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Mount Roarima 6 Day Trek!! Today is the day and the thing I most look forward to when I travel: getting out and experiencing nature and natural wonders in far off lands. I had a little trouble fitting everything into my small pack but in the end a couple of small sacrifices with clothes, food and electronics (including the phone) and I was packed and ready for the adventure. Our group consists of 5 people - Takeru and his girlfriend Shoko and their friend Yuki (all from Japan) and myself and Po (from Hong Kong). We met our guide Jose who seems ok (not overly friendly)but speaks no English so maybe he is a little shy. At 10am we were off in the old land cruise wagon with the driver Captain Lappa - the rain was belting down and the driver kept the window down so that he could spit Tobaco every few seconds which meant all of us in the back where freezing cold and getting soaked. After an hour and a half down some of the most bumpy and terrible gravel roads I have ever witnessed we arrived at the village of San Francisco. We met others who had just returned from their treks and you could see they were happy to be back with 4 solid days of heavy heavy rain. It didn't matter though we were all in high spirits and ready for our adventure regardless of the weather. After our guid hired some porters we were made lunch and stood out in the freezing cold and rain eating a tomato, cucumber and ham salad (as I can eat the bread) - the lunch made me a little nervous as Roberto had promised to cater for me and my gluten intolerance. Luckily Jose brought out a fresh pineapple and that filled us up and gave us some energy ready for today's moderate 12km hike. After another hour of waiting we were off and we were all amazed to see Takeru in flip flops and Yuki in croc sandals about to attempt the trek in such footwear was incomprehensible for the rest of us. The first section of the hike was very muddy and with the rain bucketing down I spent most of the time looking at where I was walking. We walked over this small hill and got our first glimpse at the allmighty Mount Roarima and what an eary and overwhelming site it was - certainly something from another world. Fog surrounded the mountain and slowly creamy through the valley, we edged on and realized our guide was not going to be guiding us at all and was already a long way behind and every time we waited for him he told us to go ahead. The sun finally creamy out and with it came these terrible biting flys called Puri Puri - they were relentless and every time we stopped we were eaten alive by the bloody things. As we walked towards Roraima the fog parted and we got a more complete view of the Tepuy and it certainly felt magical with an indescribable energy pulling us towards its base. After 4-5 hours we arrived at camp: a nice little village that we would set our tents at and call home for the night. As the sun was going down we all rushed down to the river to have a quick bathe in the beautiful river. The water was freezing and I was getting bitten by the Puri Puri so I made a very quick wash and then wrapped up in every piece of clothing I had. When we got back to village Jose had arrived and told us there had been an accident and apparently the porter he had hired had slipped and hurt his knee so our other porter had to go help him - the bad news no tents, no cooking equipment and no food. We sat in the freezing cold shivering and eating snacks - luckily our new Japanese friends had brought lots of candy and biscuits. Other groups arrived and were treated to hot chocolate and BBQ chicken while we waited - our spirits were high though and we laughed it off. Finally tents arrived at 8pm so we had somewhere to put our things and then ready ourself for dinner. For dinner Jose served us a tin of cold vegetables and a cup of cornflakes - I couldn't believe it; I shared it with the others thinking it was a snack. The rest of the group an hour later was then served a huge bowl of pasta and an egg and potato, onion vegetable stirfry - when I asked where was mine I was told the vegetables were my dinner - I explained I was freezing and needed some warm food so angrily he have me about 3 spoonfuls of the vegetable stirfry. After dinner we pleaded for some hot chocolate or tea but were told we couldn't have as he had to give the pot to heat the water back to the other group. So much for the promise of BBQ chicken and hot drinks - I went to bed freezing and angry that already this amazing trip was turning sour by terrible organization. It was so so cold in the tent and to go with not having any food it was to be a long night.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Tour Group - Takeru, Shoku, Yuki, Po, myself and Jose the guide
- bumpy road out to Sam Francisco
- Rained most of day
- First campsite picturesque
- Problems with no food. Drink etc first day
- comments