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People & Culture

Route Blanche expedition encounters cold weather, warm reception in Quebec

An update from the Route Blanche 2016 snowshoeing expedition
  • Feb 24, 2016
  • 234 words
  • 1 minutes
Dave Greene and dog Osa snowshoeing
Dave Greene and dog Osa snowshoeing on Day 5 of the Route Blanche expedition. (Photo: Adrien Greene)
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Every dispatch from the 2016 Route Blanche snowshoe expedition starts with a Haiku summarizing the day’s progress and events.

Over the course of the first week of their 418-kilometre journey along Quebec’s Lower North Shore, Dave and Adrien Greene and their dog Osa have battled heavy snowfall, strong winds and average nighttime temperatures of -20C, yet they have remained in high spirits.

“The Lower North Shore/where people are the kindest/warm homes and warm hearts,” they wrote on Feb. 22. It’s a glowing review of a little-known corner of Canada the Greenes are excited to share with the world upon their return.

What is it like snowshoeing up to 16 kilometres a day across an unspoiled landscape using traditional winter camping methods?

The Greenes must obtain all of their drinking and washing water – upwards of 10 litres per day – by melting and boiling snow on their portable woodstove. They also must eat 2,000 calories a day to stay warm and maintain their energy levels.

They are rewarded for their hard work with incredible scenes like this view of Mutton Bay:

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Osa rests atop a hill with a view of Mutton Bay on Quebec’s Lower North Shore. (Photo: Dave and Adrien Greene)

After a rest day today, the Route Blanche expedition resumes tomorrow. Follow Dave and Adrien’s adventure on their blog.

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