St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles (aka Ronceveaux - May 2, 2015

Okay, that was really hard. Probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. No amount of reading, talking, researching, will give you any idea of just how hard it is, especially for someone who is not a walker, only went on a few long walks before this and who had to lie down for 2 hours after a 20 km walk ON THE LEVEL.  

I walked for about 8 hours, mostly UP and the last 2 hours steeply down on very wobbly legs, thank God for walking poles, likely saved my life or at least a limb or 2. :)

The first picture shows the sign at the beginning of the walk - that first destination is the highest point, Col de Lepoeder at 1450 m (SJPdP is at 200m) and Ronceveaux (Roncesvalles in Spain) is the final destination. I will put the pictures in roughly chronological order for the day as this Blogger app is not friendly to use on my phone (at least I can use it, Thanks Allison)

I am also writing this on May 5 (Happy Birthday Bill) because I have been too exhausted at the end of my days to do much more than eat and crash. 

I will try to be more diligent after I have caught up to today (May 5 in Pamplona; blessed rest day)

It was blowing a gale, literally. This is that highest point

Believe it or not, I took a picture of snow ( ! ) as there still is some in the highest places.