Camino Frances Day 1 Saint Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles

Camino Frances - Day 1
Saint Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles - 26 km
We were up at 6am and on the road by 6:30am. It was a perfect day for a walk. They predicted rain and thunderstorms but it was a brisk morning and no rain in sight.
All the preparation in the world did not help in what I would describe as an extremely difficult hike over the Pyrenees - 20km up and then a tough 6km down.
Orisson was a welcome sight at 8 km into the walk and apparently the worst of the ascent was behind us. We stopped to take a break and breakfast. This was the start of what would become our breakfast staple for most of the days ahead. Strong black coffee, orange juice, tortilla and bread. A chat with some other pilgrims at Orisson confirmed our thoughts that it was a hard slog so far.
We were graced with sights of eagles in the sky, cows, sheep and horses on the trail and views to die for.
We still had some climbing to do before we got to one of the steepest, rockiest declines I’ve ever come across and was so grateful for the hiking poles for stability. We managed to make it over the Pyrenees before thick mist shrouded the mountains blocking out the magnificent views. I felt for the people behind us still coming up as it would have made the hike so much harder.
After 8 ½ hours of hiking Roncesvalles was a welcome sight.
A second stamp in our Pilgrims passport and we were shown to our bunks for the night. A cubicle containing 2 bunks in a dormitory of approximately 50 bunks in total. I believe Roncesvalles can house up to 183 people. When we checked in we had the cubicle to ourselves but during the night late comers arrived in the cubicle to occupy the other bunk.
We are glad we booked an early dinner. We were ushered to a table with folk that spoke the same language. Our table consisted of us a guy from Canberra, Australia and a Korean lady born and bred in America. This also become a bit of the norm for most nights sharing a meal with fellow pilgrims. “Menu de Pellegrino” as they are known consists of 3 courses. Always 2 or 3 choices for each course normally a soup or pasta or salad, followed by a choice of meat and potato fries and desert always with a bowl of bread and a bottle of wine.
9:30pm and we were full and tired so we ended up tucked up in our bunks, worn out but glad we made it through the day. Roncesvalles beds fills up very quickly and I would recommend booking ahead.
Until tomorrow.
Buen Camino Jim & De

[@ellyh4994]

Re-visiting your videos once more, even though we have two under our belt now! Still an inspiration! we are doing CF once more but in slow time in '24. ❤

[@JimandDe]

So glad to hear Wow you really are “Camino veterans “ now. What is your time frame ? And are you walking from SJPD ? Either way have a good way and of course Buen Camino

[@kevhall8238]

Thankyou looking forward to watching these

[@JimandDe]

Hi Kev Hope you enjoy and more still that these videos help in some way to make your Camino a little more enjoyable Buen Camino Jim and De

[@markc8401]

I just completed my Camino on July 2nd. I watched your videos before I left, and now I am watching them again for the memories. Thanks!

[@JimandDe]

Hi Mark So glad you got to walk the way We are so glad our videos helped in a small way and thanks so much for the positive feedback. It means a lot to us. How busy was the Camino. The weather was so hot even for that time of year. We hope to be back next year So glad to hear from you Jim and De

[@markc8401]

@@JimandDe The Camino has been REALLY busy as the pandemic recedes and it is a Holy Year. And of course at Sarria it just got totally insane - the long range pilgrims were not happy about the "100 km Tourist Cominos" joining us. There was a 10 day heatwave, anywhere from 31C to 40C along the Meseta when I was there - the only thing we could do was either start earlier or shorten our days - I used a combination of both at times. It was an incredible adventure and I met a ton of great people - without the people it is just a bloody long walk! :)

[@JimandDe]

Thanks Mark I suppose the Meseta is a challenge at the best of times but the extreme heat must have been an additional challenge, at least you had a plan to cope with it. De and I enjoyed that stage, probably because it reminded us of home . Thanks again for the update. Nice to get some first hand updates

[@T.Russ.]

