Expedition Dossier here.

Woodsmoke’s
Castaway Expedition
The Pearl Islands – Panama, Central America
Expedition Briefing Pack
The Expedition at a glance
Expedition Dates: 9th-18th December 2016
(Fly home country on the 9th to arrive in Panama city on the evening of the 9th, Depart
Panama city on the evening of the 17th, to arrive in home country on the morning of the
18th)
Duration: 9 Days
Group Size: 10 Max (+ 2 Leaders / Medics)
Accommodation:
2 nights in hostel in Panama City
6 nights in hammocks or natural shelters
Climate: Panama has an equatorial climate, typically hot and humid.
• Day-time temperature approximately – 32° C
• Night-time temperature approximately – 23° C
• Total Cost: £1,595 (exc. Flights)
• Deposit: £500
• What is it about?
Consistent with the ethos of Woodsmoke, this expedition aims to provide you with the
knowledge and skills required to plan and undertake your own adventures in a rainforest
environment. This is a hands-on experience and you will be expected to participate in all
practical activities relating to desert island travel and living. This means collecting
firewood, helping with cooking, looking after your own sleeping arrangements, using
cutting tools etc.
The Woodsmoke team will teach you the practical routines and island bushcraft to feel
comfortable and at ease in this environment and the team will impart a myriad of
techniques used to sustain life, from fishing to foraging. So, be prepared to feel
overwhelmed as you first explore the archetypal survival setting. This expedition is not
simply to sample the culture or environment as a passing tourist, but to become
absorbed by the spirit of the place itself.
• What is it NOT about?
From the outset it’s important that you understand that the expedition is NOT a cultural
tour – you will NOT be fully catered for. This is a practical experience in a remote
location where you will be required to help with the tasks required to live and travel in
such a place.
Geographical Location
Panama is located in Central America and is bordered by Costa Rica to the West and
Colombia to the East. The S-shaped isthmus is situated between 7° and 10° North
latitude and 77° and 83° West Longitude. Panama encompasses approximately
29,762 square miles, is 480 miles in length, and is between 37 and 110 miles in width.
8° 58”N 79° 32”W
A Modern History of Panama
Panama was the native name of a village on the Pacific Coast of the Gulf and Isthmus of
Panama. Before its discovery by the Spanish, Panama was inhabited by a large number
of Amerindians. The groups lived in organized chiefdoms, depending on the area's fish,
birds, and sea turtles, and on starchy root crops for food. Numbering nearly one million
when the Spanish arrived in 1501, the largest group was the Cuna. The country's name,
which means "land of plenty fish," may also come from the Cuna words panna mai, or
"far away," a reply to Spaniards who wondered where to find gold.
In the early 1900s Colombians fought a civil war—the War of a Thousand Days.
Colombian rebels operated from bases in Nicaragua, passing through Panama on their
way to fight. The United States now had a growing interest in building a canal across
Central America. In 1902, it intervened in the war and established a truce. In 1903 and
1904, Panama declared its independence from Colombia, drew up its first constitution,
and elected its first president. In 1903, the United States signed the Hay-Ban-Vanilla
treaty in which the concession for a public maritime transportation service across the
Isthmus was granted; the treaty also granted the United States control over strips of land
five miles wide on either side of the canal. The United States did not own the Canal
Zone, but the treaty of 1903 allowed it to lease the area "in perpetuity." In return the
United States agreed to pay Panama $10 million plus an annual rent of $250,000, which
was later increased to $1.93 million.
In 1904, the United States purchased France's rights to the unfinished canal for $40
million and began the Herculean task of carving a canal through the isthmus. Many able
and dedicated men were involved in this venture. Among them were Colonel William C.
Gorges, an army doctor who achieved a major triumph in wiping out yellow fever and
reducing malaria.
