[Gocamino] Somport Pass

[Judith Nollar]

Hi Robert,
Thank you for clarifying my faulty geographical memory.  I believe that we will try to walk from Urdos, taking the bus there from Oloron, and continuing to Eunate/Puente La Reina. I believe that I have some of your messages from 2000 stashed in my files. It's nice to hear from you and encouraging that the snow was gone by mid-May.  We probably won't arrive before mid-June, and I'm hoping that still is ahead of heavy tourism.

Best regards,
Judy 

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Spenger [mailto:rspenger at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 4:11 PM
To: Judith Nollar; gocamino at oakapple.net
Subject: Re: [Gocamino] Somport Pass

Do you mean from Oloron (or Sarrance or Urdos)? Canfranc is already  
south of the pass. From Canfranc to Jaca is all down hill (mas o  
menos). Also, do you mean Canfranc Estación, the small city that has  
the old railway station, or the little village of Canfranc, a few  
kilometers further south? In 2000, Urdos was the last settlement in  
France that had any facilities. The buildings at Somport Pass itself  
appeared to be deserted - no sign of activity whatsoever. On the  
Spanish side, the ski resort, which could be seen a few hundred  
kilometers to the west of the road, did not appear to have any  
activity. It was mid-May, the snow was gone, and evidently it was too  
early for large numbers of summer hikers. C-E, the first town on the  
road as you descend into Spain, was quite lively at that time. It was  
still served by the railroad from Jaca and there were tourists,  
hikers, and even a small contingent of pilgrims.

I realize that my own experiences are now 6 years out of date, but  
the geography is surely much the same and there seems to be some gaps  
in your message in that regard.

By the way, thanks for the encouraging message that you left for me  
in the pilgrim office at SJpdeP in September of 2002.

regards,

Bob S.


On May 17, 2006, at 10:28 AM, Judith Nollar wrote:

Hi Friends,

Has anyone walked over the Somport Pass from Canfranc to Jaca in the
last two years?  We are contemplating  walking that route in Spring,
2007.  The most recent Confraternity of St. James update (in the Arles
route guide) is from 2003 (really 2002). It would be very helpful to
hear about recent or current conditions on the Pass.

Best to all,

Judy Nollar