The Challenge 21x24 arrives to LOJA

LOJA #17 Sunday, February 19, 2012 - 7:00am

Meeting (6:30am) and departure point: Parque Central, Vilcabamba, Loja - 7:00am
Arrival : Parque Central, Vilcabamba
Supply points: every 5k

Characteristics of the route.

1. From Central Park to Madre Tierra hotel (1k and a half), take the road to El Chaupi for 10k and return with a short detour to Central Park (9k and a half).
2. The route is almost flat, green and beautiful. It goes around Vilcabamba.
3. We will have the support of the National Police.
4. Altitude: 1500 msmn
5. Temperature: 12 - 17°C in the morning.
6. We will be supplied by Vivant (water) and other beverages plus bananas and bread.

Bring: sun hat and sunscreen, light shirt and shorts or lycra. Extra and warm clothing will be kept for you in the supply pick up.
Other: energy bars, blocks, gels, Gatorade, Vaseline ... the usual. You won’t need the hydration belt.

About the area:
In Vilcabamba you will feel ‘disconnected’. It is called the Valley of Longevity, the timeless valley, valley of eternal youth. It is extremely quiet. Its name comes from the Indian word "huilco", which is a tree Anadenanthera colubrina (almost extinct) with hallucinogenic properties considered magical and sacred by the Incas, and bamba which means valley or flat surface.

This paradise is also full of energy and has plenty of attractions:
Hiking on Cerro Mandango. Horseback riding. Podocarpus National Park. Bird watching. Spas and relaxation. To meet very old people who live there in healthy and peaceful ways.

Getting to Vilcabamba:
From Quito by bus takes approximately 14 to 16 hours. There are good roads. In private car: 12 hours.By plane: There are three daily flights in Tame, 180dls at a cost of taxes. From the airport in Catamayo, to Vilcabamba is an hour. You have to go through the city of Loja. Cost: $ 30.

SOME HOTELS (there are lots and nice ones)
Madre Tierra. Phone: 07 264 0087
El Descanso de Ramsés. Phone: 07 264 0039
Izhcayluma http://www.izhcayluma.com/

NEXT ROUTES:PASTAZA #18: Sunday, March 11, 2012.
Puyo
CARCHI #19: Sunday, April 8, 2012
El Angel

For those who will not run the Challenge 21x24 and want to support the Cause of the protection of Yasuni, can do the following:
.Write your opinion about oil operations in Yasuni to mlhernandez@solidario.fin.ec or publish it in your FB or Twitter.
.Inform about the presence of oil companies in Yasuni.
.Get information and visit this unique reserve.
.And/or buy the Challenge 21x24 t-shirt

REGISTRATION SPOTS:
1. At the beginning of every route.
2. PODIUM Triathlon Store
Luxemburgo N34-340 y Portugal, Edf. Braganza Phone.: 593 2 3331 509
Quito – Ecuador
Fee: $25 (includes t-shirt, 24 routes, water and fruit stations)

Further information:
http://21kx24provincias.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/lourdeshernande
http://www.banco-solidario.com/
Contact: mlhernandez@solidario.fin.ec
Phone.: 95669133

WE RUN FOR A CAUSE:
TO PROTECT LIFE IN THE YASUNI NATIONAL PARK
ONE OF THE LAST ECOLOGICAL RESERVES IN THE WORLD AND THE MOST BIODIVERSE