Should I Stay at Orisson on the Camino de Santiago - Mike on the Camino
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Should you stay in Orisson on your Camino de Santiago Frances Way or French Way?
What service are there?
Should you go via Valcarlos?
Is it your HARDEST Camino day?
and How I nearly DIED listening to locals.
Oh and about the thumbnail.; to say “I almost died JUST past Orisson, because of the woefully inaccurate advice from the staff AT Orrison”, is too much to put on a thumbnail.
The real issue here is that despite it being the most expensive albergue we stayed at:
1 - They do not offer ANY government weather information.
2 - They do not offer wifi or any internet access, so you cannot research any information if you do not have local mobile data access - as many pilgrims do not.
3 - The advice they gave was, in hindsight, an absolute guess and as we all know, the weather in the Pyrenes can and does kill pilgrims anytime of the year.
I feel that as the owners and staff at Orisson, who owe their livelihoods to pilgrim patronage, are grossly failing in their duty of care to keep customers safe - especially on something that a simple printout updated daily, or even a simple chalkboard with a weather picture and numbers for temp and wind would solve so well. And tell staff not to outright guess what the weather will do.
Orisson's website: refuge-orisson...
Absolutely stay in Orrison! I did the France Camino twice aged well into my seventies. The first day, the stretch of the Camino is steep and often very warm in sumner. If you don’t break this first day, this first stage is very long and testing on your muscles, most injuries happen on tired and untrained bodies. Besides there is a lovely ritual at Orrison during the evening meal...... go and enjoy it. Bueno Camino.
Off to start the Portugese Camino in 4 weeks now age 77....... but nothing beats the first few days of your first Camino! It will change your life. 🙏
Yep that first day is a hard one of you don't split it. Congrats on your upcoming Camino. We can't afford to go on another Camino yet thanks to the fiscal decimation of the couple of years of the plague. No matter what what hits the world, Camino comes back every time!
Excellent info and very honest. Glad you survived to spread the word.
I'm glad too! Pleased you liked it.
On 31st August 2018 I stayed at Orisson, it was a good decision. It made the first day short, I arrived there at 12.15, in time to get a bunk and have lunch and chill out with other pilgrims on the lovely terrace.
Mountain regions, no matter where in the world, will always have unpredictable weather. Going up and over a mountain without warm clothing, gloves, hat and emergency foil blanket would be asking for trouble. There are plenty of options for low weight, low volume mountain clothing. I found that my lightweight thermal jacket came in handy many times on the Camino. In the elevated parts of the Camino, and even the lowlands, the temperatures can drop from daytime average around 30°C to a night time/early morning average of 6°C. In windy conditions, the windchill factor will make this feel worse.
My thermal top was the first layer to come off once the sun was rising and I was building up a head of steam! After the breakfast stop, I'd pack the thermal top and continue with midlayer and base layer only, then as temperatures were rising I'd remove the midlayer. I preferred longsleeves to protect from sun rather than having to use so much sunscreen - which I then only needed to apply to hands, face, neck and legs.
Going back to the Orisson question, I'd say it's worth it for the experience of the communal meal that really sets the tone for the Camino experience. These days the costs are much higher, as you pointed out, and availability of bunks is less, so plan ahead and book your place; BUT prepare for having to continue on or get a taxi back to SJPP if there is no bed for you.
Thanks Mark for the detailed sharing of your experience. All really good info. It reminds me of the thermals shuffle we did on the other cold days when I had all my gear with me. I actually had a space blanket in the tiny pack that day but did not realise until that night. The danger here was listening to the local advice that the weather would be good. From that day on I always had my extreme gear of thermals and rain gear in my pack, even on hot days on the meseta. I used a lot of lightweight layering too which was very effective and flexible. Like you I also used quick dry, breathable long sleeved shirt, plus long pants and large brimmed hat rather than sunscreen. I will do a 'what I packed' episode at some stage, but I may break it down into a short series, as there is so much discussion to be had on what is and isn't in your pack.
