09G (5-Week Expedition) PMs return victorious from Jungle Camp

After a night in the beautiful (but slightly drizzly) Costa Rican Jungle, the 5-Week PMs made a triumphant return to Field Base this morning to continue their Project Manager Skills (PMS) Training with Ross & Oli. We were delighted to welcome Jana, Medic Extraordinaire to Field Base this morning where he was greeted with hugs and Mango & Banana Smoothie.

On Thursday, the group split into two for their two-night mini-expedition, with Freya, Kate, Charlie & Julia making up the indomitable “X-Ray 1”, and Alex O’C, Sand, Maja & Rachel representing the indefatigable “X-Ray 2”.

A Lean, Mean, Walking Machine
Back: Alex O'C, Sand, Freya, Charlie, Maja, Julia Front: Kate & Rachel

The locations of the first night’s camping were two glamorous football fields, attracting the curiosity of the locals and providing the girls with a chance to sharpen their Spanish (although frankly they're pretty darned good already).

After a lazy 4:00am start and a couple of 'scenic detours' the girls arrived at the River Crossing which caused them not a moment's hesitation.

Sand asks, "Is this the way to Amarillo?" (la la la la laaaaaa)
Breather at the Bridge...
The Triad: Freya, Kate & Charlie
Charlie makes light work of the water
Julia does it with style
The two groups met up again at Jungle Camp and wasted no time in drawing their machetes and hacking up their bedware. John Lewis has nothing on these ladies - Maya's Basha-Bed Mark 3 was simply a masterpiece of Jungle Workmanship. A communal feast of pasta and tomato sauce, followed by an 'Energy Bomb' dessert (oats, condensed milk, nuts, raisins & chocolate powder), and washing-up watched over by an enormous stick insect, preceded a visit from Ross & Oli. Despite the rain, the Junglists cheerfully retired to their forestry accommodation, to be woken in the morning by Julia's mild yelps as her hammock slowly descended to the ground.

Kate Makes World-Class Rice Pudding
Another 4:00am wake-up call was followed by a mock 'Casevac' (Casualty Evacuation) with faux-patient Kate and a fractured femur. She was gallantly stretchered back to safety by her team whereupon she made a miraculous recovery in time for coffee on the terrace.

The verdict: "Wet but good!"