After World War II, Panamanians opposed to U.S. presence in the Canal Zone
demanded renegotiation of the 1903 treaty; however, the arrangement of the 1903 treaty
between the United States and Panama continued until the 1960s when disputes arose
over U.S. control of the canal and zone. The United States agreed to negotiate new
treaties relating to the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone. The treaties, which were
accepted in 1977 and signed by General Omar Torrijos Herrera, head of the
Panamanian Government, and U.S. President Jimmy Carter, stipulated joint
administration of the Canal starting in 1979, and the complete return of the Canal to
Panama on December 31, 1999. The treaties, which replaced the treaty of 1903, turned
over to Panama the government of the Canal Zone and the territory of the Canal Zone
itself, except for areas needed to operate and defend the canal. The United States
remains responsible for the operation and military defense of the canal until December
31, 1999, after which it will come under complete Panamanian control.
The presence of the Canal changed lifestyles in the country. A people that had primarily
earned their living as subsistence farmers now gained most of their income from the
Canal. The canal employs about 3,500 United States citizens and some 10,000
Panamanians. Among the available housing areas assigned to canal employees are
Balboa and Ancon on the Pacific side and, on the Atlantic side, Cristobal, Coco Solo,
and Margarita. Gatun and Gamboa are communities primarily for people who work at the
locks or in dredging and hydroelectric operations.
In 1988 General Manuel Noriega used his military prominence to seize control of the
Panamanian government, establishing a dictatorship, which brought him great personal
wealth. Previously supported by the United States, Noriega became the object of
condemnation, based on evidence linking him to drug trafficking, murder, and election
fraud. In an attempt to squash Noriega, the United States imposed severe economic
sanctions on Panama. Although the Panamanian working class suffered from these
actions, Noriega himself was virtually unaffected. In December of 1989, a U.S. invasion
of Panama led to the ousting of Noriega, who officially surrendered in January 1990. He
was taken to the United States and was convicted on drug charges in 1992.
The History of the Pearl Islands
The documented history of Panama goes way back into the 15/16th century when the
Spanish Conquistadors were conquering Central America. Yet, the Isthmus of Panama
was inhabited long before that period by local Indian tribes such as the Guna’s, Cuevas
and Cocle. These pre-Colombian tribes lived everywhere in the country and also on the
Pearl Islands. Especially the Cuevas and Cocle cultures dominated the Pearl Islands,
which weren’t named yet. Unfortunately all these cultures have mostly vanished off the
earth because of the discovery of the islands by Nunez de Balboa in 1513. After that
time period most of the native tribes were exterminated or enslaved to search for pearls.
The Spanish controlled the tribes in brutal ways and infected them with New World
diseases such as a simple cold, which was lethal for the natives.
In 1513 the islands where named “Pearl Islands”
The Spanish conquistador Nunez de Balboa was searching for hidden treasures in
Panama and found some of them on the islands in the Bay of Panama. These natural
treasures were of course the pearls of which the islands are still famous for. These tiny
and expensive gemstones fulfilled the Spanish lust for treasures and expanses to bring
back to Spain. Around 1516 the Spaniard Gaspar de Morales enslaved most of the
native island tribes and forced them into pearls searching. The Spanish envy for these
white round gemstones was growing and they even imported slaves from Africa to the
islands. Most of their descendants can still be found on the islands San Jose, Del Rey,
Senora, Pacheca and Lampon. This black page in history also gave the islands its
present name Pearl Islands or as locals refer to it ‘Las Perlas’
The 17/18th century was full of pirates, because there are over 250 Pearl Islands it was
easy to hide for colonial police ships and other criminals. In the 17/18 century the islands
where mainly used by pirates and other criminals that raided passing ships and the
mainland. But at the end of the 18th century most of the islands were deserted and left
for nature to reclaim.
The Physical Environment
Desert Islands
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions setting minimum
normal annual rainfall between 1750–2000 mm. Tropical rainforests are defined as lying
between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Ecologists classify the
vegetative layers into the Emergent layer (trees which punctuate the Canopy
sporadically), Canopy layer, Understory and the Forest Floor. It is estimated that 40-75%
of all species on earth are indigenous to rainforests and that there may be as many as
one million species still left undiscovered.
The local rainforest is a typical combination of dense trees, plants and hanging vines
that cover every square inch of habitable land.
The islands are characterized by perfect white sand bays and beaches fringed with
coconut trees and dense jungle. The rocky coastline between the beaches is a perfect
hunting ground for limpets, winkles, crabs and oysters.
Climate
As with many areas of the tropics the climate is split into the Dry season and the Wet
season, with small ‘shoulder’ periods in between. In the dry season (Dec-May) there is
no rainfall with low humidity and daily temperatures of about 35C. There are very few
biting insects this time of year. The wet Season is characterized by high rainfall (up to
10.3” in October), high humidity (95-98%), large tropical thunderstorms and a big
increase in mosquitos and sandflies, which makes camping more uncomfortable. The
seas however are warm and the visibility is very good. The fishing is also excellent this
time of year.
As we will be conducting our Expedition in the shoulder season, we can expect to
experience a variety of weather, from large thunderstorms to blue sky days.
Sunrise is at 0630 and sunset 1830, this changes very little throughout the year due to
the proximity to the Equator.
The bay of Panama experiences a large tidal range and on Spring Tides the difference
can be as much as 25ft.
The Expedition Locations
Photo of the actual beach where we will be camping J
Our expedition will take us to a remote, uninhabited desert island situated on the Eastern
side of the Archipelago, close to the largest island of the group. We will have the full run
of the island and during the expedition will have the opportunity to explore all of its 27
beaches and 10 miles of coastline. With the exception of local fisherman and the
occasional sailboat heading to The Galapagos we will be undisturbed for the duration of
our trip.
The Itinerary
9th December:
Fly from Heathrow to Panama
Rendezvous will be at 20.00 on the 9th December
at Lunas Castle for introductions, kit shakedown
and evening meal
10th December:
Safety Briefings on what to expect and safety
procedures for boat travel.
Load boat & Travel to Island (2-3hrs)
Set up base camp
Introductory lesson on jungle routines and how to
live in hammocks
Explanation of safety systems and protocols
11th December:
Tool Use (Machete)
Build base camp table and benches
Sauna Construction
Aquatic safety
Tides Rips and Currents
Introduction to fishing
12th December:
Fire by friction
Fishing crafts (Spears, lobster hooks & barrel lines)
Evening fishing
Water procurement and disinfection
13th December:
Shelters
Plant walk
Outdoor kitchens and ground ovens.
14th December:
Start of 48hr Castaway experience
15th December:
48 hr castaway experience
16th December:
Collection from island
Visit Esmerelda and a chance to buy local pearls
Boat back to Panama City
Last meal in the Old Town
17Th December:
Fly home or keep exploring....
Meals
All of the food on the expedition will be cooked outdoors over an open fire using a
mixture of modern expedition techniques and traditional cooking methods.
We will not have specially
employed catering staff
cooking for us; meals will
be a communal affair with
everyone taking their turn
to help. Cooking will be
supervised by one of the
Woodsmoke instructors,
all of whom hold a ‘basic
food
handling
and
hygiene’
certificate.
Breakfast will typically be
cereals and dried fruit,
tea and coffee. Lunch will
be a simple carbohydrate
staple of egg-fried rice or
stir fried noodles. Dinner
will consist of a cooked
dish with rice or pasta. Vegetarian options will be available, if required.
**As part of the expedition we will aim to substitute our diet with foods hunted and
gathered from the forest and the sea.
Water
Mains water in towns is not considered safe to drink however bottled water is cheap and
easily available. The local rivers and streams will be our primary source of drinking
water. Our primary method of disinfection will be boiling but we will likely also make use
of filtration systems and chemical treatments. We will cover these methods in detail
while on expedition.
Alcoholic Drinks
You will be expected to pay for your own alcoholic beverages while in town. We will not
be consuming alcohol while on the island.
Teaching & Skills
During our time at the basecamp we will immerse ourselves in the techniques
associated with island travel and living. The Woodsmoke team will teach a proportion of
relevant skills as well as providing logistical guidance and ensuring the safety of the
group at all times.
We will aim to cover all the major elements of island living and travel that will include but
not be limited to:
Core survival skills
• Water; importance, collection and disinfection
• Shelter; requirements and importance.
