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Trek Venezuela 2006 by Wendy
The trek in Venezuela for me and I'm sure I speak for all the people who took part was a trek of a lifetime and for a great charity. I think the fact that most of us new each other before we all went was the special ingredient that made the trek such a great success. We had a brilliant group of people, some found the trek easier than others, but help and lots of encouragement was always there to keep everyone going.
The journey to Venezuela was a long one, as I'm sure none of us slept that well the night before as we were excited but also nervous at the same time, not really knowing what to expect. But welcoming smiles and cheers from Tony, Martin, and Richard as we all arrived made that journey fade into pale significance. This was it I said to myself we were finally here nothing was going to stop me now.
The first couple of days were spent riding in the 4x4 jeeps in four teams. Driving through the Sabana was amazing the scenery the open space was breathtaking, at this point it was low key breaking us into the trek slowly. We took part in treasure hunts and panning for gold competitions (alas Hadley's Gold team came last in every competition). But as I always say its the taking part not the winning that counts. Each hotel/hostel we stayed in was slightly down graded each time to get us used to really roughing it later when the trek really started.
The big day had now arrived the trek was about to begin we all had to have our bags weighed the porters had a limit of 7 kgs so that was all we could take. Some of the porters were carrying 3 or 4 peoples bags at a time. As we made our final journey in the 4x4's across the Grand Sabana we could see Mount Roraima in the distance. It was an amazing sight. We stopped to have a group photo taken by Carl and Dave, it took quite a time because everyone then lined all there camera's up so that the guys could take a picture on all our camera's which did prove to be quite amusing (35 of us in total). We finally made our way to a small village where we then had to say goodbye to the 4x4's and the wonderful drivers that we had. That was where we picked up our porters and guides. It was very hot by this time but we were all excited and ready to go. We made our way across the Sabana, the trek was hard from the start many steep long hills. Some of the trekkers at this point were worried that with the heat and the terrain they would find it hard, but everyone rallied round and gave them lots of encouragement to keep going. We finally arrived at our first camp we had a river to cross first which was difficult. We had got rained on earlier so we were all wet and very tired. Each evening Helen, Andy, Miriam and the guides would have a meeting to discuss how the day had gone and if any changes were to take place.
The next day was to be a hard one we were to trek to the base of the mountain stop for lunch then start in the afternoon to trek up Mount Roraima. But this was not to be as the 12 km hike proved a bit too much for some of the group, so we only made it to base camp towards the end of the day. The original plan was to spend 2 days up on top of the mountain but that was not the plan now. After a meeting that night it was decided that only certain people who were deemed fit would make the final accent up the Mountain. It was a very hard and painful task to talk to the people concerned to advise them that it was not a good idea for them to climb the mountain, some of them had already made up there minds that they could not possibly do it. Looking from the base camp up the route did make people a bit worried ME FOR ONE it did look a lot harder that was first thought. There were a few tears. We had all planned to do this together and now that was not the case. It was a sad time for everyone.
The next day we were up at 6.30am we had to start as soon as it was daylight to make the best of the cooler time of the day for the accent. It was hard, the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I was very worried. Looking at the route I didn't think that I had trained enough for this. But I was told I would be fine so I trusted their judgement. Thankfully it was cool, the trek up was slippery very steep and climbing over very large rocks on all fours. The views were so amazing, I had never seen anything like it before. I trekked up slowly I wanted to take in everything. I really didn't want to miss a thing every bird, plant insect. I may never come again so I had to enjoy every minute. The trek up got harder and harder. As we got close to the waterfall the weather started to change it got very damp. We were all very spaced out going up the Mountain but would meet up for rest stops each time. Finally we made it very emotional and joyous to the top it. It was like the moon, loads of black rock, I turned round and it felt like I was on top of the world. Totally speechless
Then the heavens opened and it poured down we all got soaked. we had to find cover. But it wasn't going to stop, so we had to make our way to the cave (they call it a hotel - yeh right) in the rain, very wet and very very tired none of us had any dry clothes to wear as we had not managed to get any of our washing dry ready for the next day. We had warm drinks made for us by the totally amazing cooks and a lovely soup like stew with rice for dinner to warm us all up. Most of us crashed by 8pm so tired and cold.
