Conquête du Haute Route: Second Edition
We must have outstanding karma at Oberson. Because it had rained during the week in Fjord-du-Saguenay, our expectations for conditions weren’t that optimistic. However, confident that our luck could turn, our team hit the road and headed east to orchestrate the second Conquête du Haute Route.
And then Mother Nature granted our wish on Thursday night—a storm swept through Anse-St-Jean and left behind more than 20 cm of true champagne powder! This turnaround in the weather boded well for an indelible day in Mont Edouard’s backcountry. And that’s exactly what it was.
In collaboration with Julien Nantais of MtnJu, Mont Edouard ski resort and the team from Oberson stores, the Conquête du Haute Route has the goal of introducing both newbies and experts to the impressive backcountry sector developed in 2014. The guided event focuses on learning, discovery and adventure. The resort’s alpine touring sector now spans more than 200 acres and features six descents, twenty kilometres of trails and four huts. It’s a true backcountry gem in Quebec.
It was a biting minus twenty degrees as the sun quietly rose over the mountains. The first participants introduced themselves, smiling as they saw the fresh powder that awaited them. For many, the event had already become a tradition and a time to gather with family and friends to experience Mont Edouard. We met as many new faces as those we knew from last year.
This year, a hundred people split up into fourteen groups to roam the backcountry. Accompanied by professional guides from the outdoor industry, they explored different areas, which were closer or farther away based on their ability levels. With all the descents covered in deep powder, cries of joy echoed throughout the valley all day.
The sun was shining, but the cold had firmly set in. The three warming stations created in collaboration with our partners Orage, Nitro, Eivy, Jones, Rab and Salomon were welcome sights for the groups that came across them on their routes. Tomato broth, hot chocolate, some sweet treats and light cider were served at the foot of the Hibou and Géant descents.
By midafternoon, the sky clouded over and snowflakes began to fall. Around 3:00 p.m., several groups were back at the bottom of the slopes. Ruddy-cheeked backcountry adventurers gathered for a generous drawing from our partners and après-ski festivities to the sounds of local DJ Simon Villeneuve’s turntables.
The atmosphere was celebratory, and everyone felt the satisfaction of a day spent touring. That was when the laughter, conversations and dance steps were all at their peak, and the whole team knew how successful the event had been. As they say on a film set, it’s a wrap!
We would like to give sincere thanks to all those who helped the second edition of the Conquête du Haute Route happen and made it a success. Cheers!
