No Quibbling with the Sorting Hat

It‘s currently eerily quiet here at field base as our wonderful volunteer managers (VMs) are out visiting their expedition sites. 

The moment they had all been waiting for since arriving in India happened on Sunday, not only did they find out what expedition they would be working on for Phase One but they also found out who their fellow VM would be, exciting!!!

In true Raleigh style the announcements were made with theatrics, this involved Mark, Julia, Jen and Ali transforming the volunteer manager’s staff room into the Great Hall from Hogwarts (This relates to the Harry Potter series for those of you who have never heard of the Great Hall and Hogwarts). The VMs were ushered into the staff room by Jen, who was dressed as Professor Sprout, and were confronted with the Sorting Hat who would decide their destiny for Phase One of expedition. There were lots of nervous smiles as the VMs waited to be called up to have their time with the Sorting Hat. 

Jen plays Professor Sprout 

The VMs nervously await their time with the Sorting Hat

First to face their fate with the Sorting Hat was Lindsay, after some deliberation the Sorting Hat decided Lindsay would spend Phase One of the expedition with Echo 3. Lindsay was followed quickly by Lou who was also put with Echo 3, the first VM team was complete! Echo 3 will be working in Huskurhaddi and will be constructing elephant fences and trenches. 

Lindsay is placed in Echo 3 

Lou happy to be joining Lindsay in Echo 3

Sarah was next to face the scrutiny of the Sorting Hat and was our first VM to be allocated to a Trek, she will be striding out with Tango 5. Julia from logs checked in with the Sorting Hat but luckily for us Jules will be staying here at field base to provide well needed support to our expedition.  

Sarah trekking with Tango 5 

Julia, lucky for us she stays here at field base

Susan was the next VM to toddle up to the front to face the Sorting Hat which informed her she would be spending Phase One with Charlie 1 in Kotapadi working on a sanitation project. Susan will be a lonely VM for a little while longer as her partner in crime will not be here for another couple of days.  

Susan jumps for joy when assigned to Charlie 1

Rachel, a five week VM,  was next up and was happy to hear from the Sorting Hat she would be with Foxtrot 1 in Ponani on a sanitation project. Andrew was judged by the Sorting Hat to be our field base medic and look how happy he is.  Clare was allocated to Foxtrot 2 in Basavapura working on building elephant trenches and fence and looks happy with that. 

Rachel asking the hat to tell her where she is going

Andrew awaits his fate

Clare looks happy with the Sorting Hat's decision to
send her to Foxtrot 2

Cat having had her hopes scanned by the Sorting Hat was assigned to Tango 6 and for Phase One she will be on trek in Wayanad, Northern Kerala. John was sussed out by the Sorting Hat fairly quickly and told he would be joining Sarah on trek with Tango 5. Sally , another one of our 5 week VMs, was pleased to find out she would be joining Rachel on Foxtrot 1. 

Cat ready to take on the trek with Tango 6

John showing us his trek pose, lucky Tango 5

The sorting hat puts Sally with Foxtrot 1 

Donks and Fletch were unsurprised to find out they were staying at field base (we're the field base team after all) but there was a big surprise for one of our field base volunteer managers. Tim, who thought he would be staying here at field base, was very happy to find out from the Sorting Hat that he would join Cat on Tango 6’s trek in Wayanad, go Tim!

Donks not to clear what she should be doing with a broom....

and Fletch just looks plain confused

Tim gets a big surprise from the Sorting Hat when it tells
him he is going on trek with Tango 6 

After all the announcements the voice of the Sorting Hat was finally revealed as Ali who has been with us doing some research into some of Raleigh's previous expeditions reveals herself. 

The voice of the Sorting Hat is revealed it's Ali!

The volunteer managers are due back tomorrow so we will be bringing you more information about the expedition and amazing experiences that await life on expedition for 11E & 11F. Till then get out there!!