Progress Updates

We have been hearing regularly from our three Alpha groups, who are settling in well to expedition life. Here is a brief update from each group so far:

Alpha One (Hosekerasunda Community Project) have set up their accommodation at the village school. On Sunday, the group walked to the nearest village where a similar project of building eco-sanitation units has already taken place. This gave the team a chance to see the finished product for themselves and learn more about how they are constructed. The materials have now been purchased and Alpha One will be starting work on their first toilet-build today! Their cooking efforts produced some lumpy custard with bananas yesterday, however, we have been told that the taste was “agreeable”.

Alpha Two (Nagarhole National Park Environmental Project) have moved into the ranger’s Inspection Bungalow, where they had their first elephant sighting near the camp on the day they arrived! On Sunday, the team got straight to work, completing their first elephant-proof trench. When we spoke to them they were very tired but pleased with themselves. They also wanted to report that they had cooked a lunch of chapatti with cucumber, carrots, beetroot and peanut butter – apparently quite a successful dish.

Alpha Three (Chattamunnar Trek) gave us the following report:

Alpha Three find themselves on the third day in Silent Valley after two days of arduous trekking. Blisters are rife but morale is high. Tomorrow we attempt to reach the summit of India’s second highest mountain outside the Himalayas. The highlight so far was following elephant tracks through the tea plantations and an unfortunate incident concerning leeches and Aaron’s upper thigh! Thankfully, the leeches are fine. The prospect of buying, killing and cooking a chicken has cheered him up.

From Alpha Three, sent 18/2/08 18.00

Additions to the Blog

You will now be able to enlarge new photographs posted on the blogsite, simply click on the photograph you would like to see in more detail. Also check out our link to Google Maps on the right-hand section of the blog; here you can type in the coordinates for where our venturers are currently located.

All your messages to our venturers will be passed on to them when our first teams go out to visit them this week at their various sites. Please note that all comments and messages posted on the blogsite are in the public domain, but a printed version is given to the venturer in person. We will update you with news from all three Alpha groups when the road trip groups return.