Upon awakening, we had a nice surprise to see those mountains that guarded us during the night and to discover the beauty of the white Monts-Valin contrasting against the blue sky. They are overwhelming for they are majestic even if no one sees them.
Our lively guides start the day with an information session on winter expedition equipment. Tips and tricks are shared and demonstrated so that our participants will be properly prepared for our adventure. Then we pack the luggage that will follow us for the next six days.
During the afternoon, a short walk in the forest to familiarize us with the surroundings and the equipment. We headed for Lac des Pères, an ideal meeting place for a group sharing on the concept of adventure which, for the majority of participants, starts when we reach our limits, just outside our comfort zone. There were exchanges on the sublime thin line between an extraordinary and a terrifying situation, extrapolating on the courage required to embark on such an adventure!
Then the “Ghost Express” took us to the Valley of the ghosts. At the top, Simon and Michel were waiting to take us by snowmobile drawn sleds over the final four kilometres of the trail to the shelters, the Boreal and the Sauvagine, where we will stay for the next two days. There is still some time left to set up the first arctic tent and finalize the camp setting.
During our “fiesta Mexicana” style dinner, some participants, shall we name them, Richard and Dawson, did an elaborate study on balance. The finally concluded that if nothing is ventured, nothing is gained, but piling up water filled open bottles presents a risk of getting one’s feet wet.
Finally, Joanie, Ludovic, and Pier-Luc are the lucky ones that will brave the cold and inaugurate the arctic tent under a light snow fall on the shores of lake Martin-Valin.