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Rescue in the Amazon Jungle 2006

Whilst taking part in the Jungle Marathon in 2006 I found my self suffering from heat exhaustion and as a consequence, passed out on the trail. This came as something of a shock as I was well hydrated and by my standards, pretty fit. I decided to carry on after a brief rest but passed out again a few minutes later. At this point I thought discretion was the better part of valour and decided to call it a day for that particular stage. I arranged my pack so I could sit on it off the ground and after checking for ant runs and thorns sat with my back to a tree. After a while (Iím not sure how long) two more runners came past. I told them I wasnít dying but didnít feel able to continue at this point. I asked them to tell the personnel at the next check point (which I estimated to be about 3Kms away) that Iíd stopped but would wait for the sweep team and then try to get back to the checkpoint with their help. The sweep team appeared after a while and found me sitting on my pack. The sweep team consisted of two Brazilian jungle soldiers, an event medic and a local guide. The medic (Ivan) was immediately on the case. He checked my vital signs, asked the soldiers to get cold water from a nearby stream to pour over me and set about reassuring me that I would survive. The soldiers radioed ahead to keep everyone informed of what the situation was and a contra-sweep team was put on stand-bye in case they were need to assist. I apparently passed out again and at that point he decided to give me an IV drip. After a further rest and much pouring of cold water down the head and neck I did begin to feel a bit better. A strategy was then agreed upon to get me out. The soldiers would share my kit load and I would only carry my water bladder for hydration. They also cut me an excellent walking pole. By this time my drip bag was empty an Ivan removed it from my arm but left the tube in case I needed a second infusion and we set off for the next check point. By a combination of pulling and shoving the two soldiers got me up a couple of extremely steep and muddy inclines and without the weight off my kit I was managing not too badly. We came to a river crossing which I negotiated on the improvised rope bridge set up by Rod Dowling and once on the other side was ordered to go and lie in the fast running, cold water for five minutes to get my temperature down. ( I was secured to a rope line so I couldnít get washed away.) I now felt a million times better and was able to walk un aided to the checkpoint from where I was taken out of the jungle by river and back to the central medical station.

The treatment was such that I was able to continue the next day ñ but that, as they say, is another story.

The Jungle marathon is not a cheap race but itís the adventure of a life time. The cost is well worth it when one considers the expense involved in ensuring the safety of the runners. Jungle trained soldiers, experienced para-medics, local guides and a complete network of radio communications throughout the route as well as the contra-sweep teams coming backwards around the course if needed.

Mike Inkster

Race Journal - Karen

Stage three was the hardest stage I have ever done!! It went on for 10hrs with loads of humidity with hill after hil.

Horrible swamps - just hell!! I had tears at the end and couldn't update my diary.

Today was much easier, I think, to prepare us for the long stage tomorrow. It started with a 200m swim with our packs and running shoes on. I thought it was great at the time, but tonight loads of my remaining food is trashed. My feet are very blistered now, but at the moment, I am in reasonably high spirits.

Karen.

Race Journal - Sam (support team)

From: Sam (Atila the Hun...nickname given after proceeding with particularly strict kit checks!!)

Well I figured it was about time ... I have been entering various competitors emails and race diaries for you to share their fun, Shirley and I thought you may enjoy hearing from the support team!

Our days are amazing...ly long! (Mum - check this out ... I have been up at 5:30am every morning and finsihing my last job of entering times to be wired to ENgland at 9:30pm!...where you can view all detials on the website.

The racers experiences have varied as you have probably read, we guide them through anything they need from a hug to washing their socks and making them their arrival soup cause they can't stand!

Our support team is absolutely amazing. Their is comedians (Neil), hot choc caterers (Rich), H2o mad doctors (Johnny), WAGS (Kat) eyelid flickers (James), self harming medics (Ruth) ... and that's just to name a few! .. love them all!!

But the big event today, was when the crew was heading back to te base at 9:30pm (dark dark!) I could see this shadow of a fish jumping really high out of the water. As I told everyone and they continued to look to their right ... Little did I know that the fish heard me, jumped into the boat, slapped me on the face and risked it's life after then falling onto the deck. My initial laughter turned into scweals as I heard a freked out boat member scream and climb onto the seat as if she was the little old lady from Looney tunes seeeing a mouse.

