Zulu Three: Coast to Coast capers...

With trekking groups Zulu One and Two looking after the North and South of Costa Rica, Zulu Three are responsible for East, West and anything in between. Crossing a continent is not to be underestimated, here's a quick update on what they've been up to so far and what the future holds.   

Zulu Three - Day Nine and still smiling

Starting on the Carribean Coast, Zulu Three eased themselves into their 250-kilometer journey on the flat banana growing plains north-east of Limon. A good opportunity to tune the rucsac and wake up lethargic legs before the terrain tilts towards the sky. By Day Four, our Coast-to-Coasters found themselves on the fringe of Barbilla National Park, and the lofty landscapes of the next few days loomed on the horizon. Did we mention that this particular park is infamous as the wettest region of Costa Rica, and that cloud-free days at this location are like hens teeth. Happily though, good fortune shines on the brave and after ascending 500 meters above sea level, Zulu Three were rewarded with a rare sight - clear blue skies, an amazing sunset and views of Volcan Turrialba lazily pluming smoke in the distance as they made an overnight stop at Barbilla ranger station. And it gets better: Bravo Three dropped in for a cup of tea, to deposit a few supplies and find out how the team were bearing up...

Tom talks us through the first few days on trek

Unphased by the challenges that lay ahead, the trekkers plumped for an early night before heading into the jungle for a few days - a highlight in any trekkers calender. We dropped in again on Day Eight with another bag of carbohydrates and got this update from young Mr Carmichael:

Ollie shows us round the overnight accommodation for Day Eight

Post jungle and still on form, Zulu Three seem to be taking this continent-crossing caper in their stride. Conveniently, their wanderings have also brought them a stones throw from Fieldbase this morning so, bored with twidling the radio buttons back at the ranch, we just couldn't resist popping out to see them at Atirro, and deliver a little surprise...

Zulu Three taking the weight off and enjoying a quick snack

PM Vanessa making use of Bravo Three to get in contact with Fieldbase

Colour coordinated PMs Simon and Ruth

So, today's the entertainment comes in the form of a pleasant 14km stroll from Atirro to Taus, handrailing the Rio Pejibaye. It's a hot one out there today so that River should come in handy along the way. And what of our special delivery? Well, with all those tales of fun and high-jinks coming in over the radio each night, Fieldbase have dispatched their photographic sleuth Ollie to capture first hand some of the action. The plan is to extract him during the next resupply visit in three days time at La Esperanza with an exclusive fifteen shot photo diary of life on trek. Watch this space!

Zulu Three hit the road with photographer Ollie onboard

And what does the future hold for Zulu Three as they near the halfway point of their journey? Continuing on a South Westerly bearing, they head towards the Provincial  border bewteen Cartago and San Jose. Along the way they'll skirt around the massive 2500m of Chonta and take on Cerro La Dragon with a ferocity that would make St George proud. The terrain will then mellow as they hit the coastal plains of Punteranas before arrivng at Playa Palo Seco to bathe their weary feet in the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean. I think you'll agree - they will have earnt it! 

  

Up next: Tomorrow we drop in on Zulu Four's jungle camp in La Cangreja National Park