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They are beautiful and radiant. They are victorious. Their eyes are full of life. Their hearts overflow with hope and tenacity. They are about to go through an uncommon experience. Such are the nine youths who will navigate the River Mistassini with the Tip of the Toes Foundation during the coming days.
Our first adventurer is Adam. Just in from Calgary, Sunday night, he spent the night at the Youth Hostel of Montreal with Héléna and J-François, respectively Director of Operations and Operations Assistant of the Foundation. The next day, it’s Jennifer and Cory from Nova-Scotia, and Taryn from Ontario. They join Catherine L., Catherine G., Vanessa and Marie-Claude at Westmount Park, on Monday morning. Our last adventurer, Sarah, from the Saguenay, goes directly to Mistassini River. After some goodbyes, the bus leaves for the l-o-n-g trip to the North of the Lac-St-Jean area.
The 8 hour voyage is marked with many appropriate stops (…) but mostly by exchanges, laughter and ham sandwiches. There was also a petty theft: JF and Héléna maliciously confiscate watches, MP3 Players, Game Boys, and other electronic devices for the duration of the expedition. If the majority gamely comply with the request, there are some who try to dissimulate their electronic toys in their luggage…
Nothing like a REAL and delicious tourtière du Lac to mark our arrival! The Domaine’s friendly hosts, Alain and Céline - AKA as Great Lynx and Swallow – are waiting for us with open arms. The tents will be for later. In the meantime, we will stay in attractive and comfortable log cabins. Rooms are assigned and friendships are already developing.
The campfire and the evening are slowly coming to an end as Adam introduced the group to his favourite card game, Crazy 8. While this is going on, Mario and I fight off the mosquitoes as we try to coax Katherine (with a K), our generator, into starting… At this writing, the generator leads 1 to 0.
Hoping the good weather will last all through their adventure, here is a summary of the activities to come.
Photographs of Mistassini 2008 and other photos of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation are available at the following URL:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds
I am certain everyone joins me in hoping you’ll have a good day!
Enjoy your initiation to canoeing!
From June 30 to July 11, the Mistassini River is hosting an On the Tip of the Toes expedition. Outdoor and medical specialists will closely supervise the youths.
May we introduce, from left to right:
Héléna Longpré, Director of Operations, On the Tip of the Toes Foundation. Today, she explains the organization process for such an expedition;
Jean-François Dubé, Operations Assistant, On the Tip of the Toes Foundation;
Bertrand Dupuis, Certified Life Child Specialist, Montreal Children’s Hospital. This is his 15th Expedition with the Foundation!
Jean-Charles Fortin, Photographer and Journalist, contributor to Géo Plein air ;
Karine Godbout, Nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital of Montreal;
Mario Bilodeau, Cofounder and Guide of the Foundation. He is also the Cofounder of the Baccalaureate Program in outdoors and adventure tourism at UQAC. Héléna and Jean-François are graduates of this program;
Martin Robert, Intensive Care Physician, hôpital Saint-Eustache.
This summer, the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation will take some twenty cancer-stricken teenagers on two extraordinary expeditions. Two separate groups will enjoy a unique experience where they will be given the opportunity to face a challenge and to test their limitations to help them increase their self-esteem and their confidence in life.
Today, nine young people are leaving on a twelve-day canoe tripping expedition on the Mistassini River. In addition to getting an initiation to canoeing and travelling on sections of this magnificent river, they will experience fishing and camping in enchanting sites.The adventurers will experience privileged moments, deep emotions, and many other surprises during this expedition set up by the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation with their partner, le Domaine de la rivière Mistassini.
Follow our adventurers and share some of their special moments by visiting our blog every day.
Here we are, back home our heads filled with memories, pride, and pristine nature. Throughout those eight days, the Triton territory will have given our young fighters a new-found sense of confidence and identity that separates them from that which life has imposed upon them. Throughout those eight days, they also taught us a valuable lesson, as we will forever remember the courage they displayed for ones so young, and yet so mature.
Of course, none of this could have been achieved without the outstanding contribution of the Triton and Foundation teams, who orchestrated a magnificent expedition. Through their professionalism, passion for life, sensibility and exceptional character, they will have left an indelible impression on the youth, each in their own way.
