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<P>For those accustomed to mountain walking and in good condition for hiking, the climb from St. Jean to the top over the Route Napoleon is not all that difficult in good weather. But for many pilgrims it can be a truly daunting and discouraging first day, especially for those who are still jet lagged from a TransAtlantic crossing and not yet conditioned to walking with a pack or in steep terrain. As the recent death of a South American pilgrim attests, the route can be difficult, and, in bad weather especially, it can be a treacherous walk. The walk is a beautiful one, and it is well worth the effort, but for many pilgrims it should not be the first day of walking on the Camino. There are some reasonable alternatives. 1) Take a few extra days and begin somewhere in France to allow a few days of conditioning before making the climb; 2) Start at Roncesvalles instead of St. Jean; or 3) take the ruta aragonese and start at Som!
port. The last route gives one a full day of easy downhill walking to begin the pilgrimage. Later sections of that route from Jaca to Puente la Reina (Navarra) are somewhat rough, but the beauty of the route compensates as does the relative solitude it offers.<BR><BR></P></DIV>
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<DIV>E. O. Pederson</DIV>
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<DIV>Seattle, WA</DIV>
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