• Tarps and hammocks, natural shelters.
• Fire; selection and preparation of materials and
ignition methods.
• Physiological requirements; acclimatisation and
common medical issues associated with
a jungle environment.
• Natural Hazards
• Clothing and equipment selection
• Safe and effective use of cutting tools. Sharpening techniques.
• Jungle living, crafts and techniques
• Natural bindings and construction methods.
• Identification of plants, trees and fungi used for food, medicine, fire and other utilities
• Animal tracks, signs and trailing
• Fishing techniques; making and using traps and nets. Preparing and cooking fish.
• Traditional cooking methods; using Bamboo and leaf and bark containers.
• Craftwork; selection and collection of materials for containers, cordage, traps and
hunting equipment.
• Jungle sanitation and hygiene
• Jungle navigation and route planning
• Suitable equipment and how to carry it
Emergency Field Communications
Emergency in-country contact numbers will be available closer to the time. Woodsmoke
has its own Iridium satellite phone.
UK Office:
Whilst on expedition, a member of the Woodsmoke team will act as our UK back-up in
case of emergency and will be contactable 24 hrs a day on the following number –
number to be released at a later date.
Personal Communications:
If you have an international roaming agreement for your mobile phone, we have no
objections to you using it on expedition, providing it is used discreetly and does not
affect others enjoyment of the expedition. However, it is almost certain that you will only
get a signal in Panama City.
Expedition Health Care
Panama has US standard Health care and the hospitals are equipped to carry out any
form of operation.
Recommended immunisations are important to consider for all travel to Central America.
For detailed vaccination advice, please consult your own GP and the excellent NHS web
site ‘Fit for Travel’.
As a minimum you should be up to date with all vaccinations required for normal life in
the UK. Hepatitis A and Tetanus are usually advised. Sometimes advised are typhoid,
diphtheria, tuberculosis, rabies and hepatitis B. If there is a chance you may be
pregnant, please contact us before booking.
The risk of rabies is small and the cost of the vaccination relatively high, so a personal
decision is required here. Rabies is however always fatal once symptoms develop and
the vaccine does not provide complete immunity; it will buy added time to extract to a
suitable medical facility.
Medical support network:
Expedition first-aid cover will be provided by the Woodsmoke team, who have been
trained in expedition first aid and ‘Advanced Medicine for Remote Foreign Travel’ by
Wilderness Medical Training and MIRA (Medicine In Remote Areas). They also hold
HSE recognised first aid certificates.
The expedition will carry a very comprehensive medical first aid pack. Throughout the
expedition we will have a ‘reasonably’ reliable communications system and will be in
‘reasonable’ proximity to medical care.
Insurance:
You must have adequate travel insurance to join this expedition. Please make sure that
your policy covers the type of activities that we will be partaking in; specifically small
boat travel and hiking in remote areas. We will ask for your policy details prior to
departure.
Passport:
Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry into
Panama.
Travel documents and visas:
British nationals don’t need a visa to visit Panama except if arriving by sea. You must
have a return or onward ticket and the equivalent of US$500 or a credit card.
If you enter Panama by land from Costa Rica, and are not a legal resident of Costa Rica,
the Immigration Authorities may ask you to show proof of onward or return travel to your
country of legal residence.
An initial stay of 180 days is granted on entry to Panama. Extensions are not normally
allowed unless you apply to change your immigration status within the 180 days (for
business purposes, marriage, etc). For further information on entry requirements, check
with the Embassy of Panama in London.
Please note:
It is advisable to make copies of the relevant pages of your passport, your flight tickets,
your traveller’s cheque receipt slips and your travel insurance policy in case the originals
get lost.
Keep one set of copies with you, one set in your luggage and leave one set with a friend
or family member at home. If possible, scan these documents, and email them to
yourself, using an email address with sufficient memory storage.
