Welcome to the official blog for Raleigh India 12I | July - August 2012



Welcome to the Official Blog for Raleigh India 12J September - December 2012.



Tuesday 30 September 2008

Staff Trek Training

Today is the first day of the Dasara Festival in Mysore and the city is buzzing with energy as are the staff team as they have departed for their first day of trek training. As the staff headed off from Field Base towards Chamundi Hills on the outskirts of the city the inauguration of Dasara Festival has been taking place at the top of the hill.

The origin of Dasara goes way back to the Vijayanagar dynasty in 15th Century. The Wodeyars of Mysore continued this colourful & religious celebration under the leadership of Raja Wodeyar in the year 1610. Dasara is also known as the 'Navarathri', where nine days of worship & celebration culminate on the 10th day, known as 'Vijaydashami'. This has been declared as ‘Naada Habba’ or the State festival.

The staff packed up their bellies and their rucksacks to test their strength on a climb around the base of Chamundi Hill, up to see the famous Nandi Bull, towards Lalitha Mahal Palace and carry on to pass temples and villages until they reach their evening campsite.

Alpha 2 ready to set off this morning.

Alpha 1 looking bright and chirpy first thing as they leave Field Base

A quick wave from Dr Zoe

Qathab and Jerry - 2 of our trek guides from Kalypso Adventures.


Adventure company Kalypso Adventures, our project partners support and guide our participants along with Raleigh staff through the adventure phase. We are delighted to have Qathab - who as a Host Country Venturer paricipated in our first expedition in India, and Jerry - who has supported Raleigh on the first 2 expeditions earlier this year can join our staff in the staff induction training.

3 comments:

  1. Oooo the staff training trek! How exciting. Missing all the fun and games (and beers) of staff induction. Had a thali meal today in Little India in Singapore, bought all those memories flooding back.

    Give hugs to all those sad enough to be still hanging around FB after 3 expeditions, you crazy people, get a life (esp that Shelton man, not even sure what he does all day) Have an amazing PPV few days and enjoy every moment of it.

    I'm about to head to Bangkok and then Cambodia and Laos, bit of a change of plans but hey oh.

    Tim x

    PS Blog is looking good, keep it up potatoe

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  2. How were the steps everyone?!?!
    Rosie (still loving the blog...)

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  3. Hi Dr Zoe, great pictures, big backpack!! We are all really pleased to see you there, having a great time - were proud of you!! Lots of Love Andy, Emma, Emily and Billy Whizzz

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