I’m coming back stronger”: on her second attempt to reach the summit of Mount Denali, in Alaska, Marie-Pier Desharnais was forced to turn back. Despite everything, the Quebec mountaineer returned home with a sense of accomplishment.
The expedition that took her to the foot of the highest peak in North America almost three weeks ago was to be the supreme consecration for the native Victoriavilloise. If she had succeeded in defeating the rock monster, she would have joined the very small group of mountaineers who managed to set foot on the highest peak and the highest volcano on each continent.
But Mother Nature turned out to be more stubborn than the adventurer, despite all her goodwill.
“It’s been a season [particulière], she says in an interview with The Canadian Press. We almost tasted it! »
Mme Desharnais and his two expedition companions had to deal with “really low temperatures, lots of snow [et] clouds that give zero visibility”.
“Everything was white, it was impossible to distinguish the horizon from the ground, relates the main interested party. We thought we’d put our foot on the ground, but in the end, it was a hole. We could see absolutely nothing. »
Several accidents were narrowly avoided. Accidents that could have had disastrous, even fatal consequences. “I fell several times, but luckily the guys held me back! says Marie-Pier Desharnais. We were there to support each other. »
lesson in humility
Despite everything, the accumulation of pitfalls forced the trio to turn their heels, after three unsuccessful attempts to conquer Mount Denali during the expedition.
“We all broke at one time or another,” says the mountaineer. There was a very thin line between our will [d’]achieve our goal and stubbornness. We understood that the mountain did not want to let us pass. »
Back at base, M.me Desharnais is not the least bit bitter or disappointed by this setback, on the contrary. “I am at peace,” she says. We made the decision to leave when we felt we had given everything we could. Personally, I have never, for any other expedition, given so much. »
” [Cette ascension] was more intense, it allowed me to surpass myself much more than other expeditions where I reached the summit for the first time, she continues. I exceeded my limits and I really learned. »
The experience also proved to be a lesson in humility for the athlete. “It’s not bad to be put in your place once in a while!” she says humorously. The last few years have been rich in success, but it’s important to show that in the end, it’s the mountain that decides. »
Will she try to measure herself a third time against the latter? “I’m fed up with this mountain, I can’t take it anymore! loose Mme Desharnais. I wasn’t so excited to go back, I was going to complete the Seven Summits Loop. »
“And then, there are plenty of other peaks that attract me elsewhere,” continues the one who caresses other projects, such as the publication of a book and a lecture tour.
The mountaineer, however, refuses to draw a definitive line on Mount Denali. “I have a little trouble with things that aren’t finished…” she finally admits. Maybe if we talk about it again in a few months, I will have changed my mind! »
This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for the news.