And personally, I will never forget this experience, a truly inspirational one. I feel honoured to have been the one to put into words all the outlandish beauty of a remote territory and, deep in my heart, those young people have left their mark as they continue their fight for life and hope…
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 expedition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/
Bright sunlight greeted us as we opened our eyes this morning, on the last day we would spend together. The sound of applause still lingers in our ears, as we acknowledged the brave souls who had spent the night tightly ensconced in their queenzys.
Having wolfed down our pancakes and toasted with hot chocolate, we put our snowshoes back on and started on the return trip. The scintillating snow reflected back memories of everything that was achieved; self-accomplishment and pride become the building blocks on a quest for a newfound identity which will lead them along the road of life… and a nostalgic feeling starts to set in. Back in the comfort of the inn, our young adventurers spent the rest of the morning relaxing before going out to caper in the snow all afternoon!
Imagine their surprise when they realised that Pierre Gervais, Equipment Manager for the Montreal Canadiens, had sent them a host of small gifts! As always, their thankfulness for being the objects of so much special attention was reflected in their bright eyes and broad smiles. After an all-out snowball fight, they had a chance to explore the antique and unique Seigneurie Club House, built in 1893.
To end this great adventure on the right note, a closing circle and torchlight walk are planned for this evening, as we will be spending our final night at the Seigneurie. The efforts of those young people will forever echo here, as they met challenge after challenge and stood tall… reaching for the sky on the tips of their toes!
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 expedition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/sets/72157604048194309/
Yesterday morning, with several centimetres of snow covering the ground, we began our snowshoeing expedition. Canadian ski champion Mélanie Turgeon put us through a short series of warm-up exercises and we were ready to attack the trails, aiming to reach Innusite village by the end of the afternoon.
Once again, the pristine snow conditions made us feel like we were in an enchanted forest. After a few hours braving the elements, we finally reached our destination, Innusite village, where we were to spend the night. Our young adventurers once again showed their courage as, despite their tiredness and the challenging conditions, they reached the goals they had set for themselves. So there we were, at our final campsite, playing in the snow, building queenzys, and by the time we were done, everyone was soaked through and through! Then everyone gathered inside the huge tepees in this really fascinating village to get warm and dry, and for fun and games. I will forever keep this mental picture of us all, tired, our energies spent after a long day outdoors, and splitting our sides laughing!
At the end of a long day where once again our young friends surpassed themselves, we had beef Burgundy* sitting around the fire, and then we all got together in a small log cabin where Mathieu and Armando lifted our spirits with their music. When came time to get some sleep, some of the troupes decided they had not had enough of winter and continued to brave the cold by sleeping in the queenzys they had build, while others preferred the cozy warmth of the log cabin. Warmed by the wood stove or well protected inside their queenzys, our young adventurers spent their final night in the great outdoors.
*It is not until we had finished our delicious beef Burgundy that we learned that it was made of not only beef, but also bear meat! You should have seen the look in their eyes when they found out that they had just eaten nature’s big teddy!
”So tomorrow is the last day and I’m pretty sure I have mixed feelings about everything. I’m going to miss everybody so much!” Leanne
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 expedition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/sets/72157604048194309/
After a night listening to the raindrops strike the taught canvas of our arctic tents, the morning brought with it large snowflakes, softly falling, as we breakfasted in our cozy tents.
The faces around us all bore wide, satisfied grins; they were the faces of young people who were proud of their achievements so far in the expedition, away from the commodities of their everyday lives. We climbed back into our sleds to take on the few kilometres remaining between us and the lake where the helicopter was coming to collect us. The trail however presented more technical difficulties than earlier, leading to a series of mishaps and stories to tell, and making the trip a true adventure. When we arrived at “des Passes” Lake, we had to say goodbye to our faithful friends, the huskies that had pulled us through the trails for three days. Then the helicopters appeared above us, to bring us back to the Inn for an evening of well deserved relaxation and rest. Their eyes bright, but also with relief in their hearts, our young explorers climbed on board to fly over the territory they had just conquered. They all agreed that the helicopter ride gave them the strongest sensations of the entire expedition.
