Alpha Three Trek

Our DPM, Tim Berriman has just returned from Alpha Three with all the latest news on how they are getting on in Kerala...

The team celebrate reaching the top of the mountain

Life as the Deputy Programme Manager can mean a lot of time stuck at Fieldbase in Mysore, so I leapt at the chance of standing in as a trek leader for the mighty Alpha 3 for the first 9 days of their adventures in the Western Ghats. Since returning this morning I have been bullied into telling of our exploits for the blog....

Tim with PM Hana

After the controlled chaos of sorting the food and equipment resupply drops, personal stuff, maps, route cards and one hundred other jobs that need to be completed before deployment the 12 hour bus ride to Kerala was a welcome relief and time for some well earned snoozing. But as we entered the Western Ghats all eyes stared in awe at the breathtaking scenery and the size of the mountains. It seemed the tales told by the previous trek group of hours of toiling up never ending hills were not lies. Talk around the campfire that night was full concerns of blisters, rucksack weight and the impending 0400 wake-up call.

The first day did not disappoint, starting with a vicious climb up the winding roads of the Chattamunnar Tea Estate and then into the near vertical jungle above; surely at some point it would level out? Aching legs were quickly forgotten when we stopped for our first long break and had a chance to look out over the valley we had climbed out of, giving everyone a first real taste of the scale of the peaks we intended to climb over the next few days.

Thankfully the afternoon was a little easier as we meandered through the small communities of tea estate workers. Our arrival into each village was always greeted with shouts of ‘What is your name?’ and ‘Where are you from?’ from the local children, while the adults simply stared in amazement at the sight of trekking. As our guide, Shabeeb, said ‘they think we are mad, Keralan just people don’t do this!’.

Cooking "Trek" style: Arya makes some tea

Just as legs started to refuse to climb another hill and lifting rucksacks onto backs became almost impossible we caught sight of our first camp, the first arrivals greeting each member of the team with cheers as they collapsed onto the grass. Day One was over, but another 10 beckoned; could we repeat the performance tomorrow?

Day two quickly rolled into day three, the big one! Our task was to climb Meesapulimala at 2650m (or almost 9,000 ft), no easy feat with a small rucksack but with full packs it was going to take some doing. Alpha 3 were starting to motor at this point and fuelled by coconut sweets and peanut crunch we summitted at lunchtime in the mist, meaning a rest and a lunch of cold rice could be enjoyed knowing the afternoon was all downhill and our hardest day was almost complete. Unfortunately the weather gods had other ideas and unseasonal rain swept in causing a damp descent through the highest tea estate in the world. Still Alpha 3 made camp in high spirits and were greeted by welcome sight of piping hot tea from the campsite staff.

Olivia (The camel) and Bella

Still smiling - Olivia, Bella, Flora, Thomasin, Josie and Maud

So with fitness improving and routines becoming established the days then flew by, each one had its highlights. Dawn boat rides across lakes; stunning sunrises following a night of watching thunderstorms over the mountains and lunches spent swimming in deserted waterfalls in the jungle. All too soon the Raleigh vehicle arrived to drop Jason with the group whisk me back to Fieldbase. In 9 days we had pushed ourselves harder than many thought was possible and still reached the end of each day smiling.

Thomasin









The girls take a quick rest en route - Josie, Flora and Maud










James - could be sleeping...

I can only thank Bella, Qathab, James, Josie, Thomasin, Maud, Arya, Laurie, Ali, Olivia, Georgina and Flora, as well as my fellow PMs, Hana and Claire for making it an unforgettable part of the expedition.

We've had the report in from Alpha Two! Sorry for the delay...

Alpha Two - Nagarhole National Park

By Project PRO Venetia Andrews

Alpha Two’s work is progressing well. Despite some initial problems with arranging transport, we have so far managed to complete 5 trenches. The group has been working well together; splitting into two groups to ensure that everyone gets a chance to rest and making sure that everyone has a go at different jobs within the trench.

