In late October, two remarkable women from the region, including Roxanne Larouche from Johanna, will set off on an inspiring journey known as the Rose Trip Maroc, a trek exclusively for women through the Moroccan desert. This empowering adventure emphasizes personal growth and mutual trust as its foundational principles.
Roxanne Larouche and Julie Dupuis may have only known each other for four years, but their bond has grown significantly during this time. As partners in the same company, Complexe X, they frequently travel together across the province, making it a natural choice for them to join forces for the Rose Trip Maroc. They will depart for Morocco on October 18, with their desert trek scheduled to commence on the morning of October 22. Roxanne enthusiastically shares, "We don’t do things halfway," admitting that she signed up for the most challenging route available. Julie adds humorously, "When she sent me the message, I filled out the forms and completed the payment in five minutes!"
Their preparation began more than a year ago when Roxanne stumbled upon the Rose Trip Cap-Vert 2025 on social media. Since then, she has participated in a half-marathon last April and maintains a regular running routine. Julie, on the other hand, is no stranger to trekking; she completed a journey around the Himalayas in 2019 without cell service. This experience has equipped them with the necessary tools to tackle the challenges of the Moroccan desert.
Preparation: A Commitment to Health
Both women express their excitement rather than stress, stating, "We’re more excited than anxious." They also share that they have completely abstained from alcohol to ensure they are in peak physical condition for the trek. With a lighthearted tone, they joke, "We might discover aspects of each other we didn’t know. We might even separate at times!" Since her trek in 2019, Julie has realized that she had neglected physical activity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. "By signing up for this event, I decided to prioritize my health," she confesses, committing to walking at least 10 kilometers a day in preparation for the Rose Trip.
"I think we’re going to have fun," Julie quips. Both women, known for their competitive spirit and intuition, recognize the importance of trusting each other and allowing things to unfold naturally. Roxanne shares her intention to embrace the experience, stating, "I want to live this experience, have fun, and just watch the sunset in the desert."
A Cause Worth Supporting
In addition to their personal journey, the two friends have partnered with the Fillactives foundation, which advocates for physical activity among young women from adolescence and throughout their lives. Through partnerships and support from Complexe X, they have raised nearly $15,000 for Fillactive. For the first time in the event's history, the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation has joined this initiative. On the final day of the trek, participants will be invited to climb a dune and form the symbolic pink ribbon representing the fight against women's cancer, all while wearing pink shirts.
Through their participation, Julie and Roxanne aim to inspire, motivate, and raise awareness among young women about the importance of pushing boundaries in sports and cultivating self-confidence.
As reported by canadafrancais.com.
