The sun shines on Zulu 1

Zulu 1 send messages home from the Coast to Coast Trek.  The sun came out part way through the filming which, although a good thing for our trekkers, did rather mess up our video.  So apologies for the bright light and hope that you can still make everybody out.

In order you'll hear from Clare, Ben, Bo, Patrice, Lilian, Eveline, Henry, Sarah, Paul, Angel, Mela, Ziggy and Claudia.

Zulu 1 - make it out of the jungle

The Zulu 1 warriors started of on the Caribbean coast meeting some amazing locals on the way, before heading off into the jungle.

Claudia & Angel plan ...

...Mela checks

The jungle was full of amazing scenery but also full of mud, steep hills, more mud and rain.  We all slid about, a LOT.  Top tumbler awards go to Patrice and Lilian amassing 15 slips each (at least) - though no harm done except to their pride.

Ben overjoyed wit the thought of a day trekking

After the jungle we headed to St Joaquin and stayed in a church and had an amazing time walking through towns and taking in some Costa Rican culture.

Eveline and Lilian side be side

Just when we thought we were finished with the jungle we had some more hills and stunning views with a spot of camping.  Then lo and behold we were back in the jungle with more mud and steep hills.  But the hills can't bring down the Zulu warriors and as we have arrived at every destination early. 

Bo strides out

This evening we have just arrived at a community centre at Esperanza after conquering two mountains and reaching almost 3,000 metres.  We literally have our heads in the clouds.  We are pretty damn awesome, we don't really need the PMs anymore - but we let them come along for the views.

Patrice, Project Comms officer

Patrice taking a moment to reflect

Which Zulu are you?

And all too soon we have reached the final phase of the 12L expedition.  We've gone from Alpha to Zulu and these are the new group allocations.  Deployment was bright and early on Friday morning with everyone now on their way.

Remember to quote the Zulu name in any messages that you send in via the blog, even though they aren't published on the website we do make sure that they are given to your nearest and dearest as soon as we can.


Zulu 1 - Coast to Coast Trek, Costa Rica
Claudia Fiedler, Claire Skelton, Sarah Crawford,
Henry Anderson, Ziggy Parris, Angel Mejia, Paul Darius, Ben Byers, Mela Piedra, Lilian Keller, Patrice Hollywood, Bo Brand, Eveline Kroese

Zulu 1 - Coast to coast

Zulu 2 - Miratombo Trek, Nicaragua
Sarah Flynn, Jim Howard, Barney Harker
Alex Robertson, Hidde Van Lent, Callum Blues, Jose Quesada, Hester van Marwijk Kooy, Jakeling Escoto Rivera, Frankie Owusu-Brobbey, Yorleny Bermudez, Andrea Grundke, Vinnie Moriarty Barron

Zulu 2 - Miratombo Trek

Zulu 3 - Environmental, starting in Carara National Park, Costa Rica
Jae Quiros, Vic Lapsins
Jonas Koch, Luke Waldock, Jonathan Corrales, Pedro Ocon, Archie Finlayson, Anika Kandola, Anna McManus, Arlene Rodriguez, Sophie LaMarre

Zulu 3 - Environmental

Zulu 4 - Los Loros Water project, Nicaragua
Florian Cross, Charlie Cox, Karen Malone
Marco Mora Jimenez, Diego Molina, Matt Whiteside, Ben Hilton-Delhaye, Omar Ochoa, Carlyn Brown, Puck Van der Vet, Suwen James, Shannon Potter, Claudia Audlie

Zulu 4 - Los Loros

Zulu 5 - Miraflor House building project, Nicaragua
Natalie Metcalfe, Pauline Wright, Nicole Ferris
Ben Persofsky, Jack Moxham, Louis Tindall, Harley Decker, Dave Rosen, Gustavo Granados, Floor van Selms, Vera Juarez, Tiggy Taliadoros, Vic McIrvine, Aishath Green

Zulu 5 - Miraflor

The Zulus are back at Zero!

The Zulus have returned to Fieldbase from their Adventure Challenge!

I'd like to say that they came bounding up the driveway, full of the days of spring...however they were more akin to zombies than spring lambs after a 3.30am start, a nap on the bus and the small issue of 8 days of solid adventure!

Here are their summaries of the past few days...photos to follow!

