Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Climbing Dragon Mountain with Xray 2...Vanessa reports

Sunday, 21 November 2010

Climbing Dragon Mountain with Xray 2...Vanessa reports

Day 14 of the Costa Rica Trek and time to climb Cerro Dragon- Dragon Mountain.

Carl, Sarah and I joined Xray 2 the previous night where we camped at the base of Cerro Dragon. As we settled into our sleeping bags ready for an early night we were treated to a chorus of eerie howling from a pack of coyotes. They sounded a little too hungry and a little too close for our liking but eventually we all got off to sleep!

Early the next morning we began our ascent. The changing light and cloud formations over the valleys were absolutely breathtaking. It was a very steep climb, gaining 500m in just a few hours, but Xray 2 are hardcore trekkers and barely stopped for a break until we reached the top. Luckily for us fieldbase crew we had a much deserved rest once we got there! Snacks and time for photos at the top but it then clouded over so we headed back down and onto a nearby village where we would stay for the night in a barn adjacent to the village church. Being the lovely people we are, fieldbase had bought some treats. Scrambled eggs all round went down very well, followed by rice and chickpeas with lots of fresh vegetables. After pineapple and watermelon for dessert we all went to sleep very happy with full stomachs.

We waved goodbye to Xray 2 the following morning as they set off at sunrise. With only 3 days remaining everyone was getting very excited about the beach. We will be sure to let you know when they arrive and finally get to dip their weary feet in the Pacific Ocean!

Views on the way up Cerro Dragon

The steep climb up

One of many weird and wonderful things that live on The Dragon!

PM Laura takes a breather

Xray 2 reaches the summit

The descent

The following morning as we say goodbye to Xray 2

Will and Andy helpfully pointing the way to the beach!

7 comments:

Anonymous22 November 2010 at 06:57
Ellie - XRAY 5
G'day, so great to see some new photo's. Oh so tanned! Jealous! Saw Elise's band with Darren on sat night, once again great. Simon P in for dinner last night, Lisa C in town today. Snow is forecast for fri and sat, down to 2 degrees on the week-end. What a home comming eh! Look forward to taking a phone call in the comming days, all well and happy here. lol Swali xxxxx
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Julie K22 November 2010 at 10:44
For Sarah Kendall X Ray 2
Howdy Sarah
At last you didn't escape the camera! What a lovely photo at the summit of Cerro Dragon. I keep going back to zoom in & see you. Everyone looks so happy. The scenery isn't bad either!
I've just been to the post office to send you another letter. The assistant asked if Costa Rica was in Europe! Let's hope the rest of them are better at Geography & it arrives in about 2 weeks.
Have a lovely birthday on Thursday. Guess you'll be back at fieldbase then so we might get chance to communicate on msn or skype. Hope you get your card. It seems strange not to be making you a cake, the first time ever. I could make the usual chocolate variety for you to come home to instead, if you still want to be reminded of your age with a number 22 & Smarties!
Happy Birthday,
love you lots & lots
Mamma
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (22 of them!)
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Rachel K22 November 2010 at 14:34
Sarah K - Xray 2

Hello Sarah, not written in a while because I've not really had much to say! Still don't really lol. Went home at the weekend. We went to Beverley shopping on Saturday, and then I went in town with my friends, which was lovely. On Sunday we went down my favourite street - Hessle Road- for some bargain shopping :) We then had everyone around for your 'Birthday' tea - Roast Chicken with all the trimmings! Slightly strange having your birthday tea without you there lol, but I'm sure we can manage another one when you are back! I saw Alex lots this weekend. He gets cuter and cuter every day! The next time I see him will be the same time as you, as I won't be home again until Christmas! I have absolutely non-stop work at Uni, but will hopefully be able to take a break and talk to you later in the week! Skype is ready and waiting! If you sent me a postcard too, I still haven't got it :( Stupid post grrrr. It was very nice to see the photos that have just appeared - your legs look slightly bruised surprise surprise lol!

Anyway, speak soon hopefully

Miss you so so so so so much :( Love you lots and lots

Rachel xxxxx
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Anonymous23 November 2010 at 10:43
Andrew Davies, X-Ray 2

Hello skinny! Seriously stop wasting away in front of my very eyes and get out of the sun it's dangerous. I am writing you this from an office...jelous? moi? Mais non!
Work is going quite well, still sussing it out but it's not rocket science!
Did some shocking calculations last night which meant that I would be living on 4 quid a week after rent, tax, bills, food, phone, internet etc... So have broken the news to Hayz that I can't move out. Don't know how she will manage as she's on less than me... Anyway she can live with me until she sorts herself out, I don't envy her!
That is all my news, going to a nice little xmas party tonight at the royal exchange as one of Lucy Watkins "best clients" at bachet, they don't have any clients hence why I'm going and my mother will be "on duty" at this xmas party selling Penhaligon goods, going to be hilarious!!
Think you're back in contact this weekend so look forward to an email!
Besitos!xxxxxx
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Caroline Millar23 November 2010 at 21:18
To Lou Olverson Costa Rica Xray 2 - From Caroline Millar India Charlie 1. Hey mate!! How is life out there? Your pics and blog look amazing - completely different from here in India. It is incredible out here. I've been on Community for phase I & II and I'm heading back out there on phase III. Can't wait to get the houses completed and hand them over to the villagers - It's going to be emotional. When are you back in the UK? I'm back on 7th Jan but planning on spending xmas and new year on a beach in Goa - bliss. We definitely have to meet up when we're both back home - I imagine we'll have loads of stories to tell!!! Good luck with the rest of the expedidition. Love Caroline xx
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Rachel K25 November 2010 at 07:52
For Sarah K, X-ray 2

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!!!! Wow 22 years old! I feel young lol :) It was lovely to talk yesterday and will hopefully later today as well. Can't wait cos I miss you loads and loads! Hope you had a nice night last night and a lovely day today. Love you lots and lots

Rachel xxx
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Anonymous25 November 2010 at 09:04
To Hiten Mistry (x-ray 7)
Hi Hiten with Nayan at the moment (currently staying with us) how you doing, had a look at your blog, looks like your having fun. Bring me back a bananna leaf. Just come back from India and feeling tired so just chilling with Nayan and Lucky. How is food there, lost any weight Nayan is getting bigger here he just keeps eating. Anyway proud of the good work your doing, we are all missing you ( not really) see you back in the UK a changed man.
P.S Your in the wrong group for girls I'm sure Georgie will be pleased.
Proud Dipak Mama
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Raleigh Lingo

Copy that?

Sometimes our Raleigh technical terms can be a tad confusing so we've put together a glossary for you blog followers. This will appear as a quick-reference section on the right-hand column so you can translate our Tico-terms into something a bit more palatable. And for those keen to brush up their Central American Spanish, we've included some handy translations. Here's a few to get you started...

Alpha, X-Ray and Zulu groups
(Grupos Alfa, X-Ray y Zulu)
The official name for project groups during the phases of CR&N 13A. Alpha will be out on project from 3rd to 23rd February, X-Ray from 24th February to 15th March and Zulu from 17th March to 5th April. Project groups are allocated during induction

Basha
Jungle ‘bed’: consists of a tarpaulin for shelter, a hammock and mosquito net. A basha is hung up between two trees and supported by rope, bamboo and canvas straps

Bodega
A Spanish word meaning store or warehouse

Bravo
A term of endearment for our hard-working Land Rovers. The four vehicles are officially, and imaginatively named Bravo One, Two, Three and Four

C.A.T.I.E.
The agricultural and development research institute on whose campus Fieldbase is situated. Find out more at http://www.catie.ac.cr/

Changeover (Cambio de Fase)
Two day period where all staff and Venturers return from their project sites for some respite before they are all reallocated and sent off to do it all over again...

Chicas, Chicos
Spanish term meaning girls (chicas) or guys (chicos) or both (chicos aswell). As in “Vamonos chicos!” or “Let’s go guys!”

Craic
A way to gauge how people are feeling, usually measured from 0 to 90. If your ‘craic’ is high, you’re pretty happy. If you announce a low craic, people will probably fix you up with an energy bomb and a nice big hug

CR&N 13A
Costa Rica and Nicaragua expeditions 13A

Day Leader (DL) (Líder del día)
Every day on project, one of the Team is designated DL – they are in charge of the day, including organising the day’s briefing, keeping group morale up, dealing with any problems, sticking to schedule and de-briefing at the end of the day. The DL role rotates round the whole group so everyone takes a turn

Energizer (Actividad Levanta Muertos)
An activity to gather the group together and raise energy levels. Can be used at the beginning of the day, or whenever a quick pick-me-up is required

Energy bombs (Explosión de azucar)
A trekking treat – mix together oats, raisins, condensed milk and chocolate powder and roll into little balls of gooey goodness to power you through the day

Fieldbase (FB) (Campo Base)
Refers to the Raleigh ‘office residence’ which is where the Fieldbase staff eat, sleep and work, whilst organising the expedition, manning the radios round the clock, supporting the projects, planning transport and logistics, keeping tabs on the finances and much, much more

Field Base Volunteer Managers (Equipo Logístico Voluntario del Campo Base)
Volunteer support staff for the expedition. The team looks after the ‘behind the scenes’ of the expedition and ensures everything runs smoothly. This consists of three permanent staff members - the Country Director, Country Project Manager and Country Expedition Manager - plus a team of volunteer staff including the, Medic, Photographer, Administrator, Finance Officer, three Logistics (logs) team members and the Communications Officer

Gallo Pinto
A traditional Costa Rican dish of rice and beans (yum!)

Icebreaker (Rompe Hielos)
A getting-to-know-you game

Longdrop (Letrina)
The camp loo. Literally a deep hole in the ground, it is one of the first tasks to complete when setting up jungle camp for obvious reasons! Short drops are similar, normally used for overnight stops when a shallower trench will suffice

Longs (Pantalones)
From 6pm onwards, we all don long trousers and sleeves to discourage the bugs that aren’t deterred by DEET

Maxis
Short for Maxi Pali, the stock-everything shop about a kilometer from Fieldbase where you can buy all those things you forgot/ran out of/lost

Nicas
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Nicaragua

Ninja
A popular game/energizer used by venturers and Project managers alike. Everyone stands in a circle and tries to hit the team members either side of them on the hand via a single ninja movements. Sound effects welcome

POPS
Legendary milkshake and ice-cream parlour chain found all over Costa Rica – perfect for a sweet splurge

Pork and beans (Frijoles con cerdo)
Another staple foodstuff for trekkers: tinned beans with a slightly sausage twang, served cold for lunch. Usually accompanied by dry cracker dust, sprinkled liberally on to the top. If you’re in a hurry, this can be consumed without cutlery straight from the can

Project Managers (PMs) (Guías)
Project staff for the expedition. Each of the groups has at least two PMs who work with the Venturers to develop skills, lead projects and challenge themselves

PURA VIDA!
A very special Costa Rican phrase that means hello, goodbye, I’m great, it’s good, pure life, basically any positive, feel-good thing can be Pura vida!

Radio check (Chequeo de Radio)
As well as a daily SITREP, all Alpha projects are required to complete a second radio call-in each day to check in, receive messages and report any developments

Review (Revisión)
A round-up that assesses how everyone feels, what went well and what needs work. This is sometimes an ‘activity’, sometimes a chat around the campfire, or sometimes just a bit of time to reflect. It’s an important part of everyone’s personal development so we make sure it happens every day

Roadtrip (Paseo Volando Rueda)
The logistics team and some of the Field Base team drive the Bravos on a loop round to each of the accessible project sites once per phase. They deliver kit, supplies, site visitors, messages from the blog and of course the all important post

Ropa Americana
Purveyors of the finest second hand American threads. Perfect for fancy dress/obtaining that long coveted college sports jersey

SITREP (Reporte de la Situación)
Literally Situation Report. A special radio message sent from the satellite project sites back to fieldbase once a day. It follows a certain format and includes all sort of handy information like where they are, what they’ve been up to, what they need and what they’re planning to do next

Tang
A fruity powder that is used to make squash. Jolly useful for taking away the chlorine taste of purified water

Ticos
An affectionate term referring to the native population of Costa Rica

Trangia (Mini Cocina)
A portable cooking stove. Used primarily for trekking, a trangia’s compact design makes it perfect for easy transportation. Literal translation in spanish - mini kitchen. Makes sense

Turrialba
The location of Fieldbase

Venturers (Aventureros)
Participants in the Raleigh expedition. Aged 17 to 24, they come in three varieties: Host Country Venturers (from Costa Rica and Nicaragua), Partnership Venturers (positive young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the UK who participate in Raleigh expeditions as part of a longer term development programme) and UK and International Fundraising Participants (who work hard to raise money to contribute towards the charities work and expenses in order to take part in the expedition)

Wash up (Revisión Final)
The last few days of expedition, spent debriefing, returning equipment, performing skits, and most importantly enjoying the farewell party (tears alert)

Zero (Cero)
A radio term that identifies the radio controller at Fieldbase. Fieldbase monitors the radios 24-7, listening out on three frequencies for calls from our satellite project sites. When the radio alarm sounds, we might answer something like this: “Hello unknown call sign, hello unknown call sign, this is Zero, this is zero, do you copy, OVER?”