I can say, without any qualification, that today was the most challenging day of my Camino. I started in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, at an elevation of 564 feet, climbed to the Collado Lepoeder in the Pyrenees at 4,691 feet, and then descended to Roncesvalles, Spain, at 3,130 feet.
Basically every part of me is sore right now.
The weather was not great, but the scenery — when I looked up from the trail to see it — was spectacular. The photos won’t do it justice.
Now I’m having a beer. For once, I may have earned it.
Heading out of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port with low clouds and fog. Honestly, I relieved not to see the sun, considering what was in front of me.
When I stopped to take breaks, I was treated views like this.
You might think I climbed out of the fog, but there was more at higher elevations.
Cows, because France.
Horses too. Apparently, the trail passes through a reserve where horses are allowed to run wild.
This, I think, was the border monument between France and Spain. Don’t quote me, though.
More fog, this time on the Spanish side, while approaching Collado Lepoeder.
The trace of my path today. 16.4 miles.