ZULU 1 - by Sarah Tight
"So where ARE we?" was the first question from Tarlaan when we arrived at the beginning of our 5 day trek. Little did we know that navigation was to become impossible, traversing snake-infested grass the norm and that our personal fragrances could reach such potency! Spirits rose and fell, but the spectacular views kept us going up the near-vertical hills. We walked up A LOT of such hills, swam in amazing rivers, laughed, cried, and overall, survived!

ZULU 2 - by Mayci Hicks
Zulu 2 is comprised of many different people from different Delta groups, yet despite these differences we fell in effortlessly to the social circle that would shape our lives for the next 5 days on trek.
Raleigh trek consists of 55km, 4 Zulu groups, rucksacks containing our weight in Pork & Beans and some of the hardest days we have ever experienced.We overcame a multitude of challenges and our team never broke, despite...
- encountering tricky boulders in our river crossing and then realising it was the wrong way...
- trying to find camping ground between walls of mud and corn
- seeing ANOTHER 50 degree mountain climb with a rucksack in the heat of the midday sun...

During moments like this, it is easy to see the qualities that make up a person. No-one in Zulu 2 gave up.

Yesterday, the winners of the trek and survival challenge were announced and there has never been a prouder moment than when Zulu 2 was proclaimed the victor! 10, 20, 30 years from now, if something goes wrong, these memories will help us pull through, realising "I can do anything". Zulu 2 may officially end when we leave Raleigh, but our connections never will.

ZULU 3 - by Taormina Locke
After the exhausting but immensely rewarding trek, all the Zulu teams were whisked away to 'Paradise Island', a beautiful island haunted by the ghosts of the old prison there.

Our first night was spent setting up camp next to the pier, and then being given a talk by Ross on San Lucas Island's history. Although a little spooked, we were all looking forward to getting a good night's sleep until 7.30am - a lie in!

However, we were dragged from sleep by a blood-curdling scream at 5am followed by huge shouts and roars! Our tents were pulled to the ground, and we hopped out into the dawn to see our PMs had gone wild! All dressed in ghostly attire, they rounded us up into our Zulu groups to start the 24-hour survival challenge.

The challenge entailed navigation from a point to which we had been led blindfolded, tight-rope walking, spider-web diving and bridge-building, camping, cooking dinner from scratch (including scaling fish) and finally rounded off by a celebratory jump off the pier into the sea!

This morning we woke at 3.30am to get packed and load the boats heading back to the mainland. What an incredible last few days to end a Raleigh expedition!

ZULU 4 - by Anna Coleridge
Shocked to be woken up at 5.30am just days after finishing trek, Z4 started the survival challenge slowly. After a less-than perfect first task (though Mark did build a great fire) we picked up our game. In the raft-building task we put in a strong performance and were complimented on our intelligent design. The final two challenges in the morning went relatively smoothly, though our size range from Leon to Carla meant we struggled to balance weight!

Fatigued and ready for lunch, we stopped on a path to eat before finding camp for the night. We reached our designated beach just in time to meet the 'boatman' Ross with our fish and bread for supper.

Mark built a wonderful fire, Grace scaled many a fish for supper and Annie and Alice made bread dough in bowls made out of watermelons, culminating in a lovely evening around the fire (did we mention the fire?).

Up at 4.30am because of the concrete floor, we were back at base in good time to hear that Z2 had won! Despite this, we thoroughly enjoyed the survival challenge and are ready to come home.

Thanks guys! Pics to follow!

It really has been wet for Zulu 1

If you thought Barney was over-exaggerating when describing the weather on the Turrisantos Trek...here's the evidence!!

Rain!

Rain and a river crossing

More rain!

Rain and heavy bags!

But then the amazing generosity that we meet time and time again in Costa Rica...a lovely lady feeds Zulu 1 coffee and cakes and lets 12 wet, muddy trekkers stay in her beautiful home. Pura vida!!!

Nice weather for ducks (Barney)

Following our unforgettable summit of Volcan Turrialba, Zulu 1 continued our trek towards the Pacific coast in the torrential rain. Passing through Wetsock city and Crinklytoez we made our way to El Monumento Nacional Arqeologico Guayabo where the group was, understandably, more interested in a first shower in 5 days than any archeological site!

