I Am Off To Ecuador!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am headed to Ecuador tomorrow for a little fun and adventure in South America. While there, I will be exploring the city of Quito, and everything that it has to offer, while also getting the opportunity to witness the start of the Adventure Racing World Championships, hosted by Huairasinchi Explorer.

That event will feature the best adventure racing teams from across the globe, competing on a 500 km (310 mile) course. The race officially gets underway on November 9, and I will be on hand as the teams go through their initial check-in process with race officials, and as the course is revealed to them for the first time. I'll also get the chance to see them off at the start of the race, before launching some adventures of my own in and around Quito.

Fans of adventure racing can follow the progress of the race at ProyectoAventura.com, as well as on the Visit Quito Facebook page. Tourism Quito is one of the main sponsors of the event, and are using it as a showcase for the incredible adventure travel opportunities that exist within a short distance of the city. They've even teamed up with Intrepid Travel, Timbuk2, and LAN Airlines to give travelers an opportunity to win a trip to Ecuador to experience Quito for themselves.

My visit to the city won't just be about the AR World Championships, although I am excited for that event. I'll also be touring some of the great historic locations in and around Quito, visiting Cotopaxi National Park, and hiking and mountain biking throughout the region. In the latter half of my stay, I am looking forward to spending some time with the good folks at Tierra Del Volcán, an ecotourism and adventure tour operator that welcomes guests to traditional Ecuadorian ranches near Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano on Earth. Before that however, I'll get the chance to do some lodge-to-lodge trekking in the Andes with Tropic, another adventure travel company that with an amazing track record for innovation and sustainable travel.

I'm told that I should have Internet access for at least part of the time when I'm traveling. That means that I should get the opportunity to post some stories and photos from my Quito adventure. I am very much looking forward to this experience, and I can't wait to share it with all of you as well.