<html><div style='background-color:'><P>1 September 2001</P>
<P>After several weeks in the limbo of uncertainty, it now is all but certain that I shall begin walking the camino on September 20 or as soon thereafter as can be arranged. I am looking forward to the autumn walk, as autumn was a perfect time of year for the trek in 1998. I started at St. Jean last time, so this pilgrimage I plan to begin at Urdos, crossing the Somport Pass and following the aragonese route. My original plan was to begin walking at Oloron or even Pau, but time constraints mean I must start closer to Spain. I have already received some interesting and useful information from a number of Gocamino subscribers about the route from Urdos to Puente la Reina, but all of them walked it in the spring or early summer. I shall be crossing the pass in mid to late September, and I would appreciate hearing from anyone who made the trip from Urdos in autumn. Of special concern are 1) the weather, though I&n!
bs!
p;have heard it is usually quite good, and 2) the availability of refugios or other places to stay and eat. While I shall carry a sleeping bag, I do not plan to cary a mat, tent, or cooking equipment. I understand that there are a number of new refugios between Jaca and Monreal, but are they open in late September and early October. 3) Is it feasible to walk from Monreal to Puente la Reina in a single day? 4) Anything else I should know before I leave home on September 13? </P>
<P>Also, is the refugio at Calzadilla de los Hermanos open in Oct.? Last time I walked from Sahagun to Mansilla via El Burgo Ranero, and this time I would like to try the Calzada Romana.</P>
<P>Thanks,</P>
<P>E. O. Pederson</P>
<P>Seattle, WA</P></div><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href='http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag_itl_EN.asp'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></html>