THE TRIATHLON MINI CHALLENGE (July 22nd-26th, 2008)

Students from Welling School, in Bexley, London had taken part in a programme in Kandegala, Karnataka where they worked with fifteen families who did not have access to basic hygienic sanitation, in order to construct individual eco-sanitation units for each family. As a conclusion to this program they came to Kerala to participate in a mini-adventure challenge organized by Kalypso.

The students arrived at Hornbill camp on July 22nd after a fulfilling two weeks in Kandegala. Their journey had been long and tiring, so they were given some time to relax and freshen up after which they gathered together to learn about their first task - a raft building session. Using bamboo, tubes and rope the students were required to build themselves rafts that would hold about 7 people each, and then set out on a rafting competition. After a briefing by the Kalypso staff on how to build effective rafts, the students divided themselves into 4 teams and enthusiastically went about their task. Post much laughter and hard work, the rafts were ready and the students eager to try out their creations on the river, carried the rafts down to begin the competition which involved rafting to a fixed point about 250m away and back. With excitement levels high, the teams set off, paddling with all their might. Some shouting and splashing later, the team led by Tim emerged winners! It had been a fun day but the teams had to now prepare themselves for the next couple of days of cycling and trekking which would push their limits of fitness and endurance.

Briefing session

The creation process

Putting it together


Teams with the finished product

Carrying it down to the river

Ready, Set, Go!

Row, row, row your raft


Splash time

The jubilant winning team

Before...

And after

Day 2 dawned, with everyone up nice and early. With overcast skies threatening rain, the team was transferred to Kallarketti, their starting point. After Kalypso staff briefed them about safety precautions and how to navigate through Indian roads and traffic, they were off. The cycling was challenging and some of the students had a tough time, needing to get down and push their cycles through some bits. But spirits remained high even during the uphill rides. Despite rain and slush, the team pressed on, cycling an impressive 30 km to reach Poopara. The tired students were then transferred to the beautiful Anaerangal lakeside camp for the night.

Roheen briefing the students

Setting out

Taking their cycles for a walk

Leading the pack

Tired cyclists

Zooming by

Through the rain and puddles

Waking up the next day, the students were a little anxious about the two day trek ahead during which time they would cover almost 30 km, most of it while walking up hill. The first day required them to trek to Korangini where they would set up camp for the night. Setting out, they walked through picturesque green plantations. In spite of aching legs and brushes with leeches, they managed to reach Korangini in good time.

The final day of trekking saw everyone still exhausted from the activities of the previous days, so to make things a little easier, the students were transferred part of the way by jeep. The trek was thus relatively easier as they only had to walk up 12 km to Top Station. Regardless of this, it was still a difficult climb and with bodies tired out by all the physical activity the students had a tough time of it. On finally reaching Top Station, everyone was overjoyed and thankful to have made it at last.

And they're off

View along the way

Exhaustion setting in

Setting out on Day 2

Long way down

Shabeeb- the Kalypso guide

Ecstatic team at the finish

It had been a rough week of intense activity that had truly pushed the young students to their physical limits. But having pulled it off they left with unforgettable memories of sweat and tears, laughter and good times.