We are just in front the Cayambe Volcano and its huge Glacier. It is seven in the morning. A fantastic wind blade our bodies, it seems that the Cayambe don’t want to wring their white robes. Some people appear from behind hige rocks and start to push metal spikes into the ice. Severa. They are the “Hieleros”, or Ice People. All Hieleros prepare to start a battle against these huge white blocks of blue ice like true gladiators of the Andes.

“In honor of our Indians who went up to the snow to bring ice for parties and rituals, there is the Ice Path. A race that has more than 30 years of history to its people. This activity is lost in time. The volcanoes were considered gods. The Indians went up to the mountains and brought some of their gods to live with them” said the organizer of this competition for five years.

Slowly and with secret techniques, each team wraps the huge masses of ice in straw, leather, bags, recalling the old practices that were made centuries ago and are practiced today. Perfect rectangular blocks that are loaded into mule, today will be borne solely by the strong shoulders of working men in Cayambe.

As decades ago, when electricity had not yet arrived to Cayambe and its environs, only the radio allows contact between the inhabitants and competition. Radio Message was commissioned to continue this tradition with the details through the magic of their voices.

Ice Road starts with a rush of speeding cyclists that are lost in the sinuous curves of the road from the Refuge. This bike route is a paradise for those who do downhill, as one of the few drops that last so long. The descent takes only 40 minutes, but the danger of going to 100km per hour is present and there are accidents.

This morning of competition, dozens of Ice People challenge the Cayambe, even four women dressed in shorts and T-shirt. All carry ice. Both bikes and riders must arrive at least with eight pounds of ice to be in competition.

But Hieleros need at least 7 hours to reach the goal. A maximum of eight hours is allowed to meet the target to travel 28 kilometers.  From the glaciers, are enormous packages ready to be weighed with the aid of two poles, rope and two 'romanilla' that mark a maximum of 230 pounds. Gradually, the figures start to rise and impact: 120, 170, 180, 206, 210 and 230 pounds. Red Cross ambulances and police are located throughout the route to provide security for a total of 120 participants.

The Hieleros start charging. One man were carrying  206 pounds!  "I want to participate by tradition and by my uncle that he participated in previous years to continue the family tradition; I participate because I like it, makes me feel good, I do not mind the prize. I will continue doing so until I can not anymore. "

Unfortunately, the strength and courage of the participants in the different modes is not enough. Encourage investment of the Municipality, and private tourism companies have an obligation to promote its attractions seems impossible.

The honor, pleasure and love for the snow, are the only attraction of these snow warriors who risk their health to prevent age-old tradition die. "This year we would put a big sign to inform that due to lack of sponsorship we would not perform the competition. But people came! One said he did not care about awards. It is a commitment to people!
 
Noon winners received the downhill and half marathon, but still had to wait several hours to see the men of ice. They arrived 5 hours later, exhausted but with huge smiles in their faces. It is an incredible experience to see all these ancient traditions…We invite everybody to come and taste this blue ice of Cayambe. Cheers!

Ecuador Language.

Spanish is the official language in the country. There are also a number of native languages now spoken in different indigenous nationalities. The most common: The Quichua.

Ecuador Health.

No vaccinations are requied for entering the country. However yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the Amazon Jungle.  If you need any special medication, be sure to bring enought for the duration of the trip.

Ecuador Climate.

Each region of the country has its own climate, being the coast and the Amazon region warm with an average temperature of 83 °F (28°C). On the highlands the average temperature is 70°F, but at night is cooler with 50°F.

In the Galapagos Islands there are two climatic states: during the months of january to april it is hot and humit and between may to december the weather is dry with an average temperature of 76°F or 24°C.