We arrived yesterday after a somewhat level walk from Zuberi , Spain. We spent the night here and will leave tomorrow morning for Puente La Reina. This one day rest was very needed as Angie has some knee issues.

I am very proud of Angie. I never would have believed she could endure the climb we had in the Pyrenees. I mentioned before the strong winds we encountered. There was a time when it was difficult to advance and I saw the wind blow Angie backwards. We stayed close to the mountain side – away from the edge.

The descent went well for about one hour. Mostly still through snow. Then there was a warning rope blocking the normal path into Roncevalles. Too much snow for a safe descent. A hiker lost his life there 3 1/2 weeks ago in a blizzard. We took the detour but it was very steep – 45 degree average slope and took 2 hours to reach the floor. Can you say Jubilation? (I knew you could)! This long steep descent took a toll on Angie’s left knee.

Here are some photos of Pamplona and of some wonderful people we met along the way.

We just arrived in Roncevalles, Spain. It was A 9 hour passage over the Pyrenees. 15 to 20 mile an hour wind in our faces for 7 of the 9 hour journey. Incredible. But we are  safe and sound. Also we  had to trek through a lot of snow at the higher elevation which slowed us down. Right Now we just checked into a hostel which is in a huge Monastery. I will post photos and videos
tomorrow evening. We have been on the trail for two days and have covered about 19 miles. Now we are each washing down 2 Advil with San Miguel Beer! Ciao for now

The first climb out of St. Jean was to Orisson in the Pyrenees. It was a steep  ascent of 6 miles. We were tired and hungry after 5 hours and couldn’t find the hostel. We stopped a car going up the hill with 2 old ladies in it. They said there is nothing up the hill and we needed to go back down a mile and we. would find lodging. We.went  back down
the hill and there was just an old abandoned house. Back up the hill we go for another half hour. Tired and hungry we stop another car this time going down hill. It’s the same two old ladies!! This time they tell us the hostel is just up the road! We. finally found it…..would you believe it was less than 200 yards away around the corner from the first time we asked the old ladies!

We got lodging and at dinner we met 2 Australians, 4 French & 1 American pilgrims. We had dinner & wine & sang songs in French we never heard before & didn’t understand!! But It didn’t matter, new friendships were made.

We are spending two nights here at St. Jean. This is an old quaint border town at the base of the Pyrenee mountain range. This town has been the crossroads to the ancient pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostella since around 923 AD. We can see some pilgrims arriving daily.  Most of them are French, however, late in the day we did meet a couple from Kansas who are leaving on Saturday. We are leaving tomorrow which is Friday on the oldest route called Route Napoleon. This will be a very steep climb for 4 miles.  We will spend the night in the mountains at a hostel. The next morning another steep climb of 5 miles to the top of the mountain (3750 feet) and then a 3 mile descent into the village of Roncevalles. Now we will be in Spain. This will be a challenging but a rewarding day.

This beautiful town is located on both sides of the Nive river.

Typical narrow European streets

AFTER a very nice flight over the “pond”, we stayed for a day in Biarritz , France to get over our jet lag..A beautiful seaside resort.

This site is currently under construction. If you would like to follow us as we hike the Camino, leave your email on the “Follow Blog via Email” posted on the right column on this site.

Our backpacking adventure starts in France on April 9th, 2013.

Mike & Angie