided to do the walk. If I can help answer any queries others may have regarding the walk, I would be pleased to do so.

Regards,

Sean.
Dublin.

[vjpulver]

I just finished my Camino last week too (started 20 April and arrived back in the USA 3 June). An amazing experience which I am still processing as I transcribe my journal notes onto my blog.

The weather was excellent almost every day, though there was significant mud in a few places (character building!). I was very glad I had a walking stick and I am extremely grateful for being disciplined enough to carry a very light-wieght pack and load. (Basically one change of fast-drying clothes, a raincoat/pack cover, flip flops, extra socks and undies and a few toiletries...not much else...not even a guide book nor flashlight!).

I was so delighted to discover that I can mountaingoat up a mountain quite well! I was a bit overwhelmed by the constant presence of other people during the non-walking hours at the albergues...no privacy to speak of. I should or could have taken a few breaks from albergue life for some mental health breaks in a private room along the way.

Life is good and I am glad to have the memory of this amazing experience. 8-)

[Lorana Walsh]

HI
It is my intention to walk the Camino in 2009.. April was my optimal month to get away.. I hear the weather could be harsh at that time..but June has crowds.. I have from Mid March to about 5 days before the first weekend in May.. I am 61 and in fairly good fittness but not great.. I will walk slow,, I will walk alone, I will walk.. and so it IS

[Lorana Walsh]

OOPs.. I am walking in 2010

[vjpulver]

In the mountains, snow, serious snow, is likely until the end of April. I started in Roncevalles around 20 April and people who started higher in the Pyrinees faced significant snow. Some people became lost and a couple people died. I currently live in the mountains (Santa Fe, NM) and know how erratice spring snows can be - one day sunny and 70 degrees and the next, snowdrifts and fog... IMHO: it is not wise to hike in those conditions unless you are a seasoned hiker. The altitude and ascent are challenging even under excellent conditions.

If you plan to begin your walk in late March, I recommend yu consider starting at Pamplona. It will still be brisk and snow is still likely, but you avoid additional challenges of altitude and steep ascents at the very start of your journey.

The tourist season does not start officially until June so in March and April, you may find it difficult to find albergues/refugios that are open.

2010 is a Holy Year so you will have many, many, many more people joining you on the pilgrimage. The crowds will make getting a bed at the albergues much harder.

I also recommend doing some serious walking before you go - load up your pack with canned goods and do some trekking on steep hills.

And really travel light when you actually go. I saw soooo many obstinate, strong-willed, over-loaded pilgrims suffering because they insisted they "NEEDED" to carry stuff. I essentially took just one change of clothes - total pack and contents was under 10 pounds even with water.

I had a wonderful experience, with both bliss and blisters...I wish YOU well on your Camino.

"Ginn"
Home Again in Sunny Santa Fe
Camino Frances: 20 April - 2 June 2009


____________ORIGINAL POST FOLLOWS_______________

HI
It is my intention to walk the Camino in 2009.. April was my optimal month to get away.. I hear the weather could be harsh at that time..but June has crowds.. I have from Mid March to about 5 days before the first weekend in May.. I am 61 and in fairly good fittness but not great.. I will walk slow,, I will walk alone, I will walk.. and so it IS

[amanda]

OOPs.. I am walking in 2010

hi Lorana_Walsh, i am starting the Camino March 26 from SJPP and after reading all about the weather issues i am a bit nervous... i am a seasoned hiker, but it's a strange country with weather than i am not familar with so that can be dangerous... my question to you is have you decided to leave later or are you still leaving in April?

[vjpulver]

I walked alone last spring, starting in late April. I elected to start in Roncesvalles. Freak snowstorms in Spring are unpredictable and can be quite fierce. Experieinced hikers are respectful of such spring storms. I am glad I did not tempt fate - there were many severe storms in late April and a few pilgrims who chose to start further north died.

The Camino, is not really about proving your courage or testing yourself. It is about respecting the world we live in, making wise choices...it is not wise to take risks that may require people to head out for a search and recovery miussion in the desolate, isolated mountains.

Wishing you a delightful and meaningful experience as you undertake the Camino.

Buen Camino,

"Ginn"
http//pilgrimageofgratitude_mycamino.blogspot.org

[amanda]

agreed. i am seriously considering starting at Roncesvalles instead of SJPP due to the date that i am starting... did you get register for the Camino in Roncesvalles then or did you have to do it via mail prior to arriving?

[Covey]

You can get your Pilgrim Passport at the Pilgrim Office at Roncesvalles.

There are a couple of bars/restaurants within 50m of the accommodation barn and you need to book a place for dinner which is at 8pm. The menu is vegetable soup, grilled trout and ice cream. They don't need to change the menu cos very few go back!! (except idiots like me)