Still in the planning stages, but scheduled for August 2010, the XAndes is a Red Bull X-Alps -esque hike and fly endurance competition, combining paragliding and mountaineering in a race across the Peruvian Andes. Athletes will depart Huaraz on 24 August and climb and paraglide a previously chartered course of 500+ kilometres from Huaraz to Cuzco. Predetermined GPS turnpoints along the high Andean altiplano route will be used to keep the athletes on a safe course near populated areas. The finish in Cusco has been timed to coincide with the Inkafest Festival.
Apart from the pure sport of the event, organisers are also aiming to create an awareness of the receding equatorial glaciers in Peru and its beautiful Cordilleras.
The exploratory reconnaissance mission will take place in August and September 2009 with organisers and invited athletes. The goal of that mission is to carefully plan and fly/hike/run the route and address all logistical issues of the event.
Keep an eye on progress via their website, www.xandes.com.
