Roncevalles

climbing through the pyranees
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The trail splits into two when crossing the Pyranees.  There is the Valcarlos Route and the Napolean Route.  The Napolean Route is the harder of the two since Napolean had to go high to avoid getting sacked as he retreated back into France from his attempt at swiping Spain.   The day was hard.  I forced myself into a ryhthm and moved at a very good clip up and over all the passes.  The views were brilliant.  It was such an amazing feeling walking with people from all over...Netherlands, Korea, Germany, Japan, Korea, England....

just below the main descent from the mountains
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We started at 7am and hiked until about 3pm.  Believe it or not I only stopped twice to take off my packed to get a snack to eat but i tried to eat while i walked to save time.  I know my body well enough to know that if i stop for even a small amount of time i will stiffen up.  It was obvious who had been hiking on the trail prior to St. Jean.  There were two young chaps who had a steady pace and smiles.  They offered me a snack as I walked by.  They began near Paris and were already machines on the trail.

The monastery´s refugio (a bit blurred)
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The decent from the mountains into St. Jean was a killer.  My quads were trembling as I went down 3 miles of 15-20 percent slopes, and navigating rocks and tree roots.  I was so happy when i saw the town up ahead!

That night we all stayed in a stone building (converted barn for the monastery). There were over a 100 people in bunks!  Pretty cool feeling.  so many languages around me.  i wish i could undestand what everyone is saying though! The shower scene was interesting.  The men lined up and waited for a quick soak from the 3 shower stalls.  I knew I had to eat but after I was clean I just wanted to sleep.

I had no idea how far i could go the next day...