Our afternoons have also been productive: we have created a small garden within the compound for the rangers. In digging up some heavy turf soil to make room for top soil we have managed to burst the main water supply pipe for our Bungalow and all the nearby rangers’ bungalows. The forester has ensured us that it will be fixed in the next couple of days.

Other slightly less destructive activities have included building a pair of bookshelves and a swing and the painting of the ‘om’ sign on the floor of the gazebo. We have also been on trips to the local primary school, HD Kote and the nearby watering hole, although there were no elephants there at the time.

Currently there are plans in place to go on a safari on 18th March, (which will be tomorrow). Despite all the progress made in trenches, the most productive place has been the kitchen. We have made potato cakes, lentil soup, bread, apple and date cake and yesterday we had a fish curry that was made by the Indian rangers. We all expect to come back twice the size we were when we left.

News, News, News...

Alpha Group Updates!

Alpha One – Hosekerasunda Community Project

By Project PRO Will Murray

Alpha one have been making progress in their aim of building ten eco-sanitation units by the end of this phase and are well on track. The masons’ seemingly incessant cries of Gari gari, neru neru and itige; the Kananda words for cement, water and bricks respectfully are the source of many a joke, whilst sharing in their builder banter has meant that we have struck up a pretty good rapport.

Meanwhile, the female members of our group have been press-ganged into wearing saris by the local women, resulting in many photos and cries of ‘sundura’; the Kannada word for beautiful. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience becoming part of the fabric of daily life in the tiny village of Hosekerasunda. Daily swims in the reservoir while the local fishermen clean out their nets on their boats and watching the sunrise and sunset from on top of the hill that overlooks the ramshackle cottages has eased us into the relaxing lifestyle the villagers seem to enjoy. Sleeping out under the stars has been another idyllic experience.

Living in a school means that we are at the heart of the village, especially from the children’s perspective. Kannada lessons and games of cricket, Catch and Duck Duck Goose have become part of our daily life. Sharing in their energy and inquisitiveness has been brilliant. Getting the villagers both young and old involved in our events we have organised such as our Mini-Olympics has been a real highlight; a great way to break down any cultural or language barriers. The events of the past week and a bit have created so many experiences and memories that it already feels as though it will be difficult to leave.

Alpha Two - Nagarhole National Park

Still no update from our Project PRO this week, we're still waiting on Alpha Two for that. But even so, we've heard that everything is going well in the National Park. The group have been busy at work on the elephant-proof trenches and yesterday had a trip to the local village of HD Kote. The group are also involved in improving the garden around the Inspection Bungalow this Phase, so have been digging and building a border made of bricks and are now ready to start planting!

Alpha Three – Chattamunnar Trek

By Project PRO Thomasin Lockwood:

The alarm goes: 5am. Roll over, cover your ears; it’s cold, dark, damp. But the prospect of the day ahead pulls the twelve venturers and three PMs out of their tents and into the early morning.

Watching the sunrise as we eat porridge, we start the day. Alpha Three are hard and fast; we power through the day, working up a sweat, taking in the breathtaking scenery as we trudge along.

Sunburnt, scratched and bruised we sing and laugh as we experience the best days of our lives. We end the day around the campfire; exhausted but satisfied, craving the next day and dreaming about the cycling and kayaking to come.

14th March 2008

All the Alpha Groups are doing really well and have been very busy this week in their new project allocations. We are expecting reports on their progress from the Project PROs on Saturday evening, updating us with all the news from their project sites. I'll post all their information here ready for you to read on Sunday 16th March.

The Project PROs are responsible for gathering all the news and gossip from their Alpha group, and for Phase Two are as follows:

Alpha One - Will Murray
Alpha Two - Venetia Andrew
Alpha Three - Thomasin Lockwood

Quick Update from Our Groups

Here is a brief update from all our Alpha groups:

Alpha One have already been to visit the eco-sanitation units at the neighbouring village and are settling-in well at Hosekerasunda. Today they started work on the next ten units that they will be working on this Phase.

