Walked today: 7.05 mi, Camino 2023: 7.05 mi
Our Camino 2023 began this morning at 7:00 a.m. as we passed through the Porte d’Espagne and walked up the very steep road heading toward the Pyrenees Mts.
Today’s walk is considered the most difficult part of the entire Camino Frances. We climbed 2730 feet over a span of 7 miles of steep paved farm roads and equally steep, rough paths and washes through mountain pastures.
Today’s walk was especially difficult, compared to our previous 4 experiences because we had done very little to prepare ourselves for the physical part of the challenge. All of our training of the several months prior to today, consisted of infrequent 2 mile neighborhood walks on mostly flat surfaces.
Today, our bodies were challenged immediately, as we exited SJPdP and there was no relief for the first 4.5 miles, until we stopped at the Orrison Refugio for a break and refreshment. After a rest of nearly an hour, we continued on upward for another hour and a half before stopping for the day at the Vierge de Baikorri.
Some 15 minutes later a pre-arranged shuttle took us back to SJPdP for the night and a much needed rest.
Fortunately, we survived our first day back on the Camino and avoided injury. We’re obviously tired but know that our aching muscles will recover quickly as we continue tomorrow morning, picking up where we finished this afternoon.
Jimandi 