Walking ALONE - First Day on the CAMINO FRANCES | Camino de Santiago 2023 | 1/17

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ℹ️Stats - Day 1 - First Day on the Camino!
Date: Tuesday 2nd May
Weather: sunny ☀️
From: St Jean Pied du Port 🇫🇷
Start time: 7.30am
To: Roncesvalles 🇪🇸
End time: 1.14pm
Terrain: main roads, countryside, wooded areas, through towns and small villages
Accommodation: Albergue 🛏️
🥾Miles: 16.4 miles
🦶Steps: 33,821
💰Costs:€10 bed in the basement!
Challenges: I’m annoyed with myself as I wanted to take the high route through the Pyrenees and ended up taking the lower route. Which I don’t think is as pretty. There was lots of road walking - along main roads which were very twisty with no hard shoulder. Which made the walking uncomfortable as the cars were very close and going very quickly!
I arrived at the Albergue at 1.14pm and there were already about 50 people ahead of me.
It was confusing as to what was going on! I had no idea, getting forms filled in, one queue for one thing, another queue for something else. Getting my stamp. All very hectic. Too many people. I think that’s going to be my hardest challenge!!
ℹ️Stats - Day 2 - Wednesday 3rd May
Weather: sunny ☀️ & hot 🥵
From: Roncesvalles
Start time: 7.30am
To: Zubiri
End time: 1pm ish - got checked in by 1.30pm
Terrain: rocky, lots of steep descents, woody forests and concrete paths.
Accommodation: Albergue, 🛌
🥾Miles: 16
🦶Steps: 33,443
Total miles completed: 32/500
💰Costs: €12 bed, €19 food shop - chicken, bacon, tomato soup, onion, avocado, crisps, red pepper, tangerine 🍊 x2, manchego cheese. = €31
Subjective feeling out of 10 on:
Enjoyment: 8/10
Fatigue: 7/10
Ease of terrain: 5/10
Challenges: the stress of making it to the albergue to get a bed for the night. It motivates me to move quickly and not to take rest breaks.
Highlights: the weather was incredible- glorious sunshine ☀️, blue skies all day. Getting a bed at the albergue, taking a shower 🚿, sunbathing in the afternoon and enjoying the day 🥳
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[@pickingupsticks6767]

Ahh interesting. I thought that Roncesvalles had closed the basement overflow. We slept down there in 2015 after taking 10 hours to walk from Orisson in ex-tropical cyclone Henry. It was comfortable apart from the fact that they made use a makeshift bathroom outside in a shipping container. Pitch black night with no lighting to get from basement to shipping container. If only we had known about the lovely shower rooms just two floors up. Anyway I took one look at the shower, turned around and went to bed. Without dinner, because by the time we got there there were no dinners left. But still was extremely grateful to have a bed. And it has made a strong and lasting memory which is another thing I am grateful for.

[@hlchee]

Greay videos Sarah. Enjoyed them. Planning my Camino now for next year.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

that's fantastic!!!

[@spannymakronkeep8673]

The conflicting arrows is where you always stop and check your map. You even showed the sign saying you were on the Valcarlos route. I always have a gps trail map on my phone.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Which gps trail map do you use?

[@josephkelley8634]

I always use paper maps.

[@TheMahoJos]

Brilliant to see the vlogs again! 👏

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thank you!! I'm excited to share them - hope you enjoy!!!

[@tanyawesolowski8876]

I started on June the 20th, 2023. I loved the Napolean route even in the mist and rain. That walk down to Zubiri was a killer on my calves! Never have I been so glad to see a village!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

awesome!! glad it's bringing back some good memories!!!

[@elliesands6913]

This was a nice surprise at the end of a busy week. I always enjoy watching your videos, can’t wait to see the rest of the adventure. Thanks for dojng them.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you so much!! It's so nice to hear that!! The next episode will be going live on Friday at 7am!

[@liztrollope9762]

Enjoy , enjoy and yhanks for sharing

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thanks so much for watching! New vlogs every Wednesday and Friday at 7am uk time!!!!