Alpha Two spent yesterday sorting out the Bungalow and getting to know their surroundings. Early this morning the group were out working on their first elephant-proof trench and the afternoon has been spent planning for their other project they will be busy with during Phase Two – improving the garden around the Bungalow for the rangers.

Alpha Three had a great first day yesterday and reached their first site at Thenmalai in good time. Today they are making their way to Silent Valley. The first loop will be setting off down to Kerala tomorrow to take some supplies and messages to the group, which we will keep you updated about.

Departures and Goodbyes

By Sarita Tam



5:05am and all the girls (even the ones who aren't going trekking) are awoken by a loud clanging of metal on concrete floor as Arya comically bumps into and topples over what I could only make out to be a metal cooker. Alpha Three then quickly organise themselves and their kit in record time and congregate in the dining area, ready to board their bus and commence their long journey to Kerala. Gradually more and more of the other sleepy venturers follow them into the Dining Room to see them off and some tears were shed. Particularly by several members of the original Alpha Two group, [cough] Frit and Christina [cough].

Once Alpha Three have departed, Fieldbase is unusually quiet as the other two groups begin to prepare for their departures also. Breakfast was LOVELY! Omelette seems to be a real winner with everyone here.

Finally, at approximately 9:15am, Alpha One and Two begin to load their kit onto the buses and say their goodbyes to fellow venturers, as do the staff. And then, they were off to their community and environmental projects.

Unfortunately today, three of our venturers are leaving after completing their four weeks here with Raleigh, as part of a shorter version of the expedition. Myself (Sarita Tam), Julia Vandoone and Chris Dravers.

Here is a message to the original Alpha Two group from "Fishy" and "The Machine" (Sarita and Julia):

WINNERS! "Because losing is not an option".

We had an awesome time with each and every one of you guys. Lap up this Raleigh experience and have the time of your lives. There will never be another group for us like Alpha Two. Love you all. Stay in touch. Love, love, love. xxx

P.S. See you guys out there on the backwaters in my Party House Boat - from Jules.



Message to the original Alpha One from Chris:

I haven't even left yet and I'm already writing you a message! Very strange with no one at Fieldbase, but I've finally got a bus ticket, so heading South tonight! Thanks for an amazing few weeks and good luck with the rest of Raleigh. I will keep checking the blog and let you know how I get on. Hopefully see you all for the Guernsey rave this Summer.

Love to everyone, Chris

P.S. Please keep up the rebellage (you know who this applies to)



Our groups will all be arriving at their sites later today. We will be continuing to keep you all updated with the news from our Alpha groups throughout Phase Two here on the blog, so keep checking here and posting your messages for them.

Alpha Groups for Phase Two

After a night of partying and the final results of our Team Changeover Challenge last night, the excitement continued this morning with the announcements of our new alpha groups for Phase Two of the expedition and their Project Managers. Please see below to find out who’s going where!

The Venturers relax for the evening at the 'School Disco'

Last night was Monnie’s birthday, which happily coincided with our changeover ‘School Disco’ and scrumptious barbeque.
Happy Birthday Monnie!






As a final round to our Changeover Challenge, each Alpha Group had to perform a five-minute ‘skit’, describing the events of Phase One in their group. Extra points were awarded for singing, dancing and costumes. All the groups had put in a massive effort to their performances and had been really creative with their ideas.

Alpha One had their own hilarious version to the song ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’; Alpha Two designed a play in the style of a Bollywood film, complete with singing and dancing as the final scene; while Alpha Three created a wonderful piece of musical theatre to describe daily events on trek. Unfortunately, there could only be one winner. The scores were added to the points accrued in the team challenges from the morning and the final results were as follows:

3rd Place: Alpha Three
2nd Place: Alpha One
1st Place: Alpha Two

A huge well done to all for a great evening of performances.

Venturers and staff then danced the night away under the stars to DJ spots by each Alpha group in turn.