The next day when I opened the tent was brilliant sunshine, what a difference from the day before. We walked to the edge of the mountain which I might say was the scariest thing in my life. It was a sheer drop and we are talking 2800 metres, lots of pictures were taken of the guys you had to be quick with your camera's to take pictures of the view down below as the clouds rolled in very fast and all was gone. For me it was such a great feeling the buzz and the rush, I was just lost for words (amazing I hear you say) Some of the group went off very early to see the Jacuzzi's and the crystal ponds which were an hours walk away on the mountain but most of us stayed as the trek that day was going to be the hardest of all. To trek down the mountain and to trek in one day what we did in two days before to get to the camp where the other group had gone too after we left them. That was gruelling very tough on the knees and the feet. But we were all on a high and we had made it this far so there was no stopping us now. We had a couple of rivers to cross which was light relief for our feet but the down side was that we got eaten alive by sand flies. I had lost count of the amount of bites I had all over me. When we finally arrived we were welcomed with cheers from the other group. The camp was near a lovely river so when the porter finally came with my clothes a welcoming swim and wash in the river I had. To sit there in the river in the middle of the grand sabana under the stars with the fire flies flying about under a lovely moon I just can't describe how wonderful it was.
It was party night that night with the porters getting hold of countless cans of lager at very cheap prices. Tony and Martin sang a few songs under the stars the local people sang their music as well and we all danced that was a great evening we were all very tired but elated at what we had all individually achieved something that we were all proud of.
The final day of trekking back to the little village where we had started. Everyone went at different times. My feet were given a nights sleep to recover, I had to make it to the finish line. It was all familiar to us as it was the same route as before. It was not as hot so that was good.
Up many hills and over may rocks. I finally made it to the finish, loads of cheers and loads of tears what an adventure and what an achievement. I had the best time of my life. They had laid on a fabulous dinner of champagne, wine and lager and a wonderful buffet meal. A much needed one. We all relaxed, but there was a bit of sadness as we were saying goodbye to the porters and guides who were just the best. There humour there help, there was nothing they would not do for you.
Finally into the 4x4's back to a lovely hotel with a small pool. We all chilled, had a Shower oh yes, a wonderful shower and a bed to sleep in - pure heaven.
But it was party night tonight we all found the energy to get as glammed up as we could and have fun. Drink, eat and be merry (VERY VERY MERRY) in some cases. Well we had all achieved so much now it was time to get drunk, and most of us did. Poor Tony tripping over a plant holder and cutting his head open. So off he was to hospital yet again. POOR POOR TONY.
All patched up he came down to breakfast looking good considering the events of the night before, well we all looked good really, very hard to believe. but it was a brilliant night with lovely food and wine and a couple of songs from Martin and Tony.
All of us decided to come out in sympathy for poor old Tony so we all put plasters on our heads but alas it did take a bit of time before Tony realised what was going on and found it very amusing when he realised. It was all back in the 4x4's to a small town to catch very small planes back to Puerto Ordaz going over Angel Falls. But it was too cloudy to see anything which was a real shame the plane ride was really good though.
It was now our last night we were all quite sad as we had such a great time and we had all bonded. Tonight was going to be Martin's pop quiz night. We were all in our original teams again. It was a very funny quiz when martin jangled his bells we had to shout out eye eye Captain Fry. The guys had to step in on some of the rounds and make strange noises while singing tunes and we had to guess what they were, Richard was the best person on that round. Then the highlight of the quiz was Tony's impression of Mr Peter Cox's wiggle. Well, he had got it down to a fine art. We really need to see that on the tour I think.
Yet again Hadley's Gold came last but there were only about 3-4 points in it from last to first so we didn't feel too bad. Then finally to bed ready for the journey home.
That was it the end of the trek. Next day was a gruelling 3 flight journey home but considering what we all achieved it was a piece of cake really.
We had all decided to say all our tearful goodbyes while we were waiting for our luggage at Heathrow as families were outside waiting anxiously.
FINALLY
I just loved every moment of that trek, it was very hard at times but I would do it all over again as long as the same crowd of people came with me.
My thanks goes out to everyone. We have all achieved an amazing thing and raised some serious money for Action Medical Research. So they can carry on their good work.
ROLL ON THE NEXT TREK THESE BOOTS WERE MADE FOR WALKING.
Cheers Wendy Barry