The legend of Roraima has existed for a long time. It speaks of Roraima - Mother of the Great Waters, a fabulous mountain plateau in the forest jungle north of Mato Grosso and west of Guyana. Roraima, surrounded by thickets and marshes, a sea of greenery and extensive rain forests, is considered the source of all diamonds mined in the area. However, the Indians do not approach her for fear of evil spirits
New touches were added to this legend by Conan Doyle, who wrote The Lost World in 1912, where he depicted the plateau as the abode of prehistoric monsters that have remained unchanged since the Paleozoic. The legend has existed since ancient times. And since then, man has tried to find a great mountain in order to climb to its top. The unusual origin of the plateau and the special microclimate suggested that conditions for the prehistoric animals could have survived here.
In the spring of 1973, five English climbers: Hamish McInnis, Mo, Joe, Mike and Don set off on their way to their cherished goal - a mountain that rises three thousand meters above sea level. Its plateau, about sixty square kilometers in area, was created by the mighty and restless forces of nature about 750 million years ago. Roraima is truly the Mother of Waters: waterfalls falling off the plateau feed forest rivers. The harsh eroded rocky summit is fenced off by high steep walls, and the foot is framed by mud swamps, which
turn into boundless rain forests teeming with snakes, scorpions and poisonous spiders ….
The route of the expedition to the foot of Roraima was finally determined. Taking six Indians to help them, the travelers were going to go up the Varuma River and through the Eldorado swamp. The detachment was also accompanied by a helicopter. Early in the morning the members of the expedition left Maiurapai; the entire southern horizon ahead was lined with the sinuous and enigmatic silhouette of Pakaraima. Behind the savanna began a bush, then the forest itself. here they set out on the trail, and at the end of the third hour reached Paikva … Only those who have experienced it himself will understand how difficult it is to maintain a compass course in a dense rain forest. cut by steep muddy channels and teeming with short bamboo.
His boots slid over washed-out streams of rain: the beds of countless streams, the humid tropical air made breathing difficult.
They proceeded past the inconspicuous mouth of the Paikva River, outlining a possible route to Roraima, but ultimately opting for Varuma, despite four rows of rapids, beyond which this river became completely impassable for boats. The Indians acted as guides along the river. Because of the great danger, they crossed the rapids on foot - bypassing the thickets along the river. Above the rapids, the river behaved relatively quietly. We got into the boat again and began to make our way up. On the way we met "drowned" - swampy swampy areas. They were interspersed with a clear stream of water. The expedition stopped for the night at the camp of the Geological Survey of
British Guinea.
Then they went the same way, only stopping overnight in the camps of geologists. During one of the stops, the first strange event happened. The helicopter could not take off. The pilot threw up his hands helplessly and began to understand the causes of the breakdown. But no matter how hard he tried, he never managed to lift the steel dragonfly into the air.
- Some mysticism, he said. - It seems to have fixed everything, and the breakdown was insignificant. And the car seemed to have died.
Such an event discouraged the expedition - the food supply was modest. Yes, and the tobacco supply was out … But no one was going to stop halfway. The majestic peak with an unknown life, possibly hidden on it, beckoned with its inaccessibility and the prospect of becoming famous and enriched in the event that someone hitherto unseen was found there.
- Look - the mountain has cleared! - announced Mike, pointing to the side, where through the trees against the background of a gray cloud, the bare red wall of Roraima, illuminated by the evening sun, clearly loomed. On the
way to the foot of the wall, Roraima prepared another obstacle: a dirty vertical span - a very dangerous area. Here Mo has secured the rope. Slippery mud clung to her, and the steep slope did not allow going down with a backpack without clamps. By nightfall, they set up camp, but they could not get enough sleep. An advance detachment of black mosquitoes appeared - hefty beasts with a sting resembling a blunt syringe - "I have never seen such huge mosquitoes in my life," Mo recalled.
In the morning, another strange event took place, which forced to deviate from the main goal of the expedition. It is not known where Don has gone. They searched for him all day, but not even a trace was found
traveler. “Did the pterodactyl take him away?” Joe tried to joke unsuccessfully.
“Or maybe so. In any case, we must start the ascent, combining it with the search for our friend,” Hamish said firmly. expressed a desire to return back.
