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A view of
Venezuelan Tepui |
April - May 2004 Steppin’ Out cover artist... Venezuela
– It’s hard to believe that there are places on this earth left
untouched by humans – unknown or known only through legend or rumor or
not carefully explored. Richard
D. Fisher, adventurer, canyoneer and publisher, has explored some such
places. His recent research projets have led him to Venezuela and the
Kekenan Tepui, some of the most remote wilderness areas left on the
planet. For many of the Tepui, the only access is by helicopter. Richard Fisher, who is credited with the discovery in 1998 of Australia’s Rainbow Bridge, not only is an explorer but focuses his energy and discoveries on helping idigenous groups develop and promote their eco-tourism resources. The
Venezuelan Tepui are some of the most remote and pristine wilderness areas
left on the planet. And what Richard found on his trip in 2002 were some of the “mot
incredible arches anywhere on earth.” On a later trip, he
confirmed that the Kekenan Tepui is
“perhaps the most intensive square mile of arches on the planet. In one
place, there were over 150 arches and windows in a 300 meter by 200 meter
area. |
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In
one area is a crevice large enough to fly a helicopter into. Another area,
called “Valley of the Robots” is riddled with people-sized standing
rocks many of them balanced. Richard described one as a rock twice the
size of Delicate Arch but with one “foot” missing so it is standing on
just one leg but arching over toward the ground, kind of like a steam
shovel. The total numer of arches must be in the thousands, Richard
believes, with formations stretched non-stop into the distance. The
terrain is difficult for hiking. It is very rugged and the rocks are
covered with slime and are extremely slippery. The sandstone is riddled
with pointed crystals, so if you slip you will get badly cut. Add to that
the visibility is often poor and at one time, Richard waited on a two-foot
ledge for the mist to clear. When he did, he could see straight down a
1500 foot drop. Richard
Fisher and his organization are working with the Pemon indigenous people
of the Venezuelan Gran Sabana who have developed what could be considered
a world class model for eco-cultural tourism. “This is not just a wish
to have a tourism program, but
actually they have a completely functioning multifaceted system of
providing services for tourism which benefits the entire tribe. Richard
would like to return to these areas. He is organizing helicopter trips to
the Tepui. For more information, contact Richard at P.O. Box 86492,
Tucson, Az 85754 or (520)882-5341 or email sunracer@theriver.com |
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