The day before in Montreal, the 14-18-canoe camping expedition team on the Missinaibi River was coming together. One after the other, the participants, some with their parents, and the organizers arrived at the Sheraton Hotel, near the airport. For some, it was meeting old friends again, for others, the beginning of new friendships.
After an enjoyable meal at the hotel’s dining room, everyone went to bed early because of the 4 a.m. wake up call before boarding the 6:15 a.m. flight to Timmins, Ontario. Three other members joined the group during our one-hour stopover in Toronto; the last participant would join us at Timmins airport.
The group being complete, they rapidly loaded the baggage in the bus under the rain. Fifteen minutes later, a short stop at Mike’s before the 3-hour drive to Racine Lake camp, where the group is to prepare (training and equipment) for the river expedition.
Once on location, beds were assigned for the night and explanations on the proper use of the material on loan from the Foundation. Meanwhile, the Missinaibi Headwaters Outfitters guides were cooking up a tasteful meal of fish … and sausages for some. At dessert time, the organizers put the participants through an introspection exercise while the support team held their first meeting on the activities of the next few days.
After these first contacts, we can foresee an enriching expedition for one and all. Motivation and morale are high. Tomorrow: initiation to canoeing techniques and preparation for the real adventure.