Finally we rejoined the Inn, where there was a mad scramble for the showers and then, after a little quiet time, they surprised us all with their boundless energy, creating sparks of life at every turn! Then, the time to meet a downhill skiing world champion was at hand, Mélanie Turgeon, who came to meet them and talk to them about the challenges in life, about the importance of overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds on the way to great victories.
”Those last 3 days were amazing! I couldn’t belive we acomplished all of it!” Nicole
And again guitar chords filled in the air before everyone turned in for a much needed rest. They will need all their strength tomorrow, as they tie on their snowshoes for another day of action!
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 : http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/sets/72157604048194309/
After our first night in trapper’s camps, our second day of expedition started with somewhat of a rude awakening. Grey skies densely covered in clouds were our first sight as we climbed out of bed. And the first few kilometres were covered under freezing rain. Thankfully, the first day had gone well for our young explorers, giving them confidence in their ability to withstand hardship. That little bit of experience gave them the courage to face the bleak conditions and overcome the challenges posed by the weather.
And how proud they should be of the way they overcame the challenges they faced! After having fought for their lives, they bravely fought the elements – cold, ice, wind, and at times difficult trail conditions.
Despite the bad weather, the many obstacles, we covered a gigantic 25 kilometres before we arrived at the site where the arctic tents were set up; our refuge for the night. Words are not enough to describe the beauty of the setting – an enchanted forest where our young friends, so proud of what they had accomplished on the day, were busily preparing their nests. They had been transformed into “real adventurers”.
Their energies spent, they fell asleep around the small woodstoves in their tents, sedated by the sweet smell of the beds they had themselves made from fir branches.
”Everyone here knows what we’ve been through so we don’t have to worry about anything.” Jessica
Those young people… so strong they are, like full-grown adults, and yet so eager to laugh like children. They are simply amazing!
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 expedition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/sets/72157604048194309/
On this day, Sunday March 2, our wakeup call came at 6:30 since our “great adventure” was set to begin at 9 o’clock. There was agitation in the air, expectation, excitement; our young explorers were sharply out of bed and ready to go!
After taking our usual breakfast at the Inn, the entire Foundation team assembled on the frozen lake where the sled drivers, along with the huskies, were waiting to give us basic sled riding instructions, such as how to use the brake and how to communicate with the dogs. Then, after the short training session, everyone got involved as we prepared the animals for the long day of dogsledding. A few hugs, a few words, or just “being there” were the first steps in creating relations between these fascinating animals and our young adventurers. And through the excited barks of the dogs, anxiously waiting to get started, their names resounded from the mushers’ lips… Neptune, Mirage, Roxy, Tonnerre, Horizon, Mistral, Zéphir, Frisqui, Cassiopée, Pirate, Pluton, Mercure!
So, two by two, our young participants were launched into adventure, carried along the trails by the power of their five dogs. At times sporty drivers, at times sightseeing passengers, they covered 20 kilometres through frozen lakes and dense forest; where everything seems enchanted!
”First dogsledding day! Unreal! The dogs are so affectionate. They constantly want to be petted and when we stop the sleds, they just want to get going again.” Félix
”I’m so glad to be here and I’m excited to meet all 60 dogs!” Tara
And all day long wonderment around every corner… At lunchtime, we all settled warmly in a small cabin on the shore of “Trois Caribous” Lake, and later the trapper camps appeared before our eyes, where we were to spend the night. Towards the end of the evening, under a starry sky, our young ones were taken for yet another ride; as they stared up at the constellations, they were reminded of the endless possibilities in life. On that evening also, Jessica saw a page turn on her 16 years of life. Happy Birthdays rang out as we sat around the campfire, under clear skies; the best ever anniversary of her birth, she claimed.
And after an effervescent evening of happy thoughts, warmly ensconced in their sleeping bags, our young participants settled in for their first night in the wild.
Go to the following address to see pictures of the Triton 2008 expedition: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pointedespieds/sets/72157604048194309/
This morning at 8:30, the Montreal Central Station was abuzz with young explorers ready to launch into a winter adventure. Once the troops were on board the train, one could feel the ties starting to bind and the unfamiliarity of it all awakening curiosity. After 7 hours of chatting, dozing off to the rhythm of the changing landscapes, appreciating the musical talent of the young adventurers, and simply living for the moment, we finally reached Triton country!
