Week 5

The fifth week of Caroline’s expedition was just as difficult as expected. It began with her departure from Micoua substation in Rivière-aux-Outardes, to slowly but surely make her way to Outardes-4 generating station, and then on to Bersimis-1 generating station.

It’s not easy out there: the uneven terrain is covered with over a metre of heavy, wet snow, which collapses under Caroline’s weight, so she often has to battle through snow that is waist-deep. Even with top-quality snowshoes, she can only do so much in these far-from-ideal conditions, not to mention all the detours she’s had to take to find the safest places to cross the rivers in her path.

The days are long and tiring, and she doesn’t always get the rest she needs at night, in sub-zero Celsius temperatures and damp clothes.

We spoke to her on the phone, and she had this to say about her experience out on the field:

To be honest, there are some moments I have to dig pretty deep to find the strength to keep going. But I just take it one step at a time.

To wrap up this challenge-filled week, expedition leader Samuel Ostiguy met up with Caroline to bring support and provisions: new equipment, adapted to the conditions, and more food.

At Bersimis-1 generating station, they’re looking at every detail of the next segment of the expedition in preparation for Caroline’s journey to Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. A brief stopover, a bit of rest and respite, and she’ll be ready to embark on the next leg of the journey!

She’ll take on the next phase of the trek with her trademark courage, perseverance and determination—but now more than ever, Caroline needs our encouragement!