Staff Trek Training

Two days, 2 hours sleep, 15 kilometres walked with full rucksacks on backs, 1100 steps climbed in the heat of the Indian sun and monsoon rains...just a average Raleigh trek training exercise!

DAY ONE: Friday

The staff team packed their rucksacks with all their kit and group equipment ready to set off for their trek training.

Once they reached their camp area there were a few minutes spare to relax their muscles and air out sweaty feet before getting on with setting up camp. There were tents to be put up, long drops to be dug and shaded seating areas to be constructed.

Once camp was ready with sleeping mats and bags laid out inside our tents, we sat down for some essential medical training with Fieldbase Medic, Yvette.



The afternoon was spent with some practical lessons on wilderness camping that may be of assistance to our team during the Adventure Challenge. Country Programme Manager, Mark was on hand to deliver sessions on camp craft: constructing stretchers, Basha beds and more.














DAY TWO: Saturday

It was a sleepless first night for the staff team, with an early start at dawn. We sat down to a hearty breakfast of porridge with jam, before a rapid camp clear up and re-packing. We had been divided into two groups for Saturday, each armed with maps, a route plan and communication and navigation equipment.

It was no easy walk, the routes both led around (and up) the famous Chamundi Hill here in Mysore. Poor Alpha One arrived at their first waypoint to find themselves facing the 1100 steps that lead up to a temple at the summit, whereas Alpha Two faced a more steady incline around the back of the hill. However, they did then have to descend all 1100 steps at the end of their trek, before both teams made they way back to Fieldbase. As a final surprise, Alpha One was caught in a sudden bout of heavy monsoon rain towards the end of their journey.

A few aching muscles and sore feet for our team, but a fantastic experience all round. It's been a great taster of expedition life to come and everyone is feeling more prepared and excited about what lays ahead when our Venturers arrive.

Our attentions can now turn to the projects themselves...

Soon we will know who will be working as Project Managers on each of the projects and the PM teams will then be heading out to their project sites for three days of research and planning. Watch out for an update here to find out who is going where!

Before the rain set in - Alpha One pose for a team photo outside Fieldbase