Monte Roraima
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Monte Roraima (Also: Mount Roraima, Cerro Roraima, Pico do Roraima, Roroima) is a tabletop mountain (or tepui) shared between Venezuela, Guyana (disputed by Venezuela) and the Roraima state of Brazil. It is the highest elevation in both Venezuela and Guyana, though Brazil has taller mountains. The average height of the plateau is around 2,500 metres (8,200 fee), and the steep sides of the plateau makes it difficult to access. However, it was the first major tepui to be climbed: Sir Everard im Thurn walked up a forested ramp in 1884 to scale the strangely wind-and-water sculpted plateau. Roraima forms part of the Guiana Highlands.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired by the mountain for the story The Lost World (1912).
Backpacking
Today, Monte Roraima is a destination for backpackers. Almost all who go up the mountain approach it from the Venezuelan side. Most hikers hire a guide in the nearby village of Paratepui, Venezuela. Although the path to reach the plateau is well marked and popularly traveled, it is easy to get lost on top of the mountain as there are few distinct trails and the near constant cloud cover on top makes visual references problematic. Paratepui means "to the tepui". It is a short distance off a paved highway and itmay be reached easily by four wheel drive vehicle, with great difficulty by car if the unpaved road conditions are unusually fine, or by foot in about a day. From Paratepui, most hikers take one day to reach the base of the mountain, and then another day to follow "El Rampa" a natural staircase-like path, up to the top. Another two days are typically needed for the rerurn, and many people spend one day on top of the mountain for five days total.
The only non-technical route to the top is the Paratepui route; any other approach will involve climbing gear. The mountain has been climbed from the Guyana and Brazil sides but these are technical rock climbing routes.
It is also possible to take a helicoptor journey to the top of the mountian to avoid the climb.
Other Facts
- Latitude/Longitude: 5° 11' N; 60° 46' W
- The highest elevation on Monte Roramia is 2810 meters (8219 feet).
- Monte Roraima is the highest point for 549.44 kimolmeters (341.48 miles). The nearest taller neighbor is Cerro Marahuaca (to the WSW)[1] (http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8684)
- The "Triple Point", where the three national boundaries meet, is at 2739 meters (8986 feet) elevation. [2] (http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=8683)
- On the Venezuelan side, the land is part of the Parque Nacional Canaima
External Links
Info on climbing the mountain (http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/2152)