Today, Thursday, we’re leaving our first campsite. Our challenge this morning is to get rid of our day packs, as we’ll be moving on with only our big expedition backpacks. That means everything has to fit into these backpacks, which are not only bigger, but heavier too. We’ve got to finish up by breakfast. It takes both time and patience.
We have breakfast at the campsite and get ready for our departure. We have to adjust our backpacks accordingly to avoid injury. We pick up our walking sticks and set off behind Mauricio!
The first part of the trek is in the forest, and just like yesterday: there are no marked trails. The weight of our backpacks is apparent. We make several stops to adjust our layers of clothing and backpacks, and to take time to hydrate and eat a few snacks. It’s important to eat and drink. You’ve got to keep stoking a fire with wood to keep it going, right?
We reach our lunch site, which is once again nice and bright and sunny. It’s beautiful out and at 12°C, really hot too! It’s hard to believe it’s winter with the weather we’re having. Several participants are in short-sleeved shirts and sunscreen is being applied.
Before we head off, Marie-Michelle asks the participants to think of a word that represents their adventure over the last few days. She also asks them not to reveal this word to anyone.
We have less than halfway to go. This morning, we were going uphill, but this afternoon, we’ll be heading downhill to our new camp.
In the blink of an eye, we’re there. We’ll be sleeping next to a waterfall and its soothing sounds. The campsite for the night has to be set up though. The participants have four tents to assemble, and that too is done super-fast! They’re slowly becoming outdoor professionals! Looking back, it’s impressive to see how the group and its dynamic have evolved. When we set off on an expedition, we always tell the youngsters that the group is slowly becoming like a small family. At first, they don’t seem to believe it, but they get caught up in it. They say it themselves: they won’t want to leave each other in a few days’ time.
Everyone settles in and enjoys our new spot before supper. We gather around the fire to play charades. Once again, laughter bellows all around. Guesses include Garfield, James Bond, Ariel the Little Mermaid, Mauricio, Barbie, Mark Zuckerberg and more.
As has become tradition, we gather around the fire to enjoy a hot supper. The temperature begins to drop and some of us start adding layers. Tonight is supposed to be colder, and we’re sleeping in regular tents with no additional heat sources. A final sleep challenge for the participants and the rest of the team too.
After supper, the participants get some free time before we settle in for a final discussion circle. This is when Marie-Michelle asks the participants to share the words they chose a few hours earlier.
Peaceful, learning, weird, déconnexion, grateful, fulfillment, campfire, surprised, adapting, comfort, reminder, trust, proud, hilly, bourgeons, presence, thank you.
These are the words mentioned around the fire, the words that represent our adventure, “this beautiful human adventure” that will remain etched in our hearts for a long time to come.
We remind the participants that this wonderful adventure is not quite over yet, that they still have time to fill up on memories and moments to cherish when they get home.
At the participants’ request, Catherine brings out her ukulele and songbook. Voices echo in unison through the woods. We’re having a great time!
Good night!
Laurence Yelle, Volunteer photographer-blogger for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation
Translated by Anna Tomczyk