Letters from La Amistad

X Ray 5 has had plenty to do since the last update. On the final night of the field base visit we celebrated Alfredo’s 18th birthday with a bonfire, piñata and the largest energy bomb cake made in Raleigh history.

One of the most important aspects of our time (apart from work) in La Amistad has been Human Cluedo initiated by Amelia. Every person is given a location, a ‘weapon’ and a ‘victim’. The objective is simple – kill your victim with your allocated weapon in the allocated location. Obviously this has resulted in a series of extremely amusing moments, such as Valeria smearing energy bomb on Matt’s face, and Gareth tipping cold water over Dani – whilst she was sunbathing!

After a few days of hard work x5 decided to take a day off, for what we thought would be spent at the local swimming pool. Unfortunately we arrived to find it empty, but were redirected to a river nearby where we wiled away the hours bathing in the water, the sun and playing volleyball. Louis and Dani meanwhile attempted the world record for most falls in a day – the latter taking the spoils. You’ll be pleased to know it’s not all fun and games for X-Ray 5. Due to the huge effort put in by the group, we’re way ahead of schedule and close to completion several days early.
Of course, being in a National Park wouldn’t be complete without wildlife encounters – just last night the classroom was invaded by a stag-beetle/butterfly hybrid and it was all we could do to prevent George having a panic attack. This was followed this morning by the invasion of a herd of 30 cows onto the campsite, which were duly driven away by banging pots and brandishing machetes. No animals were harmed in this defensive display.Since our last update we have seen not 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5 but 6 spider monkeys, which were spied by Gaz and Phil, swinging their way above our worksite.

Yesterday we visited the pool (now full) and stopped on the way at a local organic farmers union. We were unsure what to expect – especially not a coffee shop made of mosaics which impressed the whole group. Here we sampled pure organic jam and coffee which can only be described as the best ever.

That’s all for now. Tomorrow we visit the Valley of Silence, a former Raleigh project of footpaths and trails. Everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves, had a laugh and undertaken some amazing things. Here’s hoping our Zulu groups are just as epic!

X-Ray 5 sends its love to all friends and family at home and wishes all the Mothers out there a truly special day x

X-Ray 5 in La Amistad

X-Ray 5´s Louis gives us an insight to life in La Amistad

X-Ray 5 are currently renovating the ´Gigantes del Bosque´ (Giants of the Forest) trail in La Amistad National Park, some of which has been renamed by the various work groups. ´Bill´ (a steep section where stairs are being constructed) has been given a makeover, roadwork´s have been undertaken on Sunset Boulevard and the whole trail has been Rambo´d (cleared of debris/fallen trees) from top to bottom.

Upon arrival at the campsite we took a day to install some creature comforts - we now have a makeshift stereo, hammocks, and our very own chillout area, dubbed ´el chante´.

The area has played host to some spectacular wildlife. So far we have spotted some gigantic butterflies and moths, hummingbirds and unconfirmed reports from George of monkeys as well; ´a brown flash and an ooh-ooh´ the only evidence to go on.

On the 7th we played host to the Corcovado trekkers, and the next evening we celebrated the 18th birthday of X-Ray 5 HCV, Alfredo with a pinata and marshmallows on a fire.

The group are bonding more and more and each day is full of laughs as we get stuck into the work.

X-Ray 5 out x

Alpha 4 - La Amistad

Alpha 4´s Rob, gives a poetically penned account of life in La Amistad

Hello to you all, relatives, friends and family back home. We thought it was time you heard of our trials and tribulations out in the Latin American jungle so you may further appreciate those excessive luxuries of double beds, bidets and other bastions of the ´decadent´ West!


After spending 3 days of crazy paint parties, salsa and a horrendously wet and muddy jungle experience, we set off for our environmental phase in La Amistad National Park.
The bus journey was long, but the banter strong, punctuated with inspired jokes from Jack, the common, frustrating theme being that they lacked an obvious punchline. We continued our journey across what seemed to be the Bridge on the River Kwai and prayed our bus´ herculean efforts up the steep slope at the far end would not be in vain.


They weren´t. We were greeted by the formidable ranger Don Olman who led us to our home for the next three weeks, and the immediate impression was that we were in luck. We took a moment to take in the awesome views across the ethereal hope to Panama and check out our salubrious shower block, complete with resident giant spider and moth!


Alpha 4 set to work with typical energy and efficiency…although now I look at it, Amy, Ciara and Dara´s tent technique has a lot to be desired, as it slowly sags as the days pass.
Despite our impressive work ethic, we have not finished rebuilding the trail by Day Three as Alpha 4 presumed with characteristic optimism. Still we have created some highly attractive stairs and irrigation ditches, and Don Olman is seemingly pleased with our determination and enthusiasm.


A4 has been through so much, in so little time, including the experience of an earthquake (no damage to note), and the inspired creation  from Andrew and Jack of the United States of La Amistad (USL). Our constitution is proudly displayed with our daily elected president wearing an increasingly grimy shirt of power, leading 5 states (tents), five senators and ten congressmen and women. Sunday´s Radio Raleigh was also an event of note – the mock BBC report convincing some that they´d tuned into the World Service, and the tuneful Whitney tribute barely leaving a dry eye in Amistad.


