X-Ray 3: We like to move it move it

Clockwise from top left: PM Louise, Anders, Ottie, Matt, Mat, Jess, Emma, Kate, Emily, Charlie, Esteban, Ben, Jos, Jelmer and Sarah (and Uber-PM Sarah taking picture)

This week we were lucky enough to leave Fieldbase and Turri's torrential rain to go and visit some of our amazing X-Ray teams where we delivered news from home and the other teams and their next food drop. First stop was the fantastic X-Ray 3 who have been battling rain, mud, jungles, rivers and very large hills to get through to Day 14! They are progressing well and in high spirits - there is something about trek that binds teams together; the 4am wake-ups, porridge for breakfast, up to 25km a day and resulting blisters are tough but the incredible views, 14 incredible team mates and a lot of mental strength get you to the top of one hill, across the river and to the bottom of the next. So what have X-Ray 3 been up to? Well the pictures below should help to illustrate their trek so far.

Support crew Nurse Sarah and Comms Officer (oh that's me) Gabby - with food and treats - we were very popular!

Ants in your... way 

Attempting to get into the magazine with a group shot

Ottie: short straw of the gerry can

The Turrisantos trek route: starting at stunning Barbilla National Park, before spending the first three days trekking through the Bajo Chirripo Indigenous territory. After crossing the impressive Rio Pacuare, a great place for a much needed wash, the groups headed towards the stunning cloud forests of Tapanti National Park; following ridges of Fila de Bustante on-route to Cerro Dragon Peak – and a first glimpse of the Pacific. The final days see the group reach the incredible views of Cerro Bares, perhaps the treks highlight, before making a final descent to the Pacific Ocean and a final flourish (and a run no doubt) into the sea at Punta Judas, a deserted beach and turtle sanctuary.

When we said it was raining we weren't kidding - but X-Ray 3 are loving every second!

Local Costa Rican's have been wonderfully generous to our Raleigh group's

 

Ben, Kate, Emma, Sarah and Ottie at Sunrise

 Morning mist

Ben with the newest member of X-Ray 3

Enjoying a well earned rest and the sun!

Incredible PM Louise, motivating the troops every day 

A little bit muddy

They have completed an incredible 200kms to date - only 70km to go until they reach their end point - a beautiful beach on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. So long from X-Ray 3! 

Celebrating International Women's Day, saying no to gender inequality and rising up for women's empowerment

X-Ray 2: Corcovado Trek

X-Ray 2 are currently on Day 11 of their trek, they have battled through forest and rain (although X-Ray 1 and 3 have definitely borne the brunt of the wet weather) climbing to stunning peaks and enjoying the hot thermal pools, which hopefully alleviated some of their trekking aches. They are currently on their way to Los Mogos on the pacific side of Costa Rica and are making excellent progress.

Today's blog was written by X-Ray 2's Comms Officer Wisha Walker

Venturers waiting nervously, sitting on the edge of their seats, looking forward to hearing their fate.... X-Ray 2! As usual the trek teams were called first at allocations, before we knew it our names were called and X-Ray 2 for the Corcovado trek were formed. Bring it on!

From the start it was clear that our group was vivacious, determined and ready for action. Although we felt rather  relieved to have an 8 hour bus journey to our start point, a luxurious rest at El Progresso in a community centre. I'm certainly not alone when I say that I have never appreciated bed time as much as I have on Raleigh - everyday is a full-on non-stop action adventure.We have been progressing well and we are already feeling satisfied and are overwhelmed by the views we have seen and overwhelmed by the privilege we have been given and what we have achieved so far.

X-Ray 2 clockwise from left: Charlie, James, Hidde, Laetitia, Freddia, Glyn, Gemma, Chuck, Anthony, Mary, Wisha, Elpha, Kat, Willie, Adriana and Lena

The days started with steep hills which eased off slightly and suddenly we were rambling through forest, thankfully the previous Alpha had tackled it with 6 hours of cutting through with a machete to create our path - thanks Alpha 2!

Lena, Chuck, Willie, Hidde, Kat and Anthony ready to trek

Then it begun to rain, a wet group began to cross rivers, scale hills and through great teamwork we helped each other. With no sign of the rain ending, we marched on with our heads held high and before we knew it we had arrived at the quiet, colourful and desolate village of Alturas, where we would later set up our tents, although an incredibly kind local offered us their community centre, so our tents came down - good practice though!