So there we were, at the tiny Triton train station, camouflaged in the woods, taking our first footsteps on the territory we were to explore! The Triton guide team was there, waiting to take us to the Batiscan Inn on their snowmobiles ground-or snow-support for our coming and goings throughout the expedition.
What a beautiful sight created by these young people, flying across the landscape on snowmobiles, all smiles as they faced discovery of the unknown, eyes wide open, taking in the wilderness scenery around them. And once comfortably settled in, after a copious meal, having already shared special moments as a group, all warm and snug in front of the fireplace, the evening was filled with the warm sounds of guitars played by our talented youngsters and guides.
After a good night’s sleep to recover from their first day, our young people started the day with enthusiasm at the idea of discovering what this second day on Triton territory had in store for them. After breakfast, carefully prepared for each of us, our bellies full, we set out under snowy skies for our first snowshoeing experiment. This is also the moment the Triton team chose to announce that our young explorers would get to take their snowshoes home with them; after all, they would be their faithful friends over many kilometres!
Throughout our walk in the woods, we had the opportunity to find out about fir and spruce trees, animal tracks, and to practice the art of writing in the snow with walking sticks. The walk in the forest was also our chance to get familiar with our new eco-transportation mode; through relay races and walking in pairs we were finally got the knack of snowshoeing.
Then, following an afternoon spent taking care of logistics and preparations for the dogsledding expedition, we finally got to meet the dog teams that will be transporting us around the territory. We were all grouped together right in the middle of the solidly frozen, snow-covered lake, to exchange for the first time with the 60 dogs that make up the Triton sledding teams.
During the evening, the three Mushers* responsible for the expedition took the time to explain how the next few days with the dogs would be spent. Day by day, humans and dogs will learn to know each other, a little bit at a time, to efficiently travel over the snowy ground of this pristine natural setting.
The youth were excited as they tried to get to sleep, dreaming of next day’s activities with the dogs and the following night under the stars.
*Musher: Someone who drives, or “mushes”, a dogsled and takes care of the dog team.
«The dogs are beautiful, but also a little bit scary! They growled and were all excited. But I’m really looking forward to setting off tomorrow…» Corinne
Now that the ice is broken, that the first words have taken flight, I can introduce you to the passionate one behind the accounts you will find in this blog. From the perspective of my 26 years, Greater Montreal resident for several years already, I have this insatiable curiosity which always awakens in me the need to explore unknown trails. My profession as a resource teacher gives me the privilege of working with children on a daily basis, which is in itself a fantastic learning experience. Ma passion for writing and the outdoors makes me want put “pen to paper” and express the days spent in nature.
I have known about the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation for several years, and have ever since dreamed of taking part in one of their expeditions. And thanks to those unexpected occurrences, contacts which sometimes change some aspect of one’s existence, I have the honour of breathing life into this expedition’s blog, of reviving it from its dormant state since the last expedition. I am therefore marching to the beat of this adventure, with my passion for writing, my unconditional love for youngsters, and my fascination for nature. As I put my heart into this great project, I shall take enormous pleasure in putting into words our everyday experiences and taking you with us into a universe where nature is the healer.
We’ll be standing on the tips of our toes and taking deep breaths as we take the trail to a new world of expedition!
Indeed! February 29 to March 7, the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation is taking eleven teenagers and young adults living with cancer on an expedition, along the trails of the “coureurs de bois”. We will head into Territoire du Triton, in the Haute-Mauricie Region, to discover this majestic domain by dogsled and snowshoes.
In a few short days, Seigneurie du Triton will become a living theatre where remission, surpassing oneself, intensity and integrity come together. In a few short days, the sheer size of the landscapes will be a dizzying experience to say the least, but remember, the sun always rises in the East. In a few short days, plunging into a pristine natural setting will bring back the serenity that is so hard to find in our chaotic everyday lives. In a few short days, our brave adventurers will be facing challenges that will, one step at a time, lead these indomitable combatants to find within them unknown strengths. In a few short days, the frozen landscapes, prisoners of winter climate, will vibrate to the echo of their courage.
