What a beautiful day! It was an early wake-up call, but nobody really knew it was only 6:30 a.m. as we went from tent to tent to wake up our participants… In fact, we collected all watches, iPhones, iPads and other digital toys from everybody to bring them closer to Mother Nature. It took nearly two hours to take down the tents and pack up. Some participants took the opportunity for one last shower for the next 10 days. A wonderful muesli breakfast was served on the shores of Racine Lake where we had stayed for the last two nights. There was some anxiety around the table on this first day of the expedition
Before leaving Racine Lake by minibus for Lake Missinaibi, we played two games of “Cowboy”, (we’ll teach you one of these days… barrels of fun guaranteed!), Noémie won the first game, and Francis, the second. Nothing chases away the stress on the verge of our expedition like this… Then we loaded the baggage and it was all aboard the minibus driven by “Fern” Gauthier, a very affable Franco-Ontarian whose family comes from Laterrière, a suburb of Saguenay, a stone’s throw from the Foundation offices.
A 90-minute drive took us to our real departure point. Heavy winds sweep Missinaibi Lake – in the order of 20 knots. Fortunately the winds are blowing from the Southwest, which will help us. We plan to launch early in the afternoon and to rapidly head for the horses on the lake. It was an uneventful crossing, and in a little under three hours we travelled some twelve kilometres to the mouth of the Missinaibi River. We leave the horses behind and are met by a flock of ducks, obviously there to welcome us.
A mere 400 metres downriver, our guides signal us to head for the shores; this was a disappointment as we were only starting to enjoy the walls of cedar and larch trees on either side of this superb river! But, of course, they knew what they were doing as we are nearing the very first obstacle on our trek: the Quittagene rapids! So, we walk the shores of the river looking for the most practical line to cross the rapids. After the horses on the water, the ducks and the mosquitoes, butterflies are now showing up, in our stomachs! One by one, our canoes face this first test brilliantly, smiles and wet clothing included. A moment to be proud of!
Our campsite for the day is but a few paddle strokes further downriver… to everyone’s satisfaction! A good swim followed by a delicious chicken breast stuffed with Boursin, wrapped in prosciutto, cooked on charcoal, will restore our energy. After supper, participants are handled logbooks they can use any way they wish, as well a disposable camera; twenty-seven shots to record the most memorable moments of their choosing…
At nightfall, a pike escapes Francis’s line only to be caught by Joël right after! As I write this, Adriana is working hard to save the reputation of the girls and she is flogging the river as hard as she can, encouraged by Mario, the quintessential fisher of our group. There is an aura of happiness in our camp…