Spirits were further lifted by a fantastic salami and chickpea curry cooked by the team with ingredients from local Pulperías to celebrate Dinora’s 19^th birthday. A tasty birthday cake, resourcefully made from condensed milk, chocolate powder, raisons and porridge, complete with candles, more than made up for our 5^th consecutive night of rain.

Following this we took on some mighty hills and squelched our up various river banks until we reached the small village of Silencio in the hills around Turrialba.  Here we struck gold when a generous old lady invited us into her house to drink coffee, eat cake and even use her tumble dryer! Smiles all round despite our tired feet, and time to say goodbye to Barney who tags out with another Raleigh medic, Matt, stepping in to join Zulu 1 on their adventure towards the sea. Pura Vida!

 

Zulu 1 off to a flyer

Bravo 1 are back from their first roadtrip and have brought an update from Zulu 1 blogger Katie. This is followed by a report on our epic ascent of Volcan Turrialba.

We started walking at 9am on Saturday morning with our jungle guide Helberth. The day started with some particularly boggy areas where we went up to our calves in mud. People were quite apprehensive going through it and getting stuck in the mud so PM Bruce inspired us by yelling “get in the mud!” every five minutes!!!

In terms of distance we completed 5km which doesn’t sound like a lot with the steepness and mud it was certainly a challenge. We arrived at ‘camp’ for the night and had an early night to prepare ourselves for our daily 4am wake-up call! Lisa learnt a lesson in the evening when she put her socks a little too close for comfort to the fire to dry them out and when she came back she only had half a sock remaining!

Day 2 saw more jungle trekking and long grassy areas before we arrived at ‘murder mansion’ at 10am so everyone was in good spirits. The majority of us had fallen over at some point during the day but Afsy definitely took the prize when she fell into a stream and couldn’t get up for laughing so much. We had fun in ‘murder mansion’ where there were great views of the jungle. The story of the house is that two brothers lived there. They had an argument and one killed the other...it is now a great stop off point for trekkers!!

On day 3 we reached the end of the jungle and found ourselves overlooking a beautiful valley...an amazing, tranquil spot. Here we set up camp and steeled ourselves for the next day’s challenge...climbing Volcan Turrialba.

Bravo 1

After some fairly serious off-road action and an hour’s walk in heavy rain, we met up with the Zulu 1, who were preparing themselves for the following day’s ascent of the 3340m Volcan Turrialba, whose billowing smoke can be seen from fieldbase.

With PM Barney having motivated the group with descriptions of the stunning views of the Carribbean that we could expect during the ascent, there was a little disappointment when we awoke to the sound of pouring rain and the hardy trekkers pulled on wet clothes for the third morning running!

However, this is a tough bunch. They weren’t to be put off by a bit of moisture in the air and tackled the 1000m almost vertical ascent with gusto. Passing through lush green fields, thick, muddy forest and then impossibly steep slopes, the group pushed on taking regular breaks to fill the lungs.

It has to be said, when the group reached the top there weren’t the whoops of joy you might expect. I imagine this was mixture of extreme tiredness and fact the promised views were somewhat hidden by a thick bank of cloud. But then, right on cue, the cloud cleared and the group caught their first sight of the active volcano....then the cheers came.

A truly outstanding effort from a very determined group of venturers, who Bravo 1 left enjoying the amazing views. 

Tired and wet but they made it!

Only to be greeted by this!!

But then the skies cleared and the smiles came out!

This is what it's all about.

Zulu 1 an awesome team of trekkers.

Zulus Out

We’re back from the Zulu Adventure Challenge! This morning it was time to say goodbye to our fun and friendly Zulu venturers. There were tears, laughter and friendships parting but never to be forgotten as we waved goodbye to them at San Jose airport. But what a way to end! Saturday morning saw sixty venturers arrive at Puntarenas and fly over to San Lucas Island on a convoy of speed boats. As they arrived they enjoyed a chilled out day to recuperate after their tiresome, trekking escapades and of course, to mentally prepare for the unknown events ahead.

That evening the venturers were taken on an eerie tour around the prison in the dark to hear the horror stories and history (home for the next three days!). They were then left to relax for the evening ready for a lie-in and a slap-up Gallo Pinto breakfast at 7am the next morning - brilliant!

