Donastia - Zarautz Day 2

Zarautz

We started in the rain. Weather reports for the next 10 days looks like we will experience more of the same. This was not an easy walk. All three of us agree: this is the most physically demanding Camino. We have the Frances and Plata and Ingles in mind. Refer to incline numbers at bottom of page, remembering these happened repeatedly. if you are going to accomplished the task in 31 days, you must do some physical preparation before starting the Norte

Your personal world changes when your tucked away inside a poncho. Not much talk, very little humor and slowly you become aware your socks are absorbing the water dripping off your poncho and your boots are wet. Where you end up sleeping rarely have drying rooms. Wash the socks, squeeze them as best possible. They won't be dry by next morning; however, they will be dryer than the day before. By sleeping with them the next night, they will be dry. Big reason why they advise bringing three pairs. Unfortunately, the boots take days to dry. Odor after the first week becomes noticeable.

Tracker Joan Writes: Stu, George and I left San Sebastián early about 0630.The rain had just started to fall. We walked down to the end of La Concha beach. It is suppose to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Spain. It is called la Concha because it is shaped like a shell.

We then headed up a very curvy road that eventually leaves the city and the suburbs finally be diverted to a trail that was very rocky and muddy. We were greatly relieved when it ended in Orio a city about 6k from our final destination. We stopped for cafe con leche and rest. After crossing the bridge and continuing along the river road we were yellow arrowed to the left for a final steep hill climb. It was deeply relieving to walk downhill into Zarautz.

Since the albergue for pelagrinos was closed until July, we walked up to the juvenile albergue and booked rooms. This is quite a nice place with rooms for 2 with bathroom. The cost is about 23€ per person. Just down the block we found a good restaurant serving the meal of the day for 10€. This includes 3 courses, a bottle of wine, gaseosa and bread. We looked at the beach where Magellan's ship was built and the church where a pilgrim is buried. It seems that the pilgrim stole some artifacts so he was sentenced to death and was drawn and quartered.

Getting started for a rainy walk

Light house signaling

Slippery path demonstration

Slip sliding along

Stu and George hugging

Finally we eat, best part of the day.

Reflecting in Magellan

The Beach at Zarautz

Fort along Zarautz beech

 

Stu uses MotionX-GPS on the iPhone and is sharing with you the following track:

Name:		Zarautz
Date:		May 15, 2013 6:37 am
Map: (valid until Nov 11, 2013)		View on Map
Distance:		23.4 kilometers
Elapsed Time:		5:59:55
Avg Speed:		3.9 km/h
Max Speed:		7.9 km/h
Avg Pace:		15' 23" per km
Min Altitude:		0 m
Max Altitude:		311 m
Start Time:		2013-05-15T04:37:04Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43º 19' 13" N
	Longitude:	1º 59' 06" W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43º 16' 59" N
	Longitude:	2º 10' 45" W

Total Ascent (TA) 805m Total Descent (TD) 795m

Max Positive Gradient (MP) 10.6 % Max Negative (MN) -18.2 %

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