One last flamboyant day on the noire river

We crawl out of our tents in the midst of a mysterious fog. Especially today, we come out later, almost 8 a.m.. This rest is well deserved after the various struggles we have faced during portages, rapids, rain, heat and mosquitoes, the last two still with us this morning.

On the program for today, about fifteen kilometres on the river on which there are two rapids. With a bit of luck, we should be able to paddle them…

The river stretches along the banks and leads us to the first rapids’ gateway. The team of guides takes the lead to examine the situation… Yes! We can go over them in our canoes; forget portages! It is then with great pleasure and great control of our canoes that we paddle on the waves. We see big smiles and hear bursts of laughter from all sides.

We will repeat the same procedure as we arrive at the second and last rapids. Once again, the team of guides determines that we will be able to paddle it, although this one seems a bit more threatening… In fact, it is made up of a big wave that seems to want to swallow our canoes. Fortunately, this wave is straight, without rocks and followed by a basin of calm water, which makes this fast totally safe. The tense faces of the paddlers approaching the rapids turn into mugs of excitement once across.

This rapid also marks the end of our descent on the Noire River. Tomorrow, we will be rafting on the Ottawa River. So, it is with mixed feelings of accomplishment, relief and twinges of regret that we leave the river to set up a last campsite. If the day began under the sun, it is, however, in the rain that it will end…

The evening is marked by our closing circle. As is the tradition, we take advantage of our last day in expedition to exchange and review the experience that we have just shared. To do this, we ask participants and the accompanying staff to summarize their expedition. Transcendence. Friendship. Growing. Excelling. Back to basics. Acceptance. Caution. Beyond one’s limits. Work. Production. Transformation. Reflection. Adaptation. Flexibility. Teamwork. Zest for life. Meaningful. Challenge. Contacts of the soul. Inspiration. Challenge. Privilege. It seems that the magic of therapeutic adventure takes its toll once again…

J-Charles Fortin, Blogger and Photographer for On the Tip of the Toes Foundation

The Noire River Expedition is presented by the Fondation Bon départ de Canadian Tire du Québec