That’s it! We’ve left civilization, the asphalt and the noise of the city! Time for some forest, greenery and the rivers’ murmurs!
We get up early this Tuesday morning since the breakfast is at 6:30. We’re impressed by how efficient the youth are. They all got to the kitchen in advance with their bags ready, like we asked them to. Respect.
We leave Canmore and drive towards Spray Lakes where we’ll begin our expedition. The road is bumpy but very scenic! If some participants don’t have their eyes fixed on the landscape, it’s because they’ve closed them trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep.
Once there we’ll spend a few minutes adjusting the backpacks, sharing a few tips on how to stay hydrated, how to relieve yourself in the bush and what to do if we encounter a bear. The chances of an encounter are very slim when you travel in a big group because of the noise we make. This fact reassures many of us…
The day’s travel is fairly flat with few technical difficulties. Fortunately because we still have 10 Kilometers to go! We mainly follow Bryant Creek, a crystalline river flowing between two massive mountains. On the way, we relish in the sublime alpine landscapes. And, if we believe our local guides, this is the least scenic part of the expedition…
The youth’s energy and endurance are mindboggling. We even had to slow them down on a few occasions! We get to camp at 4PM, just in time for a swim… in a river fed by glaciers. The water is not cold…it is…you guessed it…icy cold!
There really is a good vibe within the group. The youth tease each other more and more and even joke about their post-chimio hair. It’s hearth-warming to watch them go.