The end of the trail

Today, we got up a little later than other days. This time it was clear, the sun was caressing the mountains on the other side of the river. It was particularly beautiful and the sky was promising a beautiful day. Participants were especially pleased with sleeping in;daylight and the smell of slow-cooking bacon—which we carried with us throughout the day to the delight of dogs—were good motivators. Lunch was worthy of a New Year’s feast and the atmosphere was also festive.

The harnessingof dog teams and steering the sleds was now second nature for participants. I’m sure they will never forget how cautiously and gently one must bend the dogs’ paws when installing their harnesses, or how vigorously you must press the brake when you find yourself on an icy path or still, on which side to transfer one’s weight in the turns. I am convinced that the English will have permanently added to their French vocabulary, the words “Attention”, “en avant”, “doucement”, and “bon chien”. Finally, it was especially satisfying to see the speed and skill with which the participants have mastered all facets of the activity.

Today’s distance to cover was of 23 kilometres was not an easy one for all. The snow was very soft and sometimes a little sticky, which reduced the sliding. At times, the participants themselves had to walk in this particularly soft snow to help their team.

We stopped at the top of a viewpoint for lunch. From there,we could see a significant portion of the crater now forming the chain of mountains of Charlevoix we had travelled in the last days; Mount du Dôme,desMorios, des Érables, de la Noyée—I forget many since it was the sight of an impressive rosary ofmountains! After lunch, we still had 3 or 4 kilometres to go before the end of the trail including a huge ascent of 13% over a distance of one kilometre. In short, we can say we definitely will come back from this expedition in better shape!

It was the end of the trail and at the beginning of farewells. It started with leaving the dogs heavyhearted. These dogs giving and wanting love like as if there was no tomorrow, these dogs which gave their 110% so we could exploreCharlevoix’s vast territory, in the hills, powdered snow and wind, from morning to night and always with the same will to run; energy from a bottomless pit. In short, we loved these dogs. And it is at the end of the trail that we also left some of our dogsledding guides, Josh and Ben, who have enabled us to achieve this great expedition.

Fortunately, the end of the trail also meant that the showers were nearby. Once clean, red cheeks and happiness at heart, we sat at the table where everyone had a place on a chair—no question of sitting on a cooler—to share together one last delicious supper. The evening is wonderful; we celebrate the end of the expedition and the new links we have created. Alrightthen! Good night and seeyoutomorrow!

Isabelle Robinson, Blogger and Photographerfor the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation.