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 5: The Long and Winding Road

X-Ray 5 are clockwise from top left: Pauline, Jeff, Berny, Daniele, Harini, Flo, Tom, Bella, Cas, Jac, Anthony, Simon, Angie, Hibbe, Iona, Chris and Drew

San Lucas, a beautiful island rich in history and adunbant in wildlife, became home to 13 Venturers and 3 PMs for 19 days as they set out on their environmental project last Sunday. A short boat ride from Puntarenas we pulled up on the shore of the former prison island, slightly uncertain but eager and excited to meet our Ranger to find out how we could help.

The pier on Isla San Lucas where prisoners used to arrive as did X-Ray 5!

Our first job was to clear the old library, which had become a jungle and was covered with litter and debris. Within 2 days we had restored the library removing all of the litter and uncovering the original green tiles. Although the Ranger said that sorting out the litter into groups wasn’t necessary we insisted on separating plastics and metals in order to allow the women on the mainland to earn money from recycling and to make a positive environmental impact.

San Lucas is abundant in wildlife, howler monkeys are currently under threat from poachers

The following day we were given our plan of action for the coming 2 weeks. Our aim is to improve the paths on the island, first by evening out the slopes to make them level and then the plan is to cover it in sand to compact the soil and for durability. The work has been difficult, the soil is hard and the heat is intense but X-Ray5 have been powering through and with great determination and teamwork we have covered 400m in 3 days.

X-Ray 5's camp is right on the water, basher beds are made out of bamboo and a hammock

The Ranger has been truly impressed by the high standard to which we are working to and has congratulated us on our progress so far. Our work will not only improve the island and make it more accessible but also encourages tourism so that visitors can be educated about the prison and it’s history. At one stage there were plans to change the island into a resort but luckily the motion was denied and the island has stayed a conservation area with some restoration of the prison.

The view from camp out over the water which is filled with stingrays and turtles alongside phosphorescence

The work X-Ray 5 have been doing has been really rewarding so far, our hard work has paid off as the paths are noticeably better and we can see the positive impact we are having on the environment. While being here, we’ve had a tour of the prison and heard some of the brutal stories of the prisoners in the past as well as having access to the book that was written by one of the inmates of the prison, the island of lonely men. We all feel extremely privileged to be living on this island and to be helping conserve the environment as well as being part of the work that the rangers do to encourage sustainable tourism.

Today's blog was written by X-Ray 5s Project Communications Officer Bella Jones

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