One of the most challenging yet amazing
journeys ever. Roraima in Venezuela. Where at 2800m high , 90 m
squared meets Brazil, Venezuela and Guyana. Starting from the base
village of Paraitepui, where in bed after finding a scorpion I was
filled with excitement and horror for the 8 day hike that lay ahead.
Welcome to the jungle.
Having 18kg on my back consisting of
Tent, Sleeping bag, instant noodles, porridge, and local bread,
cassava. An amalgamation of corn and water, I felt set.
The 1st leg of 15km of
walking along a savanna like plain, green grass, clear blue skies up
above, picturesque, an inspiration for windows xp screen saver.
Well, all clear until the rain started
threatening.The skies broke and we trudged on to cross a raging river
to our refuge for the night. Making it across alive I managed to dry
my clothes whilst avoiding being eaten by Simulidae, black flies who
don't only bite, but eat away at the wound after. Next morning after
shaking my things free of black ants, Vente quatro, wisely named as
one suffer 24 hrs of illness once bitten, we were off.
12km, rain, inclines, heat of mid day.
And our resting spot was in sight, the base of the mighty mountain.
Roraima, the mountain which inspired the 'Lost world' . The gab
between the two table tops being bridged by a 30km plank for
dinosaurs to cross. Of which neither I saw. Rained in I was snug in
my tent wondering about all the magic that lay ahead. It had been
said to us that the locals believe that climbing this mountain will
bring bad luck. I realized it a few days later.
We started fresh, heading up the
mountain, through the tropical jungle below, leading under a
cascading waterfall and reaching the top, cold, wet, hungry. Yet in
awe.
It was like the moon. Black slate like rocks, taking on a multitude of shapes and styles, my favorite being the cartoon cat with a machine gun as well as the formations of red native indians guarding the mountain. Hundreds of dispersed puddles and another 8km till the hotel, an overhanging rock/cave.
Setting up out snug camp and falling asleep to the sound of ...nothing, was incredible.
It was like the moon. Black slate like rocks, taking on a multitude of shapes and styles, my favorite being the cartoon cat with a machine gun as well as the formations of red native indians guarding the mountain. Hundreds of dispersed puddles and another 8km till the hotel, an overhanging rock/cave.
Setting up out snug camp and falling asleep to the sound of ...nothing, was incredible.
We awoke to the freshness of pure
mountain air, finally with the sun shining and a the sheer hight of
our journey to be seen, as well as a circular rainbow where my
reflection could be seen.
We ventured forth, learning about the
life on the mountain...which in such extreme condition was not much.
We spent the rest of the day exploring caves and coming up to our next camp, paradise! Little hidden jungle within the caves not to mention the near by natural jacuzzi.
We spent the rest of the day exploring caves and coming up to our next camp, paradise! Little hidden jungle within the caves not to mention the near by natural jacuzzi.
We spent the night, hidden from the
rain and the next day went onto discover an incredible waterfall
within the mountain. It was treacherous climbing, but well worth the
danger...Magnificent! Finally, a shower and a place to cool my feet which had now trudged hundreds of kilometers.
Exhausted, starved, longing for a dry
bed but in this being the last night on Roraima an end was insight.
Meandering our way down the mountain,
the final beauty to behold of this incredible masterpiece. A bed of
crystals. Lain before our feet. Glinting in every direction. Most
mystically giving me energy to reach the base where we lay, under the
full moon looking up at the wonder that broke me...
Pure serenity!
