The jobs volunteers carry out while on the project varies depending on
the time of year, the activities happening and of course, the
bears themselves. One thing you can be guaranteed of doing however,
is tracking bears. This involves hiking through various
pre-defined trails and taking readings with the radio equipment.
Below is a database of our walks. Each walk is divided into
several listening stations, which are easily identifiable landmarks
that we have recorded GPS readings for. This database is used by
volunteer coordinators (to ensure they don't get lost!) but the
walk descriptions are also interesting for new volunteers in order to
gain a feel for the level of fitness that is required.
The walks vary greatly in scenery, difficulty and length. Some
walks are downhill and along dirt roads, often winding through
rural farming communities. Other walks lead up steep hills through
dense, bamboo-covered forests, where the only humans you encounter are
your fellow volunteers.
Generally we will try and use the walks that our volunteers are
most suited to and most eager to use, however we unfortunately
cannot direct the movements of our bears. We use the trails
which will give us the best readings depending on their locations.
More Walks Coming Soon!
We are still working on this section. Please be patient
as we will have many more walks up as soon as we can.
Cazarpamba
An easy walk along the road from the volunteer house to the small
town of Cazarpamba. The road can get quite dusty (or muddy) but
the views of the surrounding valleys are spectacular.
(view walk >>)
Siempre Verde
The Siempre Verde walk winds up through the valley behind Santa
Rosa to the Siempre Verde (i.e. 'always green') reserve. This
is a very pretty, easy walk, and is perfect for those new to
the project and still acclimatising or for those who are looking
for an easy day after a hard hike the day before.
(view walk >>)
La Delicia
A nice easy downhill road walk for those with aching bones from
previous days activities, or those still acclimatising to the
high altitude. During summer months, this walk can be done in any
type of footwear from flip-flops to wellies. Some beautiful views
on a clear morning of the valley of Azabi, the northern paramos
and the cordillera of Toisan. Also a possibility, is an additional
walk to link up with the Siempre Verde trail, for those who want
an increased difficulty level of walk.
(view walk >>)
