Alpha Romeo 2-clean but smelling of eggs!

Words: Sylvie Myers

Part One

Eight days ago; Mari, Chich, Stijn, Yuri, Mel, Roberto, Alexia, Harm, Cat, Hannah, Sophie, Chema, Byran and Sylvie (me) were assigned to the Guanacaste Trek and became Alpha Romeo 2.

The next day we were dropped off in a nice air conditioned bus into the baking hot heat and blazing sunshine of Rio Canamazo, along with 15 very heavy backpacks! That afternoon we dragged ourselves through dry woodlands and farms to the porch of a local church in Angeles where we spent our first night. Since then our route has taken us through Alto Cebadilla, Santa Elena, Arenal Viejo, Tronodora, Cerro Montecristo, El Jilguero and finally to El Pilon in Tenorio National Park.

We have walked along gravel roads, through hilltop farmlands with stunning views of the Gulf of Nicaragua, and along muddy roads studded with horse and cow hoof-prints through patches of tropic forest. One night we camped on a ridge overlooking Volcan Arenal and Lake Arenal, then dropped down to walk along the lakeside the following day.

We were nearly blown off Cerro Montecristo whilst walking amongst the wind turbines! The past two days have been along treacherously steep and muddy trails through jungle guided by the legendary Don Luz. Lichens grow on every surface, vines hang from above and ferns struggle for ground space with glossy broad-leaved shrubs. Today in Tenorio National Park we passed a beautiful waterfall and a river coloured turquoise by the geothermal activity.

We sleep in tents, churches, community centres or rangers stations. If we’re lucky there will be a tap or stream where we fill a bowl to wash in, or even cold showers sometimes, but we all still smell so bad!

We cook porridge for breakfast and pasta, rice, mash or lentils for dinner on trangias. Lunch is pureed refried beans from a pouch, cold tins of pork and beans (that don’t actually contain any pork) or tuna. So far the weather has been incredible (touch wood), with the only rain coming at night when we were safely inside a community centre. Almost half the trek finished. I’m sure there will be plenty more challenges and highlights ahead!

Until next time…

Part Two 

Hello again from Alpha Romeo 2! Since I last wrote we have walked from Tenorio National Park to Bijagua, Zapote, Finca Armenia, San Isidro, Colonia Blanca and finally Rincon Lodge by Rincon de la Vieja. Unfortunately, we are very sad to have lost both Jakyha and Chich from the trek [don't worry everyone, they're both ok].

Today we walked to a beautiful waterfall with only daypacks, since Volcan Rincon de la Vieja couldn’t be climbed due to high winds. The last few days have mainly been along nice trails through woodlands humming with the sound of giant cicadas.  Yesterday we stopped for lunch at natural hot springs that left us all smelling strongly of sulphur, aka rotten eggs. Sitting in warm water was a treat despite the smell: most of us haven’t seen hot water for five weeks!

We also had a day on which Project Managers Mel and Roberto left us to our own devices. We woke on Sunday to find that they had slipped out during the night leaving us to find our own way. There was a bit of disbelief and indignation at first, especially as much of the map for the day was blank and just said ‘clouds,' but everything turned out fine and Hannah (who was day leader) got us to San Isidro without an incident.

We’re all getting used to waking at 3am in order to be on the road by 5am. But this morning we got a lie-in until 5am, which was great. Only five days left until we reach the beach! Over and Out.

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!

Alpha 2 battle the elements!

A whole week has gone by since Alpha 2 were dropped off at the side of the road and told to start walking! Witnessing some of the worst weather imaginable, as well as some stunning views when the clouds finally lifted, the Guanacaste trek is certainly not for the faint hearted! Day 2 of the trek saw the team climb over 800m to a small village called Alto Cabadillo, where they were rewarded with brilliant sunshine and spectacular views over the Nicoya Peninsula. 

