Day 1: St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Roncesvalles, Spain
- sarezend
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
There is one word to describe today: Brutal. We knew it would be a hard day, long day. It is after all the most challenging day. Our hike began at 7:00am, and ended at 3:00pm, a full days work. We ascended the Pyrenees mountains first 8kms and 900 meters, a ~2,700 feet climb, in 2.5 hours arriving at Orisson, a restaurant and Albergue, to fuel up and rest, knowing there was another 500 meters to climb, though as I had recalled, the hard part was over. The weather was perfect, until, the gale force winds came along after leaving Orisson. It’s hard to explain or describe ascending a mountain with a 20 pound pack and 50+ mile an hour winds hitting you straight on, but it no doubt contributed to the tired legs and aching feet. We did make it in the end to our destination. My friend Jeff tells me, at 66 years or age, in all his younger years of hiking, this was the most difficult hike of his life. He chides me, “I thought you said there was a lot of downhill after Orisson.” I respond, “thats what I recalled 10 years ago”, now realizing my memory wasn’t as good as I thought. Today was difficult, it makes me think twice, and decide I’ll never do this day again. Three times is enough. As I write this post, it’s after 1:00am. I should be sleeping, my legs are sore, hips aching, my feet are hot, and I realize the hard part is over. What could be worse. Day 1 out! I look outside, it’s raining sideways, the weather tomorrow is rain all morning. It’s a slap in the face. I just want to sleep, but the Monastery we are staying also houses 200 people, it’s loud, everyone snoring, I regret not getting a hotel. Too late, I’ll have to use ear plugs. Haha. I hope you enjoy the photos below:
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