Over the Mountain!

Everyone says the first day on the Camino is the toughest day of the entire walk. Leaving SJPP at 6:15, before daylight, the route immediately goes uphill as soon as you leave town. The 19 mile first day doesn't begin to go downhill until about mile 17.

As luck would have it, the 300 pilgim's leaving SJPP Friday had a sunny, beautiful day for the climb. The following day, a severe storm hit the mountains making day 1 much more difficult. I had a chance to talk with a fellow pilgrim who said her Fitbit watch measured the vertical climb equivalent to going up a 500 floor building. What makes the hike more difficult is the 20 pound backpack which only gets heavier as the day goes on.

We're all heading to just one destination, the albergue at Roncesvalles. It is large enough to house nearly 300 pilgrims. Most Albergues cost around 12€ and one gets a bed in a dormitory room housing any number of tired pilgrims. Pilgim's meals have been great fun and very tasty.