[@hlchee]

Greay videos Sarah. Enjoyed them. Planning my Camino now for next year.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

that's fantastic!! thank you so much for watching! Best of luck with the planning!!

[@victorialane154]

You’ve been missed… good to see you’re back online

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you so much! I really appreciate your kind words! New vlogs are coming. On the regular now - at least until November!! I'm just working my way through all of the editing!!

[@chippychips1031]

I literally was just thinking Sarah hasn't released an adventure on KZbin in a while and here one is! :) yay!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

it's been so long!!! SO excited for the challenge vlogs to be out again!!!!! Thank you for watching!!!

[@wendymartin8147]

Enjoyed your vlog Sarah, already looking forward to the next one. I walked the Camino Frances last May (2022) on my own and loved it!! I took the Napoleon route, which personally I prefer …hardly any traffic and stunning views over the Pyrenees.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you so much for watching!!! So glad you enjoyed the camino and I hope the vlogs are bringing back good memories for you. I wish I had done the Napoleon route - very jealous!!!!

[@wendymartin8147]

@@toughgirlchallenges there’s always the next time haha! I can’t wait to go back and go it all over again ☺️

[@toughgirlchallenges]

exactly!!!!!!@@wendymartin8147

[@micjam1986]

Hi sarah, i followed you on the A.T. so nice to see you again. 😊 all the best to you.. from New Hampshire USA

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thank you so much for checking back it. I’ve been a bit quiet with new adventure vlogs. But new vlogs will be coming soon x

[@thomash7573]

And a new adventure begins! Thanks Sarah!!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you so much for watching!! I've got a few great challenges/adventures coming out over the next few months!!

[@thomash7573]

@@toughgirlchallenges So happy to hear that. Just made my Friday 🤗

[@laritaclark5110]

I am worried about getting lost and would be very worried walking alone which I will be. But I haven’t seen hardly anyone walking the trail. Thanks you for showing it in reality

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Hey hey - totally understandable- it is hard to get lost - as generally there are lots of arrows to follow or lots of pilgrims. You can also have a gps on your phone. Which makes it easy to check your location. You soon get your eye in for the arrows and get in to the rhythm. I hope you enjoy the rest of the vlogs. Any questions - let me know. I hope you get out there at some point!

[@Peoriahiker]

I’m doing the Camino Frances next summer for the second time. I’ve lots of videos, your’s is the first one I’ve seen not going via Orisson. Glad you made is safe.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

hey hey - thanks so much for your comments. It's awesome you're going back for a second time!! Anything you are wanting to do differently? Have you done other Caminos?

[@Peoriahiker]

@@toughgirlchallenges there isn’t quite as much anxiety this time as the first; kinda know what to expect. No only Frances. Looking forward to watching your journey continue.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Have an amazing time @@Peoriahiker later on in September - I'm going to head out to walk the Camino Primitavio

[@Brendalo1]

Valcarlos route, not Napolitano The Valcarlos route splits one is all highway & other takes you deep into the forest on a thin overgrown path, wheni did this route in '22, I saw no one only the strip mall before a straight-up hill walk & it was tough. the worst, by far, is the route along the road on valcarlos I kept thinking as I watched, get a taxi back turn around ... an old gentleman pointed me up the forest path where I was on my own for hours .. never again . long.story short I feel for you!!!

[@SusanaXpeace2u]

wow, i'm with you, i did not think that part of the camino would be walking alongside the cars on a road without even a hard shoulder

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I know - there is actually a lot more road walking than I expected!!!

[@Gardenwatch]

Loved your blog Sarah! I was curious about the Valcarlos route which is the alternative to the Napoleon route. Excited about returning next year for my second Camino. Buen Camino

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment. Best of luck with your 2nd camino!!!! Buen Camino!!!

[@Irishpewtuber]

How could you possibly get the route wrong? You come through the arch out of SJPDP over the bridge and you can see the route Napoleon going up into the pyrenees, the flat road route is marked with a number, clearly a road.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I know! That’s why I was so annoyed with myself!!! It’s didn’t go to plan!!

