Alpha Group Round Up

Fresh back from 9 days trekking with the delightful Alpha 3, I thought I would indulge in some blog action and give you all an update on the latest antics of the Alpha groups.

Alpha 1 - Alpha 1 spent the night in what I personally consider to be one of the best accommodations on trek, the local church in Santa Lucia. This church not only provides you with mattresses to sleep on but also offers a fully equipped kitchen and hot (yes hot) water showers. The break was well deserved by Alpha 1 who were misdirected by some well meaning locals and as such had to retrace their steps putting them back a day. You have to feel for them, it is heart breaking to back track, but Stu, Natalie and Kirsty tell me that the team have handled it like true champions, and are determined to make up their lost time. Today they tackle a jungle section, which although tough on the legs offers you some magical views, and a chance to look out over the penisular and the Corcovado National Park. The best news from Alpha 1 is that the dog that followed the original Alpha 1 (my group) has been safely reunited with its owners, Rosie and Nick were beside themselves with joy.

Alpha 2 - Are today tackling one of the highlights of their trek, summiting the Dragon. The group made it to base camp yesterday, and spent the night wild camping, before rising early to make the climb. Currently in the middle of some splendid weather, we are hoping that the group gets the views they deserve. The only trek to have kept all members, these guys are living up to their namesake. They were visited by Ross a couple of days ago at the dreaded pylons, the place where it always seems to be raining! But despite the weather and the climb, the group were in good form.

Alpha 3 - The food drops and various pickups means that you have heard quite a lot from Alpha 3 recently and although I shall try and be fair and limit myself, I hope you will forgive my bias, however as after 9 days crossing a continent, you can't really help getting very attached. I left these guys yesterday after a 23km slog led by Adam who whipped us into shape after a couple of somewhat relaxed days. Up by 3am we left by 5am, and followed a strict regime of 1 hour walk with 10 minutes break. It worked brilliantly, the team rising to the challenge and being duly rewarded by a 2 hour lunch break in Pejebaye, where we found a supermarket - oh the joy of icecream. Jo kept me entertained along the way, sharing her love for theme parks, she can tell you about every ride in the world! while Marvin always keeps us all laughing, he is pure comic genius. Sean and Adam never cease to impress us with their eating abilities, 3 bags of porridge yesterday people! Trading snacks is an essential trekking skill, how many Crema biscuits you can get for a packet of nuts and raisins is dependent on many things - timing, pulperia location, bluffing ability and difficulty of day to name a few- the only food not in demand is the refried beans which suited me perfectly as I currently have a two bag a day addiction!

Today with Wendy fresh out of the blocks, Alpha 3 pass through some styunning cloud forest before descending down to Puriscal. Here they will stay before they too take on the pylons - we wish them well.

Alpha 4 - I have literally just gotten off the phone to Alpha 4 who are making their way back to La Cangreja after two glorious days at Playa Hermosa. Here they celebrated Charlotte's birthday with a bonfire and marshmallows, and of course plenty of sun and sand action. The group also headed out with the rangers in a quest to see turtles, although it wasn't to be their night, they did have the chance to see masses of crocodiles at the infamous crocodile bridge. With plenty of trenches still to be dug, the group will now refocus on the task ahead, no doubt having more fun as they go.

Alpha 5 - Today is Jame's birthday and to celebrate the group will have a BBQ with Laura and Jackie from Fieldbase who are there to orcherstrate the great PM swap. Amy will return in a couple of days, but not before a trip to the incredibly beautiful Naranjo beach, home to the well known surf spot of Witches Rock. Alpha 5 will set out early tomorrow morning for the 12 km trek down to the beach where they will spend the night under the stars. Having visited this spot on a couple of occassions I know that they are in for a real treat. I spoke to the ever positive and upbeat Sophie and Tish, and the hilarious Flor this morning, who tell me they are having a brilliant time. They are completely in love with Santa Rosa and have enjoyed demolishing and rebuilding the BBQs. With this part of the job almost complete the group will now tackle the toilet blocks, first scrapping off the old paint before applying the new coat. They will undoubtedly leave a huge impression on this park and indeed on each other.

Alpha 6 - down on the beach the group continues their work on clearing the site of its coconut saplings, but have taken on some additional challenges in order to spice up their days. Coconut shot put was a featured event at the recent olympics, no news on the victor although my money is on James. Members of Alpha 6 also took on the Solo challenge, spending the night alone (100 metres apart) on the beach. A great experience for all who were successful, (some of the girls may have chickened out). A visit from Julian and Szeman from Fieldbase, led to a BBQ celebrations and a chilled night under the stars, just another day in paradise.

Alpha 9 - and finally from the very south of the country, Alpha 9 actually crossed into Panama today to collect the roof materials. This is seriously hard graft for these guys as it's a good couple of hours there and then another couple of hours back - and it's not flat!!! We will be with them in spirit. The group have been pulling some big hours lately in an effort to complete the building on time working until 6pm the other day. Incredibly happy to be in this really magical place, they are on excellent form.

And that I think is all the news that I can give you before I head off to do my push up regime of 10 to 1, and eat more salad (I really missed vegetables on trek!).

Pura Vida
Anna