Saint-Michel, France Travel Journals & Blogs

Dawson’s Way
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- Apr 30, 2023, 8:30pm
- ☁️ 50 °F
- Altitude: 3,573 ft
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.083672, -1.25197843°5’1” N 1°15’7” W
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Day 5
Push to Roncessvalles
April 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F
Arguably one of the hardest things I’ve done. We climbed 3 peaks today up to 4700 ft then traversed a decline of about 1600 ft, some parts rocky and slippery and very steep. Todays walk took 5 hours. So proud we made it over the Pyrenees with no injuries!Read more
Traveler Is it raining or just foggy? Very beautiful!❤️
4/30/23Reply
Traveler Today was a light drizzle for about an hour then just fog…
4/30/23Reply
Traveler DL's face. Priceless!
5/1/23Reply
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Traveler Camino23
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- Aug 21, 2023, 8:56pm
- 🌙 77 °F
- Altitude: 1,039 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.089136, -1.24729943°5’21” N 1°14’50” W
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Day 5
The Pyrennes Mountains
August 21, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌙 77 °F
Started up From St. Jean on Monday morning in route to Roncevalles Sp. Crossing the Pyrenees was one of the most deliriously scenic ventures I ever had. The mountains were beautiful, but the climb was treacherous. I wanted to stop and go back down the hill several times, but I chose to rub my patch and move on up that hill. Reached Roncevalles with little or no energy left. Well I was able to have dinner with fellow pilgrims before falling into my bunk at the Municipal Albergue. About 5 hundred beds separated by cubicles of 4. 30+ km up hill. Will begin my trek to Zubiri in. the morning.Read more
Traveler He’s looking GQQD!
8/23/23Reply
Traveler OMG! Remarkably Breathtaking!!! ❤️🙏🏽 you look at peace and very happy! ✝️
8/23/23Reply
Traveler The countryside is lovely!
8/23/23Reply
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Eagle Walkers in Spain
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- Aug 20, 2022, 12:00pm
- ☀️ 66 °F
- Altitude: 3,428 ft
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.091637, -1.23956343°5’30” N 1°14’22” W
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Day 5
Orisson
August 20, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Made it to Orisson, what a challenging day. 8km walked and half way up the Pyrenees mountains. Tomorrow we will tackle the rest. Tonight we had an amazing pilgrims dinner. Also meet a nice fellow in St. Jean who gave us directions 😀

Also every need water while out walking? The camino provides, hahahaha vending machine on the side of the road.Read more
Traveler Beautiful!
8/21/22Reply
Traveler Looking good!!
8/21/22Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago
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- Aug 2, 2023, 4:29pm
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 864 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.101252, -1.23883943°6’5” N 1°14’20” W
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Day 3
Perfect first day
August 2, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Today was such a beautiful day! I got a good nights rest in my private room in Saint Jean and started walking around 7:45. The first part of the walk is stunning with the views of the Pyrenees. I’m glad I have experience hiking because it was a steady incline the whole way. I was worried my pack would be too heavy with water and food added, but thankfully it fits well and the weight sits on my hips the way it’s supposed to. And after MUCH deliberation, I’m very happy to have gone with my hiking shoes. They’re sturdy and my feet don’t feel sore after the first day.

It’s been pleasant to connect with different pilgrims along the way, share a few words and then gradually drift as our walking paces differ. I look forward to seeing familiar faces along the way.

Tonight I’m staying at a converted farm house half way up the Pyrenees. There will be a communal pilgrim dinner tonight with the other pilgrims staying the night. I’m feeling excited for the rest of the journey and grateful for all the planning I did to get me here!

Thank you for all your love and support!Read more
Traveler 🥰 this is the best photo
8/2/23Reply
Traveler 🥳
8/2/23Reply
Traveler So happy for this wonderful start to your journey / pilgrimage!! What incredible pictures!! You are beaming!! Much love and many prayers -
8/2/23Reply
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Traveler Adventure on Camino Francis
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- Sep 4, 2022
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 868 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.101433, -1.23873743°6’5” N 1°14’19” W
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Day 5
Over the Pyrenees - From France to Spain
September 4, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Day 2 to Burguete - This was a toughee!! About 14 miles slow uphill to 2500’ climb and then a fast descent. I took the longer route that was a little less steep coming down - still felt it on my knees 😀
The day before was also 2500’ climb - but in 5 miles and no descent. I much preferred that.Read more
Traveler Absolutely stunning!
9/5/22Reply
Traveler Wow this is gorgeous!
9/5/22Reply
Traveler There was a fierce 50mph wind blowing almost all day. Not cold, so very bearable.
9/5/22Reply
Traveler I don’t know. Quite like that fierce look.
9/5/22Reply
Traveler Haha!
9/5/22Reply
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Andreas Hellwig Camino Frances 2022
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- May 5, 2022
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Altitude: 772 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.10833, -1.2383343°6’30” N 1°14’18” W
Day 4
Tag 4 von Orisson nach Rouncevalles
May 5, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Der heutige Tag war anstrengend aber auch wunderschön. Erst ging es immer weiter Berg auf, dann kam der Nebel so das man maximal 10 Meter sehen konnte. Danach ging es Berg ab nach Rouncesvalles wo der Himmel auf riss und eine Wunderbare Natur zum Vorschein kam. Am Abend gab es das Pilger Menü mit Pasta dann Hänschen und als dessert Joghurt. Im Anschluss habe ich noch die Messe besucht. Alles in allem ein sehr abwechslungsreicher Tag. PS. Ich habe bis jetzt noch keine Blasen. Hoffe das bleibt so 😏👍Read more
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Traveler Walk-about in Spain
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- May 16, 2023, 12:24pm
- 🌧 10 °C
- Altitude: 838 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.108333, -1.2443°6’30” N 1°14’24” W
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Day 4
Day 1 - St Jean Pied de Port to Orisson
May 16, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌧 10 °C
Day 1 of walking.
At a glance:
Food highlights: Basque almond cake
Kilometres walked: 7.15 (note 6.9 was all uphill)
# of steps: 14,272
Elevation gain: @700 meters

