Rainforest Conservation expedition ends on a high

Trekforce Worldwide were able to obtain the special permissions needed to enter the Forest Reserve. The trek to be the first team to the Nohoch Ch'en sinkhole (which means very large hole in Mayan!) in many years was amazing and on route we found a new set of caves with stacks of Mayan Pottery (some with painted icons and pictures on, and much of it decorated and glazed). It is approximately 400m deep at the deepest point and around 500m across.

The team completed an outstanding amount of work in a small amount of time. Despite the harsh weather and regular flooding of their basecamp, the team managed to tap a natural spring at the base of a hill, which was then redirected into a series of silting chambers and sinks, allowing visitors to the site access to fresh water for the first time. This was complemented by the construction of a small palapa with two shower areas, and a set of 30 steps which lead to the facility. This took the team only 3 days to complete.

At the main site a large palapa was constructed using almost 2000 bay palm leaves which the volunteers collected from the surrounding forest, and a toilet made from hardwoods completed the facilities. The whole project was completed in 8 days, an incredible effort. Who said volunteers and gap year projects cannot make a lasting difference?

The articles printed in the national press on the 14th August 2007 from a press release of another organsiation, done to try and whip up 'anti-gap year project' feelings are dangerous in their generalisation. We all support codes of conduct with teeth, but in terms of the main thrust of the article, it couldn't be further from the truth as far as Trekforce projects are concerned.

Sunsets, Sharks, and Rum Punch

After a successful trek, it was time for the volunteers to be rewarded with the final party! The group headed to Caye Caulker for a snorkel tour. Accompanied by 'Maggamuffin Tours', the group boarded a sail boat to visit the marine reserves which surround Caye Caulker.

The sites visited were Hol Chan, meaning 'little channel' in Mayan and a natural hang out for marine life, the next site visited was the aptly named Shark and Ray Alley, and as the name suggests it was teaming with Nurse Sharks and Southern Stingrays as well as a huge variety of other marine life.

The group then returned to Caye Caulker watching the sunset and celebrating all of their achievements with a glass of rum punch. They then finished off the evening with a meal at Rasta Pasta where they could choose from local sea food dishes, pasta meals and burritos.

The majority of volunteers will now remain on the island for a week to complete a PADI dive course, while others have headed back to the UK.

This expedition is one that will be remembered by Trekforce for a very long time. The discovery of the sink hole is a unique experience that can never be taken away from the trekkers, the project was more successful than anyone thought it would be, and then to finish it off the volunteers got to reward themselves with time on a Caribbean island. Their achievements illustrate that hard work and a team effort really does pay off!

The UK office will receive more photographs when the trekkers return, so keep a look out on the website for new images of your nearest and dearest coming soon!

Arrived at Caracol in the Rainforest and Beach beyond

The team arrived into Caracol (the second largest Maya ruin in Central America) yesterday afternoon. The looks on their faces were amazing as they came out of the jungle to be met by the awe-inspiring site of ancient ruins appearing out of the jungle canopy.

They camped the night at the base of the ruins, feasted on rice and beans and headed off in the early morning by 4x4 truck to Iguana Junction - where they all are now, enjoying a cold beer, resting their limbs in the Belize River, watching Iguanas and Parrots fight for tree space!

They have achieved so much with their trek and are feeling very chuffed with themselves - what a trek and what a challenge!

Tomorrow morning the trekkers head of for a day and a night on the beach, snorkling and savouring the Caribbean sun.................

Project Site Already Making An Impact

Just 2 days after our volunteers left Elijio Panti for trek, we had news that the project site was to be used by a group of teenagers who were flying over from America on a school trip!

This is great news for the park who are fighting to keep National Park status and also fantastic for Trekforce. To hear that our projects are having an impact reinforces the importance of the hard work carried out by our volunteers.

The group will have access to the whole of the completed project site which reads something like an impressive estate agents advert.......!

Wash Site/Mayan spring converted into shower area- small palapa complete with twin shower and wild cherry wood flooring, screen divisions, towel rail, accessories rack and steps dug to the washsite.

Visitor Palapa: Thatched using 2000 bay palm leaves and suitable to hang hammocks for many an eager eco-tourist.

Long drop: with corregated tin roof and toilet roll holder!

Fire shelter: Modest palapa thatched with bay palm, complete with a fire stand and stocked with plenty of wood for future visitors!

The group far exceeded everyones expectations and should be very proud of what they achieved. The work that the volunteers have carried out this summer means that Elijio has national park status for another 5 years, and long may it continue...

AN ADVENTUROUS TREK LIKE NO OTHER

They made it ! At 1916 GMT we received another sat. phone call from Matt (the Trekforce Leader) confirming that the team had found the sinkhole. This is fantatsic. The team had achieved their objective of trekking to the edge of one of the largest sink holes in the jungles of the western hemisphere. Very few people have achieved this and in the true challenging spirit that is becoming a unique part of every Trekforce expedition, they made it.

Matt reported that they had follwed a compass bearing for a few days and alongside their amazing local guide had found the sinkhole deep in the jungle; he then turned the phone to the team who let out a great cheer ! Serious tingles down the back of the neck feeling as we know how great the trekkers must have felt when the jungle suddenly opened up to reveal the awesome sight.

We are so proud of the Trekforce leader, Belizean guide and the team. This is the first Trekforce trek in 10 years to find the sinkhole and just proves what can be achieved when a team really pulls together. This is a trek that no-one will forget. The area is very special and they know how priviliged they are to have reached their objective - very few people in this day and age can say they have been to such a place, deep in the rainforest of Central America............

Pictures to follow when they are back in civilisation around the 09th or 10th August. They will enjoy the awesome sight for 24hrs, then carry on with trek, reaching Caracol (one of the largest Maya ruins in Central America) on the 08th. At that point they can part company with their machete, iodine and basha, have a well deserved final party and soak their tired limbs in the Caribbean sea!

Good skills team, what a challenge!

UPDATE FROM THE HEART OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN JUNGLE

We have just received the sat. phone update from the Leader that all is really well, 2 days into their 7 day trek through unchartered Belizean jungle of the Chiquibul Forest. The group are all doing fine and enjoying the fact they have their rucksacks and supplies on their back again and are trekking through some amazing forest, seeing some incredible rainforest sites. Living and breathing the jungle again. A typical Trekforce experience, like no other !

They have reached the cave that is the largest in the wetsern hemisphere and they are en route and on track to a site that very few have seen. Location secret, photo below.........our Belizean guides are amazing and the team are really looking forward to pioneering a new route through the jungle.

They are on target to reach Caracol on the 08th when they will receive a well deserved slap up meal and a few cold Belikins...........

The project itself was an amazing success, the dedicated Trekforce Worldwide team completed all the Palapas and other projects asked of them to make Elijio Panti National Park and its archealogical heritage a great example of managed and protected biodiversity.