The final countdown!

Everyone on the ten week expedition set off last week for their third and final phase. Now all seasoned Raleigh professionals they were packed and ready to go in super quick time

Luke, Paul, Andrew, Skakira, Christophine, Veripi, Nick, Dominic, Joe, Megan, Rachel and Craig all headed up north to finish Oshana School. They are decorating the school inside and out and are very glad to have multi tasking medic Flic and her incredible artistic skills with them. They have already had lots of visitors, but they may want to work on the way they welcome their guests after the whole group ganged up on Deputy Expedition Leader Sophie in Camp Cluedo (classic Raleigh role play game) and she was repeatedly murdered with a paint roller.

The new group which went to the Sperrgebiet (now officially dubbed Butlins) includes Danielle, Laura, Wendy, Mark, Louis, Mairi, Matthew, Angharad, Melvin, Nikolaj, Becca and Victoria. They have actually done some work (a lot of leaves were cleared apparently and lots of painting has been done) but in true holiday camp style the group has had several braai and a Tarts and Vicars party (with Project Manager Helen involved we are sure this was in very good taste!). They are also planning a Black Tie do in honour of photographer Susie’s visit this week.

The final trek group includes Breeze, Gavin, Jamel, Eustacia, Virginia, Rhosyn, Jack, Tom, Chris, Spence, Sophie, Jessica and Sze who all seem to be finding this trekking business way too easy. They spent a couple of days by the pool at Ugab Wilderness Camp, had a lovely meal at the Lodge and are doing yoga every afternoon. Everyone is getting the hang of it except Trek Leader Dave who is struggling with certain positions and everyone drew the line at chanting with artist Lottie.

Tasha, Michelle, Alistair, Rainbow, George, James, Baby, Nambuli, Charlotte, Ross, Erik, Alex and Milla have all gone to Harnas Wildlife Foundation and are working very hard building a new lion enclosure. They are all very proficient at wielding mattocks and pick axes now but after a long day at the project site James and Rainbow are very much in demand for massages. The work clearly isn’t hard enough for Rob and George though, who have taken to running 8km every day back to the campsite. Each to their own!

Photos of Alpha 4 at Harnas taken by Susie

The Challenge of a Lifetime!!

Everyone on the five week expedition has just taken part in a five day Adventure Challenge at the Brandberg Massif, the tallest mountain in Namibia. The Alpha groups competed against each other for supremacy in a series of physical, mental and artistic challenges and Courtney summed up the spirit of the event when she said 'It's not a competition, we just have to beat them!'.

It was an action packed agenda which included climbing the Brandberg, doing an 8km stretcher carry and taking part in initiative tests and observation exercises. The groups also trekked to the White Lady rock paintings to try and create their own masterpiece, took part in an archery competition and pitted their wits against each other each night in the debating contest. It was a close run competition throughout, with each group shining in a different activity.

The points were calculated by Five Week Coordinator John and translated into minutes for the start of the Big Race on the final day, which comprised navigating and trekking 17km with the first group over the finish line the winners. Alpha 6 started in front, but Alpha 7 heroically took the lead and took the title of Adventure Challenge Champions 2007 in dramatic style.

They have all now returned to Fieldbase for a much needed shower, some sleep and the legendary Raleigh end of expedition party!

Photos of each group at the top of the Brandberg, taken by Trek Leader Tim.