The next day Heimash. Mo and Joe started climbing. The first section of the cliff inspired respect. The rock rose like the bow of an ocean liner. Almost the entire section was walked with artificial supports, driving in various hooks half the way. Then hooks began to appear - while cleaning them with the beak of a hammer, climbers discovered scorpions and other very unpleasant-looking insects. I had to not just put my hand on the toe, but pull myself up and check it for the presence of any stinging creatures. Already in the evening, not seeing where to drive the hook, tired of nervous tension and fear of being stung, they decided to pitch a tent on a small steep platform.
Mo was not well and, after swallowing the pills, read the Mountaineer's Medical Handbook. Hamish and Joe kept watch around the fire. A few minutes later, a shrill scream came from the tent: a huge spider had climbed up to Mo. Mo Hamish, who ran into the scream, immediately crushed the insect with a climbing boot.
But at that moment, Joe, who remained by the fire, yelled in horror. Hefty spiders crawled from all sides from rock crevices towards the tent, emitting a disgusting hiss.
All night climbers were forced to fight these aggressive creatures with fire, finishing off hundreds of one and a half of these spider-like monsters. At least that is how they seemed to travelers at night in the glow of a fire. With the first rays of the sun, the spiders left them alone.
- The closer to the top, the stronger the feeling of the presence of something supernatural there, - stated Mo.
In the morning the assault began again. First, we climbed to the Cabbage Garden: at first the hooks entered without difficulty, but they did not hold very firmly, so the climbers relied mostly on the bookmarks. However, further the segment turned out to be creepy, - Probably, my perception is explained by the fact that I experienced unpleasant moments on the shelf near the exit from the Great Depression, - said Hamish during the next night. - I felt the crack with my hand, which I could not visually check, wondering which hook would fit there. Suddenly, fifteen centimeters away, a huge spider appeared right in front of my face. It was a tarantula. The insect assumed a fighting stance, its front legs were raised, and its "steel" jaws moved menacingly. With a wild cry, I recoiled abruptly, fell out of the stirrup and hung on a
hook attached to the body. Then he pulled out a hammer and knocked down the spider. At the thought that the whole damned terrace above me might be teeming with such creatures, a chill ran along my spine and beads of cold sweat appeared on my forehead.
The next day was the last day of the summit. The final meters were given with great difficulty. But at that very minute, when the climbers climbed the last cornice, swinging their legs in the air, the sun came out from behind the clouds and lit up the top with burning rays. Hamish lifted his head above the bend - in front of him was a wide ledge, beyond which a plateau began.
Mo, who climbed the very first, ran to the edge, meeting him:
- This is something incredible! he shouted excitedly. "Like the deck of a giant aircraft carrier!"
The Great Nose rightfully received this name. Even from above, it resembled the bow of a ship protruding over the verdant sea. Standing on the edge, travelers of canteens: fancifully outlined sandstone silhouettes stretched towards the Venezuelan part of the massif. Glancing along the edge of the grotesque cliffs, travelers saw waterfalls falling to the headwaters of the Paikva. One and a half kilometers away, the Diamond Falls began. Natural sculptures lurked in the recesses of the garden - the creation of the omnipotent wind, water and time.
Unfortunately for the climbers, there was nothing on the plateau to indicate the presence of any
life. The climbers began to realize that their assumptions were only speculations, inspired by myths and legends. But, nevertheless, they decided to explore the territory of the mysterious
plateau as carefully as possible. Moreover, they did not forget for a second about the missing comrade.
Going around the territory up and down, they came across a small crater.
What were their surprise, joy, fear and delight at the same time when they found Don in his day. He lay motionless, showing no signs of life. The climbers descended under the saddest assumptions. But when they approached a comrade, they sighed with relief: he was alive, but was in an unconscious state.
Later, after a fairly long treatment, Don was able to return to normal life. But to
what really happened to him then, he never remembered: neither how he disappeared from the camp, nor how he found himself on the top, without having any climbing equipment with him. It looks like it will forever remain a mystery.
Apparently, Roraima is not so simple as she presented herself to the brave English climbers.
But, one way or another, in 1973 the "lost world" of Mount Roraima was discovered from the most mysterious side. Meanwhile, the planet keeps many more inexplicable mysteries for people wandering in search of the unknown and mysterious. Their strength and courage allow them to lift the veil of secrecy and take another step towards the knowledge of nature - the Mother of the World.