In the south of Guiana and Venezuela, there are over a hundred flat-topped mountains. The oldest formations include Roraima and Sarisarinama. Usually highland forests are low and sparse, but Sarisarinama is an exception to the rule. On it, the height of the trees exceeds 25 meters.
At the end of November 1961, pilot Harry Gibson made a sensational discovery. He was flying over the table mountain of Sarisarinam, when he saw luxurious thickets and giant sinkholes with patches of trees at the base. The story of the find interested the researchers.
Sensation
An overgrown mountain peak hid several depressions. Tepui, that is, mountains with impressive flat peaks, in the southern regions of Guiana, Venezuela, as well as in the border regions of Brazil, about a hundred. Roraima, whose age is approaching two billion years, is also attributed to the oldest.
However, going into the jungle to the funnels and going down demanded a lot of money, and endurance and endurance. Only in 1974 was the first expedition organized. In its composition, experts rushed to a sensational discovery.
People flew in by helicopter, descending next to the craters at the top of the tepui table mountain. The reservoirs, the presence of which was assumed, were not found below. Three people went down in search. People immediately realized that it would not be easy to climb. The hole widened downward, and the ropes hung in the air.
The path to the lost world
A few days later, it was decided to cut down several trees in order to free the area for the arrival of the helicopter. As a result, I had to use rope ladders. But many rare plants and animals growing from below were destroyed.
A couple of years later, a new expedition set off into the jungle. She managed to find a new funnel named Sima de la Lluvia. For a couple of decades, it remained the longest quartzite cave in the world. A total of four such funnels have been found on Sarisarinam.
The previous failures, Sima Humboldt and Sima Martel, are named after the famous explorer and caver. Seema Humboldt is the largest depression in the mesas. The view of the dips from above is especially impressive. They are included in the list of amazing natural wonders.
Discoveries continue
Neither plants nor animals living at the bottom of the craters were able to overcome the vertical walls. Over the years, a special ecosystem has formed, no more organisms living anywhere on the planet.
Geological processes on Sarisarinam are much like karst formations. But they happen less often, and they take more time. Together with the adjacent areas, the plateau is part of the Hakui-Sarisarinama National Park.
Ordinary travelers do not have access to the canteen. Only specialists are given permits to visit the most unique place. The nature there is so unusual that no one is going to risk it for the sake of tourists' curiosity.
Local residents say that strange sounds are heard from the holes. Because of them, the mountain got its name. According to legend, this is how the evil spirit devours its victims.
