Backpacking Mt. Roraima, Venezuela

Hiking - Day Four, Wed Aug 25th

( Click On Any Photo For A Larger Version )

Some guides we met at base camp assured us there was only one trail to the top and that we would have no trouble hiking to the top and back down in one day without a guide. So we decided to go for it.

 
These photos were taken from close to the top. This was my favorite view of the mountain the whole trip.

 
The top! Unfortunately it rained most of the 45 minutes we were at the top and the clouds never cleared.

The top of Mt. Roraima is flat and very large. This is what much of it looks like, very erie and 'out of this world'. We could not venture very far from the trail head because it is VERY easy to get lost among the large boulders and thick fog and there is only one way down. You MUST have a guide to explore the top.

Because of all the rain I did not get any pictures on the way down but it was very eventful. The top of Mt. Roraima is flat, rocky, and very large. So when it rains, all the water flows over the sides. Small trickling streams on the way up had now turned into raging white water. Two of the three streams were not that difficult to cross but we did get very wet. When we get to the third and looked across the white water, we did not see the trail on the other side. We finally determined the white water stream WAS the trail. We had to make our way down the steep incline in the white water for about 20 meters ( 65 feet ).

This photo shows the route up Mt. Roraima. The small light brown lines in the lower right show part of the trail up to the wall of the mountain. The green vegetation line leading up the wall in the center of the photo is the ONLY way to hike to the top. Note the two small waterfalls on the way up. The trail goes right under the first and behind the second.

 
Back at base camp soaked from head to toe.

Some good pictures of Miriela at base camp.

 
Attempting to dry out.

Getting some much needed rest.