Five times total from St Jean to Roncesvalles for me. Three on the Napoleon and two on the Valcarlos. All my Napoleon treks were all the way to Roncesvalles in one day, with stops at Orisson for water and a break and coffee or beer. The Valcarlos I walked all the way to Roncesvalles one time and the other time spent the night in Valcarlos itself and I didn't leave St Jean until noon because I slept in due to jetlag.
I was fortunate and every time I walked from St Jean it was sunny, warm and blue skies. Shorts and t-shirt. I honestly never had any problem doing it all in one stretch and mind you I did it every time in my fifties. If I left in the morning I found that it was just too short a distance for me to stop in Orisson. I think it's about 10 kilometres? That's only about 2-3 hours of walking.
If you are young and or fit and leave early it's not that difficult to walk the entire stretch. If you aren't young and or fit and want to sleep in? Stop at Orisson or ValCarlos.
Good planning and advice. 5 Caminos I'm envious. For me I had an injury and I could barely walk even around the house 3 weeks before I started Camino and my training was behind the plan before then too. After recovery time from that it meant my rehabilitation was our actual Camino. Far from ideal. Normally I could not imagine going so short a day but my fitness was not where I wanted it to be - as are many pilgrims. I wish I knew about Camino when I was 18!
Thanks, mate. Am contemplating doing the Camino this fall and you laid out the pitfalls of the first leg quite well. I'm 73 and will need all the help and advice that I can get. Cheers.
If the weather looks questionable, the Valcarlos route is safer than the Napoleon route. It's at a lower altitude. Although I haven't walked it myself, I spoke with a father-son pilgrim team who started on the same day as my son and me. Despite the guidebooks mentioning that the Valcarlos route follows the road a lot, this team told me that it often runs near the road but not on it for most of the time. They also appreciated the slightly warmer weather due to the lower altitude of Valcarlos.
On our journey, we faced horrendous whiteout conditions and walked right past The Virgin of Orisson, not seeing it because the fog and sideways rain was so bad. If you choose the Napoleon route, there's a new albergue a bit further up the road (1 km to Albergue Borda) that has received good reviews. On my next Camino (God willing), I plan to try Albergue Borda - but I think you need to book well in advance like Orisson. Also Borda makes your first day a little longer than just Orisson (8km vs 7km) which means a shorter day 2 to Roncesvalles, even if only 1km less.
Borda which is 1km beyond Orisson is a beaut Albergue. Definitely recommend it.
Oh they look lovely! I think they are new. Google street view shows a newish driveway and their domain name was only registered in Dec 2022. Great alternative to Orisson which is usually booked out.
@@MikeOnTheCamino Yes, Borda ist new, but recommended by some pilgrims. Tks for your funny movie.
Was thinking this was click bait but turns out it wasn’t. Can totally understand what happened to you. We walked on from Orisson not knowing the Napoleon Way had been closed that morning due to hurricane force winds. Small van from Orisson came later in the morning offering a lift. We declined not knowing that the route had been closed. Driver wished us luck but at no time did he tell us about the dangerous weather conditions. No way for us to know of weather conditions because no wifi at Orisson. Made it safely to Roncesvalles but very difficult, totally miserable day. Fellow pilgrim from Orisson broke a collar bone being blown over by the wind. Arrived so late we were lucky to get a bed in what used to be the overflow that no longer exists. There were no meals left. Bathroom was a shipping container outside.
I know right, no WiFi at Orisson, is not only poor provision of service, but dangerous so people cannot get up to date weather and trail info. I think that as one of (if not) the most expensive albergues, wifi should be included.
I am planning to start in late April of 2025. How far out should I make a reservation at Orrison?
Book now if you can. I have no idea how we lucked it without a booking. I hear others saying you need MONTHS in advance. I think walking with an 11 year old helped us.
Great video and very funny.and also a little scary - Ive added another long sleved top and some gloves to my packing list. Thxs for tips re; shower tokens.
I'm pleased it helped. Thermal tops are great. Warm and wicking too.
