Photos of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
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Photos of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela
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The top of Roraima Tepui was first explored in the early 1900's by a National Geographic expedition.
Until then, it was thought that the tops of these unusual mountains were totally inaccessible.
Tepuis rise vertically from the grasslands below isolating the peaks from the surrounding
landscape. Tepuis were formed over a million years ago and consequently, the flora and fauna
at the tops of these mountains have largely evolved separately from those living below. It is
estimated that 50% of the species alive at the tops of Venezuela's tepuis are unique to their
locales.
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Toward Roraima #0970
It's a several day hike to Roraima from the closest road access point in Venezuela. There
are several river crossings that provide hikers with the opportunity to replenish water supplies.
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Face of Roraima #0965
The top of Roraima gets rain almost every night. Consequently, with Roraima's sheer face,
there are waterfalls that drop vertically for over a thousand feet.
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Climbing Roraima #0822
The hike to Roraima is relatively easy over flat terrain. The last four hours are tough -
up a steep incline along one side of Roraima. A short stretch calls for using all fours.
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Climbing Roraima #0825a
Near the top of Roraima and after the most difficult portions of the climb, the views are
spectacular.
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Climbing Roraima #0826a
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Climbing Roraima #0830
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Climbing Roraima #0831
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Top of Roraima #0834
The top of Roraima is known for unusual rock formations.
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Top of Roraima #0836
The top of Roraima has little microclimates that change rapidly. Clear blue sky can change to
a foggy mist in moments.
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Top of Roraima Tepui #0835
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Top of Roraima #0844
In places, the top of Roraima is a maze of tall, black stones interspersed with inpenetrable
bush.
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Top of Roraima #0846
There is a great deal of folklore surrounding Roraima, with stories of people vanishing never to
be found, and unseen prehistoric beasts whose wails can be heard from within the mists. It is
an eerie place.
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Top of Roraima #0847
The top of Roraima is like a cloud forest. It is frequently in mist, but the rocky landscape
has only a thin soil layer for the unusual plants and flowers that grow there.
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Roraima Flower #0908
The dense moist clouds that engulf the top of Roraima provide excellent growing
conditions for the plants that have evolved here.
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Roraima Flower #0866
Many of the flowers on Roraima are carnivorous.
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Roraima Waterfall #0918
This waterfall drops about 30 feet into this excellent swimming spot, accessible via a cave
that enters at water level below.
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Roraima Cave #0923
This photo shows part of the cave that opens near the bottom of a Roraima waterfall. It's
more easy to navigate than this photo might suggest.
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Roraima Campsite #0863
Tourbooks often refer to the campsites on Roraima as 'hotels'. It pays to be with a group that
makes it to the top early in the day, as these groups get the best choices for campsites, which
are located on ledges often below a covered rock overhang providing comfort from the nightly
rainfall.
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Top of Roraima #0854
These calm pools on the top of Roraima are perfectly clear and clean.
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Roraima Frog #0859
Consistent with what has been observed in many other isolated habitats around the world, this species of frog has evolved
into this tiny form.
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Roraima Flower #0881
In contrast to the stark black stones on Roraima, the flowers here are often colorful.
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Roraima Flower #0901
Many of the flowers on Roraima are of the succulent variety.
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Roraima Valley of Crystals #0941
One area on the top of Roraima is known as the "Valley of Crystals". The floor of the valley
is covered with large quartz crystals. Very nice.
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Roraima Crystals #0943
The Valley of Crystals on Roraima is loaded with these clear and white varieties of quartz.
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The Top of Roraima #0893
The eerie mist of Roraima.
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Roraima Flower #0909
Another beautiful flower found on the top of Roraima Tepui in Venezuela.
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Roraima Triple Point #0931
Most people trek to and climb Roraima Tepui from Venezuela. But once at the top, it's a
relatively easy hike to reach the "Triple Point" - the point where the borders of Venezuela,
Brazil, and Guyana meet.
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Roraima Flower #0839
Another flower of Roraima.
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Top of Roraima #0851
Rock formations within eerie mist and unusual flora and fauna are among the attractions of climbing Roraima. That and the knowledge that you're
one of very few other people to visit such an isolated, unusual place.
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Top of Roraima #0864
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Roraima Flower #0791
It's estimated that 50% of all life forms on Roraima Tepui are found nowhere else on earth.
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Robert Stephens
TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery
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