Unfortunately for the venturers, this was all just a big ploy to make the next day’s events even more of a surprise. Up bright eyed and bushy-tailed at 4am the next morning were the Raleigh PM’s as they got into costume, grass skirts, war paint, drums and all, and headed off to the prison cells where the venturers were sleeping, for an interesting wake up call.

“Ooohohohohohohohohohohoh!” (That is the PM’s running into the prison cells to wake up the venturers, red-Indian style, if you can imagine that). After a brutal awakening, including warrior dancing and chanting, the venturers finally dragged themselves out of bed. They were given a brief introduction from the King and Queen of the San Lucas Zulu warriors (Sabrina and PM Andy in head dresses and loin cloths), got into their groups, packed the bare essentials and once blindfolded, were taken to their first challenge where they were left alone to fend for themselves.

Slowly but surely as the PM’s departed the Zulu venturers removed their blindfolds and in front of them was a map, a grid reference, a bag of watermelon and Pineapple, two knives, and some bug spray. After some refreshing breakfast to fuel them up for the day (the fruit) they found their grid reference locations and began the fun and games. Each group had four challenges to complete that morning; raft building, Command, low ropes and fire building. For each challenge they were timed and scored. That evening was the real survival challenge however. Another grid reference! This time to four separate beaches within the island where each group had to set up their own jungle camp using two pieces of tarpaulin, 6 mosquito nets, and a sleeping bag each. They were then visited by the ‘fish man’ (Country Programme Manager, Ross) and had to signal to him in morse code from the shore. Once the message had been received our trusty fish man sped over to drop off some freshly caught red snapper, with instructions on how to slice, gut and cook it up for dinner as well as some instructions and ingredients for making damper bread. All this with no guidance whatsoever from our project managers – it is survival after all.

The next morning the venturers really were treated to a slap-up breakfast of Gallo Pinto and spent the rest of the day packing and relaxing on beautiful San Lucas. That night they enjoyed a tip top barbeque underneath a magnificent sunset, the final expedition slide show and of course a good old Raleigh party to close in expedition 11H.

Zulus, you’ve been incredible. Your work with Raleigh has been invaluable. We hope that you have left with memories that will last a lifetime and more. Pura vida amigos!

*Blog by Dawn Tennant, photos by Polly and Kat Mammone

Zulus Head To Prison & Tangos Go To Playa Hermosa!

Our lovely and talented Communications Officer, Dawn is currently on San Lucas Island, putting in place all of the final preparations for what should be an incredible second half of the Zulus’ Adventure Challenge. We, Logs/Yankee Emily and Raleigh Veteran/Tica Tuti, will be filling you in on all the juicy details in her absence. Here goes nothing...

The Zulu groups descended upon La Fundación Ecotrópica last night; after a collective sigh of relief (trek phase over!), the groups hunkered down for the night, anxious to see what the second half of the Adventure Challenge had in store for them. All 4 Zulu groups got an early start this morning and with tummies full of porridge, made their way to San Lucas Island (formerly an island prison, now a wildlife refuge). The venturers spent the day enjoying the beach, taking a tour of the prison grounds, and generally chilling out. And tonight, rather than sheltering themselves from what was supposed to be a heavy tropical storm, are sitting on the pier watching a beautiful sunset and the millions of stars peppering the sky. Magical.

 

 PM's Megan, Nick and Haley loving the trek!

San Lucas Island

Last night the Mini Expedición Latina deployed – here with some information (en Español) is Tuti! Take it away...

Es el segundo día para la Mini Expedición Latina, el grupo (Tango 1) llego ayer al Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Playa Hermosa, esta es la primera parte de la Mini Expedición.  En estos 3 días siguientes, los chicos van a estar ayudando con labores do voluntariado en el parque. En este tiempo, también van a estar aprendiendo como utilizar el equipo de Raleigh, por que después de estos 5 días, les espera la parte mas emociónate y desafiante…la caminata de 5 días hasta la cima el Cerro Bares! El grupo esta listo para todo lo que falta de su aventura!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (Fieldbase), we’ve been getting into the Adventure Challenge spirit as well! Mozzy net fishing, anyone? 

We are truly roughing it.

Until next time, this is Emily & Tuti – out.

Photos courtesy of Haley Rust