Reports are coming in from Rigaud , Quebec that last Sunday a motley crew of 12 adventurers ventured out on a bright sunny Fall day on a self supported guideless trip to reach the cross. This was the Beaver Tails first hike of the season and regrettably the local guide was unavailable hence it calls into doubt the judgement of the group to proceed, however be that as it may proceed they did. There was a slight breeze, a South Wester, apparently a nautical term used by several members of the group who had affiliations to a well known West Island sailing club and with a temperature of 6C ideal conditions for a walk in the park, sadly this group was on Rigaud hill. The group’s log showed that all went well for quite a while with several good calls being made at tricky junctions but contact was lost with the group as they attempted a variant to the original plan. Now it could be argued that given there was no plan this was not a variant but just another way of achieving the goal. Contact was re-established when the group re- appeared at the potato fields and executed a perfectly performed tack to approach the cross from an Easterly direction. Climbing steadily the group apparently topped out at the cross where they were observed to be enjoying the excellent views available at this point. The return was apparently uneventful as they passed the top of Rigaud down ski hill then ventured back onto the forest trails, reaching Le Sucrerie de La Montagne sometime later.At a specially convened meeting in Tim Hortons on the groups way home it was decided that the first hike had been a success however the leader may be called before a public enquiry to account for his actions.
This report first appeared in the Huffington Post Beaver tails edition.
Bean counter notes : Sunny day with variable clouds, temperature at the start 6C rising steadily during the day. Walk approx 10kms.