Do you believe in luck? Do you rather feel that life brings on our way exactly what we need at the right time? This is the sort of questioning brought on by the Double Défis.
Each participant arrives with a story that led him to change his trajectory to reach Lake St-Jean, in the middle of this sea of ice for the 12th edition of the Double Défis des deux Mario, presented by Rio Tinto.
Since 6 a.m., the team of volunteers and of logistics have been busy welcoming the second cohort of participants. There is the aroma of good coffee and a feel of good spirits. It warms up the heart and the soul. We make a stock up on this before immerging for good the immensity of the ice.
The walk begins with force. Despite some physical challenges for some participants, all of them show patience and kindness towards each other.
“We do this together, regardless of each person’s challenges,” said one of the participants.
The weather is really mild. Participants quickly start removing a few layers.
“It is so hot that we should rename the event” Double Défis des deux Mojitos “, jokes one of the participants.
Sur le Lac, il faut parfois se méfier de la température. Elle peut parfois nous jouer de drôle de tour.
After lunch, the participants were suddenly plunged into a white cloud of snow and hailstones. The participants were so loaded with this morning’s good spirits and coffee, that this perilous little interlude became a moment of pure joy, not to say euphoria! With their smile and a few hilarious and witty jokes during this moment of adversity, the participants did not lose anything of their zeal despite everything.
Mother Nature finally showed us her best side. Behind this white wall hid a pastel-colored sky bursting with sunshine.
A treat for the eyes.
“Now, isn’t that a privilege, huh?” Said Mario C, smiling.
En direction du premier campement, je discute avec l’une des participantes. Les yeux rivés vers la beauté du ciel, elle me raconte pourquoi nos chemins se croisent enfin sur le Lac.
Heading towards the first camp, I chat with one of the participants. Eyes riveted on the beauty of the sky, she tells me why our paths finally cross on the Lake.
“Usually, I often talk about my work and my business to those around me. For more than a month, I have only been talking about the challenge and the cause of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. It is a cause that is close to my heart. It is exceptional what they do for young people. I wanted this challenge for them, but also, ultimately, for me. ”
We finally see the camp in the distance. We suspected that the logistics team is backing up the tents at times. The illusion makes us believe that the tents are so close, although they are an hour’s walk from where we are. The group still takes its time, and above all, takes the time to appreciate the beauty of the sky which dazzling our eyes.
Once at the campsite, the softness of the sky remains until supper, which carefully prepared by our kitchen team. The softness of voices and lulls the early night before bedtime.
Time seems to have stopped and stretches gently like rubber band. We get back to basics tonight and the slowness of time.
When life come in a flash, that it seems to slip through our fingers, we have the impression of losing the sense of daily deeds.
Ce lac, ce ciel, les gens, tous nous rappellent que parfois, il faut se perdre au milieu d’un nuage blanc au milieu de rien, pour mieux se retrouver.
This lake, this sky, the people, all remind us that sometimes, one has to get lost in the middle of a white cloud in the middle of nowhere, to better find oneself.
Photos: Laura Ducharme
In pictures
