Updates from the Trekkies!

Jack Smylie-Wild for X-Ray 1, Turrimacho Trek:

Hi everyone and anyone who is dropping by to check on the progress, happiness and health of their sons, daughters, friends and partners who make up the cross-country-Costa Rica-mountain-topping, playa-seeking, grubby clan named X-Ray 1.

So, where to start? The time that passed so far on this trek has assumed that strange quality of seeming far longer than 12 days whilst those same days also seem to have flown by. We now have walked about 143km and the last four days have been particularly difficult: long days, never-ending ascents, tents in the rain, freezing nights at 2500m. The luck we've been blessed with today then feels all the better. We were due to camp again after a 23km walk, but somehow the roadtrip guys from the fieldbase team, who caught up with us today in their 4x4 for a food-drop, managed to find us a rather luxurious wooden cabin in a typical Costa Rican village called San Francisco at an altitude of 2000m. When the clouds clear we can catch a glimpse, a glimmer of the Pacific in the distance! Not far to go now. We arrive at Palo Seco, the beach, on Friday - day 16. None of us can wait, but we're all going to make the most of our journey before we reach our destination, for a weekend of frisbee, sleeping, swimming, chilling... enjoying being still! We're really looking forward to seeing you all very soon! Pura Vida x

Meeting the roadtrip... food and
messages from home

Cookies courtesy of Joanna :)

Kelly...  dayleader extraordinaire



It's not a tent! Luxury accommodation in San Francisco

Diary time

Sorting latest fooddrop for next few days trek

Stretching in more ways than one...

Bert preparing the daily sitrep back to fieldbase

*Photos by Cathy Titterton*

Abi Ramanan for X-Ray 2, Miratombo Trek:

Pulperia girls aside, X-Ray 2 have been enjoying a diverse trekking experience. I'm sure that you won't believe that we're not biased but this really is the best trek; travelling between different communities has been hugely interesting, not to mention great for improving our Spanglish. 

Day 7 ended "early" at a picturesque town and everyone almost imploded with excitement when we spotted a restaurant. Rice, beans and tortilla made a welcome break from rations. The roadtrip dropped by in the evening which was excellent timing, as quite a bit of souvenir shopping took place earlier in the day. Of course, it was lovely to see them too, and we all slept on the porch of a school on a warm evening. 

Day 8 involved quite a lot of plodding forward in single file in the rain and we were thrilled to finally arrive at another school where the local community were holding a 4 hour First Aid course. Great! The next couple of days went by in a blur, involving a lot of mud, and I must give a special mention to my sandals which are no longer with me as I said goodbye to them thigh-high deep in mud. 

Unfortunately, Nati had to leave us today (members dropping like flies) but luckily Dawn has arrived and everyone is super psyched for 24k tomorrow!

volcanoes and trekking

Hi to all the parents, family and friends.  The road trips have been off visiting the projects and you will be delighted to hear they have returned with some blog entries written by your loved ones.  Juliette 3 (as Laura, Amy, Wellard and Cathy have decided to be named) met with X-ray 1 who were on good form and collected these words from Joanna Bartlett:

 It was hot, sunny, dry and approaching midday when we, x-ray 1 took our first step of the 250km Turimacho trek across Costa Rica.  From Cimarrones Arriba we glanced at the Caribbean coast a few kilometres in the distance and then headed towards the pacific.  Kelly reminded us frequently that we would be at the beach soon!  While this reward was on all our minds we also took in the waterfalls, stunning views, nature and people we saw on the way.

 The first few days we trekked alongside countryside paths.  Day 2 also brought with it the mystery of the missing salami, which meant a disappointing lunch for the next day, but also amusing jokes regarding the salamis whereabouts.

 We have tackled the muddy slopes in the jungle.  The climb was tough and in some places the mud was so persistent that it sucked our boots into it; claiming Darens boots on numerous occasions.

 Still spirits remained high and we sang and danced our way through the jungle, yelling ‘pompi’ (in Cantonese) when anybody slipped in the mud, which was quite often.

 Our 14 year old jungle guide Juan Louis was very patient with our trudging pace.  We parted with him on day 5.  This was our longest day of trekking yet, taking us 10 hours to reach our destination, San Joaquin.  This was also the day with the best hilltop views and we passed a pulperia (small shop) for the first time, good news for us and the shop keeper!

 Tomorrow, day 6 we have a 21km hike ahead of us, fortunately we have some energy bombs(an oats, chocolate and syrup mix) to start the day!

Written by Joanna Bartlett.  Photos by Cathy Titterton.

Juliette 3, not lost!  Just checking the route....

a rare sighting of the Deputy programme manager Brie out on phase with X-ray 1

some venturers still manage to look glamorous, even on trek!

off they go for a day of trekking 21km!!!

Juliette 3 (Laura, Amy, Wellard and Cathy) then spent last night with x-ray 3 and can confirm the report below from Alfie of an evening of charades with a lively and fun group.

Alfie writes...........

We have been working on Volcan Turrialba (a volcano) and I can speak for the whole group when I say it has been the most enjoyable phase.  The working day is made easier by the rangers who are pretty damn funny.

