Trek Training Day Two

Tired and with slightly aching feet, the Venturers arrived at their campsite early yesterday afternoon. Alpha Three were the first to arrive, and so were able to choose the best spot for their camp. As the other groups began to arrive into the camp area, I left the teams to set up their camps for the night. It was then over to the PMs who briefed the Venturers all about camp craft, including lighting fires, digging long drops and slops pits, building shelters and some basic first aid training.

Here are some photos of the groups before they left Fieldbase:

Alpha One

Alpha Two

Alpha Three

Time for a quick pep-talk from PM Madoc...

...and then they were off!

By the time Photographer Suze and I arrived towards dusk, the three groups had set up some fantastic camp areas and were busy lighting camp fires and sorting food ingredients to cook their evening meal. There was just enough time for a quick guided tour of each alpha group area, before a surprise visit from the famous Snake Shyam!

A few quickly moved themselves towards the back of the group, but others were brave enough to step forward to handle some of the harmless snakes in his collection, including a beautiful green Vine Snake. Once again the Spectacled Cobra stole the show, when it all got a bit too much for Nix, our Medic, who felt it was better to hide behind PM Sophie.

Not a late night for many; most were in bed before 10pm, although we’ve been told that it was a sleepless night for some. Nevertheless it was an early morning call into Fieldbase at 6am, as the groups prepared to pack up and leave camp to head out for their trek today. Once again Alpha Three were first to leave and head out on the route that would take them up (and down) the 1,100 steps to the top of Chamundi Hill.

We caught up with a few members of Alpha Three and One at the Temple on top of the hill, who had released themselves of their rucksacks for a brief period of sightseeing and shopping. Then right on time, Alpha Two came into view a few steps down.




“Tired, hot and sweaty,” seemed to be the general feeling from the group, but they were all in great spirits after their difficult climb. Once all had had a chance to relax a little, it was back down the hill again to arrive back at Fieldbase for a spot of lunch and the all important project allocations…