Bryony







The School Boys Tom, Laurie and Charlie

Monnie the make-up artiste

Kirsty and Tessa

Alpha One Song (to the tune of ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’)

We started with bricks, cement, water and mix;
But you’re late, we wait around again;
Knocked-over the wall and took a big fall;
And they laughed and they laughed again (hey hey hey);
Gara Gara [cement in Kannada language] one more time;
The masons love us, it’ll all be fine;
The end of the day brings lots of smiles at the school (oohh oohhhh)

CHORUS
Why don’t we build it up, to the top maybe, with the masons help;
As long as they turn up for work on time;
They never quite turn up when they say they will;
We need Shiju, and you and you, to get all of the work done;
We will succeed as a team;
So build it up to the top, please don’t fall down.

Here are the new Alpha Groups for Phase Two:

Alpha One – Hosekerasunda Community Project

Sally Jupp (Project Manager)
Claire Morris (Project Manager)
Matt Mudford (Project Manager and Medic)
Kareem
Alice Tyler
Charlie Arnot
Christina Corder
Graham Watts
Kerala Adams-Carr
Kirsty Champion
Monnie Beresford
Srikanth
Tessa Voûte
Victoria Cayzer
Will Murray

Alpha Two – Nagarhole National Park Environmental Project

Suzanne Leamy (Project Manager)
Dom Short (Project Manager)
Kate Morten (Project Manager)
Aaron Henshaw
Bruno Weijenborg
Bryony Moody
Freya Brash
Georgia Forbes
Guy Dampier
Laura Sutcliffe
Sarah Frodsham
Sathyajith
Shiju
Tom Boles
Venetia Andrew

Alpha Three – Chattamunnar Trek

Hana Manthorpe (Project Manager)
Claire Lehman (Project Manager and Medic)
Jason Bolton (Project Manager and Medic)
Ali Clark
Arya Nair
Bella Watling
Flora Perry
Georgina Rumbellow
James Hudson
Josephine Riggs
Laurie Hedges
Maud de Mol van Otterloo
Olivia Hayward
Qathab
Thomasin Lockwood

Our Venturers Return!

All the Alpha groups returned to Fieldbase yesterday. It's great to have the buzz back at base again and to hear all their stories from Phase One of the expedition. They've had a chance to to sort out their kit, catch up with the other venturers and relax a little and are now ready for our Team Challenge today! More details to follow.

Arya attempts the Minefield Matrix

Alpha Two celebrate completing the challenge

Alpha Three on the "Nuclear Waste" task

Please read on for the updates and photographs from Phase One by our Project PROs and Photographers in each Alpha group:

Alpha One: Hosekerasunda Community Project

By Project PROs Sarah Frodsham and Josie Riggs


A pretty bumpy bus ride lead us into a dirt tracked tiny village where immediately we were flocked by screaming children. Straight away we began playing games, counting and already we were home. We got stuck into some back-breaking work, which no one quite expected, the next morning. The team work and spirit of the group made the work seem effortless, the time flew by and the toilets were up before we knew it.

The end of the day has to be everyone’s favourite part; all running into the reservoir, cooling down and having a laugh. Realistically though, it was the only way to get clean, even though the water was brown and full of reeds! One of the group’s proudest moments was when they swam the width of the reservoir and back.

The days were made interesting by the hospitality of the local villagers, giving us bindis, flowers and dressing us in saris. There was a language barrier at first, but through smiles, then the masons teaching us basic Kannada (the language of Karnataka), we soon learnt to adapt and enjoy what each moment brought.

The work began to relax as the masons took over the plastering which opened up opportunities to look around the villager's homes, bake some breads and cakes, gut and cook a fish and enjoy the evening sunsets from the top of a hill.

We are all leaving Hosekerasunda with a massive sense of achievement. All ten toilet units have been built and plastered. They look highly professional and we are proud we have managed to establish relationships not only with the villagers but the masons too. So the following groups to come will have an enjoyable stay.

