[Gocamino] Somport in late November

[Marty Robinson]

Hi Claire,

My sons and I walked the Camino Aragones from Oloron Ste. Marie last July. 
In my journal I wrote, "The magnificent ascent into Col de Somport from 
Accous left me exhausted, depleted, weak and freezing.  Oh, the magnificent 
Camino Aragones!"

We used the lovely American Pilgrims on the Camino passport obtained before 
departure.  Although I wouldn't count on obtaining a credential at the Col 
de Somport the albergue's sello is elegant and states "Candanchu Algergue 
Summus Portus".

The albergue at the Col (at 5,320 feet) is also a hotel of sorts with a 
restaurant.  It is much like a ski lodge and provides incredible vistas.   I 
would guess that winter is long there and that you will most certainly have 
snow at the Col from the look of the expanding ski resort you'll pass as you 
descend next day.  We walked to Jaca, 31 km., through fields (acres and 
acres) of wild flowers in July.   As with the ascent from France, there is 
much scree which makes for treacherous walking on the descent and all along 
the Camino Aragones in Spain.

If you plan to walk to San Juan de la Penha, and I enthusiastically urge you 
to, I offer one bit of advice.  Do not make that long, long, steep, steep, 
poorly way marked ascent directly from Jaca.  Walk to Santa Celia, spend the 
night in the albergue there, then hike to the monastery and back the next 
day, without your backpack.  That advice comes from unfortunate experience; 
the vertical ascents were hideous!

The vistas you'll observe as you descend the Pyrenees and progress on the 
Camino Aragones will bring tears to your eyes!  Don't forget to look back 
regularly.

In July we saw no other pilgrims until the albergue at Jaca.   Subsequently, 
somehow there were no pilgrims on the trail during the day, and just two or 
three each night at the albergues.  I don't know which albergues will be 
open for you in Nov/Dec.  Many villages, widely spaced, had nothing in terms 
of accommodation nor food.  Several days, water provision was 18 km. away. 
I would guess you will spend nights in people's homes.

I hope you have a fantastic time.  Please let us hear from you as your 
adventure unfolds.
Marty






----- Original Message ----- 
From: "claire bangasser" <grilly at mac.com>
To: <Gocamino at oakapple.net>
Sent: Monday, October 22, 2007 6:44 AM
Subject: [Gocamino] Somport in late November


>
> Hi, hi,
>
> I have found a window of about two and a half weeks in late November
> early December. I hope so very much we can walk from Somport to Burgos.
> I have found out that a cheap way, strangely enough, is to fly from
> Geneva to Barcelona and then take buses.
> One challenge will be to find albergues. Quite a few seem closed.
> And then of course, there is the credential. Does someone know if I
> can get a credential in Somport when I get there or should I get one
> beforehand?
> I remember several of you have walked from Somport. I went back to
> Jan's e-mails on the subject. I have been warned it will be cold. I
> found somewhere a list of clothes for the cold weather.
> Any way, I'd love advice!
>
> Thanks, claire
>
>
>
>
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