Today we leave L’Anse-Saint-Jean, say goodbye to the ice, and put on our skis one last time.
One Last Outing
This afternoon we put on our skis for the very last time. We had to choose a landscape grand enough for this final adventure. And what could be better than the majestic Saguenay Fjord, an absolutely unique geological formation? For the occasion we had even ordered sunshine to accompany us one last time. Here we are at Cap Jaseux, a tiny hamlet of cabins nestled along the fjord at the end of a winding little road, and the site of our final bivouac, safely sheltered in small cabins.
The setting is spectacular. The fjord, still frozen, is covered with twelve inches of ice buried beneath the snow. In some places the current has pushed large blocks together, forming small mountains of ice. Everywhere there is white, immaculate and dazzling. We move across the ice in small groups or alone, surrounded by high wooded cliffs. And for the last time, we take a moment to feel the biting wind and the warmth of the sun on our faces.
From Ice to Ice
Ice will truly have been the common thread of our expedition. From the frozen road that prevented us from reaching the Monts Valin to the fjord ice, passing by our frozen tents in the early morning. Today it was also on the ice that we said goodbye to L’Anse-Saint-Jean. Goodbye and thank you to this small village on the south shore of the Saguenay that welcomed us so warmly when we had to change our plans at the last minute.
We packed our bags and stacked them one last time in the pickup truck driven by Catherine.
Our final steps on the ice of L’Anse-Saint-Jean were guided by Phil, a fjord kayak guide who is unbeatable when it comes to its geology and history. Then we met our minibus again, affectionately nicknamed the “sardine bus,” for a two hour drive.
Expedition Traditions
Since we are approaching the end of this blog, let me introduce you to a few traditions from the foundation’s expeditions. One example is the logbook. In the foundation’s offices in Chicoutimi there is a shelf filled with the logbooks of dozens of expeditions. One person carries it in their pack, and throughout the days everyone writes or sketches their ideas, dreams, jokes, thanks, and stories in it. The pages are later copied, printed, and bound, then sent to all participants along with the full collection of photos I take throughout the days.
Another tradition, of course, is celebrating birthdays. Yesterday Kiran experienced a truly Québécois tradition for his celebration when he blew out candles placed on a tray of maple taffy on snow. Finally, one of the most memorable traditions is called “high and low.” The idea is simple. At the beginning of the expedition the group receives a mystery package wrapped in a thick layer of colorful duct tape. The goal is to open it to celebrate a high moment or to lift spirits during a difficult one. Volunteers and guides opened their package yesterday, and the participants have just opened theirs. As you might guess, the mystery package contains various gummies, chocolates, and chips.
Tomorrow will be my final blog post, and I am saving a few more traditions to share during our last hours together.
Valérian
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