X-Ray 4: Heavenly Paths, Beautiful Bridges and Turtles

X-ray 4 have been working hard since the last update. Following completion of the mirador path which we have named “sendero escalera al cielo” (stairway to heaven), we now have a further list of work we would like to complete to help the rangers as much as possible. Wednesday saw the start of a hectic day. The day shift got stuck into cleaning the site for the first of a number of bridges which will eventually become a tourist trail behind the beach. We then began clearing another path to connect the bridge to the beach. The hard work continued on Thursday, with the path being finished and the first three supports laid for the bridge. We also created a sign to go on top of the mirador to say “Raleigh did this!”

A lucky few in the group were rewarded with their first glimpse of a nesting Leatherback turtle. It was a truly spectacular occasion and emphasized to us all the importance of the work we are doing here. The previous nights encounter with the turtle gave us new vigour in our efforts to repair the existing path to the beach as we wanted others to be able to share such a moment. We now have an even more stunning view of the beach!

Saturday consisted of a well deserved day trip to Samara. Imagine the most incredible beach with palm trees, clear waters, surfers, the best smoothies in the world and having it virtually to yourself. Fully charged after sunbathing and hamburgers, we headed back to our own little paradise...not even the river crossing could faze us!

After a relaxing Saturday we got straight back to work on Sunday. In the morning some of the group started to improve the entrance to Camaronal Rangers Station as a muddy driveway seemed to be causing a constant problem to visitors. In the afternoon we carried on working on the bridge and clearing the "sendero". The bridge seems to be coming on in leaps and bounds and looking back each day on the path we have cleared is more than incentive to carry on the hard work.

On Monday we had a minor setback and had to realign some of the foundations for the bridge but work continued throughout the day and all of the foundations were finished by 3pm. Unfortunately, we had to stop when it rained...and poured, in true Costa Rican style.

Tuesday we were awoken to the delight that finally some baby turtles had surfaced in the hatchery. It was absolutely amazing to see tiny turtles work their way down towards the Pacific Ocean, instinctively knowing what they had to do. We named one turtle Cesar Uno, as today was Cesar’s birhtday - celebrated in true Raleigh style with Energy Bombs! :) This morning we revisited the Mirador to fix any steps which had been ruined due to the rain. Fortunately only four steps needed repairing and we are looking forward to the arrival of Bravo 1 and the Fieldbase staff on Friday to see all our hard work completed. Work continued on the bridge this afternoon and the first planks were laid. The foundations and side structure has now transformed into a sturdy bridge.
Claire Ludlow

We hope to have some photos of their finished work soon!