Freddie and Kat loving trek

Chuck and Anthony enjoying a well-deserved rest

Pittier Rangers Station, a tough trek achieved by 10.30am - must be a new record

It has been spectacular, despite some cold nights and 5.30am starts to our day, in order to beat the heat, we have seen incredible views, lively monkeys dancing along the tress, njoyed a leisurely and well deserved dip in the idyllic aguas thermals before enduring the never ending up hill climbs - although whenever we arrive some very redface and sweaty X-Ray 2 faces are always beaming.Ever in anticipation we are excited and looking forward to the challenged that lie ahead and are excited to find out what the Corcovado trek will reveal in front to us.

X-Ray 2: a team ready to face the rest of their trek and the challenges ahead

p.s sorry we have been a bit absent recently and thank you for your patience; we have been out and about collecting stories and pictures, completing the very important task of delivering food, blog messages, post and of course news from the outside world to all our of our teams. Updates and pictures of our teams to follow...

X-Ray 1: Coast to Coasting

Setting out from Limon in the pouring rain, after dipping our toes in the carribbean sea, X-Ray 1 began their epic Coast to Coast adventure. Following train tracks we started to walk, meeting various locals along the way. Our first night was in a banana plantation where we stayed in a church and were awake up until 8pm! due to the congregation singing and enjoying their evening. We even enjoyed delicious homemade ice cream which was made by a local family. 

 2 beautiful Toucans, does that equal 4 cans?

 Sunrise in stunning Barbilla National Park

The following day was tough as we walked 21km on already blistering feet but finally made it to where we stayed that night in relative luxury. We continued to walk on Day 3, passing waterapple trees and banana plants. Whilst stopping for a break, a local took pity on us and macheted down some seedy bananas for the team. The locals continued to show their hospitality with one man even inviting us into his house and giving us some guanabana fruit and fried plantane crisps. As you can tell food is incredibly important to us! 

 Morning yoga before a big day of trekking into the Barbilla Jungle

 The view over the rolling hills from the community centre X-Ray 1 slept in

Henry with the neatest backpack ever seen on trek

With the daunting, yet exciting prospect of the next 3 days trekking through the jungle, seeing amazing wildlife and stunning views, we are more determined than ever to rise to the challenge set before them of completing trekking from the Caribbean Coast to the Pacific Coast.

X-Ray 1, 4 days down, 15 to go of their epic cross-continental journey

Blog written by X-Ray 1's Comms Officers Izzy Letty and Abi Hayward

Alpha 2 reach Corcovado National Park

Alpha 2 have been in touch to let us know what a great time they're having, and making those of us in Field Base quite envious of their adventures. Here's what the team had to say.

Greetings from Alpha 2! Sorry for the delay to our report, our team has been extremely busy since we set off from El Progresso nearly 2 weeks ago. 

The Corcovado trekkers, with some of the field base staff who delivered a food drop a few days into the trek

Since then we’ve had our ups and downs, both geographically and emotionally, but we've emerged from tough mountains and through the jungle to stunning views of the pacific coast and the Golfo Dulce. We have been really lucky to meet some incredible local people and seen some amazing views, and as we look forward to entering Corcovado National Park tomorrow, we thought we would give a quick overview of some of our favourite moments so far...

• Bathing in hot springs at aguas thermales
• Singing in the rain outside a ranger station at 1900m above sea level
• Eating dinner every night under an amazing night sky
• Enjoying freshly squeezed sugar cane juice from a local farmer

Enjoying a game of Ninja

...In short alpha 2 are having a fantastic time, speak soon!

One of many stunning views that Alpha 2 have been experiencing on their trek

Alpha 3: Turrisantos Trekkers

Barbilla National Park is rich in biodiversity

Two days into this first phase and our limits are being tested to the extreme. Barbilla National Park is probably the most beautiful and serene place I have ever seen however... it is brutal!

Night 1 at Ernesto's House in Barbilla National Park

We were thrown in at the deep end on day one of our trek but after finally making it to the start of the park, we set off going from open green fields to the dense, dark and incomprehensibly muddy but incredibly beautiful rainforest in an instant.

Emily

Quick break

Though we are still faced with an extremely difficult trek ahead, through the last bit of Barbilla National Park, I have no doubt that Alpha 3 will battle through and thoroughly enjoy the adventure that we have been given the privilege to embark upon.

Cards before bed

Alpha 3 planning their route

We are presently around halfway through the park in an indigenous village. All of the people are so welcoming and kind, the house we are staying in is luxury - there's even a roof!

Dougie just before sunrise

Stunning sunrise for Alpha 3

We are all excited for the last day in the forest, caked in mud, and then for the rest of the phase and i'm sure that Alpha 3 will remain strong throughout.

