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Tepuy
Roraima 2800 m.s.n.m |
RORAIMA TEPUY:
The highest and best known Tepui of the Gran
Sabana:
2800 m.s.n.m (9000 pies ) on it you can find the
frontier milestone called triple point where the
natural boundaries of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana
converge. This landmark was placed there in 1931 by
an international commission.
Roraima is the most famous of the tepuis of Canaima
Nacional Park and one of nature’s architectural
beauties. |
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The correct name is "Roroima" and it is estimated that
this formation is about 2 billion years old. The
highest point is a rock formation called Ford
Maverick.
Made up of quartz and sand with a few thin beds of
slate. It is an important tabulate relief in the form
of a table, displaying a completely smooth summit and
vertical walls, from which precipitate beautiful
waterfalls. Water flows from its slopes to the systems
of British Guayana by means of the Kako River, to the
Amazons via the small river of Cotinga, and to the
Orinoco by way of the Arobopó River, a tributary of the
Kukenán.
The endemic plant species are of great importance which
are very rare and the object of many important studies.
Its walls are extremely vertical, and on its summit you
can find lakes like “Gladys” and impressive rock
formations, products of erosion throughout the
centuries. It would be too extensive to describe all of
the beauties and interesting characteristics of Mount
Roraima or Tepui (the name given to these flat-topped
mountains by the Pemones). Many scientists agree that
the separation of the continents occurred at this point
(pangea).
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::: ENDEMIC VEGETATION |
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To survive in the difficult conditions on top of
the tepuis, many speices have adapted and
overcome the difficult conditions, rocky ground
and lack of nutrients and nitrogen. As a result
these certain types of plants live only in these
kinds of areas and some are not found anywhere
else in the world, a phenomenon known as
endemism
(endemic vegetation or found exclusively in one
region).
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Utricularia Quelchii |
Conellia Caricifolia |
Bromelias |
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::: Endemic Vegetation, some species of Mount
Roraima |
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Stegalepis Guyanensis |
Connellia augustae
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Orectantes Sceptrum |
Connellia Quelchii |
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Befaria im thurnii |
Bonetia Roraimae |
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Utricularia Quelchii |
Heliamphora Nutans |
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Brochinia Reducta |
Sphagnun sp. |
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Condensata Stomatochaeta |
Drosera Roraimae |
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Thibaudia ulei |
Paephantalus Fraternus |
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Brochinia Tatai |
Epidendrum Secundum |
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Oreophrinela Quelchii |
Tilandsia turneri |
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::: Expedition to Mount Roraima, an
unforgettable adventure |
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The expedition to Roraima is one of the most
interesting you can undertake.
It is an incredibly energizing experience.
It requires a long and demanding hike
and you need at least 5 days to carry it out.
Only a small stage of the journey can be made
in car and it should have double traction. On
the top of this magnificent natural creation you
can enjoy the impressive metamorphic rock
formations, endemic vegetation and the one of a
kind sensation of being in a place filled with
energy. (in Santa Elena de Uairén you can make
plans with a tour agency operator to embark on
this tour).
We should remind you that to undergo this
expedition you should be equipped with the
appropriate gear, tents with a roof cover,
sleeping bag, sleeping pad, appropriate
clothing, preferably including hiking boots for
the rocky path and of course all the supplies
that any explorer would require. (water,
medicine, food, etc)
It is also important to note that you should
have experience for this type of excursion, for
which it is obligatory to bring a guide
or carry it out through a tour operator in Santa
Elena de Uairen. It is also important to
understand that to visit Roraima you have to
obtain permission from the Inparques (National
Institution of Parks) park office located in
Caracas (East Park) and Ciudad Bolivar, but the
tour operators in the area have already been
granted permission for these types of
activities.
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How to begin the expedition and what to
consider.
