This morning, we wake up to a nice thin blanket of snow outside. What a surprise! To be honest, we were missing that magic effect white snow can have when we arrived yesterday walking through the mud.
Breakfast is ready at 8 a.m. and once again, it’s delicious. Once we’re done, the first tasks are assigned to the participants. Alternating, two by two, they’ll have to help serve the meals, clear away the dishes and wash up.
We’re all asked to bundle up for our first outing around the main lodge. The expedition is off to a relaxed start, we’ll spend a few days getting used to our new surroundings, the equipment, managing clothing layers based on the weather, etc. This will ensure we’ll be well prepared when we head off from the main lodge in a few days to see all the wonders nature has to offer.
Mauricio shares important information about ice thickness. We learn about the minimum thickness required to move about on ice, whether alone, in a group, on a snowmobile or in a heavier vehicle.
We then learn how to load the sleds we’ll be using on our longer trips. To test what we’ve learned so far, our two guides Mauricio and Chloé organize an obstacle course. Two teams are formed made up of the participants and Foundation team members. Players take turns pulling a member of their team around the course. The first team in which all the players have occupied both positions—pulling and being pulled—wins the game. There’s plenty of encouragement, laughter and camaraderie. The group chemistry is quite incredible.
The participants’ personalities are bubbling up to the surface. Owen is quick-witted like few people I’ve met. A bit like an older brother, Thomas is the cool-headed member of the group. As the only French-speaking participant in the group, Florence becomes more and more confident in her communication every day. Desmond tells us about his home, Nunavik, where it’s much colder, but also where the landscape is very different. Pixie, who’s working hard to learn the ukulele in her spare time, charms us with both her humour and self-confident air. Keiran, who keeps telling me that when she’s older, she too would like to be a photographer on expeditions like this one. Mykhailo, who is slowly coming out of his shell to dazzle us with a flamboyant smile. Anna, who expresses her curiosity and pleasure in discovering the outdoors. Annabelle, who’s definitely not afraid of the outdoors. Jillian, who courageously overcomes her fear of walking on the frozen lake.
To wrap up this first outing, we get closer to the lodge for a discussion about the values we want to include in our group life for the remainder of the adventure. It’s a group contract that will ensure everyone’s well-being throughout our stay. Respect, compassion, inclusion, listening, empathy, encouragement, respect for boundaries whether physical or psychological, helping each other and having fun with each other.
The fact that we’ve been immobile for a bit makes us all a bit cold and it doesn’t take much to get us inside for an excellent lunch.
In the afternoon, we set off again for a 2.5-km hike. We cross the lake in single file following Mauricio to make sure no one ventures out where the ice isn’t thick enough. We head into the forest, we climb up, we climb down, we cross a river on a small bridge one at a time, we hold onto cables to keep us steady on the steep slopes, and then we reach our destination: an incredible lookout over the river below. Chloé serves us a warm apple beverage that reminds us all of the holiday season. Catherine suggests that, now that we’re away from the constant whir of the city, we take a moment to appreciate the silence of nature, to breathe in the fresh air, to feel the wind on our skin and the snow softly falling on our faces (because yes, it’s still snowing . . . small perfectly defined flakes in slow motion). It’s the perfect moment to refocus and bring our attention to what’s essential.
We retrace our steps back and the participants take advantage of some downtime to relax in the dry sauna just behind the lodge. In the meantime, Catherine gets a little band started inside the lodge with her ukelele where the songs could go on for hours and hours.
Everyone takes their places at the table for a second succulent supper. It’s great to see so many people sitting down together to enjoy the masterpieces lovingly concocted by Nikoline and Baris!
Then we’re off to the lounge for a chat about the day we’ve just spent together. On average, the day gets an 8 out of 10. Highlights include the quiet time on the mountain, the friendly competition on the ice, the songs in the lounge, the hike in the forest, the snow, the sauna and taking the time to contemplate our surroundings.
The evening ends with a paper ball fight icebreaker game organized and refereed by the games master, Mauricio!
It’s shaping up to be a pretty fiery and festive game, come back tomorrow for more! 😉
Laurence Yelle, Volunteer photographer-blogger for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation
Translated by Anna Tomczyk
In pictures
