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<P>While I agree that the St. Jean route is a passably pretty one with some good views on the way up and near the top, and it is an important historical trace, I was not criticizing that aspect of starting in St. Jean. However, the Somport route is far more spectacular, has a comparably rich history, it allows almost a week of light crowds before Puente la Reina (Navarra), and the urban chaos of Pamplona is bypassed entirely!</P>
<P>The problem of starting at St. Jean is one of physical conditioning and the potential for injury (not to mention becoming discouraged and giving up before the trip has really begun). If one is flying from North America (I believe Mr. Crawley is resident in the UK), there is a jet lag of at least 6 hours, and the trip has kept one confined in the cramped quarters of a plane for anywhere from 8-12 hours followed by a long bus or train ride. Adding everything together, most people starting from North America have been forced into at least 2 and possibly 3 or more days of limited activity. Anyone who does a great deal of hiking knows the rational way is to work up to major climbs and long distances, not to attack the most difficult day of a hike as the very first day out in bad condition and tired from jet lag. If one is insistent on starting in France and following the route Napoleon, go backward on the GR65 to Orthez and walk a couple of days before attempting the climb.</P>
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<P>E. O. Pederson<BR>Seattle, WA<BR><BR></P></DIV>
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