Back from the Jungle and Still Breathing!

After returning from 3 days of hot and humid exploring deep in the jungle that is La Cangreja, your guest Blogger (Jed) can now update you on all our beloved groups' progress.

A bit of background on La Cangreja, where X-Ray 3 are ensconced.   La Cangreja translates as 'The Crab' - as the hills are said to resemble a huge crab.  I couldn't quite see it myself, but it's a good a name as any!  La Cangreja is a national park of preserved pristine jungle.  In my 2 nights there I saw beautiful scarlet macaws, giant (and I mean giant) butterflies, bigger than life beetles and the ever-present never-ending hordes of ants.

During this nature-fest I was working hard to set up the water supply project, so I spent my time designing the system that the group will install.  It will enable a further project to allow disabled access to the park and assist with the ongoing ecological research.  The water supply system is over 850m long and the group will have to dig (by hand!) a 1m trench for this distance over remarkably steep terrain.  X-Ray 3 will certainly have their work cut out over the next few weeks, but the results of their hard graft should last for the next 50 years.

The group themselves have now got their jungle camp set up with basher beds, hammocks, long drop, cooking station and even a communal games area.  The camp is on the banks of the Rio Negra, which is great for a dip after a hard day's work!  I'm sure they will have a unforgettable jungle experience.  There's a few pics below (thanks to Anni and Lisa) showing the group in action.

As for the other groups here's today's round-up:

X-Ray 1 - Turrisantos Trek
The field base team have met up with them and they are currently descending Volcan Turrialba as I write this.  Hopefully they will have hit the summit and had a chance to smell the sulphur!  Tomorrow they head off to Guayabo National Monument, which is the remains from a previous civilisation thought to be over 3,000 years old.

X-Ray 2 - Guanacaste Trek
The trek group are making good progress and will reach Lake Arenal tonight, where they can take in the stunning views of the lake and volcano, and also go for a deserved and refreshing swim.

X-Ray 4 - Playa Hermosa
They are having what I'm told is a 'lovely time at the beach'!  They've also managed to collect a huge number of eggs and have already released countless tiny turtles into the Pacific Ocean.

X-Ray 5 - Achuapa
Now fully settled in to the village, the work kicks off today.  They will be continuing the work from last phase on the youth centre.  They should also be setting up some time with the community to play games of football and baseball with them.

X-Ray 6 - Miraflor
They arrived safely in their community last night and today will be starting work on the water supply project for the village.  They'll also get to explore their new home a bit more and get to know the families they are staying with.

In the jungle, the mighty jungle...

Buenas dias!! Having spent 5 days out on the bumpy road, taking in some of the stunning sights of Costa Rica, Juliet Bravo 3 are now back at fieldbase and ready to fill you in on the goings on of Xray 4! Arriving mid morning at La Cangreja to a muddy, yet extremely chirpy Xray 4, we successfully interrupted their hard work for a cheeky cup of tea and a catch up about what they’ve all been up to for the past 10 days. Without further ado, let’s hear from Xray 4’s blogger Justin……..

‘In the jungle, the mighty jungle of La Cangreja National Park, greetings from the intrepid Xray 4! In our short time here we have been very busy: to talk you through an average day, Xray 4 would wake, spring out of bed into an energy busting game of ninja, then hit the project site, where follows a day of levelling ground, shovelling mud, and working on the greenhouses where tropical trees are grown ready to be shipped worldwide.

The greenhouse the group have been working on

The evenings are spent well, with Claire and Catriona making lovely bracelets for the group, as well as a rousing game (or two!) of Mafia (it’s always jenny!). When it rains in La Cangreja, it doesn’t just rain – it pours! Justin takes the opportunity to dive straight in and use the rain as a shower – it really works!

Xray 4 have also learnt the art of foraging – Lloyd found us an orange tree whilst Isaak and Luke cooked up some plantain. The rangers were also nice enough to give us some fresh piña (pineapple!) The constructive spirit also caught Xray 4 when Maykol fashioned a makeshift shower from basha tarps and a hose pipe. Luke added a roof, remarking that we wouldn’t want to get wet in the shower… (?!)

