| ¡Vamos a la Playa! (We Go to the Beach!) Agua, Tierra y Selva (Water, Land & Nature) July 17 & 18, 2010 |
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| DEFENSORES DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE LOS TUXTLAS, A. C. ecological activism HIKE - 2010 |
| 155 adventurers participated in this years hike, plus nine DEMATAC members, and the good folks from the community of El Salado who helped and watched over us; blessing us with their hospitality. The adventure began in Sontecomapan, from where we traveled 30 minutes by motor launch to La Barra de Sontecomapan; and from there, began the hike. We passed through the community of Capulteolt where one of the seven existent turtle hatcheries in Los Tuxtlas is located. From there we hiked about 9 kilometres (5.5 miles) of beach, crossed Río Carrizal by foot, crossed over a hill, and, using a rope strung by our guides, we traversed Río El Salado and finally arrived at the paradise of El Salado. The first days hike lasted about five hours, from 11:00 .a m. until 4:15 p. m. The second day return hike was about three and a half hours; arriving at La Barra to return to Sontecomapan by launch. Unfortunately, it was necessary to cancel three activities. The liberation of sea turtles was not possible as the eggs have not yet hatched. Reforestation had to be postponed because the type of seedlings required were not originally available. On Thursday, July 15th, CONAFOR (National Commission of Forestry) advised us that they had located a nursery in Paso de Ovejas, near Cardel, Veracruz, with the seedlings in stock and that we could pick them up; however, time did not permit the eight hour round trip. DEMATAC has arranged with the community of El Salado to reschedule the reforestation in the near future. This coming week we will travel to Paso de Ovejas to collect the seedlings. Lastly, the beach cleanup we had planned could not be carried out simply because the majority of our hikers were simply too exhausted. We had to be content with a general cleanup of the area in which we camped. Of the 161 individuals, including DEMATAC members, who actually hiked the first day, only 26 brave souls were up to making the return trip by foot. It is an arduous journey, and the majority of the participants are simply not accustomed to this form of exercise. Our plans are that HIKE 2011 will be to the community of Benito Juárez, within the municipality of Catemaco; including a three hour hike the second day through the adjoining ecological reserve. So make your plans and look forward to next years adventure - when we hope that all of you again participate. We sincerely appreciate the participation of each and every one of you; and thank you for your enthusiasm, support, and confidence. And we are most grateful to the residents of El Salado for all their kindness and support. We cannot fail to mention our sponsors, without whose help these annual expeditions would not be possible. Jess |
| The trail from La Barra de Sontecomapan to Capulteolt |
| The happy, and welcome, arrival at El Salado |
| Our classic evening campfire |
| Some of our friends in El Salado |
| R & R (rest and relaxation) |
| Crossing Río Carrizal (Carrizal River) |
| Crossing Río El Salado |
| Campground |
| Breakfast while drying out after a night of rain; and preparing for departure |
| The pre-departure reunion; deciding who will return by motor launch, by car, and who will be the brave ones who return on foot, to complete HIKE 2010 |
| The "Lionhearted 26", the brave souls who completed the round trip walk - over 22 kilometers (16 miles) |
| We invite all our friends who participated to send their photos, comments, suggestions, and complaints for publication on this page. Please send them by email to: lostuxtlas@dematac.org Next Year ? The Ecological Reserve Benito Juárez ! PARTICIPANT COMMENTS AND PHOTOS: (MAJORITY IN SPANISH) |
| LA TRIBU Felicidades a los de dematac ,gracias estubo chido su recorrido,le gusto a la tribu ...nos veremos el proximo año. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIkxguWf7EA |
| Much thanks to our Sponsors! |
| CENTRO RECREATIVO "EL CORTIJO SOBREVALS" "El mejor lugar para la diversión familiar en Catemaco, Veracruz" |
| "Productos Calidad Flor de Catemaco" Catemaco, Veracruz |
| Comercializadora de Cervezas de Los Tuxtlas S. A. de C. V. |
| RICHARD CORDERO "Su hermano de la tierra y de las estrellas" Un Pasaje Espiritual por la Fotografía y la Oración |
| Tortilleria "EL NUEVO MILENIO" Catemaco, Ver. |
| EVEN Agua Purificado Catemaco, Veracruz |
| Tortilleria ARACELI Catemaco, Veracruz |
| Súper Carnicería San Miguel San Andrés Tuxtla y Catemaco, Veracruz |
| Camp Kitchen |
| The Leader of the Pack & Juan Raúl departing Sontecomapan for La Barra |
| Dora, Mirza & Ethan departing Sontecomapan for El Salado with kitchen supplies |
| Crespo Ortega Family Hola Jess Como cada año queremos felicitarte por tu gran labor en pro del Medio Ambiente, mil gracias por permitirnos disfrutar una aventura mas, pero sobre todo por permitirnos adentrarnos al contacto con la naturaleza y disfrutar de ese aire tan puro, ese mar tan inmenso, las flores, los arboles, las aves, etc. definitivamente el estar en contacto con la naturaleza nos acerca al gran Creador. Nos vemos el proximo año Dios mediante Sinceramente: Familia Crespo Ortega |
| Pia & Jenny Friends from Europe (Pia, Norway; Jenny, Sweden) taken from Pia's Blog: "PIA GOES INTERNATIONAL" (Blog in English) |
"Some time ago, Jess and Juan told us about the association they are a part of, DEMATAC, that works to protect the environment
going to the beach. Jenny and I checked it out and decided to go along. Beforehand, I was pretty nervous for the long walk,
walking 6 hours in the strong sun on the beach without being able to rest in the shade, that sounded like it could get really tough.