Physical Conditioning:
You need to be in reasonable shape. Anyone who is seriously overweight or has limited
flexibility will discover some real handicaps due to the nature of sleeping in hammocks
and the challenging nature of the terrain we will be travelling through. Attitude is
everything. If you really want to be there, have the temperament to attend to fussy little
details, and are prepared to deal with temporary discomfort at times, you will enjoy this
environment for its energy and wonder. Prior to the trip we recommend that you begin a
light aerobic fitness-training regime, working out at least three times a week. If possible,
some light strength training for the major muscle groups in the legs would be a bonus, as
our trek will require a certain level of leg strength. A few moderate hill walks with a pack
would be ideal training.
This will greatly improve your enjoyment of the course. If you are in any doubt about
your ability to cope with a cardiovascular workout program, please consult your GP.
Equipment List:
"After a time my confidence grew and armed with a parang, a box of matches and a
piece of rubber to start a fire going and a rifle I would be perfectly happy in the
knowledge that if I was benighted I could build a fire, make a small shelter of ataps or
wild banana leaves, and with the unlimited fresh water that the jungle provides, could
last a week if necessary until I found my way back to camp." - The Jungle is Neutral Spencer Chapman
Wet Clothes (day wear)
One pair of Walking
‘Craghoppers Kiwi classic’ are proven and good value for
trousers (no zip off
money
legs)
Long
sleeve
shirt Most poly/cotton adventure shirts will suffice, a light but dense
(Loose fitting, long weave helps keep mosquitos from biting through.
enough to tuck into ‘Craghoppers Kiwi long-sleeved shirt’ is proven and good
trousers)
value for money
Two pairs of summer
weight walking socks
Lycra running/cycling
shorts (Plain without
reinforced gusset and
padding)
Or
Ultralight
shorts
Bridgedale ‘CoolFusion Trailblaze’ and ‘woolfusion ultra
lightweight’ are very popular, choice between the two
depends on which fits in your boots better, the former is thicker
than the latter.
‘Under armour heat gear compression shorts’ are very
popular but I have recently been using the ‘newblance go 2
short’ with the internal brief cut out and personally prefer this
arrangement.
running
Lycra Sports Bra (no
metal underwire)
‘Shock absorbers’ brand are popular
Waterproof Jacket
Useful for wearing on boats in the rain.
Swim wear
A light weight rash vest can also be useful.
Boonie hat
Lots of available choices but all much the same, the fashion is
for a short stubby brim but we recommend a full brim to protect
from sunburn when on boats.
Nylon belt
Any type so long as it’s comfortable under your pack waist
strap and doesn’t rub anywhere
Boots
(Get purpose designed
jungle boots, they need
to drain water quickly,
waterproof boots will
ruin your feet) Also be
aware
that
the
saltwater environment
rapidly reduces the life
of your boots so please
don’t spend a fortune.
Hydrophobic insoles
It’s extremely important that you have proper jungle boots that
fit well and are broken in before departure.
The Altberg Panama Jungle Classic is a superb boot
manufactured in the UK and our recommendation. Especially
without the Panama sole (which is very slippery on coastal
rocks).
The Lowa elite jungle boot is also a very good option.
Both Altama and Wellco in the US also make a good jungle
boot but the regular fit is long and narrow, available in wide
and extra wide, be sure to try these on as it can take a few
pairs to figure out what size you take (also note these are
sized on the American system)
Replace the innersoles that came with your boots with ones
that wont absorb water, it really helps keep your feet from
rotting, Superfeet are good, but avoid Sorbothane. The ‘LOWA
Summer Footbed’ is a very good option
Dry ‘night time’ Clothing
One
pair
weight
trousers
Light
cotton
One Light
cotton shirt
weight
Any lightweight small pack size cotton trousers will suffice,
something comfortable with a drawstring waist, cotton pyjamas
are perfect, but try to pick a style that you will be happy wearing
as day clothes for relaxing in
Any lightweight small pack size cotton shirt will suffice, something
comfortable with chest pockets for your earplugs etc, cotton
pyjamas are perfect, but try to pick a style that you will be happy
wearing as day clothes for relaxing in
Comfortable socks
We like to carry the same type as our walking socks for no other
reason than it means we can use them as walking socks if we
have to, these night socks are filled with antifungal powder for
sleeping in.
Light weight non
water
absorbing
camp shoes
The Vivo ‘trail freak’ or ‘Ultra’ are perfect, but very expensive. Any
Croc type water shoe will do
Equipment you need to bring
Rucksack 50-70ltr
A comfortable and robust pack that will comfortably carry in
excess of 15kgs, it must have room to accommodate not only
your personal equipment but also 4-5 days of rations plus your
water. Avoid excessive padding that holds water.
The ‘Berghaus Centurio 45’ or ‘karrimor sabre 45’ in
combination with two 10lt removable PLCE side pouches are
popular choices.
Large waterproof dry
bag,
Sleeping bag
A single dry bag that is moderately lightweight and a little larger
(especially in width) than the inside of your pack. You do not
want a heavyweight canoe sack but also consider avoiding
some ultralight drybags that are prone to being punctured
easily. A valve or other method of removing excess air from
inside is often convenient provided it is not prone to failure.
‘Bergans Dry bag compression 50lt’ is our favourite
A lightweight warm weather, synthetic fill, rectangular cut
sleeping bag or over quilt with foot pocket. A snugpak jungle
bag works well, UKhammocks.co.uk also make a great jungle
bag
Please give a lot of consideration to your choice hammock; it
will become the sanctuary of your sanity. This is not the place
to skimp and we assure you that you’ll appreciate the
comfortable, dry night of rest safe from incessant insects long
after you’ve forgotten the initial price.
Hammock
Anything from Hennessy Hammocks and warbonnet outdoors
or UKHammocks.co.uk will be perfect.
I also have excellent custom built Jungle Hammocks with
included Tarps for rent (£50 for the duration of the expedition) if
you don’t foresee getting much use from a jungle hammock
post expedition.
Tarp
A large silnylon tarp is recommended, you’ll need space to both
hang your hammock and conduct your personal admin beneath
it during torrential downpours. Make sure your hammock fits
with ample space beneath the tarp before you leave.
Water containers
Aim to carry 3lt minimum, split over two containers or more. For
hydration bladders I highly recommend the following
arrangement: ‘Source Hydration WLPS 3L’ in combination with
a separate ‘Source Hydration Liquitainer 2lt’ and ‘Source
Universal Tube Adapter’. This will allow you to collect and treat
your water in a separate 2lt bag and transfer it to the bladder in
your pack without having to open the pack and remove it, very
convenient and bombproof.
Water
purification
(Essential that you get
this right)
Purchase a box of OASIS Water Purification Tablets (50) You
may also bring alternative water purification methods if you like
but be aware that filters are prone to clogging, if you use one be
sure it is capable of removing viruses, not just bacteria and
protozoa. Don’t bring a UV treatment system; they are not
reliable in the jungle. We personally like to kill everything with
iodine, but unfortunately our favourite system ‘Polar Pure’ is no
longer manufactured. (Try contacting polar pure though, they
still have stock ;-)
Metal Spoon and mug
I’m sure you have a favourite
Billy can or mess tin
1 lt capacity or more, to cook for one person
A Parang
It’s hard to find decent parangs in panama so please arrive with
one. Visit hennie knives and we recommend the ‘condor village
parang’ or the ‘my parang’
Pocket
multitool
Knife
or
A
small
cheap
bushcraft knife
Sharpening stone
Whistle
Stainless steel folding knives, with a reliable locking
mechanism, avoid wooden handles they will swell and warp. A
‘Leatherman wave’ is ideal
The stainless steel ‘Mora Companion’ is perfect. Please don’t
bring your expensive handmade carbon steel knife!
Small sharpening stone, the ‘Fällkniven DC4’ is ideal.
To hang around your neck, the ‘Acme Tornado 636 Whistle’ is a
long standing favourite
X3 Lighters
At least three ‘Bic Maxi J38’ or ‘Bic mini J39’ electronic lighters,
the only lighters we have found to work reliably in the jungle,
cheap too
Waterproof note book
and pencil
Anything by ‘Rite in the rain’ is ideal
10 meters of paracord
550 paracord comes in many colours
LED Head torch
Petzl tikka or zipka are perfect, make sure you have a set of
spare batteries
Admin bag
A small bum bag or similar to organise your small items and
keep essentials such as medical kit, head torch to hand when in
your hammock or away from your rucksack. The Maxpedition
proteus is popular, I like the ‘Hill People Gear kit bag’ or the
‘Kifaru admin pouch’ but they are pricey.
Quick drying Towel
A small beach towel
Camera
Bring something totally waterproof or bring a Pelicase to keep it
in and plenty of silica desiccants to keep it from fogging up;
even then it may still die, the jungle spirits hate cameras. Bring
plenty of spare batteries and a spare memory card.
MP3 player
Work gloves
Small dry bag half
filled with antifungal
powder
The nights are long, bring music and consider a couple of audio
books
Light synthetic work gloves, something like the ‘Contour
Avenger work glove’ is perfect
A small roll top dry bag large enough to insert your foot into
massage with the powder contained therein. Fill with an
antifungal powder like mycil
Soap
Cut down to fit in a film container or a concentrated liquid soap
(Dr Bronners is good)
Exfoliating glove
Great for washing in rivers and ensuring you don’t lose your
soap, available in boots and most supermarkets
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Alcohol gel
Alcohol hand sanitising gel, get one with a cap that won’t leak
Sun Tan Cream
At least factor 30
Earplugs
The industrial type attached by a cord
Sun Glasses
Polarized are ideal
Needle and thread
For repairing torn clothing
Wrap duct tape around your water bottle or some other item so
it’s available when you need it.
Duct tape
Silva
compass
Sighting
A compact sighting compass, ‘Silva Ranger SL Compass’ will
do just fine for this exped or a Silva 54 if you must have the
best
Fire Lighters
For strips of rubber inner tube go to your local bike shop and
ask for all his scraps!
Admin mat
Thin foam sit mat or cut down camp mat to stand on outside
your hammock to avoid muddy feet whilst changing. Some
packs have a removable foam pad inside that can be used for
this purpose.
Mask,
fins
Snorkel
and
Baggage Security:
With regards to flying with a rucksack, I just make sure that all of the bags straps are
pulled tight and tucked it. If you are worried about your packing being damaged, then
you could buy a flight bag to put your rucksack into. The draw-back is the extra expense,
but the pros are as follows - A single padlock (on the flight bag) seals your whole
rucksack & all it's pockets (make sure you buy one in which the zips cannot be pulled
apart even while the two zips are locked together; this is possible on many designs!); all
the straps on the rucksack are safely packed away. It's very common for rucksack straps
to get caught on something & tear off while the baggage handlers are moving it around.
They also fold up to a very small size for easy storage.
It is fine to travel with cutting tools in your main pack providing they are stored securely
in a bag (not strapped onto) and that they are not readily accessible. Prior to the
expedition we will mail you a letter, so that if challenged, you should not be viewed as
being in ‘possession of an offensive weapon in a public place’, and that the you are
carrying greenwood working tools (axe / knife / crooked knife) for ‘environmental / hobby’
purposes (as per Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988). You should also have
your receipt of payment or briefing pack for the expedition, to prove your reason for
carrying these tools is legitimate.
Spending money:
Panama has linked its currency with the US Dollar so please withdraw this
currency for the trip.
There is an option of visiting a local village towards the end of the trip and while it is
certainly not set up for tourists they do often have pearls for sale, which they have found.
Please bring some cash for shopping and beers in Panama city.
The exchange rate is roughly £1 = 1.3USD for current exchange rates visit www.xe.com
Major credit and debit cards, including the Visa Cash Passport Card, are widely
accepted in Panama. You can also access your bank account using ATMs, which are
ubiquitous. Traveller’s cheques should be easily converted to cash at banks. You'll
probably need to take your passport along to prove your identity.
Time difference and jet lag:
GMT -5
Hung-over (surely not), sleep-deprived, run down or just plain worn out before you begin
your travel, chances are greater that you will be more susceptible to jet lag.
Although jet lag cannot be cured, there are some tips that may help to reduce the
severity of symptoms. Consider the following before, during or after your next scheduled
air flight:
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine just before and during your flight. Both alcohol and caffeine
have diuretic properties, which means that they cause you to lose water and
make you dehydrated. Also, alcohol causes drowsiness and can contribute to the
sluggish feeling experienced by many travellers.
• Reset your watch to the time zone that you are travelling to. This lets you start thinking
according to your arrival destination's local time before you even arrive.
• Create as dark an environment on the plane as possible. Bright lights have a strong
effect on a person's body clock. Use eyeshades and earplugs to help block out
the in- flight distractions and convince your body that it is dark. Closing the
window shade and turning off the overhead cabin lights may also help. Sleep on
the plane if your flight has an early morning arrival time.
• Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. If you experience mild swelling, it will help to
have loose-fitting clothing and comfortable shoes.
• Get adequate rest before your flight. By starting your trip well rested, you will not be
playing as much "catch-up" when you arrive at your destination. Likewise, when
you return, try to schedule a day of rest before returning to work.
• Walk around and do isometric exercises (simply contract and relax as many muscle
groups as possible while seated) while in flight. This will improve your circulation,
helping promote an increased level of alertness and reduce the chance of
swelling in other body regions.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking lots of water and juices will help you to stay well
hydrated.
• If possible, try to wait until the local bedtime to sleep. You will sleep better and be less
likely to suffer insomnia than if you take a nap upon arriving. A daytime flight may
help since night-time flights may exacerbate jet lag.
Power: Plugs in Panama are the same as the US. We suggest you aim to be nonpower dependent, as there is no option to connect to mains power once on the island.
Solar panels are an option.
Expedition Travel & Transport How to get there: Very Important – Do not book
your flights until given the go-ahead by Woodsmoke, as the expedition needs a
minimum number of participants in order to run. Flights to Panama City, Panama
are NOT included in the cost of the course – you will need to book your own flights
independently. Please note there is a Panama City in Florida, do not go there it won’t be
as fun, unless you like golf and Hawaiian shirts!
The Expedition Assembly Point: We will meet everyone at a specified guesthouse in
Panama City at 20:00 on the 9th December 2016
Late arrivals: Please inform Ben asap on email or via sms – contact details on booking
Responsible tourism and recycling on expedition:
• We will not be burning or burying plastics on expedition, tins will be burned, crushed
and binned. All tins and plastic waste will be carried out where possible.
• We recommend that you use re-chargeable batteries.
Carbon Neutrality:
Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world
and through flying to overseas destinations we are contributing to the problem of climate
change.
Climate Care is an organisation that invests in projects that reduce the amount of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and
reforestation projects. The first two displace fossil fuels in the energy generation mix and
the latter absorb carbon dioxide.
For example, through every hour in a Boeing 747 you personally contribute an
equivalent of 123 kg Of C02 to the atmosphere, which would cost £ 0:80 to offset. If you
would like to take part in this scheme and work out your carbon deficit, please contact Climate Care, 58 Church Way, Oxford OX4 4EF. Tel: 01865-777770. Email:
mail@co2.org. Website: www.co2.org.
Recommended Reading
To help get you in the correct mind set for the expedition, we would recommend that you
read some of the following books –
• Jungle Travel and Survival by John Walden. The best all round jungle survival book.
John Walden is a physician with extensive experience in the Amazon basin.
• An Island to Oneself by Tom Neal. An amazing true story of a Kiwi who decides to
live his life on a deserted island in the Pacific.
• The Essentials of Sea Survival by Frank Golden & Michael Tipton. Hard to find and
quite expensive, but this has been my ‘go-to’ book on the science behind
survival. Applicable to lots of environments and full of case studies.
• Survive the Savage Seas by Dougal Robertson. An account of a Familes 37 days
adrift in a life raft in the Pacific.
• Cast Away with Tom Hanks. A good film, which shows the importance of beach
volleyballs on a Desert island!