A super conadian scooped it to the rescue, threw it out and it became just a funny memory.

Hope you had a giggle,

Sam.

Posted By: Sam Date: 10/12/2006 5:14 pm

Race Journal - John Beardsworth

Just completed stage 3 - 31Kms or so. certainly the hardest so far - sore feet and lack of calories to blame. On the hard, flat tracks I felt good and got a jog on for the first time in the race. The trails and hills were not so good though - did not like the rough stuff. Everyone seems to be suffering now so I don't feel to sorry for my self.

It's getting dark and there are monkeys in the distance making the sound of a tornado - crazy.

Apparently, tomorrow is easier - only 18Kms and rumour has it,all on tracks - after the 200m river swim at the start.

JohnXX

Posted By: Martin Loogna Date: 10/12/2006 2:55 am

Race Journal - Martin

At 31Km today was the longestandyes, the hardest yet. The checkpoints were more widely spaced which meant water had to be more carefully rationed particularly as there were large open areas which got very hot as the sun rose. A long swamp made for some fancy footwork amongst the mangroves but the hardest bit was saved for after the last checkpoint. the long steep climbs made for a very uncomfortable day....especially as the finish was under the noon day sun. It's now dark and people are still out there. today's stage produced a few casualties. I hope tomorrow is easier.

Posted By: Martin Date: 10/12/2006 2:45 am

Racer Journal - Neil Rhodes

Sorry to have to report , had to pull from the race today. Not to worry, no major problems, I have not been eaten! Diappionted, ut live to fight another day.

Posted By: Neil Rhodes Date: 10/11/2006 2:38 am

Race Journal - Karen Haley

Stage 2.

After ’yakking’ up all my dinner and a sleepless night in my already knackered hammock we started stage 2 at 06.00.

It was another difficult stage with lots of elevation swamp crossings and a lovely river crossing against a fast flowing current. It seemed to go on and on but eventually I finished fairly unscathed apart from bites,bumps, bruises and a large blister on my toe. A lovely soldier has hung my hammock so who knows, MIGHT SLEEP TONIGHT.

Race Journal - James Lowe

I thought yesterday was tough – well, today was worse. 24Km with three checkpoints. It again started on the beach then into thick forest. Right at the start there was a very steep climb and from CP1 to CP2 this was the norm. I had some company for a while which was good but much of the stage was, again, completed on my own. Swamps were dotted throughout the stage so almost the whole distance was covered with permanently wet feet. It was hard going and 3Km from the end I hit the wall and was forced into a very slow walk. Tomorrow is longer still so it isn’t any easier.

Race Journal - Becky Hampton

Finnaly reached the end of stage 2 – TODAY WAS A TOUGH ONE – LOTS OF HILLS ALTHOUGHT THE HARDEST PART WAS THE STREAM CROSSINGS - MAIN ONE CHEST HIGH and fast flowing but very refreshing. The wash in the stream didn’t make that much difference as there was a long stretch of swamp straight after almost swallowing my shoes and sucking me in up to my thighs.

Conditions are quite surprising as it’s not as it’s not as hot and humid as I was expecting although I’m well acclimatised and cope much better with the heat than the cold….others around us are wilting.

The terrain is a mix – the hills are brutal scrambles, descents quite hairy but lots of fun! Lots of river and creek crossings and many swamps all ensuring that our feet are constantly wet. Only one blister so far. Some of the trails are quite claustrophobic with the canopy and everywhere you step , leaves and concealed tree stumps, holes and other nasties. Vines grab your legs as you go, slice your skin and trip you up – all fairly anti social.

In camp now not trying to make too much impression in my silk PJs. Gorgeous little creek for a swim, eaten but still hungry, feeling good.

Yesterday was a tough one – short but very hilly and although I got in fast yesterday I pushed it a little too hard and was struggling last night – hence no posting. Interesting night’s sleep as hammocks were strung between wobbly posts and trees so lots of synchronized attempts at getting in and out…. Tonight looks much better.

PS. The ants bite more than the mossies.