Hello everyone. As I write these lines, it is 5:00 p.m. A few updates from the night. To use Julien’s words, a crunchy evening. A night of management, but punctuated by deep sleep. Heated foot warmers, hand warmers, snacks. We must keep the slow burn going. Two interludes to empty the bladder, then we sink back into relaxation. The lake cracks. The dome is immersed in calm. Short-lived—during the night, the wind took the opportunity to invite itself in. Bold isn’t the word. A strong gust reminds us that the tent is solid, yet can easily bow to Éole.
No respite. Morning breaks and we must light the fire. Not uncover too much and think ahead. Textile parameters will be assessed. The hum of the wind is persistent and definitely not inviting us to stick our noses outside.
The cooks are up the earliest. On their feet since 4:00 a.m., heating water, preparing hot raspberry soup and luxury muesli. They are our heroes.
We will split the lake with sustained winds of 40 km/h. Under the wise recommendations of the two Marios, 5.5 km will lead us to lunch. We will eat race rations—slightly tough, but sustaining. Another 4.5 km in the afternoon. I welcome this change.
My equipment no longer wants to cooperate. My ski-hok binding decides to give way. Strangely, a throbbing pain had settled into my left leg. I wonder if life is sending me a message.
Clearly not, because resourceful as they are, the guardian angels offer me another pair of skis—after first checking whether I wished to continue. My pride had so far refused to travel light. Seeing the back pain settle in, I dropped to one knee. They took my pulka, and I continued this journey with a single goal: to reach the camp.
Silence, patience, mutual aid, kindness, courage, the will to overcome. Clearly, we were not all prepared for this climate.
The lake offers us the Arctic. A polar landscape, surprising conditions. People stand tall, determined to brave it. I am in awe.
End of the first part…
My hands and body are numb.
I’m going to change, eat, and
I’ll be back as soon as I find the time.
See you very soon.
Blogger: Mélanie Villeneuve
Photographer: Charles-David Robitaille
In pictures
