Reflections and Preparations

The plan today was very simple. Getting up late, having breakfast without rushing, preparing our day baggage and leaving for the majestic Mount Assiniboine to share. So we left the camp around 11 o’clock. The goal of this simple day was to recharge our batteries for the three days ahead, during which we will be travelling (we had a fixed camping site since we arrived in the mountains), and also to reflect on yesterday, which for many was a summit in every sense. The second purpose of the day was to review the objectives set by everyone six days earlier. This was like a communion. All were attentive and very contemplative of one another. This sharing had no role, with authenticity and sincerity that was breathtaking.

Immediately after, the mood was jubilant. We played Haki and Frisbee. And yet, as incredible as it seems, not only Cindy and Mikela went swimming, but did so in the lake formed by a glacier just at the foot of Mount Assiniboine. Wow! It was about 8 °C today and about 0 °C with the winds … once arrived at the camp, we prepared the luggage for the next 3 days. Dr. Marie-Ève and I returned to the Lodge to recharge our electronic material. So I will leave you with Vincent’s comments, who also wanted his say on the blog. See you all tomorrow!

“It is a unique chance that we have to stay in these places. The mountains are overwhelming, a symbol of power and longevity. We cannot help but stop and contemplate everything at any moment. I find a lot of parallels with life, with resilience and patience. Unlike us, these giants live for hundreds of thousands of years. But like us, they face unpredictable and changing weather every day. Nevertheless, the mountains are there, grandiose and unwavering.

From a personal point of view, I am discovering on this trip a type of people I thought had disappeared. Real and intense people who live with less, but benefit from it more. Mountain life is much simpler; more focused on celebrating the world’s natural beauty. It is destabilizing at first to live with less, but ultimately, the results are much more rewarding. As I said, do more with less. Take greater advantage of simple things.

We were fortunate enough to swim in a lake formed by the melting of glaciers on the mountains. A little paradise with an epic and chivalrous look. A turquoise-bluish lake with, in the background, modest hills over three thousand metres long embellished with eternal snow. The water was icy cold, but the moment was spontaneous. Everyone put their modesty and discomfort aside (everyone bathed with their clothes on), but no one hesitated to dive into the lake and immerse themselves in the present moment.

On this trip, we have no choice but to set our personal agendas aside. Our ultimate goal becomes common. Going to the top of the ’hill’, preparing food on the corner of a table improvised on two rafters and a plywood board, carrying a colleague’s water bottle or even lacing the boot a person with his hands full. Our simple actions become important. Each of our sentences, discussions or improvised karaoke becomes memorable and introspective moments. Each of little cheers and selfless gestures contributes to our common goal of climbing the hill, contemplating the world and celebrating life for an extra second.”

Nicolas Tremblay, Blogger and Photographer for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation