Raleigh Costa Rica and Nicaragua: Alpha 2 are walking on through

Sunday, 27 February 2011

Alpha 2 are walking on through

The final stop-off on our Bravo 1 road trip was a very pleasant couple of days spent with trekkers Alpha 2 along the Guanacaste trek in Costa Rica. They've been walking roughly 18-21 km, sometimes more, through jungle, over hills, and up volcanoes occasionally stopping off for mud pack facials on the way.

Pictures: Jimmy Donger

A wet bridge too far

Jimmy, King of the jungle!

Ellie from London HQ joins in the hot springs fun

PM Jonny goes Geisha for one day only!

Bravo 1 climbed Volcan Rincon de la Vieja in the Guanacaste world heritage site with Alpha 2. Although we couldn't quite reach the top of the volcano because of clouds, we still enjoyed the climb through amazing forest.


Volcan Rincon shrouded in mist

The boys scrambling down a big green hill

Alpha 2 have seen all sorts of wildlife during their trek including a rare tapir, snakes, spiders, birds and friendly monkeys.

Are you talkin' to me?

Is it a bird?....well, yes!

A spot of monkeying around

The group's first week of wet jungle days followed by hard road in soggy boots had taken its toll on some of Alpha 2's poor tootsies though. I've been given a photo of a foot too grotesque to publish (but then my aversion to feet might have something to do with that!).

But everyone is ploughing on as the beautiful beach of Playa Junquillal on the Pacific coast is within reach. Well, 30 km within reach actually. Yes, it's Alpha 2's final push tomorrow when they'll walk 30 km to flop on the beach for a day and a half - they certainly deserve it! So they're getting up at, gulp, 2.30am to set off at 4am in the morning! Go Alpha 2 - you're nearly there!

16 comments:

Anonymous28 February 2011 at 03:49
For Jessy boon cowler delta 2

This is torture! Hate not being able to communicate! I really hope there is a delta 2 update as I'm dying to see you. I'm on project room this week, hopefully won't mess things up! I'd better go as I'm bout to jump off the 29 into cold miserable rain and get a coffee. Can'twait to see or hear from you. Love you lots, your alex xxxxxxxxxx
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 05:00
Hi Ben - how fantastic - nearly there - just read the blog. You must be exhausted but hope you enjoyed it too!We have Harry here at the moment who sends his love.Well done, darling!
Much love from us all - Mumxxxx
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Steve and Diane28 February 2011 at 07:57
Well done Wellard and everyone in Alpha 2. A great achievement in such horrendous weather conditions !! Enjoy your time at the beach. It's clearly well deserved and no doubt your feet will think it well overdue. Continue to enjoy !! Pura vida and lots of love from Mum and Dad. xxx
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 08:33
A BIG NYEEEEEEEEERRR to Jonny MAC
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 09:55
For Camilla O'C Alpha 6

Miserably cold and wet here. Went out for a ride yesterday in the sun. Got as far as Ascot when the rain started. Had to ride the 45 miles home very wet and very cold. At least hypothermia is not a worry for you! Chelsea v ManU tomorrow. Arsenal lost the Carling Cup Final in a last minute goalkeeper error. West Ham beat Liverpool. Keep working hard. Three weeks down, four to go. Love you xxxx
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 10:10
Gemma Hall - Alpha 1

Hola,
Well you missed out on a fantastic roast club last night! Well I thought I would provide you with some gossip... Dinner at your parents was awesome, Conor's got a dog and Alice and George are going swimmingly. Not much else to really report on! I hope my letter will eventually reach you but who knows with snail trail.
Always thinking of you, lots of love!
Tom xxxxxx
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Charlie Soames28 February 2011 at 11:07
Freddy Soames, Delta 5:

Hey Freddy,
Hope your having a great time in Nicaragua, it looks amazing, I'm really jealous! I'm trying to work hard but you know how it is everythig seems so much more interesting when your revising, I've started to take interest in the wall opposite which isn't good news :L you'll be pleased to know that England have won against Italy and France and we are set for the grand slam (I hope)! Just got back from half term and I guess te work properly starts now. Oh yeh ad guess what, dad had his laser eye and apparently his vision is getting better by the second which is good, Really missing you and I can't wait to hear from you next! The whole family say hello :)
Lots of love, Charlie xxxx
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 11:31
For Ben Stamp, 11C, Alpha 2
Hey Ben, missing you lots back here but by the looks of things you're having a great time! Congratulations on finishing the trek! Looking forward to hearing about what you do for your project. Lots of love, Izzie xxxxx

Hi, like Izzie, I am really missing you. I have been looking at the raleigh website nearly every day to cathch up on all the latest news! Well done for finishing the trek. That is a real achievement! Just so you know, in my mini enterprise competition I had the role of manager and Longwick came second. Guess who came first. It was the only school that I wanted to beat, Stokenchurch! I am looking forward to hearing all about your next task and also about all the adventures you have been through. It will be great to see you again; not long now!
GOOD LUCK!!!
LOts and lots of love, your dearest sister Elliexxxxxx
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Xinia Loría28 February 2011 at 12:01
para yendry castro /delta 6
hola!!! por aqui nuevamente!!! q tal el fin de semana???Ayer su papá y yo fuimos a atenas y luego a un río ,bastante bonito, cuando regrese podemos ir juntos!!! ;).
Su abuelita rosa le envía saludos, laura, zaida y todos preguntan por usted.
En la comuni también., Conra y viky, oti, don carlos y familia, así como don gus y glenda se mantienen al pendiente.Desde aquí vamos a su lado cada día.
te amo mi princesa♥♥ má y pá♥♥
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Xinia Loría28 February 2011 at 12:05
para: ignacio camacho piedra /delta 5
de: Xinia-mamá de yendry.
hola ignacio!!! hace unos dias te mande un mensaje pero no se si le llegó, es que se me olvidoo ponerle q era para un delta 5!!sorry!!.
El mensaje era el siguiente:
espero se encuentren bien , desde aqui los seguimos mediante el blog.
He estado conversando con su papá y le envía saludos y fuertes abarazos; dice que le extraña y que espera poder verlo pronto.
Así que como es de suponerse nos estamos apoyando mutuamente y esperando pacientemente que regresen. Todo por aqui está en orden; siga adelante!!!!! y cuidese!!!♥
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Emily Tyer28 February 2011 at 13:58
for Abigail Tyer - Delta 3

Abiiiiii!
Miss YOU!
Imogen is so annoying!! How did you manage last term?!
Looking forward to hearing your news!!
Emily
xxx
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Anonymous28 February 2011 at 16:29
Ben Stamp alpha 2
Great to have an update today. As I write this you should be relaxing at Playa Junquillal - I bet that feels good! Hope your feet aren't counted amongst those 'too grotesque to publish'! Look forward to hearing from you soon - well done and enjoy the break. Much love - Dad
PS England beat France Saturday so that's 3 from 3
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Anonymous1 March 2011 at 15:21
Ignacio Camacho - Delta 5
que primo todo bn...!!! espero que la este pasando bien! cuidece, y que disfrute al maximo! espero verlo pronto... un abrazo y bendiciones!
Pura vida!!!
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Alice Chaloner2 March 2011 at 13:55
Clemmie Anderson- Alpha 2

Clembooooo hellloooo i found you yay!! been searching this site for ages wasn't sure which group you were in and then casually you popped up just chilling in a pond HA! Looks amazing... so jealous, I hear you have had to do a lot of hardcore trekking from Sophie! Keep going Gal!!!!!Thanks for your birthday card..looking forward to your return and hearing more stories!
Lots and lots of love Al xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Anonymous5 March 2011 at 23:13
For Clemmie Anderson
Alpha 2 I think!
Hi Clemmie, have read the blog and looked through your amazing photos!
Its sounds intense, hard work but a fantastic experience...keep the news coming when you can, although Sos and Mark good at passing our news onto me in NZ! I don't envy you the blisters or worry about your little toe nails fall off and I thought I had it bad with mosi bites!
Lots and lots of love, Emma Xxxx
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TIM & TRACY EDWARDS7 March 2011 at 14:50
For Holly Edwards Alpha 2 11C

Hi Hol We hope you have survived the treck - Wow what a challange. looking forward to hearing about the next phase. Keep smiling and having fun. All well here - just been to the Anchor for Curry Night with gramnny & Grandad - lovely food and Kim and PAul say hullo

Loads of love - miss you lots but keep having fun
M&D XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx
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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?”