Thank you for the excellent advice delivered in an engaging and enjoyable way. I happily liked and subscribed and I'm looking forward to more of your videos. Buen Camino
Thanks Maurice. Im a little behind on the next one. We have a number of birthdays in our family all fall at once and Ive had less spare time to film.
I now wish that I had stayed at Orrisson, a lot of friends had described it to me as the best breakfast at the edge of France. Me though, I carried in through, it was fantastic weather and I was more interested in the Golden Eagles, overhead.
Yeah the photos from great weather looked so nice. Next time...
And book far in advance if you want to stay in Orrison. One month before you start is not enough.
I will have to do the whole stretch, let that be a warning.
Yes I hear it gets booked out further each year.
@@MikeOnTheCamino most people I spoke to booked 6 months in advance.
Thanks for the reinforcement! Ian taking my goretex boots and warm and waterproof clothes for the Pyrenees... no matter how many people say "just go in non-waterproof trail runners". I have those too for the hot days and can post my boots ahead depending on the weather. I booked Orisson a couple of months ago for mid May. I have 2 nights booked for SJpDP in case the weather is a "no go" for the Pyrenees. Jokes aside I did think about booking Hunto AND Orisson. 😅 I live in Sydney so obviously limited snow and high altitude experience except for some skiing decades ago in NZ and Colorado. I refuse to limit my pack weight at the expense of freezing to death! 😅
"Just go in non-waterproof trail runners" might well be the title on the episode I make about shoes. I took gortex boots and after a couple of days of rain they were drenched through and took 3 full days to dry out. Plus gortex = stinky feet. Your boots will cost you probably about $50 to post forward and hold. My boots also had a major structural failure too. But as much as you will hate to hear it, I will go with light non-waterproof trail runners and some lighter backup sneakers for in town and albergue use next time. Thumbs up for light waterproof pants and jacket (this is where gortex is best), and a set of thermal long johns and top will work in nicely with your non-bad-weather clothes and get you through safely. P.S. I'm Aussie too.
@@MikeOnTheCamino my goretex boots have seen the steppes of Mongolia, dry season in Myanmar and trekking in the jungles in the heart of Borneo. So they served me well through heat with high and low humidity. With wool socks they didn't smell or give me blisters. I love that I can stomp through creeks and puddles, and deep mud and stay dry.
Your boots have done you well. That's the great thing, everyone's experience differs. Wool socks are the worst for me even though I know many folks swear by them. It reminds me every body is different. Finding what works for you is half the battle. !Buen Camino!
Great insight into Day 1 of the Frances Mike. #1 Lesson I think for newbies..........even if you have gear sent forward, have enough gear with you to cope with changes in the weather. Going over the route Napoleon from St Jean I've had blue skies and great views, and low cloud, wind, rain, snow. All at the same time of year. (end of April) Last time with my wife Pat, even though we had all the right gear, fleeces, rain pants and jackets, gloves........like you we did not stop on that section over the top. The wind chill factor would have dropped our body heat too fast. (hint. chocolate bars) We had a very brief stop in the stone shelter at the top, but pushed on so as to get 'over' the top and down out of the wind. Just be prepared with the right gear and use common sense. And Yes, the Napoleon Route is closed I think from early November to 31 st March, or at other times as weather dictates. It's safer. A few too many Pilgrims needed to be rescued. For anyone new to the Camino. Don't stress. Just be prepared, and check with the Pilgrims Office in St Jean about current weather conditions before starting out. And whilst the weather might look nice in St Jean, up at the top it can be very different.
Thanks Rob, yes the embarrassing thing is I knew better! I knew better when I was 14 years old! The "local advice" made me go against what I knew was best.
Excellent. Funny. Can’t wait to watch all your videos. Glad you didn’t die!
Thanks. I'm glad I did not die too! Next one should be out within a day.
I visit Orisson in 2015 and will be there again in a few days. :) Very happy to be back.
Also... dude.... you send ahead your cold gear the one day where it could really be cold?!?!?!? Bwahhh???
