Today we were up early and walked with our packs to the bus station to catch the 10am bus from Pamploma to Roncesvellas. The receptionist at the hotel had given us a pectin shell for our backpacks and would not take any payment. On arriving in Roncesvalles an hour later, we checked into a small pension, La Posada.
We then emptied our pack and carried just a few items and water and headed up into the hills eastward toward France, where other pilgrims were coming from. Two hours later we were at the summit of the Camino pass through the Pyrenees, we climbed 500 meters to an elevation of 1450 meters, or roughly 5,000 feet. In talking to others sitting and enjoying the view after the long hike up, they said this was the highest point of the Camino. (David checked in our guide book and this is the second highest point, as it is 50 meters higher some 300 miles down the road through another mountain range). At the high point we were still in Spain but only a few miles from the French border, and of course had wonderful long-distance views of both countries.
The weather was again beautiful - mid 70s and sunny. As we got to the summit there was quite a bit of wind that you really felt you were pushing against. The scenery was beautiful with heather plants, ferns, and black-faced sheep with bells. The forest scenery was gorgeous.
Upon our return from the pass, we registered at the Monastery and got our sello. Peregrino dinner is served at 7pm and mass is at 8pm.
Our first laundry batch is drying on two spare shoe laces tied together. We saw a number of large birds of prey or vultures, including some Griffin Vultures which have about a 10 foot wingspan. Tonight we willl be our first pilgrim dinner at 9 euros each. The room is 50 Euros plus taxes.
Can´t seem to post pictures at this point so will add later
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