15Sep2023: Burgete

Such! A! Hard! Day! From Orisson it is 18km to Roncevalles and another 3 km to Burgete. The first 8km is still uphill, not as steep as yesterday, and then downhill.

But …

There was a front passing through, and we had headwinds: I would estimate 35-45 knots. Stiff enough to make every step difficult, and impossible during the gusts, for which I had to brace myself. This situation continued about the first 4-5hours , well past the crest. So it wasn’t the pack weight, or the uphill climb, or the headwind — individually — but the combination was just horrendous.

And that front? That was bringing rain later? It started sprinkling about 1 km before Roncevalles. Unfortunately the hospitaleros at Roncevalles were not helpful in finding a taxi onward, and my own calls were not successful either. So I set out to walk the remaining 3 km to Burgete.

Of course the heaven’s opened up, and even with the Altus raincoat I was drenched through by the time I reached Burgete.

This is an old hotel that’s been redone; very comfortable and cozy with friendly and helpful staff. A simple dinner and breakfast are available — a good thing because I was not about to go back out in that rain!

Lodging: Hotel Louzu, Burgete