Tomorrow we celebrate Amy´s birthday and sing our national anthemn in her honour, and salute Raleigh Photographer Ale, as she heads north to join the Turrisantos trekkers.


So all the best from Alpha 4 and the USL, we´ll be back in a fortnight.

Adieu, to Bravo Two (said in accent of schoolboy linguist)

Today we bid farewell to Bravo 2 (Pedro, Kelly, Jayshree, Dave Frazer) as they began their tour of Costa Rica’s stunning south – first stop, La Amistad International Park to visit Alpha 4. As I’m sure you may now realise, in the absence of some 94 venturers, 20 PMs and another 4 fieldbase staff members, things are quieter than snow around Turrialba HQ. Indeed the Logs Team, God bless ‘em, barely know what to do with themselves. After weeks of sorting and sourcing various goods and supplies, a brief period of respite is as unnatural to them as finding the afore mentioned white stuff blanketing the Costa Rican countryside.

Later on Bravo One in the guise of Tim, Holly and David will be visiting Alpha One at San Joaquin, where their fourth day’s trekking culminates. We’ll be gathering all the goss’ from life on the Turrisantos Trek, and hopefully have some pictures to share with you on the blog tomorrow.

Until then

Pura Vida!

Alpha Update

The Alpha groups are now settled in at their respective projects and over the coming weeks we’ll be bringing you comprehensive reports from their Project Comms Officers with all the new and views from life on phase. In the meantime, here’s a quick through of the Alpha’s progress to date, hot off the press from this morning’s Sitreps:

Alpha One are making good progress through the Barbilla Indigenous Territory and tomorrow will emerge from the jungle at San Joaquin where they will be joined by Fieldbase’s Holly, for a taste of trek.

Alpha Two are also in fine spirits and yesterday had the bizarre experience of walking several kilometres straddling the Costa Rican and Panamanian border. Today they too delve into the jungle.

Alpha Three’s bamboo has arrived and will spend the day constructing a jungle camp which will be their home for the phase.

Alpha Four have made a challenge for 'Alpha' status as they have thrown down the gauntlet to the other groups and almost finished work on an irrigation system in proximity to the path they will be constructing.

Alpha Five are sorting their accommodation at the ranger station and are enjoying a ‘fresh’ morning up on Volcan Barva.

Alpha Six arrived at their community of El Portillo yesterday afternoon and have commenced work this morning on their site

Alpha Seven are spending their day planning their work during the phase with the local maestro, before attending the opening of a local pre-school this afternoon.

Alpha Eight have also settled in San Jose, and are beginning work in the sunshine.

Tomorrow the southern leg of Fieldbase’s roadtrip begins as they embark on a journey visiting Alpha’s One, Two, Three, Four AND Five. On the 20^th February the northern team departs to visit the Nicaraguan groups up in Achuapa and Miraflor.

Those of you with your eye on the Tico Times may have spotted that there was an earthquake just before dawn off the coast of south west Costa Rica! Despite measuring 5.7 on the Richter Scale, some of Fieldbase slept through the whole event and we can report no damage was done to any of the groups.

Alphas 3, 4 and 5 return

Alphas 3, 4 and 5 have returned to fieldbase after an enjoyable couple of days at their respective environmental project sites. So without further ado, let’s get started, following the logical approach of chronological order:

Alpha 3

During phase one, Alpha 3’s Adri Rodriguez and Jonathan Baguley will be leading a group working in Carara National Park, some 30 miles from the capital San Jose. Joined on their PPV by special Fieldbase guest Jemma Grundon, they admired the park’s plethora of flora and fauna, and witnessed nature in all its glory – a cat chasing an iguana. Under the stewardship of head ranger Gabriel, venturers will be working on an important disabled access route through the park, alongside general maintenance trails, whilst gaining the unique opportunity of living in a jungle camp. Jon’s tip: Watch out for the ants!

Alpha 4

Consisting of Jessica Soane, Alex Beaumont, Alex Dennis and special FB guest Alejandra Campos, Alpha 4 made the long trip down to La Amistad National Park, a UNESCO Heritage site, and one of the remotest regions of Costa Rica. On phase the group will be maintaining the ‘Gigantes del Bosque’ trail (Giants of the forest), flattening, adding steps and drainage to a trail around 1.5km long which contains a high concentration of avian species, including cedros and Ira rosa. 

Alpha 5

Slightly closer to home than their Alpha 4 counterparts, A5’s Afsana Tahirova, Daniel Saborio, and Caroline Bolt headed out to the Barva sector of Braulio Carrillio National Park and had the pleasure of a night’s stay at the new ranger station. The choice of entertainment for the evening: Kung Fu Panda 2.  Result. Apparently a night at 2700m above sea level was a chilly affair, yup, that’s right folks even in Costa Rica, Brits know how to complain about the cold. During phase the group will be installing a water pipe into the ranger station from a pipe just shy of the 3000m mark, and if they’re lucky, will catch a glimpse of the tapirs and pumas that call the dense jungle their home.