This morning, we wake up for the first time in the prospector tents in our sleeping bags. It’s a little chilly. It rained a bit last night, which means we didn’t dip below zero though. Overall, we’re well-equipped for winter camping—the tents even have stoves—so everyone stayed warm through the night.
We wake up to the sounds of Catherine and Marie-Michelle on their ukeleles, singing along with Eve-Marie. It’s all part of the expedition experience. What more could we ask for?
Mauricio is already hard at work in the kitchen. He’s preparing eggs and sausages, which we’ll place in pitas with salsa. Oh so good! Just the energy we need. Once we’ve eaten, the participants responsible for washing up get busy and then we all starting packing our backpacks for this, our first day into the woods.
Today, the participants are divided into two groups and will be responsible for guiding us through the forest. Armed with a map and compasses, they’ll have to figure out where we need to go to complete the planned route. There are no marked trails, which makes the outing even more complex. Luckily, the teams are accompanied by Mauricio, who knows everything they need to know. They’re quite good at guiding, actually. It’s impressive to see them go. Slow and steady, they get the hang of leading and don’t hesitate to guide us through the bumpiest paths. They ask us to stop for a few moments, so they can assess what’s ahead and decide on the best route to take.
We get to a point where we have to cross a fairly wide stream, and that’s when things get a bit tricky. As I’ve been saying, it’s particularly hot for this time of year. The ice cover on the passage is no longer reliable. There’s heavy slush all over it. We have to hike along the small piles of grass that dot the path we’re taking. It’s not easy at all. Many cross over the ice and end up with soaking feet and pants even. The unluckiest of us all is Jillian. You could say she went for a little dip!
We reach our lunch spot, where the sun gives us a warm welcome. Mother Nature has really spoiled us. It’s like we’re on a four-season expedition with a little bit of everything: snow, rain, mud and sun. Before setting off again, we honour nature with a moment of silence and self-reflection.
As we go forward, Mauricio shares his wealth of knowledge with us. He talks about the tracks we see in the snow, certain types of trees, the mushrooms that grow on trees, how to orient yourself using nature, and how some mountain ranges have snow and others don’t. A rich learning experience for any adventurers eager to continue their nature hiked once back home.
On the way back, the second team of guides gets down to business. They’ve had an excellent demonstration from the first team. They’re naturals at it.
Two-thirds of the way, we stop for a unique discussion circle. Marie-Michelle opens the door to a discussion about cancer. It’s an opportunity for the participants to share a significant moment in their cancer experience with other young people who really understand them. Being a teenager with cancer means being different, sometimes feeling left out, and often, misunderstood. The discussion circle is a safe space of trust, respect and empathy for one another. It’s an opportunity to express yourself without being afraid of offending anyone. Respect is very present in the discussion. The participants listen to each other without judging. It’s touching.
We then hike the rest of the way to our campsite. Once there, those with wet feet get dry. We start the campfire again, enjoy the sunshine on the riverbank and prepare supper. We have another feast and top it off with a chocolate fondue. Eating outdoors is magical. There’s no limit to what you can do, well almost!
The evening continues around the fire. The group is currently gathered there for a game of “werewolves,” a classic campfire game. I can hear them laughing in unison from a distance. It’s shaping up to be another great evening!
See you tomorrow
Laurence Yelle, Volunteer photographer-blogger for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation
Translated by Anna Tomczyk
In pictures
