Day one.....St Jean

K2 may have been steep but it had nothing on this morning.  It was all maximum V O 2 all the way.  Thank you L.L. ( best friend ever) for dragging my limping ass on the Saturday morning runs.

But oh my d hell the views, if I had atopped to take a picture of every thing that was off the scales in beauty I would of covered only about one mile.  At this writing I am in a dead zone so I won't be sending any thing until tomorrow the earliest.

At the time I was very happy to see this place, but I feel quite sure that with the nourishment that I took in I could of went up over the top. But still a lot of fine folks here that are just as determined as I am and they are all happy they booked a room.

The late bookers need to stay in regular ol camping tents.  I on the other hand booked several months ago so I was placed in a bunk bed room.  First come first serve for bottom bunk which I was happy for in that iam usually up during the night.  Dinner at 5:30 breakfast at 7:30 and a hiking lunch will be ready in the A.M.

Token for a 10 minute shower is included with dinner and breakfast in the price.  Hiking boots are not allowed in the room.....just as well.  One couple I met went on up over the top and just got down the other side and thought she left her phone here so they came back and then will go up over for a second time.....but they are young.  And she is definitely an "A". personality the worst I have seen.

However, they did say while a tad longer it is a little easer which we were all very glad to here.

Camino tidbits.  My pack is 25 pounds including the pack.  One lady I met is hiking on 12 pounds including her pack.  Her husband said, "hell that's nothing she walked in South America for 6 weeks with only a bum bag.

 Another tidbit.  For the last half mile I forced my self to take 20 steps before stoping to resting.  A lady and her husband are both 68.  After getting here they walked back and forth helping pilgrims up to the top by carring their packs.  Four times......