By Don Jones
We all know Patrick Lalonde as a local Physiotherapist and one of the key organizers of La Baie Run in L’Orignal that just completed its fifth year and has raised over $130K for the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) Foundation’s “There’s No Place Like Home” campaign.
What we don’t know is that Hawkesbury born Patrick Lalonde recently appeared on the front cover of “Alpinist 84” Magazine in their Winter Edition.
“Alpinist 84” shows Patrick as he ascends the highest mountain in Maine known as Mount Katahdin. It is a very interesting photo and shows Patrick ascending with ice axes in hand as he navigates the ice wall known as Tut’s Thumb. Hidden from the photo are Patrick’s skis strapped to his back. This quality magazine is published quarterly from the USA and is world renowned for its content that caters to the mountaineer and alpinist enthusiasts.
If you asked Patrick about this accomplishment, he would be totally humble and recognize his fellow co-climbers first including Brent Doscher, Adam Bidwell and Ryan Atkins. It is true they train together and may be equally qualified but “Alpinist 84” decided to use a photo of Patrick’s ascent.
Alpine climbing is a serious passion of Patrick Lalonde. He started as a Mountaineer and during his time out in Western Canada as a young man with his brother Michael, they both developed the skills of an Alpinist.
What is the difference between a Mountaineer and an Alpinist you ask? Both adventurists have the same goal of climbing and reaching the top of a mountain. The difference is an Alpinist looks at the summit and essentially climbs it using the most direct and strenuous route with minimal baggage and equipment. That effort involves a combination of ice climbing, rock climbing and back country skiing in all types of weather and altitude. The Alpinist must be in superb fitness and health and use every technical skill a climber possesses.
Patrick was born and raised in the Hawkesbury area. Patrick and life partner, Eleni Corbeil, and their three children, Vallie, Fitz and Ocie currently reside in L’Orignal and are fully supportive with Patrick’s numerous quests. His father, Richard Lalonde of L’Orignal and mother, Jane Mitchell, of Hawkesbury have always encouraged and supported the activities of their two sons. In 2012, Jane accompanied Patrick on a climbing trip to Mount Aconcagua, Argentina, the highest mountain in South America at 6,961 metres.
Patrick’s life and career is all about patient’s health and care. As a Physiotherapist, he analyzes a patient’s injury and creates a plan to reduce pain and improve function to the individual. He has developed an excellent team of physiotherapists, and recently expanded physio services to children and other health needs including a licensed dietician and massage therapists. They just opened a new facility on Main Street in Hawkesbury and maintain their clinic in L’Orignal.
Patrick is also an active downhill and Nordic skier including the Canadian Ski Marathon (gold) competition. He is also a marathon and ultra runner and is a long-distance cyclist.
Patrick hiked and completed the Appalachian Trail in 2015 stretching across 14 different states.
Completing the entire 3,540 km of the Appalachian Trail in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way. A typical thru-hiker takes five to seven months to hike the entire trail; Patrick did it in 57 days! It is a true honour for Patrick to be showcased on the front cover of “Alpinist 84”. What is next for Patrick includes a trip to Alaska in May to climb Mount Denali, the highest peak in North America at 6,190 metres making it one of the world’s seven summits. We all wish him well in this
incredible challenge and those yet to come.
