Ed 31 - Swisscam

By Toyota jeep, we traveled 85 km before
taking a small boat and navigated along
the Iá Mirim and Cauaburi rivers, camping
in abandoned Indian villages. The trip was
marked by our first encounter with the Yanomamis,
who approached us in a canoe,
signaling our entry into indigenous territory.
After 3 days travelling by boat, we started
walking. The route was marked by hours
of climbing upward in the intense rain.
Sometimes, the heavy, incessant rain
forced us to pitch camp early.
During the 3 days of trekking, the dense
forest began to give way to more open
areas. The steep trail and rocky path hid
moss, bromeliads and orchids. Finally, we
reached the base, the last station before
the final climb to the Pico. Thousands of
bromeliads, orchids and carnivorous plants,
the helianthus, surrounded the route. In
some parts, the slope was so steep that
we needed ropes to help us scale the rocks.
Moss and watery vegetation replaced the
woodland. The steep top of the mountain
was hidden in an icy mist. The stupendous
views of the landscape surrounding the peak
and the exuberant green of the jungle made
up for the exhausting physical effort.
Finally, the summit! We reached the peak
in a dense fog. Although we were tired,
soaked and very cold, our happiness
was indescribable. We had arrived at the
highest point in Brazil, in one of the most
inhospitable regions of the planet!
Although we were hoping for sun to appear,
the next day broke with a lot of rain
and thick fog. The small brooks of the previous
day had given way quickly to waterfalls
and torrential rivers. We had to go
back a much longer way. After walking for
10 hours, exhausted and totally soaked,
shivering with cold, we arrived at the base
camp.
Still physically weakened, we had a good
feijoada stew for breakfast before beginning
the difficult return. After 14 days in the
jungle, we returned to São Gabriel da
Cachoeira and, from there, made our
way back to Manaus and São Paulo.
The unparalleled adventure in an almost
intoxicating beautiful natural environment
came to an end. The physical effort of the
expedition is quickly forgotten, giving way
to recollections of unforgettable landscapes
and group experiences. The desire to return
to the National Park is already appearing
and, who knows, perhaps might
come about next year.
Ernesto Moeri is the president of SWISSCAM
turismo
tourism
Anúncio
Stüssi
Neves