Even the strongest need their days off, and we found ours when visiting the beautiful Rio Negro, where naturally formed jacuzzis helped the group relax after a hard days work. 

Finally, Xray 4 would like everyone to join us for the celebration of our very own Karen’s 20^th birthday! We celebrated with cake and games such as pass the parcel and musical chairs. Raleigh is not for the faint hearted!

The intrepid Xray 4’s next steps are to the amazing Playa Hermosa, where we will be going out on turtle patrols to rescue eggs and set free baby turtles into the sea. Wish us luck as we stride boldly onto the beach!’

Xray 4 taking some time out from work with a game of cards

Cerro Cangreja - the torrential rain looming in the distance!

Blog written by Justin Shenolikar. Photos by Cathy Titterton.

So that’s the low down on what Xray 4 have been up to for the last 10 days! All in all the group are on top form and looking forward to spending the second half of their phase on turtle patrol at the beautiful Playa Hermosa. Juliet Bravo 3 are now back at fieldbase eagerly awaiting more blogs to come through on the radio from all the project groups so we can get them up for all of you to read, so keep checking! Pura Vida!!

Blog written by Wellard. Photos by Cathy Titterton. 

Alpha Romeo 4 - visit 'The Crab'

Word and pictures: Jonny McCarthy

Alpha Romeo 4 are following fast on the heels of expedition 11C’s first ‘Alpha 4’ group in the development and conservation of the La Cangreja National Park.

No its not the local Turrialba football team... its Alpha Romeo 4!

La Cangreja is a beautiful national park which owes its name to the striking 1,305 metre peak Cerro Cangreja (it looks like a giant crab!). Raleigh has undertaken a huge number of projects here and Alpha Romeo 4 were looking forward to marking their stamp on the area park! The park has suffered various problems from deforestation and poaching in the area.


Venturer Teri looks out over her new home for the next three weeks


When we arrived we were greeted by Don Bolivar and four of the rangers that help protect La Cangreja. We were treated to a slide show of all the important work that Raleigh has achieved in the past, but also, a run down on all the poisonous snakes and spiders to keep our eyes out for! The rangers explained to us the work we would be expected to do, and showed us some of the previous work which had been done by Raleigh.

Work on the trail has been swift but rewarding. Many areas of the path need ditches and drainage systems to help preserve the paths. Seeing how quickly the paths can soon become overgrown and lost without regular attention is just amazing! We have also had the opportunity to help clean up the ‘Raleigh Trail’ which a previous expedition helped to build. The aim of the trail is to allow disabled access to the National Park, whilst still being able to enjoy the jungle environment and fabulous views from the viewing platform!


Cutting their way through the forest in style!

Day 2 we began building our jungle camp. The thought of building ‘basher beds’ from bamboo, building our own kitchen, lounge and ‘long-drop’ (toilet) was all very exciting! Once we had set up all the important parts of the camp (the basher beds and waterproof coverings!) we broke the group up by allocating two people to stay back to help make improvement on our camp, whilst the rest of the group headed off to work. The first task in hand was to clear large areas of the National Parks network of trails. Poaching in the park is a major threat to the wildlife in La Cangreja, and the rangers have round the clock patrols to help ward off any unscrupulous poachers!

Before arriving, I never fully understood the importance an area like La Cangreja can have on the community. Thousands of people rely on the National Park to provide them with clean, safe drinking water. Previous generations of deforestation have caused the water flow of one river in the zone, the Rio Negro, to shrink three times in size from what it was just 30 years ago!

Alpha Romeo 4 is proud and honoured to be part of a great ‘Raleigh Legacy’ helping La Cangreja to flourish for a lifetime to come.

X-Ray 3 photo update

X-Ray 3 photos have arrived at fieldbase and they are gorgeous. We think you'll agree that it has been well worth the wait. Enjoy!

X-Ray 3

Simi in the sunshine

Special treat of plantains

Almost as good as the Japanese

Planting trees

Model basha bed

X-Ray 3, Serial Bravo: sunny, looks like another lovely day

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