[@markyaklich632]

We walked that way in May. Even more stressful walking on road when it was raining hard!! Buen Camino!!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Hope you had an amazing camino!!!!

[@eddvanlife7396]

Just arrived Burgos enjoy the early stages. Do stay in Granon Church a special evening.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Have a great Camino 😀

[@thuthiehiker]

Great to see you again. Using a map or book. Reserved your rooms or finding as you go.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thank you!! No map - no book. I was using the Hiiker app. The caminos are very well marked, but I like having the GPS for planning and for knowing where I am. You'll see more about the beds as the vlogs go on! It was a bit of a mixture really. Sometimes I reserved, other times it wasn't possible. Finding a bed was one of the challenges!

[@qiwenzhang7480]

I am so glad to see your Camino video. I sat at the same dinner table with you in one of Abergue during the Camino walking. Do you remember a Chinese guy from the US?

[@toughgirlchallenges]

If you tell me the date - I will know exactly who you are!!!

[@malls886]

Hi Sarah. What month did you do this please? Glad to see you back by the way!😊

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thank you for watching - I started on the 2nd May and finished on the 6 June. I've included more information in the description. Let me know if you have any questions or I can help in anyway 🙂

[@Caroline604]

Is the a part 2 video? I saw number 3 but can't find part 2

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Hi yes - the vlogs are ordered and numbered. There is a playlist as well - so you can watch in order. New vlogs go live on Wednesday and Friday at 7am uk time

[@lynnesunshine]

Hi Sarah. Curious…Why take the high route❓what’s your packing list❓enjoy 🥾🎋

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I wanted to see the stunning views!!!!!!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Here is my packing list - Camino Packing List - [ ] Backpack - Tempest 40 Osprey - [ ] Large dry sack - for main backpack - [ ] Dry sacks - separate things inside pack and keep everything dry - [ ] cushion pad - [ ] Sleeping bag - thermarest - [ ] Sleeping bag liner - sea to summit - [ ] Blow up pillow - sea to summit - [ ] Thermal Sleeping clothes - didn’t really use - [ ] Ear plugs - [ ] Micro towel - large - [ ] Water bladder. Clothing - [ ] Inov8 shoes - [ ] Ankle Socks x2 - [ ] Underwear x2 - [ ] Shorts - inov-8 - [ ] Black bra top - [ ] Black Strappy top - [ ] Grey mid-layer Inov8 - [ ] Pink inov-8 hoody - [ ] PHD warm down jacket - [ ] Tough Girl Buff - also use as eye mask. - [ ] Lulu lemon black leggings with pockets - [ ] Waterproof jacket - inov-8 - [ ] Waterproof trousers - [ ] Hat/baseball cap - [ ] Sunglasses Toiletries - [ ] Toothbrush - [ ] Toothpaste - [ ] Braces - [ ] SPF for face 50+ - [ ] Sunscreen for body - [ ] Moisturiser - [ ] Pain killers - [ ] Allergy tablets - [ ] Plasters - [ ] Blister pads - [ ] Tissue paper & dog poo bags - [ ] Tampax - [ ] Lip balm SPF - [ ] Hair bands - spare ones tied around electronics. - [ ] Hair brush mini - [ ] Nail file - [ ] Tweezers - [ ] Scissors - [ ] Nail clippers - [ ] Clear plastic bags - useful for carrying food - [ ] stickers for fixing holes in dry bags. Electronics - [ ] GarminWatch - [ ] Watch charger - [ ] iPhone - [ ] iPhone charger - [ ] Adaptor - [ ] iPhone plug in - [ ] Go pro - [ ] Go pro holder - [ ] Go pro batteries X2 - [ ] SD cards X5 - [ ] Go pro battery charger wire - [ ] Battery Pack Ankor - [ ] Battery pack charger - [ ] Zoelo - [ ] Zoelo charger - [ ] Headphone plug in wires - [ ] iPods - [ ] Wires grouped together with hair ties - [ ] Clear plastic bags x 2 mini for SD cards Other - [ ] Orange wallet - [ ] Passport (travel) - [ ] Money - [ ] Debit & credit Cards - [ ] Health insurance card (Europe only) - [ ] Pen - [ ] Tracker - printed out for IG posts etc.

[@carolp1912]

amazing with all that your pack was still quite light. Did you have any sleeping clothes or town clothes? It doesn't look like it. Did you find it ok with just shorts and leggings for walking and for towns after the days hike? @@toughgirlchallenges

[@toughgirlchallenges]

@@carolp1912 I had one thermal top (sleeping top) with me - just in case. But I found it fine with my leggings and shorts. I didn't do a huge amount of waking around town after the days hike!

[@bernardmealing9552]

I also want to see the views. But I chose the high road. and it was misty all the way never saw any of the sights and boy was it boggy in places and the woods down from the top were very draining.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

oh no!! You'll have to do it again - when there is good weather! I've done enough boggy trips to last a lifetime! Not my favourite waking conditions

[@markcasey6792]

No worries, next time you can take the Napoleon Route.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

exactly!!! I will cross the Pyrenees at some point!!!

[@marycatherinewartelle-ewel7277]

Ouch. This route is a bit concerning. Thank you...

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I hope I haven't put you off!! Please do watch the other vlogs - it is a great camino to do - but there are some challenges along the way!!!

[@laritaclark5110]

Who is taking the video

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Hi - it’s me doing all the filming. With a go pro 👍

[@andrewcowley7299]

what time of year did you walk the Camino?

[@toughgirlchallenges]

I started on the 2nd May 2023 and finished on the 6th June - In the description box of each of the vlogs there is more information re the stats - where I walked from and to, the miles, the steps, how much things costs, where I stayed etc. Which will hopefully be helpful. Thanks for watching the vlogs!

[@nirish25]

Would you not have asked the people also walking ? I've hiked it 5 time and it's simple to find the Napoleon route.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

That’s why I was so annoyed with myself!!!!

[@nirish25]

There are arrows because there are 2 routes. Over the mountains or around them. Not rocket science. Basic research would tell you that

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Have a great day 😀

[@toniballus7265]

Come on, wrong Camino. This road are in winter when the Napoleon Route is closed till May. Well take care but remember check it the correct way next time. Buen Camino.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Will do!

[@toniballus7265]

@@toughgirlchallenges Pay atention when it is open the Napoleon route. Take care and buen Camino.

[@LosPeregrinosdeCamino]

Start is when u leave ur house… lol

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Not in this case!

[@LosPeregrinosdeCamino]

@@toughgirlchallenges so my friend who is from Leon only walks half? Or a priest walked from Le Puy walked twice. Walking from SJDPP is not the whole camino. Every Camino is your own whole camino

[@kaikito7662]

Take a newspaper with you. And buy a refill newspaper whenever needed. Why? Your shoes get damp very quickly. At the Alberque put balls of newspaper in your shoes; ( overnight ) it will reduce most, if not all, the damp/ sweat.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

fantastic tip!! some of the albergues have newspapers there as well - for that purpose - which is so great!

[@Nengooo0]

🦑🦑🐙🐙🐙🐙🐙

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Not sure what the emoji mean?!

[@rickmarshall1237]

wow...too negative and whining.

[@toughgirlchallenges]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. You probably won’t enjoy the rest of the vlogs!

[@JuanAmeritano-yj5xt]

Scary that they let you out by yourself. Please don't hike somewhere that needs real navigational skills. Do a little homework before you venture out. How can you live in Europe and have zero knowledge of Spanish place names? Good luck and don't get lost. DUH!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thanks so much for watching!

[@kaikito7662]

SJPP . Take the road covering Arneguy, Ondarolle and Valcarlos. This IS the road less travelled. It follows a river leading to Roncevalles. And it is a more chilled, quieter, free from people trying to sell! Sell! Sell!

[@toughgirlchallenges]

thank you for sharing