Yes because the locals said it would be a sunny day. That's the whole point of the clip! Bwahhh??? Besides it was cold other days and snowed on fellow pilgrims elsewhere too on that trip.
Loved Orisson. Great tips. Thanks
My pleasure!
😂 All true on the first time you do it..
Thanks, yes that's what its about, helping folks about to do it, and rekindling the Camino spirit on those who have done it.
I stayed there in 2014. I highly recommend booking way ahead and spending the night there unless you are a highly experienced hiker and young.
I'm highly experienced, my son was young, so neither ticked both boxes! ;-)
I plan on leaving on April 1st (2023) and traveling the Napoleon Route out of Saint Jean. Did you take the Napoleon Route? When did you leave? Most people say you can’t take the Napoleon Route in early April due to snow and tough travel. Thanks!
I might be doing May June this year from Logrono. Last Camino was May June from SJPdP and Orisson is smack on the Napoleon way. We had snow on Pyrenese and others we spoke with also had it on cruz de fero. If the weather is looking bad at St Jean, hold off or take valcarlos route as walking in white-out past great views is like looking at a piece of blank paper!
I stayed at Orisson in 2016 on my first Camino and also have booked it for my next one in April. You need to book well ahead as spaces are limited. It's very like when we were in Paul McCartney's childhood home (owned by the National Trust) and we saw tourists outside wondering how we were inside and they weren't. If you don't book ahead, you will not get in for the night. I walked into Orisson with two other guys and the lovely girl on reception guessed who each of us were. In the morning one of the guys in my room complained he could hear six people snoring, I chipped in that I could only hear five!
There is also the distinct advantage that setting of for Roncesvalles you have several hours head start on those setting off from SJPdP and can book in there ahead of the crowd.
Good point, you do get in earlier to Roncesvalles as well as less km's that day. Good advantage seeing you cant book in Roncesvalles.
Hello
your video is really nice and funny. I will sleep in Orisson on April 23 on my first night of departure of the Camino. Thanks for sharing the information on this refuge: I'm not Rambo (and neither is Bruce Willis, even though I have the same hair as him)
Oh I so wish I was doing it again too.
We had a similar experience with the snow and freezing!! But if you can survive the first/second day, it’s downhill all the way… well not downhill literally as there are so many wonderful hills on the Camino!🥰
Yeah it is a hard start that from SJPdP. I think I would recommend folks with kids start at Roncesvalles or Pamplona now. Or further back even. I just think that's a really starting point for kids - even in good weather.
Nice video and good tips! Thanks! Buen camino!
Thanks Robin, I spend a day or 2 scripting each episode trying to pack in info and remove my waffling fluff before I even turn the camera on. I'm very pleased you enjoyed it. I see you had an 'almost died' video too. Did you upload at home or on the trail?
comedyfilm?
I think people learn better with a little bit of funny.
Great advice! I’m heading over from Australia with my 15 year old son in April, I’ll check out more of your content for some helpful tips. Cheers
Thanks Grant. My accent probably tells you that's where we are from. We got snow on the 18th of May! Keep watching, I'm making videos about a week apart at his stage. I hurt myself this week so I'm behind. The next episode is on bedbugs, a good one to watch. Anything you would like to see a video made about?
Hey Grant, snap!, my 15 year old son and I leave Adelaide next week and start 01 April from SJPDP. For us a second Camino - we did it 3 years ago also. Orisson was a fantastic part of the experience, highly recommended. Have a wonderful trip - you will love it!
@@jamessage6167 that’s amazing James! Buen Camino, hope we see you on the way.
Have a wonderful journey. I'm just back from a hike in the high country and I realise that covid has made me softer than I expected. Need to get into training again..
Hello, we are thinking of stopping from our Le Puy walk, just before sjpdp for the night, having stamps and lunch there and going onto Orisson in Mid Sept. Still in the planning stages.
Ah the excitement of the planning stage. Le Puy sounds great, I'm envious. Will you continue all the way SDC?
Hi Mike, Thanks to your sound advice I made reservations in Orisson. Thank you so much, and I look forward to future videos.