To
begin this expedition you arrive at the Indian
community of Paraitepuy of Roraima, up to there
is where the vehicles (double traction only)
reach. At this site you register at the control
post and hire a porter if necessary or person
(generally Pemón Indians) to help with the load,
the tents, and provisions. You should weigh
your luggage in order to know how many kilos
each person will carry and distribute it
efficiently, considering also that the porters
have established a weight limit. We suggest that
it is always best to deal with a tour operator
from the area so that everything is prepared for
you; what’s more it is not advisable to undergo
these types of activities without the presence
of qualified people. There have been some
unfortunate incidents due to the risk-taking and
ignorance of some tourists. This is why we
recommend that you organize everything with a
business
qualified to undergo this interesting expedition
to such a magnificent tepui.
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General consideration for the expedition:
Keep
in mind that to a certain extent it is a physical endeavor, which involves long
trajectories and many hours of hiking; an
expedition which on average requires 30 hours of
walking until returning to the ParaiTepuy of
Roraima, an average of 6 days minimum for this
expedition, less time being difficult and
worthless.
It is preferable not to
involve children that are too young in these
activities given the certain areas of difficult
trajectory which would be difficult for them and
even for adults. For this reason we recommend
that children be no younger than 10 years of age
and of course the presence of their guardian is
mandatory. On the journey you will cross
important rivers, travel through areas of
irregular terrain, and climb up inclined slopes,
especially during the last section of the
ascent.
At the rest areas, tents are
used to spend the night and on top of the tepui
tents are placed in protected areas underneath
enormous rocks that are called “Hotels”, which
protect from the wind, rain, or the cold at
night. The temperatures on the summit can drop
to as low as 4 or 5 Cº.
Regarding the food, it is
very important to not bring too much canned food
because it adds weight. As a general rule,
pasta, chocolate, crackers, packets of powdered
soup, and powdered milk should always be
included in your provisions. In any case, the
tourism agency with which you decide to use to
realice this adventure will indicate the
particulars, but do not forget to mention any
intolerances to certain foods in order to avoid
that product.
Comfortable backpack with
adjustable hip belt,
with a capacity of
approximately 70 to 85 liters.
Small water bottle no
bigger than 1 liter.
(You can use plastic
bottles with a top)
Sleeping bag, at least 5ºC.
(if you do not have
one inform your tour agency operator)
Raincoat or
poncho for the rain.
Sweater
for the cold, keep in
mind that the temperature can fall to 5ºC.
Hiking shoes,
preferrably ones that have been previously worn.
(new
shoes that are not broken in can be your worst
nightmare)
3 pairs
of thick socks,
underwear.
2
pairs of long comfortable pants,
preferrably of a light color, that are not jeans
1 pair of short pants or lycra shorts
Bathing suit and a small
towel or absorbent cloth.
(the
rivers are a pleasant environment for a swim)
Hat or cap to avoid
sunstroke.
Sandals or beach shoes.
Flashlight, handheld or headlamp
Personal medications, sunblock, repellent in
lotion and vaseline to prevent irritations
and blisters, a tablet for headaches and an
antacid.
And keep in mind to not leave any waste or trash
in the areas you pass, you must bring it all
back with you.
Mount Roraima belongs to:
85 % of this mountain is in Venezuelan
territory.
10 % in Guyanan territory (Reclamation Zone).
5 % of this territory belongs to Brazil.
It is the site for the novel by Arthur Conan
Doyle "The Lost World" published in 1812.
in which he
states that on the top existed dinosaurs and a
huge lake, the last of which is certain (Lake
Gladys).
Important:
-Don’t venture out on an expedition without a
guide, remember that these areas are
difficult to access and are very far away. Many
accidents in the recent past have occurred here
to due to exactly that, taking risks.
-Don’t leave waste in the areas you visit.
-Don't destroy the vegetation or scratch or
paint the rocks with graffiti, be mindful, do
not cause ecological damage, and only use
biodegradable products. |
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The heliamphoras are
shaped like a vase which is where they trap insects |
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the famous droseras, insect-eating
plants |
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