So we went out and bought sun hats and massive amounts of water, Gatorade and energy bars. . . . "
" . . . The next day, we were faced with the choice of walking back the whole way, or going by boat or car. I voluntarily signed up
for boat, along with 100-something others, but Jenny was among the 26 persons that actually walked. She was pretty dead
afterwards. I stayed behind in El Salado for a few hours, slept in the grass, ate empanadas and made new friends. Eventually I got
on one of the lanchas back to Sontecomapan, in high waves, so much fun. All our luggage got soaked. Doesn't matter though, I had
fun! And yeah, that doesn't only go for the lancha trip, but for the entire weekend. Even though it was hard to walk that far on
the beach, it was also great, and I'd do it again for sure!
for boat, along with 100-something others, but Jenny was among the 26 persons that actually walked. She was pretty dead
afterwards. I stayed behind in El Salado for a few hours, slept in the grass, ate empanadas and made new friends. Eventually I got
on one of the lanchas back to Sontecomapan, in high waves, so much fun. All our luggage got soaked. Doesn't matter though, I had
fun! And yeah, that doesn't only go for the lancha trip, but for the entire weekend. Even though it was hard to walk that far on
the beach, it was also great, and I'd do it again for sure!
| Photo: complements of David Ontiveros |
| New Friends |
| At sea: Laguna de Sontecomapan and The Golf of Mexico |
| The Coast of the Golf Of Mexico |
| Just a little more . . . and El Salado |
| Hola Jess, Todo estuvo excelente, gracias y felicidades por sus esfuerzos. Cesar Reyes Cardozo |
| Ontiveros Ríos Family Hola buen día con el gusto y placer de saludarte te envió unas fotos de nuestra caminata en la cual anexe al grupo de los chaquistes dos personas más a mi hijo y a un amigo los cuales regresaron encantados del paseo y ya me están pidiendo que los anote para el año que entra. |
| Darvelia & Oscar Ramos Padrón Hola Jess, es la primera vez que tenemos la oportunidad de compartir con ustedes esta caminata, la cual supera cualquier expectativa….ese contacto con la naturaleza, lo hermoso de los paisajes y lo mejor la convivencia con la familia y amigos. Permíteme felicitarte por contribuir de manera activa y proactiva en la preservación del medio ambiente, este tipo de eventos nos muestran las maravillas de la naturaleza y a su vez nos concientizan para actuar en consecuencia en su cuidado; de igual manera hago extensiva esta felicitación y reconocimiento a todo tu equipo de colaboradores, así como a la gente de la comunidad que tan amablemente nos atendió. Esperando compartir con ustedes Dios mediante el próximo año esta caminata. Quedamos a tus órdenes |
| José Carlos Martínez Mixtega Muchas felicidades al equipo DEMATAC, fue mi primer año este 2010, pero fue una muy grata experiencia, poder admirar la naturaleza y comprender lo mucho que hay que cuidarla para poder seguir disfrutando de paisajes tan bellos. Nos vemos el siguiente año. |
| Guillermo Varela Matehuala Alfredo Ceron Peres Cecilia Ramos Martinez Raquel Chinas Alegria |
| Familia Chiñas Alegría Hola: Tuvimos la oportunidad de ir a la caminata en este año!! Y nos pareció mas que estupenda!!! No le veíamos final pero cada paso era más emocionante para seguir caminando!! y al final todo valió la pena! Les agradecemos por brindarnos la oportunidad de conocer más nuestro ecosistema, la riqueza que tenemos en nuestro país! y crearnos una conciencia mas enfocada! Muchas gracias y muchas Felicidades!! Nos vemos el próximo año! Hola Jess, te mandamos un fuerte abrazo y un saludo la familia Chiñas, fue nuestra primera vez, realmente no pensabamos aguantar, muy buen viaje, esa caminata es una historia que hoy podemos contar, fue muy padre, lastima que no pudimos liberar tortugas, ten por seguro que asistiremos el otro año en otra aventura como esta! :D les conte a unos amigos y tambien se animaron, iremos mas! cuidate mucho hasta el otro año!:) |
| Amigos de Nanchital y Coatzacoalcos (Grupo de los 21) Hola Jess: Enviamos algunas fotos de la caminata, no cabe duda que cada año se vive una experiencia inolvidable, gracias a dios que nos ha permitido acompañalos durante tres años y esperamos dios mediante continuar acompañandolos el próximo año. Agradecemos la atención y amabilidad recibida por parte de ustedes y de las personas de la comunidad de El Salado. Que dios los bendiga. Recibe nuestro mas sincero cariño: |
