Original description: "The cache is located on top of Cerro
Cushca, at an elevation of 3420 masl, just north of the town of
Sicalpa/Cajabamba. The location is accessible by truck/4x4, but
probably easier to walk up from the village of Sicalpa Viejo, about
a half-hour walk up fairly gentle slope on hardpack path. In 1797
the city of Riobamba, Ecuador was destroyed by a devastating
earthquake, and the city was then moved to its present location, 20
km NE. This geocache was placed by the Canadian archaeological
project that has been investigating the remains of the colonial
city, which is located underneath the present-day town of
Sicalpa/Cajabamba. As you walk through town you can see lots of
colonial sculpture built into the fronts of peoples´houses. The
cache is located on the top of Cerro Cushca, at an elevation of
3420 metres. From the cache you get great views of the town down
below, including the landslide slope on the SE side of Cerro
Cushca, where the mountain fell onto part of the city in 1797. From
this hilltop there are great views of Chimborazo Mountain to the N,
the active Tungurahua Volcano to the NE, and the dormant El Altar
Volcano to the East. When looking SE you can see Colta Lake in the
distance, with an avenue running straight from Sicalpa town square
to the lake. This was the Inka road way back when."
The cache was packed inside two folded waterproof Ziploc bags.
It contains a logbook, a pen, and a small souvenir from Ecuador
(Rondador miniature). It is well hidden in a hole made in a wall in
a small pine forest.
"OK, some instructions on getting here. If you are staying in
the modern city of Riobamba, it is a half-hour drive out to
Sicalpa/Cajabamba. Drive through town, and ask for the village of
Sicalpa Viejo. Best to park at 1 deg. 42.109S/78 deg 46.928 W,
where the road leaves pavement and becomes dirt path. If you are in
Riobamba without a car, go to the Plaza de Toros on Avenida Unidad
Nacional, and take a Transportes Colta bus, which will drop you at
the coordinates above for under a dollar. It is a half-hour bus
ride from the city. If travelling down the PanAmerican, you can ask
your bus to drop you at the side of the highway as it passes
through town at 1 deg 42.030S/78 deg 46.275 W, where you can get
local transport up the hill to Sicalpa Viejo. Walking up the hill
from the PanAmerican is not a good idea, as there is a deep river
and some cliffs between you and the cache. Best approached from
Sicalpa Viejo. One other thing. While in Sicalpa Viejo it is very
worthwhile to visit the church of the Virgin de las Nieves, which
was destroyed in the 1797 earthquake, but has been rebuilt using
many colonial sculptures. It is a beautiful spot, and an
interesting part of the history of Ecuador. The Virgin was the
patroness of the colonial city, and is now the patroness of the
entire Province of Chimborazo. Church is at 1 deg 41.874S/78 deg
46.943W. There is nothing on top of the hill, so buying some water
and snacks in the shops on the PanAmerican would be well advised.
The top of the hill would be a great place for a picnic. Oh, and
please stick to the path and don´t walk in farmers´ fields, so as
to avoid damaging crops. Enjoy your visit to this very historic
place."
-- Placed by Jaime, María Belén, Miguel, Franklin and Kisy (13
year old french poodle)