I would say that the best part of the day is in the afternoon when we return to what must from the outside look like student digs.  This is the part of the day when we chill out and this period of time has been filled with conversations about what everyone is doing when they go home or are travelling on.  This makes it very obvious that it is the last phase.

Also at night we have our daily game of ‘Come dine with me’.  This is where there is stiff competition in what is made for dinner.  Some so far have seen:

Spicy noodles – Francis

Mac & cheese – Hugh

Curry – Kay

Better than normal pasta sauce – Cam

Cheesy mash – Alfie

Guacamole – Cam

Egg fried rice – Kay

But please don’t get the impression we are living luxuriously!

 On our day off we visited a town that had been evacuated due to acid rain and saw a house which had no roof as it had been totally eaten away by acid rain.  Although we are loving working at the volcano that day made us realise the destructive power it has.

In the evenings we have had a fair few games of charades and Mafia...... it has started to get a little competitive!

All in all we are enjoying every moment of this phase.  There always seems to be laughter from when we wake until we go to bed.  There are many different personalities in our group but this helps to bring us together and widen our conversations.  I feel as if x-ray 3 has become a type of family!

 PS.  Keep the blog messages coming, we really appreciate them.

Blog written by Alfie Carapiet.  Photos by Cathy Titterton.

Volcan Turrialba

The Rangers use quad bikes to get the heavy materials up the volcano.

Kiwi Cam building the paths.

The road trips are still out there collecting blog entries from the venturers in the other x-ray groups so check back over the next few days for more updates.

Blog written by Laura Salmon.  Photos by Cathy Titterton.

Delta Yankee 1- bounding through the jungle

Delta Yankee 1 have been bounding through the rough Costa Rican Terrain, entering and exiting the slippery mud mountains of the jungle with superfluous determination. Energy bombs, pulperias and outstanding views keep us motivated when the hills never seem to end. The group has strangly acquired a fondness for encouraging each other with Arnold Schwarzenegger quotes with beautiful Austrian accents; though luckily we have not yet had to 'Get to the chopper'.

On our gallant journey we have so far encountered a poison dart frog, a deadly viper snake (which most of the group walked past obliviously) and 10,000 fireflies- we could not believe our eyes.

After a breathtaking 'stroll' through an astounding valley the group took refuge in an indigenous community where they were both shocked and relieved to find flushing toilets and a shower!

It is safe to say that the boys in the group have become food fiends with any leftovers being demolished before the words, 'I can't finish,' have even been wittered. Despite the rapid devouring of our rations the 22kg backpacks do not seen to get lighter. Nevertheless the group will continue to march on to the Pacific knowing that when we finish we can proudly say that 'we have walked from coast to coast.'

So in the combined words of the great Arnie and the even greater Delta Yankee 1, 'C'mon do it, do it now!'

by Mags and Aisling

Delta Romeo 1 are so macho...

Delta Romeo 1 have been roaming, roaming, roaming all over Costa Rica on their Turrimacho trek. Here are two updates from Olivia Christie:

Part one

The other Sunday morning we all boarded the bus, knowing that our trek would begin in just over two hours! Dreading the thought of attempting to lift our 21kg rucksacks and apprehension of what we had in store over the next 19 days.

Day one saw a short but tough walk to our first campsite as we started to acclimatise to the conditions and our rubbing hip belts. At our first campsite we were greeted by Don Gerado who kindly offered us coconuts as well as a place to pitch camp. We were beginning to experience the famous Costa Rica friendliness and warmth!

After the first of many uncomfortable nights sleep, we set off on our first full day trekking.... 11km up a steep rocky road that seemed to go on forever! We later arrived at the community centre with little hassle other than a close encounter with a snake! Thankfully it slithered away in a hurry. At the community centre Delta Romeo 1’s favourite pastime was conceived: aerobics c lasses, with huge lunges providing a large amount of entertainment and laughter.

For the last three days we have been marching through the jungle and we are starting to think that the phrase “what goes up, must come down” doesn’t apply to Costa Rican mountains. Torrential downpours on Tuesday afternoon made the clay track even more treacherous , and hardly  100 metres could pass without one member slipping and getting a complimentary mud bath! 

Our guide in the jungle was Juan Louis, a local boy who knows the jungle paths better than I know the back of my hand. Throughout the trek we have been greeted by delightful views, and despite the gruelling walks, spirits are remaining mountain-top high!

Part two

Mission:  Trek from Caribbean to Pacific coasts of Costa Rica

Days completed: 12

Kilometres marched: 143

Highest point reached: 2842m

Blisters obtained: 42

Packets of refried beans devoured: 70

Average backpack weight: 21 kg

Delta Romeo 1 have now been walking, scrambling and hobbling over mountains for 12 days, yet despite blisters and muscle strain we are on target and about to start our descent to the sunny beach for a day of relaxation. 

We have navigated our way over jungle paths, tarmac highways and dirt-packed country lanes. After long, hard days of walking, nights have been spent in tents, community centres, a pulperia (grocery store) and even a church. Sugar cravings are regularly satisfied by raiding any Pulperia we pass, with mini-cans of condensed milk being a group favourite. 

Monstrous mountains and bulging blisters have not been our only obstacles. Six days without showers attempting to cook gourmet meals out of pasta and tomato sauce in gale force winds have only increased team spirit and made us feel truly like we've 'got out there'!