It was a little after three PM. We had just arrived at camp Eau-Air-Bois. Catherine had asked “THE” question. It was an existential question that would determine the rest of our voyage. “What’s your favourite flavour of potato chips?” What a follow-up to the leaders’ debate. Salt and vinegar won handily, followed distantly by Pringles (all flavours). That got the introductions underway and discussion topics now turned to less important items such as our lives, our first names, our expectations, when Catherine announced there would be not such thing as chips, never mind Pringles and particularly no salt and vinegar…
Indeed, this expedition will be under the auspices of natural things, not processed potatoes, a good thing as it is difficult to paddle with greasy fingers. The program is huge, nearly as much as the size of the Poisson Blanc reservoir and we have a mere four days to explore the whole thing. Did you know that somewhere on this enormous basin there are exotic islands, such as Île Perdue [Lost Island] (in large type on the map) or the horrifying Île Mystérieuse [Mysterious Island], a true legend for the campers of Air Eau Bois camp? You should also know that the reservoir is not known for its while fish but rather for its “duck-fish” (the wickwick). Another mystery is that duct tape-sealed package that will be opened to mark a celebration or as a pick-me-up, at the group’s discretion.
So, there we go: mystery, nature, and adventure, the stage is set for the coming days. To explore this new world, we have the following toolkit: one Voyageur canoe, 12 paddles and 23 arms (I intend to set aside one of my arms to take photograph.) Today is launch test day. The Voyageur canoe flies like a duck-fish over the warm waters of the reservoir, followed by a canoe that will never catch up. On board, Mario, founder of The Tip of the Toes and in charge of the logistics of our expedition, and Charles-Edouard a student in outdoor techniques in Chicoutimi. No mere amateurs, those two. So you can see our Voyageur canoe has come across a solid team, totally in synch.
Ready to go? Nearly. After dinner, the mandatory faire weather prayer in front of the camp’s totem, and a few songs, we still had to trace our itinerary on the map and inventory the equipment. Two jackets and one pair of trousers, waterproof, of course, on polar vest, one down filled vest, one very soft sleeping bag, and very compressed ground sheet, a mixture of all kinds of socks, and even… dish washing gloves. Tomorrow morning, we will pack all this in waterproof bags and we will hit the road…. the water, sorry.
In conclusion, let me introduced you to the participants of this adventure.
From Montreal and surroundings, here are Etienne, Robin and Alexia, and also Layla , a true veteran of the Tip of the Toes, at only 14, she’s already taking part in her second expedition. From Lachute, here is William and, last but not least, from Casselman, south of Ottawa, here is Alexandre. Two attendants will aid this strong team, Marc-André and Catherine, plus a top-notch medical team, Linda, Naila and Marjorie, and an expert logistics team (even if it won’t paddle that fast), Mario and Charles-Édouard. As for me, Valérian, modest blogger, I will be content to observe this fine team and report back to you on their best efforts.