Alpha Three: Chattamunnar Trek

By Project PRO Charlie Arnot

Raleigh’s first ever foray into deepest Kerala was a resounding success. Covering a total distance of around 500km in just 16 days was no mean feat and we all have the blisters to prove it!























Our first task was an arduous ten day trek through the stunning scenery provided by the Chattamunnar tea plantations. The team traipsed along river beds, through the endless paths amongst the ‘chai’ and managed to scale the second highest mountain in India, outside of the Himalayas. Covering distances in excess of 20km per day gave each and every member of the team the challenge of their lives. Yes, there were tears but to see some of the sights we have seen and to truly be the pioneers of Raleigh’s first ever trek in India more than made up for it.

Highlights included being welcomed into a local village and invited to try local fruit and vegetables. Aaron was even taken under the wing of the village elder and they exchanged addresses. We also found a glorious unspoilt waterfall where we spent a lazy afternoon amidst the dragonflies and finally, the carnivore in us all was unleashed after weeks of vegetarianism when the group bought, killed, plucked and roasted three chickens, with the help of locals and a secret masala sauce!





















The biking phase began near Periyar and was no less exhausting than the trek, even though bags were stowed in a support vehicle, the paths up the mountains seemed no more accessible.



























On the second day the total distance covered on two wheels was greater than 115km! The hustle and bustle of cycling a city was a stark contrast to our campsite on the banks of the largest lake in Kerala.























The following day we embarked on the last, and slightly more relaxing, stage of the adventure! With a mixture of single and double kayaks the team paddled their way along the pristine backwaters of Kerala. Miles and miles of palm lined, emerald rivers beckoned, with the chance to sample some of Kerala’s world famous fish curry on the way.

The adventure came to end on a Keralan beach where some swam in the Arabian Sea, just five metres away from a dolphin – a fitting end to an incredible journey.

Alpha Two: Nagarhole National Park Project

By Project PRO Thomasin Lockwood


Set within the Nagarhole National Park, our mission is to repair the trenches on the perimeter of the park. These trenches prevent the elephants from damaging the surrounding farmland and crops.

School children in local village

At the end of the phase, our team of 13 venturers and three project managers successfully repaired 13 damaged trenches along with the trenches around an anti-poaching camp. We have been working alongside the Karnataka Forest Department, the rangers and the guards to encourage the local tribes to keep the trenches maintained after we have left.

Throughout the phase we have cooked our own meals, creating new concoctions using limited materials. Though regular trips to markets kept us supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables.

The gazebo opening ceremony with one of the park rangers

Early mornings enabled the hard work to be completed before lunch and the afternoons free for group entertainment. Our main project is painting a gazebo for the rangers to use. Every member had their turn to create a stunning mix of images in a rainbow of colours, signed with hand prints.

In return for our hard work the rangers have taken us to local tribal villages and schools. Walks through the national park and one of the main highlights was on a rare day off a safari through the park. On which we watched a bull have a bath in the lake.

Project Manager Hana with baby elephant at sanctuary

We passed a herd of wild elephants, spotted deer, peacocks, monkeys and countless other species on our adventure. To reward their generosity we threw the rangers a thank you party, where we cooked and entertained our guests and unveiled our beautifully decorated gazebo adorned with flowers. Sat around a campfire we shared songs from our cultures and learnt their dances.

4th March

All the groups are heading back to Fieldbase tomorrow, everyone here is looking forward to seeing them all again and catching up with all their news.

We are still experiencing some problems with being able to enlarge all the photos on the blogsite. Please be patient, we are looking into it and will get it sorted as soon as possible.

Check back here tomorrow for all the updates on our venturers!

Alpha Two Update

The Story So Far...
By Project PRO, Thomasin Lockwood.

During our time at “Barry” (the rangers’ Inspection Bungalow where we are staying), we have completed a total of thirteen trenches as well as a trench surrounding the anti-poaching camp.

Before...

...and after!

Will rallying the troops

Early starts enabled the hard work to be completed before lunch, leaving the afternoons free to paint “Garry” (the gazebo, situated in the garden). In return for our sweat and blood the rangers have taken us to local villages to visit the surrounding tribes and walk into the national Park.

