Dear readers,
Today, I am back to share with you our second day of the Double Défi des 2 Mario crossing.
When I woke up, I asked myself one question: at what point can you say, “This morning, I opened my eyes in the middle of Lake Saint-Jean”? And what’s more, in the heart of winter.
I can’t believe I’m the only one having this thought. I take two minutes to once again realize just how unique and extraordinary our adventure truly is.
As each tent slowly emerges from this first night below -20°C, the kitchen is already buzzing with activity.
Our three acolytes have been on high alert for at least an hour, getting the mobile ice kitchen up and running.
That way, as soon as we poke our heads outside, hot coffee is poured into our cups within seconds.
But before enjoying a warm drink, we must pack up our beds, put back on the slightly damp clothes from the day before, close our bags, and be ready to go.
Everything is in motion in all the tents—we hear people talking and laughing. No doubt about it, everyone survived winter camping!
The bell rings at the kitchen. On the menu this morning: fruit soup and deluxe porridge, sweet or savory.
Ingredients carefully chosen to both satisfy and surprise every palate, but above all to provide the proper caloric intake for our daring adventurers.
The wind has died down, and we can already imagine a less demanding day than yesterday.
Breakfast devoured, we’re soon ready to depart.
Julien calls us together to form a circle for a short warm-up.
We huddle close, hook our leg with our neighbor’s, and together we sing: “Ice, ice, I love ice, I love ice and the beautiful ice floe!” while moving the circle from side to side, faster and faster. It wakes us up and puts smiles on everyone’s faces.
Ready for day two? Let’s go!
We can already see changes among the participants—we learned from yesterday’s mistakes. We adjust layers to avoid sweating in the first 15 minutes and being soaked for the rest of the day, some swap skis for snowshoes, and we take more time to drink and eat. It feels like the hardest part is behind us, and today we can finally listen to what our bodies need.
When we look back, the last tent from our camp has disappeared and will reappear in a few hours, 12 km further on.
They’re a bit like magicians, those logistics crew members, don’t you think?
Our progress is going well today. Everyone stays together; no one is left behind.
Lunchtime soon arrives, along with a well-deserved break. Although the tent is set up to shelter us, most of us stay outside—the weather feels that good. We even catch a glimpse of blue sky.
A few bites of cheese, chocolate, crackers, quiche—everything at once from our snack bags. The goal is simple: fuel up to face the remainder of our biggest day.
Once lunch is over, Julien and Mario Bilodeau gather us to say a few words.
One after the other, they speak about the territory we are currently crossing, Lake Saint-Jean, also known as Pekuakami by the First Nations.
As a mark of respect and recognition, they invite us to continue our journey in silence, to connect with the snow beneath our feet, and to be in union with nature.
With those words, gently, we begin our final kilometers.
Like an unbreakable barrier, we all walk together, side by side.
The image is powerful and beautiful.
All these people who didn’t know each other just a few hours ago and who will soon part ways share far more in common than they realize.
The desire to change the destiny of young people, to kick illness aside, and to heal the souls of those affected, directly or indirectly.
No matter who you are, today you are making a remarkable difference.
Camp in sight!
We’re welcomed with applause and maple taffy. What a treat!
Everyone knows what to do next: head to your tent, throw on your warmest down jacket, and get ready for dinner.
What do the chefs have in store for us tonight?
Homemade from A to Z.
Spinach soup (with extra cheese), followed by a coconut curry and carrot cake with icing.
Who knew you could eat so well while camping?
As soon as the meal is finished, it’s time for the evening sharing circle under the tent.
The two Marios invite us to join them in one of the domes and take our places facing them.
We feel like children sitting on the floor, waiting for a bedtime story.
Mario Bilodeau shares, with emotion, his journey alongside the young people he has led on expeditions. The testimonials speak volumes about his way of “paving the path to healing.”
Beyond the treatments offered by medicine, the Foundation heals the soul and the heart—the spirit.
Aurélie and Ruben, seated with us, then share their own expedition experiences following their respective illnesses: “There was a before and an after the expedition,” “On expedition, no one came to talk to me about my illness—I found people who lived and felt the same things as I did,” “The Foundation deserves to be better known for all the beautiful things it brings to young people.”
Mario Cantin concludes by sharing his personal story with his daughter, who passed away too soon in a road accident—an event that even led him to bring her photo to the summit of Everest a few years ago.
For him, you shouldn’t wait for a wake-up call in life to start doing what you truly want to do. Make room for what you want, starting now.
“So, what will you do tomorrow to make space for your dreams?” he asks us.
On this emotional note, he invites us to share the magical potion found only here, on Lake Saint-Jean.
With this sweet taste on our lips and warmth in our hearts, we soon head to bed for another night on the ice.
Blogger: Marine Diez
Photographer: Simon Faucher
In pictures
