Reaching the top of the Roraima tepuy is an enriching and unforgettable experience. And every day there are more people who want to add to this adventure, but for this they must have the desire and strength enough to leave comfort aside and even feel the adrenaline as if you lived the last day of your life. So get ready mentally and physically and understand that you are going to leave your comfort zone.
Later I will be telling you my story, the story that led me to spend 6 days and 5 nights in the vastness of the great savannah, where it takes more than courage to reach the top. So if you're thinking that Roraima uploads it, you're wrong, do not go up for fashion, on a whim or simply because you need to upload more photos to your social networks. Here at the end you will understand that it was worth every drop of sweat, every mosquito bite, every shower of water, to endure a little bit of hunger, that unbearable heat, those blisters on your feet or just those falls and scrapes that made you more strong to keep going.
For us it is important that you are prepared and informed about Roraima, that's why I invite you to read and feed yourself with knowledge before leaving, here we leave you a brief summary about Roraima and its origin.
You will find below why it is important to carry each of these things, its use and our recommendations:
1. Weight of the final backpack with everything: This factor is crucial and I think it is essential before starting to buy and assemble our suitcase to go to Roraima, as this should not exceed 8 and 11 kilos, especially for people without experience in high mountain excursions. The weight of the backpack should be approximately no more than 20% of our body weight. For example, my weight is 52 kilos and my backpack should weigh no more than 10.4kg. In my case my backpack with all in weight 8 kilos well below the recommended weight. :)
At the time of departure in Inparques weigh your backpack, and if you exceed the weight they recommend you take what is left over, because as I say the slightest gram counts when you leave Roraima and then you will end up regretting the way. Remember that a heavy backpack will make you feel tired soon after you start.
2. Trekking backpack: we must bear in mind that the route that is going to take is long and above all the variety in the weather along the whole way, we recommend you to bring a special excursion backpack that is comfortable, adaptable to our body, light and of the brand of your preference, that fits your needs, in my case for being a woman carry a 45-liter mark acadia which was adjusted to my size 1:60 meters hehehe
Something important and fundamental to know distribute the load well inside the backpack of trekking between the shoulders and hips so as not to move the center of gravity so that the load does not bother.
3. Stockings: We are exposed to the variations of the climate, we must cross rivers, pass under some waterfalls and with this it is inevitable that our stockings are dry. That's why I recommend taking at least one pair to sleep, four to walk, a couple to cross the rivers. That they are very thick and comfortable for the shoes that you are going to use during the day.
4. Sport boots or mountain shoes: wear a pair or sports boots mountain records or mountain shoes that you have already used, that is, that is perfectly adapted to your feet and are in good condition, I saw people who they took the oldest ones they had and they were in the sole of the shoes on the way to Roraima.
5. Sleeping: There are companies that rent them when offering their services as a tour operator, although I consider that this is very personal and deserves hygiene or at least that it is from a friend or someone you trust and will lend it to you. In my case I bought an Acadia brand of 0 degrees Celsius since I will continue using it with God in future excursions, sleeping is very important because the temperatures in Roraima fall between 8 ° C and 5 ° C and the cold is impressive.
6. Stick or walking stick: these hiking sticks provide a great advantage in the activity, although they are not essential. in my case use an Acadia with cork handle, and I can say with certainty that it was very useful, avoid infinite falls thanks to him, it was really my biggest support point, but if your budget is limited and you can not get to Someone who lends it to you, you can take a wooden pole or stick of support, that yes it must be super light and resistant, during my trip some carried professional canes, other sticks, others grabbed a stick by the way, others simply did not take anything . But take something please, it's my advice.
7. Thermal insulation for the floor: The insulation is essential for camping regardless of the temperature of the place, usually as sleeping is offered by tour operator companies whether rented or free.
8. Cholas, Teva sandals or beach shoes: I recommend them especially, when you are in the camp resting or to go to the river to bathe, you will feel a relief to take off the shoes of the walk and let your pretty little feet breathe. I wear plastic Crocs.
9. Long sleeves and short sleeves: Help protect from the sun, mosquitoes and finally are very helpful to avoid scratches with the branches of trees or brush. The short sleeves can be used after each walk, to rest and walk on the top. Everything will depend on the weather of the day.
10. Swimsuit: We go through several rivers and when making stops near them, it is necessary to take advantage to give us a good bath and relax the body. If you do not feel comfortable or comfortable with a swimsuit, I recommend wearing a super lightweight and flannel that dries super fast, and do not weigh much in your backpack. Remember that you are going to swim in a group usually, take something that is comfortable and that you feel comfortable.
11. Camping towel: There are some towels that are made of Microfiber Sports, they are super light, they do not take up much space in the backpack and best of all they dry super fast and easier than cotton towels. in my case, buy a Kangoo brand.
12. Lycra or sporty jumpsuit (Gore-tex, nylon): They help protect you from the sun, from mosquitoes and finally they are very helpful to avoid scratching yourself with the branches of trees, weeds or falls. In my case, wear two long normal sports lycra.
13. Soap, biodegradable shampoo, toothpaste, brush, comb: Make all these products BIODEGRADABLE. I recommend that you only carry the right amount, if possible all in miniature, because this adds weight to our suitcase.
14. Energy bars, granola, gummies, chocolate, sweets, biscuits, an arequipe would be great for when crowns the top: They are very helpful and at times when you feel that you can not take it anymore, you raise energy to a million. Or for those nights under your tent waiting for dinner or lunch. Tour operators, usually do not include this, so if you crave a chocolate to recharge, or you get a sweet it is better to take it on your own.
15. Camera: take spare batteries, remember that there is no flow of electricity, keep it well protected always, at least put about 4 bags.
16. Underwear: Take only what is necessary, for example if you go for 6 days takes at least 10 pairs of panties and takes advantage that they are small and take up little space, and like men with their interiors. I wear like 12 panties because nothing better than walking super clean and dry underwear.
17. Polar sweater: It is essential to take a coat especially for the nights since the temperature drops between 8 ° C and 4 ° C. that if you remember to protect it very well so that it does not get wet.
18. Raincoat or poncho: to protect you from the rain, Roraima is a broken sky, you never know when it may rain. It is easy to have it on hand because it folds and you can easily carry it in your backpack.
19. Vaseline to avoid blisters on the feet: My recommendation is to apply this every day on your feet, before each walk out. Actually it works.
20. Good mosquito repellent: There are many types of mosquitoes especially called curi curi, which chase you everywhere so it is necessary to take ours. I tell you there are many repellents in the market for mosquitoes for this type of adventure, I particularly buy one of those very commercial and it did not help me, on the contrary attracted more mosquitoes. A companion of the trip prepared a homemade repellent and it was actually the one that worked for me, and then we were all behind him to give us his super mosquito repellent.
21. Health and first aid: pills for headache, stomach, flu, antibiotic, if you suffer from something do not forget to take your medications and find out if this type of trip is suitable for you, better be prepared for any eventuality.
22. Sunscreen: On the journey to Roraima, the weather varies from sun, cloudy to rain. Therefore I recommend you take a good sunscreen and apply it especially on the face. Taking care of our skin from the sun's rays should be an everyday task, because although it is healthy to receive sunlight, abusing it can cause serious skin problems and you will not want to miss out on everything Roraima has for you.
23. Creams like arnica or menthol to give you a massage at night: When you finish the route planned by day tired with pain in your whole body because you do not give for more, I recommend you give yourself a bath apply this on your feet, hands , back or where you consider it and you will feel a great relief.
24. Sobrero or cap for the sun: To protect you from the sun especially, and even when it rains during the trek, it frightens us a little cold head.
25. Plastic bottle to recharge water on the road: To hydrate by the road, the water is taken from the river so do not worry about taking a bottle of mineral water. Usually the guide or the Pemon always tells you where you can recharge the water, they taught us to do it as high as possible of the normal catchment.
26. Cash There is NO POINT IN THE AREA: Do not even think of going without cash remember that it is a small town in San Francisco de Yuruani and they still do not have a point of sale, much less a bank or ATM. Another important point for being a town that is quite removed from the city, things are usually a little expensive sometimes double or triple, so go economically well with cash.
27. Tote bags and ziploc bags: In Roraima it rains, it is sunny, so on.
- Bags tobitas if of those bags that are used to take out the garbage, there you will protect well everything that you carry inside your backpack. Before you start to assemble everything inside your bag place a bag along it, if you do not want to get wet with everything. I assure you that this is the best raincoat that can exist.
- Ziploc bags: In these bags you will put all your clothes from the panties to your sleepwear to prevent them from getting wet inside your bag.
- RESGUARDA WELL The "Sleeping" remembers that in the going to sleep and for nothing in the world you can let it get wet as well as everything that you carry inside your backpack. That is why it is super important tobital bags, because being big and thick they help protect better than ziploc bags as they tend to open up. Therefore it is better to have double insured and far from that water can enter and get everything wet. I particularly prefer to use only tobita bags.
28. Lantern: preferably to wear on the forehead, I made the mistake of carrying it by hand and really it is super uncomfortable to walk, since you need your hands to support and hold you.
29. Sunglasses: For those who wish to use, I am one of those who love to admire this type of landscape without glasses, because I feel that sunglasses obscure it.
30. Lip balm: Due to variations in weather, they tend to dry out, so it is a great relief to have a lip balm stick at hand and keep them hydrated
Remember the importance of caring for and preserving what surrounds us, so everything you bring that generates waste either plastic, food scraps, cardboard, clothes or anything else that could have a negative impact on the environment; You must return it with you and deposit it later in a container in your area. Respect the flora, the fauna and the difference and the example for many. Enjoy the trip, live it and save the best memory in your little heart, nobody will do it better than you.
- @Enupal -
