Expedition 08A Blog 5: Phase 1 Deployment

It has been an exciting week for Raleigh International staff and participants in Costa Rica. Very early on Tuesday morning eight of the nine alpha groups loaded themselves on to buses and set off for their project sites. There were hugs and tears as new friends said their goodbyes; there were last minute panics as kit lists were double-checked; and there were sighs of relief from the Field Base staff who had spent the previous three weeks planning Phase One deployment.

Some Alpha groups had long and interesting journeys to their project sites. Alpha 9 negotiated tide times and trekked for six hours along Punta Banco beach to reach Conte Burika; Alpha 5 walked up the Rio Bonito River to get to Piedras Blancas; and Alpha groups 7 and 8, who were travelling to Achuapa and Miraflor in Nicaragua, spent almost two full days on buses. Meanwhile, Alpha 3 just rolled out of bed as their ‘Macho Trek’ started at Field Base.

We are pleased to report that all of the groups arrived at their project sites safely and promptly established communications. They will continue to report to Field Base twice daily using HF radios. Early reports suggest they are now putting into practice skills learnt during induction. As mentioned in previous entries, induction included setting up a jungle camp, practising orientation skills, learning about the history of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, running through health and safety essentials, simulating a casualty evacuation and playing plenty of games to get to know one another a bit better. Induction culminated in an early Valentines night fancy dress party. Cupid, the Jack of Hearts and several other dubious characters all turned up.















In our next instalment we hope to bring news of progress via our intrepid Field Base staff who will be deploying on road trips to visit the project sites. With them will come food drops, post and a few treats from the mobile shop.