Recce news from Nicaragua

The parties arrived back from their recce visits in Nicaragua yesterday.  Today they've had a chance to tell us about the things they've seen and the people that they met.

Alpha 2 were in Nicaragua to prepare for the Miratombo Trek, which includes the slopes of the volcano Cerro Negro.

Taking in the vapours - David and Claudia, Alpha 2

This amazing landscape makes the climb up pretty special, but the summit is no less spectacular with great views from the top.

On top of Cerro Negro - David and Claudia, Alpha 2

Of course what goes up must come down, and the descent brings challenges of its own.

David making his way back down Cerro Negro, a little quicker than the route up

Alpha 5 headed up to Nicaragua to visit the community of Los Loros, where they will be living and working.  The guys met with Omar, the community leader, and his family.  After a long journey north they were happy to be welcomed into Omar's home as his guest.

Florian and Vic, Alpha 5, making plans with Omar

The project will involve bringing fresh water down from the source to supply the local community.  So the first task is to find the water source.  Here Vic and Florian follow one of the village residents; x marks the spot.

Vic locating the water source

As always Raleigh are happy to be working closely with the local co-operative in Achuapa who co-ordinate the projects.  Alpha 5 met up with Nacho, the Secretary, at the co-operative headquarters and saw the work that they do including sesame seed processing and the production of oil, wine and honey.

Nacho welcomes Vic and Sarah to the community co-operative

The lie of the land...12L project recce

Each of the PMs, newly formed in their Alpha groups, have spent the past couple of days visiting their projects to familiarise themselves with the lay of the land.  This is an opportunity to check that everything is as it should be and generally get ahead of the game before the Venturers arrive.

The Nicaraguan groups (Alpha 2 and Alpha 5) have just walked in the door, but Alphas 1, 3 and 4 came home to Fieldbase yesterday.

Here is a little flavour of what they got up to.

Natalie, Dave and Nicole raring to go

Alpha 1 had the opportunity to walk part of the Coast to Coast Trek with a local guide, sleeping out along the way.  Boots got muddy and t-shirts got sweaty but the view was the reward.

Natalie watching her footing on the Coast to Coast Trek.

Early morning on the Coast to Coast Trek.

Alphas 3 and 4 are looking after the first Environmental phase based in Carara National Park and at Playa Hermosa.  Whilst at Playa Hermosa the guys got a chance to stay up for a night patrol where they collected 800 turtle eggs and then the next morning they were able to help release 47 turtles back to the sea where they would have the best chance of survival.  Not your average Monday morning, but this is Raleigh.

Releasing turtles and Playa Hermosa

Turtles heading for the sea.

The magic sorting hat of Turrialba

Each PM, as nervous as any new wizard to Hogwarts, took the stage to don the sorting hat of project selection.  How will the hat pronounce?  Will it be environmental, community or a trek?  Who will be your team mate/s?  Only the magic hat can decide.

Jae receiving pronouncement from the sorting hat

In a Harry Potter/Ready, Steady, Cook mixed metaphor the first task for the new teams was to create a pudding with store cupboard ingredients in 20 minutes - marks awarded for taste and presentation of the dish.

Pedro and Barney - judging pudding

Alpha 2 succeeded on taste - with David (call me Heston) and Claudia presenting a tropical flapjack.  Alpha 1 took presentation to extravaganza levels by bringing bunny ears and gold sequins to the table.  Fieldbase scored for team effort with Phil being the actual table, Joss being the waiter and the girls providing the crunchy bottom, fruity layer, velvety chocolate and zesty topping of their Fieldbase Fantasy.

Alpha 5 in the dance off

It all had to be decided with a dance off and Fieldbase pipped the competition at the post.  There may have been strength in numbers, and we have had an extra week to bond - but personally I put it down to sheer skill and creativity.

So, now fully bonded over cooking and dancing, the teams are assembled and ready to go.  The running order for the Project Groups is as follows:
Alpha 1 - Coast to Coast Trek, Costa RicaNicole, Dave and Natalie
This Trek has taken various forms over the past few years, but Expedition 12L will feature a particularly exciting version, starting at the Caribbean Sea and ending on the Pacific Coast.  Crossing a continent as well as a country.

Nicole, Dave and Natalie - Alpha 1

Alpha 2  - Miratombo Trek, Nicaragua 
David and Claudia
Starting in the far north of Nicaragua, near to the Honduran border, the Miratombo Trek meanders through the diverse landscapes of Esteli and Leon.