Following the introductory meeting last Thursday, where most of the participants got to know each other, one could feel expectation, agitation in the air; the excitement of facing the unknown, the last days of an endless wait upon us. Until we set off into the Haute-Mauricie region for the first time, we remind all expedition members to prepare well, and you, faithful readers, we ask you to follow our tracks along the way, starting today, through this blog and its daily reports.
Our blog is on break until the next expedition in Québec’s Mauricie region. Stay tuned.
Myself in good company.
Like so many others upon their return, everyday life was waiting for me. I was really happy to have this opportunity to keep you informed with short bios and pictures of our daily experiences. I have been traveling extensively for several years, but this expedition was a memorable one for me. The physical aspect of an expedition is always an interesting challenge, but the exploration of the inner self is a far deeper experience.
On the last evening, we were asked to choose one word to describe our experience. I chose “privilege”; that of having shared the experience with you. If I could choose another word, I would say “sense”; for the ever-present seduction of the 5 senses during the voyage, and the sense of purpose the trip gave us. But also for the sense of meaning you give your own lives, you have given to mine, and which you were able to draw from your past experiences to build hope for the future… thank you for letting me into your world, if only to touch its surface. I am at once honored, humbled, and wizened.
Mario presents the paddle each will hold when their time comes to share their impressions.
Early morning, the team visited the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Interpretation Centre. The presentation began with descriptions of the diving equipment, followed by a “live” dive, and ended with a Q&A.
After a superb seafood lunch, the campers went out to sea to observe seals, humpbacks, and minkes, amongst others.
With a little sadness in their hearts, the group had one last supper together. Later, they continued the evening at the Mer et Monde coffee shop with laughter and giggles.
But before this, the organizers took the time to seal this adventure in the Foundation’s own special way. In a circle, one by one, everybody had a chance to share their impressions and thoughts on the last few days. Don’t look for any photos of this moment on this blog, because they’re somewhere in our hearts.
The sun was blazing away. Click to see more.
The expedition finally had a perfect day. A beautiful sky with a soothing breeze accompanied the team all the way to Tadoussac.
With only 10 km to paddle on this day, the team had plenty of time to check out birds and marine wildlife (see photos). The last goody bag of chocolate was ransacked in the process and the arrival at Tadoussac was just in time for supper.
Happy to have completed the expedition and feeling that the end was around the corner, a little moment of celebration was held on the beach in front of a camera crew and a few curious souls.
Afterwards, the group was driven to Bergeronnes where they set up camp for two nights with an awesome view of the St. Lawrence. Everybody sprinted for the showers, a first in a week.
Supper consisted of corn and hotdogs. Yummy!
En route to Tadoussac. Pretty stuff.
The team faced wind and waves in the morning in order to reach the northern side of the Fjord. “It was stimulating to paddle in these conditions. It was a real challenge”, a satisfied Jessica said.
The two canoes navigated a few kilometers before finding a landing to transfer into the zodiac. The idea was to speed up the expedition. Some brave souls brought the canoes back by tying them together and using the wind in their favour against the waves. The zodiac group was relaxing in the sun, getting tanned, in the meantime!
Marie-Claude’s leg turned out to be ok. She and Karine, the nurse, joined the group later that day for the remainder leg of paddling. Destination of the day: the magnificent campsite at Pointe à Passe-Pierre.
Click on the photo to see more in Flickr.
“Maybe we didn’t paddle today, but it wasn’t a lost day. We chatted, we chilled, we played… it was a nice day in the end” commented Joannie.
In fact, the strong wind and the white waves would have made navigation a little difficult. Departure was postponed until the afternoon. Conditions by then weren’t getting favourable, so another night in Anse-à-Tabatière was scheduled.
Everybody enjoyed their day. Card games on one side, exchange of crafted bracelets and necklaces on the other, and discussions here and there marked the day. Marc, a guide, tried a special recipe; beans cooked on the fire.
Bertrand, the child life specialist, on the other hand suggested that all future expeditions have a similar relaxing day. 
Today’s only concern: Nicolas, the doctor, decided that Marie-Claude should get her swollen knee checked. Nurse Karine and her took off in the zodiac, hoping for a speedy return.
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