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- May 17, 2006
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Scorching sun, hurricane winds, rain, and lots of clouds pretty much sums up the hike up to Venezuela’s highest tapui. It was a 7 day hike with just about every kind of weather but snow! The trail was long and steep, but the views propelled us all up to the “Lost World” of Mount Roraima!
After Angel Falls we had a rest day in tepui lodge then started the bush flight back to Ciudad Bolivar. From there we opted out of the 12 hour bus ride to Santa Elena and took an offer from our new friend—the “Crazy German”! This was supposed to be a less troubled ride and only 8 hours….
The car ride took 13 hours!
However, we were wildly entertained by the “Crazy German” and the ten police stops to try to squeeze money from the gringos!
We drove through the Gran Sabana and stopped at waterfalls along the way.
My favorite was Jasper Falls.
Eye on the prize!
The tepui on the right is Roraima and three days from the start…I would be on the top of it.
Mount Roraima lies on the Guiana Shield in the southeastern corner of Venezuela's 30,000-square-kilometre (12,000 sq mi) Canaima National Park forming the highest peak of Guyana's Highland Range. The tabletop mountains of the park are considered some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to some two billion years ago in the Precambrian.
The highest point in Guyana and the highest point of the Brazilian state of Roraima lie on the plateau, but Venezuela and Brazil have higher mountains elsewhere. The mountain's highest point is Maverick Rock, 2,810 metres (9,219 ft), at the south end of the plateau within Venezuela.
but first…
The trip consisted of hikers, adventurers, 17 Brazilian geologists, and one adventure clown!
First day was about 13 kilometers while others were 18 kilometers.
A young porter (15 yrs)
A quick pack comparison…
I was flying on the trails and one guide told me that I found my planet, but as a super ultralight backpacker (usually base weight under 5 pounds) my base weight of dry gear (non-consumables) was 3 pounds 13 ounces!
I quickly found out there an ant called the 24-hour ant. It gives off a painful bite and a 24-hour fever too…free with the bite!
River crossing was done with socks for the Spiderman effect!
15 kilos each worth of porter stuff…
The lost battle!
Stopped for lunch and watched the porters and guides make food for the whole group.
Years ago, on my second Grand Canyon down and up hike I was in a battle with a squirrel who came right up to me and took, with its two squirrel hands some food from me. Once again, years later and miles away, I face another battle for food on the trail. The outcome was the same as the first time!
Here is a dark cloud moving in fast, which will pound us with hurricane winds and rain. A rain poncho was the most useless piece of gear on the trip.
We tried to dry out at our next camp, while Roraima taunted us, peeking amidst the clouds.
The hike was almost vertical and in many places we had to use our hands and feet for long distances. In the rain this turned into a hike up a muddy waterfall!
Almost to the wall….
The hardest part was La Rampa!
Almost up the ramp. The group took many breaks, but I was allowed by the guides to follow the porters up ahead of the group.
Top of Roraima!
Meat eating plants…
I understood immediately why this mountain is called the “Lost World!”
It resembled a movie set fit for dinosaurs or aliens.
Once we were on top of the mountain the real hard hiking took place as we did 18 kilometer days for the next two days.
Exploring Roraima
After Angel Falls we had a rest day in tepui lodge then started the bush flight back to Ciudad Bolivar. From there we opted out of the 12 hour bus ride to Santa Elena and took an offer from our new friend—the “Crazy German”! This was supposed to be a less troubled ride and only 8 hours….
The car ride took 13 hours!
However, we were wildly entertained by the “Crazy German” and the ten police stops to try to squeeze money from the gringos!
We drove through the Gran Sabana and stopped at waterfalls along the way.
My favorite was Jasper Falls.
Eye on the prize!
The tepui on the right is Roraima and three days from the start…I would be on the top of it.
Mount Roraima lies on the Guiana Shield in the southeastern corner of Venezuela's 30,000-square-kilometre (12,000 sq mi) Canaima National Park forming the highest peak of Guyana's Highland Range. The tabletop mountains of the park are considered some of the oldest geological formations on Earth, dating back to some two billion years ago in the Precambrian.
The highest point in Guyana and the highest point of the Brazilian state of Roraima lie on the plateau, but Venezuela and Brazil have higher mountains elsewhere. The mountain's highest point is Maverick Rock, 2,810 metres (9,219 ft), at the south end of the plateau within Venezuela.
but first…
The trip consisted of hikers, adventurers, 17 Brazilian geologists, and one adventure clown!
First day was about 13 kilometers while others were 18 kilometers.
A young porter (15 yrs)
A quick pack comparison…
I was flying on the trails and one guide told me that I found my planet, but as a super ultralight backpacker (usually base weight under 5 pounds) my base weight of dry gear (non-consumables) was 3 pounds 13 ounces!
I quickly found out there an ant called the 24-hour ant. It gives off a painful bite and a 24-hour fever too…free with the bite!
River crossing was done with socks for the Spiderman effect!
15 kilos each worth of porter stuff…
The lost battle!
Stopped for lunch and watched the porters and guides make food for the whole group.
Years ago, on my second Grand Canyon down and up hike I was in a battle with a squirrel who came right up to me and took, with its two squirrel hands some food from me. Once again, years later and miles away, I face another battle for food on the trail. The outcome was the same as the first time!
Here is a dark cloud moving in fast, which will pound us with hurricane winds and rain. A rain poncho was the most useless piece of gear on the trip.
We tried to dry out at our next camp, while Roraima taunted us, peeking amidst the clouds.
The hike was almost vertical and in many places we had to use our hands and feet for long distances. In the rain this turned into a hike up a muddy waterfall!
Almost to the wall….
The hardest part was La Rampa!
Almost up the ramp. The group took many breaks, but I was allowed by the guides to follow the porters up ahead of the group.
Top of Roraima!
Meat eating plants…
I understood immediately why this mountain is called the “Lost World!”
It resembled a movie set fit for dinosaurs or aliens.
Once we were on top of the mountain the real hard hiking took place as we did 18 kilometer days for the next two days.
Exploring Roraima
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