I am set to arrive on Tuesday, my first Camino, first trip abroad in 12+ years. I hope to have as spectacular views as you did, this looks phenomenal! Many thanks for the uploads

[@JimandDe]

Thanks Tyler Have a fabulous Camino and please let us know your thoughts once you have finished. Buen Camino and savour every minute

[@TrekkingWest]

You had much nicer weather than I did leaving Saint-Jean. Thanks for showing me all the things I missed.

[@JimandDe]

Thanks for watching. We were so lucky with the weather...This time :-)

[@madonnabrown7681]

Thank You… Headed that way may 2022!!

[@JimandDe]

Have a fabulous Camino We are so jealous. Please let us know how your thoughts and also the availability of albergues at that time . We are hoping to return late 22 or early 23 Buen Camino

[@-MacCat-]

We enjoyed this post and it was a relief to see someone do the first day without whining and whinging. We expected no less from a couple of folk from across the ditch who have settled amongst the sandgroppers 😉

[@JimandDe]

Hi Mac Thanks again, De is a kiwi but I’m from the south coast of New South Wales And yes we do love our life in WA

[@jennifermolina142]

Wow! I am so happy to have found these videos! Watching now! Seems like it got a bit cold after Orrison?

[@JimandDe]

Thanks Jennifer Yes the weather over the Pyrenees changed very quickly Hope you enjoy Jim and De

[@notfromhere8809]

How lucky you were to do the Camino when you did. My family and I were booked to do it in May 2020. Had to rebook for 2021, and now have to hope that May 2022 is the time! We are discouraged of course….but, hopeful. We will get there - eventually. I watched your videos when you first put them up…I’m going to watch them again for inspiration!

[@JimandDe]

Yes we were , De has echoed those sentiments a number of times . This really is an uncertain world we live in at the moment. We hope May happens for you , please let us know how your Camino goes and thanks for watching Buen Camino Jim and De

[@deacondavidviscount7579]

Not from here….I am back (under my personal account). My family is finally booked to do the Camino, we leave May 25th. We are very excited. I had to come back and watch your series again. It is one of the best in my opinion. I need the inspiration!!!

[@pedropaulocunha2299]

Excellent footage. Which camera did you use? GoPro?

[@JimandDe]

Hi Pedro Thanks No . All the hand held footage was taken on an iPhone 8 held in a Zhiyun gimbal Found it more than up to the task JimandDe

[@BDETravels]

We must have crossed each other, we left the same day...

[@JimandDe]

nice to hear we were blessed with fabulous weather . did you walk to Santiago ?

[@joannestuyck2301]

Hi loving your videos! What month did you walk?

[@JimandDe]

Thank you We departed Saint Jean on the 19th of August 2019

[@Iknow25]

Hi, Jim and De, my husband and I have been watching your videos. We are starting to plan our Camino journey when he retires. Hopefully, next year. 🤞🏼 What movie making and editing app or program did you use? Your videos are a great resource. Thanks for sharing!

[@JimandDe]

Hi Guys So glad you are planning your Camino and glad we have been of help, I started using DaVinci then moved in to Filmora . I find the latter easier to use but apparently its a personal thing . make sure to send us the link if you video and upload your Camino Buen Camino Jim and De

[@Iknow25]

@@JimandDe , We will check both out and see which will work for us. Thank you. We will be happy to share our journey with you. Buen Camino!

[@jeffreyrozier2943]

You left Saint Jean at 6:30am. What time did you arrive in Roncevalles? Going in 2 weeks so trying to determine how far I can go on day 1. How fast is your hiking pace? Thanks for any advice! Jeff

[@JimandDe]

Hi Jeffrey Sorry for the slow reply ( we are in Bali at the moment) We arrived at Roncesvalles about 4pm It’s a testing walk . We are not fast walkers and we do take a number of breaks. It is by far the most challenging day on the Frances. If you train beforehand you should have no problems Buen Camino

[@jeffreyrozier2943]

@@JimandDe thanks so much. Enjoy Bali!