David and Claudia - Alpha 2

Alpha 3 - Environmental, starting in Hermosa, Costa Rica
Jim, Clare and Tracy H
Working to preserve the turtle populations of Hermosa beach, this project will collect turtle eggs, ensure that they hatch safely and release the turtles back into the wild where they have the best chance of survival.  This team will spend the second half of their phase at Carara National Park (see below).

Jim, Clare and Tracy - Alpha 3

Alpha 4 - Environmental, starting in Carara National Park, Costa Rica
Pauline, Jae and Sarah
Starting in the Carara National Park this group will work to clear the Lago Meandrica trail, previously inaccessible in the rainy season.  This work will enable many more visitors to the park, and therefore increase the revenue for the Park and allowing them to continue their other environmental work. This team will spend the second half of their phase at Hermosa (see above). Where they will be joined by Charlie.

Jae, Sarah, Pauline and Charlie in the background - Alpha 4

Alpha 5 - Achuapa water project, Nicaragua
Sarah,  Florian and Vic
This project group will work with the local community of Los Loros in Achuapa to develop a gravity-feed water system to bring clean and safe drinking water to 40 families living there.

Sarah, Florian and Vic - Alpha 5

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.

Alpha One in Barbilla National Park

First of all I’d like to offer an apology for the sporadic timing of blog entries this past week. This has been due to the team being absent from the office on various training exercises. From here on in, we’ll be as ever present as the mouse and keyboard at your desktop, as you savour all the news from Raleigh Expedition 12B.

To business; Alpha One have returned from Barbilla National Park after trekking the opening 3 days of their phase: The Turrisantos Trek, and it may impress you to learn that this feat was achieved in a mere 2 days (they’re a wily bunch, Alpha One).A morning start at Barbilla Ranger Station allowed the group stunning views over the jungle and as the sun began its rapid ascent, it seemed A1 were in for an absolute peach of day. Not so. Shortly after entering the jungle the heavens well and truly opened, leaving Katie, Roeland and Dave as drowned as the proverbial rats (classic idiom). The going was fairly tough over undulating terrain, and the path for most parts was the consistency of kitchen condiments – throw in several river crossings and you’d be forgiven for wondering if they threw in the towel. That can be denied with a resounding no as good spirits and ground speed was maintained throughout as they made it to the Valle Escondido (Hidden Valley) to make camp around 2pm.

The next day saw a variation on a theme – more jungle, but a tough ascent and the absence of the rain. The previous days deluge had done little for conditions underfoot however, but with the bonhomie for which they are renowned, A1 slogged on and emerged from the trees. A moments rest to allow their eyes to readjust from the gloom of the jungle and they were back on the prize – a fairly steep descent through the fields to Bajo Pacuare, the Raleigh pick-up, and the ride back to fieldbase. A cracking trip.

Dawn at Valle Escondido

Entering Barbilla National Park

Alpha One's Roeland and Katie

View down to Bajo Pacuare

Dave, Katie and Roeland above the Rio Pacuare

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye

After a tough couple of days in the jungle you would perhaps believe that some well-earned R&R would be in line for the brave VMs of 12B. Not so. Another day, another trip – its project allocation time.

The ceremony, although lacking the special effects and drama of an ITV reality show, was no less exciting, as VMs discovered where they would spending Phase One of Expedition 12B. Sadly this is just the briefest of entries as we prepare to set off for various destinations around Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Nonetheless I’ve helpfully listed the projects and groups below as they undertake their Project Planning Visits for the next 5 days, so you are aware of your loved ones’ progress:

Treks (all Costa Rica)

Alpha 1: Turrisantos Trek

Roeland Terpstra, Katie Philpott + special FB guest David Winterflood

Alpha 2: Corcovado Trek

 Daniel Walsh, Lucinda Ryan

Environment (all Costa Rica)

Alpha 3: Carara National Park

 Adri Rodriguez, Jonathan Baguley + special FB guest Jemma Grundon 

Alpha 4: La Amistad National Park

Jessica Soane, Alex Beaumont, Alex Dennis + special FB guest Alejandra Campos

Alpha 5: Barva National Park

Afsana Tahirova, Daniel Saborio, Caroline Bolt

Community (all Nicaragua)

Alpha 6: Achuapa, El Portillo

Francesca Hodge, Joseph Donovan

Alpha 7: Miraflor, La Naranjita

Fiona Arakelian, Matthew Jewers, Amanda Payne-Danson

Alpha 8: Miraflor, San Jose

Victoria Brennan, Danielle Percival, Clare Wright

Pura Vida!