Alpha 3 saying goodbye to Head Offices Leonie and Photographer Liz who joined them for 3 days.

Todays blog was written by Conrad, Alpha 3's Venturer Project Communications Officer.

And I would walk... 250kms over 19 days

Trekking: A term derived from the Afrikaans word trek literally meaning to ‘pull travel’ translated as a long and challenging journey, typically on foot.

Every Venturer on Expedition 13A will take part in one of Raleigh CR&Ns Adventure Projects. A challenging time of discovery and incredible teamwork, the treks will take our teams through beautiful scenery, traversing volcanoes, negotiating rainforests and navigating through a UNESCO world heritage site. A challenge yes, an incredible journey yes, can everyone achieve it - absolutely without a doubt yes.

Alpha 1: The Coast to Coast Trek

Trek Leaders: Colin and Nurse Sarah

Summary: Beginning on the Caribbean Coast and ending at the Pacific Ocean this trek is 270 km across Costa Rica - traversing not just a country but also a continent. It begins in the port of Limon, heading along railway tracks and through small communities to Barbilla National Park . From this point the groups through the Chirripo indigenous territory to Bajo Pacuare. They then head to the beautiful river and over to Tapanti National Park ascending to nearly 3000m through the park before descending to the Pacific Ocean via the Cerro Dragon Peak. Ending after 19 days at the Playa Palo Seco where the groups make their final dash to the sea to celebrate their incredible achievement.

Alpha 2: The Corcovado Trek

Trek Leaders: Sarah L and Chris
Summary: Beginning their trek in La Amistad National Park, the largest national park in Costa Rica and a UNSECO World Heritage Site, the trek takes in beautiful mountains and towering cloud forest. After passing waterfalls and a hot spring (perfect for initial aching limbs) the group will cross the Fila Costena - a chain of mountains that run parallel to the sea. After traversing the mountains the group will finish their trek by crossing the famed Corcovado National Park which straddles the Osa Peninsula, walking through the best preserved tropical rainforest in Central America. Monkeys and Tapirs abound at the end of this trek and the final three days take in the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the beaches along the coast.

Alpha 3: The Turrisantos Trek

Trek Leaders: Gemma and Dr.James

Summary: Commencing between the two active volcanoes of Irazu and Turrialba ascending to 3000m, on a clear day the group may even be able to sea the Caribbean Sea. Passing from here to the Guayabo National Monument - the ruins of an ancient settlement in the jungle before passing close to Fieldbase and then out to the Tapanti National Park. Ascending again to 3000m  the group will follow the ridges of the Fila de Bustamante towards Cerro Dragon Peak before making their final descent to the Pacific Ocean and a final flourish (and a run no doubt) into Playa Matapalo.

Way down deep in the middle of the jungle…

Yesterday you saw all of the Volunteer Managers set off on their first day trekking in Costa Rica, putting all of their training into practice. Day 2, and Whiskey 1 to 5 channelled Willie Nelson (on the road again!) awake at 4.30am packing up camp in order to set off at 6am. 

6.30am: stunning Costa Rica

We had a few hours of walking through beautiful scenery with our destination: a bit of training with Simon and Pedro, learning water safety and how to cross a river safely.

Water safety: our classroom for the morning

A great save, res-q disking

An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman huddled across a river

The line astern method, a bit of PM congestion in the river

We arrived after a full morning of trekking, river crossings and a bit more trekking to our jungle camp, to learn campcraft, including how to dig a long drop, and enjoy the first night sleep for many in the infamous Raleigh basher.

Pedro attempting to levitate the basher with his mind

Dav, Shane and Antonio learning the finer points of a bamboo basher bed

Greg ready for a good nights sleep in his basher hammock

Yes, Simon is squatting and demonstrating exactly what you think he is - I'll say no more 

Lou, Katharine and Vanessa taking afternoon tea

Zoe, slightly potty

Emma, Marie, Chris and Sara enjoying a cuppa after getting their camp up

Helena prepping for a three course dinner, undoubtedly a jus was included in the main

Whiskey 2 definitely won the prize for best camp

Our final day was another early 4am wake up and a short walk to Fieldbase which turned into a rather more stressful experience than first expected with our mock Casevac training - a 2km trek from where our 'patients' (all of the medics had a lovely time being carried back to Fieldbase in a stretcher) all jokes aside it is a brilliant exercise, where everyone put everything they had learnt into practice.

Marisa being tended to by our well trained Project Managers

Completed mission - Casevac training over and a short walk to Fieldbase

Home, clean and ready for allocations! Find out where our project managers will be based for their first phase tomorrow.