It’s hard to describe a first night winter camping on Lake St Jean – especially at -25C! It's also hard to describe the feeling of well-being after a long day of taking more than 30,000 steps. But let me try to put this experience into words.
While getting ready for bed yesterday, a volunteer told me that the worst thing to do in cold weather is to stay still; it’s better to get into action mode and find solutions. To be always 100% invested and plan a step in advance (because contact lens liquid and toothpaste freeze at -25 C!). Once settled in my sleeping bag with my hot water bottle, I thought about these words. During the night, between a few periods of light sleep, I thought about it again. And in the middle of this horizonless sea of ice today, I was still thinking about it.
What we experience during this expedition is ultimately such a beautiful metaphor for the way we live.
On this second day of walking, we were spoiled again. A fine snow in the morning covered our tents and let up just as we were setting out under a sunny, windless blue sky. Hikers were more comfortable and progressed at a good pace, respecting everyone’s physical condition. Nearly 15km covered today in almost 7h … This left time for discussions about more than just the good weather!
All the participants were very happy that the temperature was much warmer than yesterday and after another excellent meal around the campfire, they all got together with the two Marios for a little sharing to better understand the essence and the history of the foundation.
It’s hard to calculate the impact or positive effect of an expedition like this, but as Mario Bilodeau said:
YOU CAN SEE IT IN THE EYES, IN THE SMILES … YOU CAN FEEL IT.
What we are experiencing right now in this expedition helps us to understand what the young people experience as the foundation asks them to surpass their limits in nature.
One step at a time, all obstacles are surmountable.
In pictures