One of the main highlights so far was on a rare day-off; we all went on a safari. Journeying through the National Park we stopped off at another much grander ‘Barry’ for tea and biscuits, watching spotted deer and monkeys. Then, no more than five minutes into the safari we came across a herd of wild elephants, including a baby.

We then visited an elephant sanctuary where we fed a baby and watched a bull have a bath in the lake. Travelling around the backwaters, we saw numerous wildlife, but we have yet to see the ever-hidden tiger; though the rangers have enlightened us to their calls of which we have heard around the bungalow.

Today we have visited a school in Mettikuppe, with children aged between 5 and 16 years with a total of 300 pupils. We got to sing, dance and play games with the children while looking around the classrooms.

Project Manager and Medic, Jenny

Maud and one of the park rangers hard at work

A brief pause for Thomasin



Victoria

James and Laurie

Kerala

Always wear protective head-gear on site

Project Manager, Suzanne with Jules

Happy Mother's Day

We are now coming close to the end of Phase One, with our three Alpha groups returning to Fieldbase on Wednesday. They will then have a few days to unpack, unwind and catch up with all the other venturers and staff who they haven't seen for nearly three weeks before packing their bags again, ready for Phase Two! They will then be put into new alpha groups and set off to their next project sites on Saturday 8th March.

Vehicle Bravo One is out and about again, on a short 'loop' to Alpha groups One and Two. See below for a brief update on Alpha One's progress. More updates and pictures to follow. Meanwhile, Bravo Two returned yesterday after a trip down to Kerala to check-in with our trekkers.

Alpha One - Hosekerasunda Community Project

The team are close to finishing the construction of their first ten eco-sanitation units; when Bravo One went out to visit they were still working really hard each day and loving the afternoon swim in the reservoir. They reported this morning that they have completed seven now, each plastered inside and out and finished off with the roof. These are just awaiting a delivery of doors and fittings, due on Monday. They plan to begin plastering the other three today and to finish them off over the next few days!

Alpha Three - Chattamunnar Trek

Idukki Reservoir - one of the many views for our trekkers on the cycle route

Tuesday was a much-needed rest day for Alpha Three when we arrived at their camp in Hiburia. The camp was situated next to a river at the bottom of the valley, where everyone was enjoying the chance to relax in the water and catch up on their laundry. After a 4:30am start on Wednesday, Brian and I joined them for their final day of walking, on a route that took us 20 kilometres, mainly uphill, through tea plantations and small, rural villages to a town near to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Even though the group kept telling me I was lucky enough to be there for what they classed as an 'easy day', I found it pretty tough and my legs were aching nonetheless!

In the evening some of the group went to watch a spectacular demonstration, an ancient martial art in Kerala which included jumping through rings of fire and sword-fighting, while others caught a Kathakali performance, a classical form of dance-drama from the region.

Shrikanth, Graham and Project Manager Dom enjoying one of the uphill sections

The boots were put to one side and everyone was happy to swap their 20 kilo rucksacks for a smaller 'daysack' and jump on their mountain bikes for the next stage of their trek. It wasn't an easy first day, with roughly 80 kilometres to cycle on some quite steep terrain. However the whole group found the experience an enjoyable one and were looking forward to getting on the bikes again the next day for a route that would take them down towards the coast. From here Alpha Three will begin their three days of kayaking through the backwaters of Kerala.

Aaron and Tess take a short break

We left our photographer, Brian, with the group to record the final days of their trek, so we will be able to post lots of pictures here after the groups return for 'changeover' on the 5th March.

Message from PRO

I'm off for another 'loop' visit to our trekkers today until Saturday 1st March. We'll be taking them more supplies and gathering more news and updates for you all to read on our return.

Please check the blog again on Sunday 2nd March and keep posting your messages; they will all be posted on my return and sent out to the project groups with the next Fieldbase trip to see them.

Bye for now!