Thanks for commenting Lora, I've been going to do these for a while, finally on to it. Working on episode 4 now. I love to spread the Camino joy!
It's good advice to stop at Orisson. It was fully booked when I went over on my first day unfortunately.
When getting my 1st stamp at the office in St Jean I asked the lady how far should I go and she looked at me and said with a straight face " I suggest Huntto" which is about an hours walk. I think it was a joke!
My suggestion is that if Orisson is fully booked then have your pack sent on to Roncavalles and just go over with a day pack and gloves!
Fantastic video Mike, 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks Paul, they take me a lot longer than I expected with scripting, sourcing my images and video (I have a LOT), filming and editing. Any other topic you think I should cover?
@@MikeOnTheCamino Oh you choose the subject . Just love your delivery style, not too serious but very informative. It's amazing how many funny stories one can build up doing the camino. You're the sort of bloke that was an antidote to the more serious religious/spiritual types that I often ran into.
Thanks Paul.
Bloody annoying constant mispronunciation - it's not that hard to get right. Good and accurate information though.
Sorry I can't change my Aussie accent - we have no Spanish classes in our high schools, no one speaks it, no Mexican's nearby like the American's and I had only met 1 Spanish speaking Aussie ever. Also never had a single French class either. Watch the other videos, I've been working on it though. Oh and if it's St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, pushing the words together is another Aussie thing, I can hear both d's and I can understand other ears might hear them as one. I'm pleased you liked the content though. Thanks for the feedback.
wow that was some click bait.
Well, people were literally rescued off the trail over the 3 days of bad weather we struck. I appreciate your feeling on the thumbnail, however I assure you that if I was not an experienced hiker well trained on hypothermia management the outcome could most certainly have been fatal that day. I should not have relied on the ‘local’ advice and had better gear at hand that day. My prior experience and training should have made me ALWAYS have that storm gear on hand. And I assure you I carried it even in the heat on the Meseta afterwards - lesson learned. I like to keep the episodes light and fun and this was a fatally serious subject that maybe I did not portray the gravity of it in my presentation.
@@MikeOnTheCamino The "click bait" I think the other poster referred to was the idea that you almost died - - as you put it - - at Orisson itself. A bit unfair to the people running that perfectly safe and comfortable establishment. Your difficult experience happened after your stay there. Maybe your "humour" isn't geared to all tastes. The "local advice" I got was in St. Jean Pied de Port where the owner of the albergue I was staying at advised me to begin my walk in pouring rain because after a night at Orisson I would enjoy a brilliant day to cross over into Spain and descend into Roncesvalles. This was confirmed by people at the Pilgrim Office and I am so glad I followed that advice. Worked out exactly as they said. This was last year (2021) in mid September. I have the feeling the weather is even more unpredictable in Spring than in Fall. That said mountains are always a bit dicey.
Ah here is the danger of the staff at the “perfectly safe establishment” Orisson. That very morning the Pilgrims office in SJPDP were saying “Do NOT go over the top today! Too dangerous!”, Orisson staff said it would be a lovely day! That is NOT a perfectly safe operation.
As for click bait, well when I make long text thumbnails, no one watches the video. To say “I almost died JUST past Orisson, because of the woefully inaccurate advice from the staff AT Orrison” is too much to put on a thumbnail. Also the title is “Should I Stay At Orisson on the Camino de Santiago”.
The real issue here is that despite it being the most expensive albergue we stayed at:
1 - They do not offer ANY official government weather information.
2 - They do not offer wifi or any internet access, so you cannot research any information yourself if you do not have local mobile data access - as many pilgrims do not.
3 - The advice they gave was, in hindsight, an absolute guess and as we all know, the weather in the Pyrenes is not 'just dicey', it can and does kill pilgrims anytime of the year.
I feel that as the owners and staff at Orisson, who owe their livelihoods to pilgrim patronage, are grossly failing in their duty-of-care to keep customers safe; especially on something that a simple printout updated daily on a notice-board would solve. That and tell staff not to guess what weather will do and give that guess as the only information.