Day 2 of the trek - stunning views over  the Nicoya Peninsula

Unfortunately the great weather didn’t last long and as the trek continued the team was soon immersed in dense cloud forest and torrential rain. But this didn’t dampen the Alpha 2 spirit, and a wet and windy night was spent laughing, joking, and eating energy bombs in their luxury 5 star accommodation (tents!) Day 6 of the Guanacaste trek saw the group walk a mighty 25km, and the weather was at last on their side! With glorious sunshine and what one could only describe as a ‘light breeze’ (!) when trekking through the wind farms, Alpha 2 were in high spirits and settled down mid-hill for a hearty lunch of cold pork and beans before continuing another 10km to their destination.

A very windy lunch break!

The weather eventually turned on the group again, and a wet and windy night was spent camped in a rangers station, marking the start of the jungle trek on day 7. Two very muddy, but extremely fun days were spent slipping and sliding through the jungle, and the team was rewarded with hot springs and a stunning turquoise waterfall at the end of it all. The Guanacaste trek is certainly pushing the group to their limits, but their resilience and support for each other is incredible- what a team! Keep checking the blog to see how the group gets on in week two… TREK HARD ALPHA 2!! 

Rincon de la Vieja with Zulu 3

Photographer David, trailed Zulu 3 up Rincon de la Vieja on the Guanacasate trek. A view of the group's journey through 45, 50 and 85 mm lenses. 

Photo update: Zulu 3 and Zulu 6

Bravo 1 have returned from their road trip with photos of their visits to Zulus 3 and 6. Zulu 3  are camping at Rincon Lodge with Bravo 4, who left fieldbase this morning to meet them. The teams will climb volcano, Rincon de la vieja tomorrow. 

Zulu 6 went on a tour of Leon today that included a cultural experience of a religious festival. Bravo 1 spent a night with them in Achuapa last Friday in time to join in on an evening of cultural activities. The venturers are reportedly having a whale of time, working and playing under the sunny Nicaraguan skies.

Romeo 2: An incredible shared experience in Guanacaste

Gabriel Oke takes on the trail with Romeo 2:

After 17 days, 13 pairs of muddy boots, 280 kilometers, and countless cans of Pork and Beans, Romeo 2 has successfully completed the Guanacaste trek. Along the way we’ve had many highpoints, challenges and fun times. Whether we were climbing to the peak of a volcano, navigating through dense jungle or walking through national reserve conservation areas. Trekking through Costa Rica has given us the opportunity to appreciate this wonderful and beautiful country.

We faced numerous challenges along the way. Waking up at 3am to begin another 25k day was difficult. Especially with blistered feet, wet boots and a 20kg backpack.

Some of the hill climbs seemed like they would never end. But it was worth it when we reached our destination and were warmly welcomed into different communities. Everywhere we went we received friendly greetings and came across people who were intrigued with what we were doing. Many people had heard of Raleigh or had previous encounters with Raleigh trekking groups. It was great to see the positive effect that Raleigh had in the lives of so many people across the country.

We had many high points, including our second day when we arrived in a small town called Venado and we were kindly allowed to sleep in a church. We were amazed when some of the local people cooked dinner for us that evening and served us all cold drinks. They also made us empanadas and coffee. This experience really showed us about Costa Rican culture and it really helped to motivate us that the trek we were just starting was going to be a brilliant experience.

We also completed a day trek to the peak of the 1900m Volcan Rincón de la Vieja. As we climbed up, the views below were breathtaking. It was amazing to see the country from so high up and to be able to see how far we had travelled in such little time.

Whilst staying in the national park on Volcan Tenorio, we were able to visit the Blue Lagoon and relax in hot water springs. This provided us with a much needed respite from trekking. Seeing the aqua blue water and the waterfall were amazing and surpassed any expectations we had.

Then, on the last day it was an fantastic feeling to finally reach the beach. We had woken up at 2am and been trekking for 9 hours over 36km. We were exhausted both mentally and physically, but we all made it. As soon as we arrived everyone ran straight in the sea and we were elated to have reached our destination.

As our third and final phase, the trek has been a chance to see Costa Rica in a way ‘tourists’ cannot. We’ve seen wildlife, brilliant views and met wonderful people along the way. We are glad to have had such an incredible shared experience. We are especially proud to have completed every challenge together as a team.

Romeo 2 signing out.

Romeo 2 photo album

We've collected stacks of photos from the Romeo 2 Venturers and PMs - here are some of the best: