Venezuela 2002 - Roraima: the way up
At San Francisco de Yuruani we transfered to 4x4s for the 40 km trip to Peraitepui de Roraima, the village from which we would start our hike. The dirt road was steep, winding and full of potholes, but we still bounced over it at 60 km/h.
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| Liz on the Gran Sabana. | The ride to Peraitepui was a little bumpy. | The bridges are miracles of high technology. |
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At the indian village of Peraitepui we hired local guides and porters for the six days of hiking ahead. We strapped on boots and rucksacks and set out.
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| Final preparations for the hike. | Liz at Peraitepui, just before starting the hike. |
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We started the trek at about 1pm and hiked for over four hours to our first campsite by the Tek river. It was very hot, but we were encouraged by the clear views of Roraima and Kukenan tepuis ahead.
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| An intrepid explorer, with Kukenan and Roraima tepuis in the background. | Left to right: Alejandro, Julia, Alan, Pete, Pam, Fiona, Jackie, Cat, Philip, Rachel, Mike, Alyn, Chris and Don. | Kukenan tepui, seen from the Tek river campsite. |
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We left camp early the next morning, forded the Tek river and then the Kukenan river, and set off on a demanding five hour hike up to base camp below mount Roraima. We reached base camp in time for a late lunch and spent the afternoon recovering (and contemplating the climb ahead).
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| The porters made light work of fording the Kukenan river. | Roraima looks a bit nearer, but how do we climb that! | The path up Roraima, seen from base camp. |
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The flora changed at the elevation of base camp from open grassland to forest. The next morning we set off up a steep path through the trees towards the sheer mountain face. We stopped twice on the way up to refill our water bottles from mountain streams.
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| The first part of the climb was through forest. | Just add a tasty chlorine tablet. | Half way up, but the direct route looks a bit steep. |
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When we reached the cliff face the path turned left along a ledge. There were outstanding views along the face of Roraima and back over the Gran Sabana.
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| The face of Roraima seen from halfway up. | Liz pauses to take some photos on the way up Roraima. | The later stages of the climb were more open and steeper. |
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At the end of the ledge was a high waterfall ('The Tears'). Our route took us under the waterfall and then up a steep rocky slope to the mountain top.
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| The final few meters of the climb were a steep scramble. | Our rendezvous on the summit of Roraima. |
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Reaching the top brought a welcome chance to relax amongst weird rock formations and to admire the spectacular views over the surrounding countryside.
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| Liz relaxing on the summit. | Gateway to the top of Roraima, with a view over the Gran Sabana. |
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