News from phase 2

So we’re now nearing the end of phase 2 and how time flies. All the groups are due back with us on Thursday, so here at field base we’re busy preparing for an exciting 3 days of changeover and looking forward checking out the crazy facial hair the lads have been cultivating. Here’s an update on how the groups have been getting on in the past couple of weeks:

Alpha 1
Congratulations go to PM superman Tom and his team for completing the awesome Maribios volcano trek across northern Nicaragua. News came in on the radio last night that they had reached the beach at Machapa and were relaxing with a well-deserved BBQ and night in a beach lodge. That’s 280km and 2 volcano climbs under their belts – well done A1.

Alpha 2
Likewise, Alpha 2 trekkers are currently watching the sunsets further down the Pacific coast in Costa Rica. They have just completed an incredible journey against all odds across the Guanacaste province, a brilliant achievement. We’ve just received news via the radio that they have been joined for the celebrations by the support team in the Bravo 1 landrover. Lets hope the weather holds out for them all for a day on the beach tomorrow.

Alpha 3
After a week battling the rain on top of Volcan Turrialba to complete their work on the viewing platform, Alpha 3 are now settled into their new home of San Lucas Island in the Gulf of Nicoya. This is a deserted prison island (Costa Rica’s version of Alcatraz) and here the group are starting work on clearing trails and installing a water system that will be continued by the next Alpha 3 group in the final phase. Field base paid them a visit at the weekend and were treated to fantastic weather, a game of rounders on the beach, marshmallows round the campfire and a night in hammocks on the pier. Not a bad life.

Alpha 4
Good news too from La Cangreja National Park. Alpha 4 have completed all the planned work for this programme – an immense 3km of trench digging and pipe hauling plus the construction of tanks to bring fresh water into the ranger station. They’ve now cast off the wellies and are spending their final two days of phase on the beach for a well-earned chill out.

Alpha 5
An enormous well done to the group in Wisquili. The news yesterday was that the tanks are all now completed, joining the pipe system created in phase 1 to bring clean drinking water into the village homes. They have also finished the massive task of building an essential new well. The community is delighted with the work and is holding a farewell party for the gang tonight before they start the long bus trip back to base tomorrow.

Alpha 6
And our final awesome success story comes from Alpha 6 in the Miraflor Nature Reserve in Nicaragua. The primary school/community centre is now open! In this phase the group has succeeded in completing the walls and roof of the schoolroom as well as the plastering and painting of a stunning mural for the interior walls. The official opening ceremony was held today, we’re just sorry we couldn’t all be there for the party. Well done team.



Check back at the weekend for news from changeover and the final phase allocations.