Weather forecast has been dire with a high of 6 degrees and a low of 3C. And the next day a high of 7!
Some eager pilgrims were up at 5 tiptoeing around organizing their packs. Twice in the night I heard torrential downpours.
We doned wool leggings and long sleeved tops, shorts, tshirts, fleece jackets, and rain gear and headed put.
We found a bar opened and fueled up on croissants and cafe au lait.
The first hour we got wet from sweating under all those clothes and slowly disrobed which brought on a few sprinkles but nothing serious.
The second hour we walked into fog. Not long after we found Refuge Auberge Orisson emerging from the fog.
Basque cake for lunch and then another walk if you can believe it. The sun peeked out and the wind blew the fog away so we walked back 1k to see the view we had missed. Then had a nap and when we woke up to the sun shinning! We have fingers and toes crossed for sun tomorrow.Read more
Traveler Beautiful
5/17/23Reply
Traveler From what I have been reading this is the hardest part. You must have been ecstatic when the sun came out.
5/17/23Reply
We were! Still a cold breeze but no rain. The next morning was even better. Sun practically all day. A miracle. [Lizhk]
5/17/23Reply
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Traveler Camino Santiago de Compostella
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- May 21, 2022, 11:46am
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 2,533 ft
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.108333, -1.23833343°6’30” N 1°14’18” W
Day 4
Mission accomplished for todays
May 21, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Ah Refuge Orisson
My stop for today
Only five miles but it was a bit of a rough going
Actually I somewhat breezed through first 5 km...
Mind you taking it easy and slow...
But the remaining 3 were quite challenging
The last "click" the winds went wild
It was good to catch a cool breeze after a rather warm and humid late morning but the winds were quite strong
It is an unusually warm and a hot day today in Pyrenees supposed to go up to about 93 - 95 degrees
Right now I am waiting to check in and just simply relaxing and soaking up the viewRead more
Traveler Allan so happy to see your pics on the camino! You inspired us to watch 'I'll push you' the other night. Looks fantastic! Stay hydrated!!
5/21/22Reply
Traveler thank you Sir and thank you for the 1st comment not just 'the likes' Definitely hydrating-sucked up 1.5L on this short hike and another hot one tomorrow 17km total, probably 11 of those still going up. throw a Prayer or two
5/21/22Reply
Traveler done :-)
5/21/22Reply
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Traveler Camino de Santiago
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- Sep 9, 2023, 9:51am
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 796 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.108562, -1.23922243°6’31” N 1°14’21” W
Day 5
Orisson
September 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Orisson is the first stop after St Jean. We left at 7 am and hiked 8km and 800 mètres of elevation through the Pyrenees. It’s getting hot but the breeze is nice as we get higher. We have met up with some of our Camino family here. Nice to see them again
16k to go before we stop for the night.Read more
Traveler ¡Buen Camino!
9/9/23ReplyTranslate
Traveler Right back at you and Mark. Your trip is coming up quickly!
9/10/23Reply
Traveler Looks beautiful!
9/9/23Reply
Traveler Yes it was Mark and Anna. Although we were Happy to see our albergue 🏨
9/10/23Reply
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Traveler Camino Frances 2022
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- Aug 29, 2022, 10:13am
- ☁️ 73 °F
- Altitude: 793 m
- France Nouvelle-Aquitaine Arnéguy Bois d’Orisson 43.108658, -1.23900843°6’31” N 1°14’20” W
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It Really Is Straight Up To Orisson
August 29, 2022 in France ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
We weren’t the slowest but I had to work very hard to keep my heart rate under 150. The sun was rising behind us and fortunately Pascal, our amazing host at the Gite advised us to not forget to turn around and look behind us.

The way up over the Pyrenees is everything and more than they say about it. At times I didn’t even try to take a photo because it would not have done the view justice.Read more
Traveler Great pics
8/29/22Reply
Traveler Q belleza
8/29/22Reply
Traveler Animo q ustedes pueden
8/29/22Reply
Traveler Que bello el paisaje 😍😍😍
8/29/22Reply
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