Guyana Chronicle
April 8, 2001

LEADER of the May 1 Roraima Mount Climb, Mr. Rafael Downes and another climber left Georgetown Thursday evening on the preliminary expedition to map out the best route to the 9,094 feet mountain.

A statement from Mr. Len Corsbie, a Guyenterprise representative and one of the organisers, said that the preliminary mission marks Phase One of the expedition. Phase One is expected to last for at least two weeks.

This stage involves setting up the support organisation with local residents, checking rivers and trail conditions and the Savannah, cutting and opening trails and also identifying possible climb sites.

A 17-member team, including Downes, will on May 1 start the one-month expedition aimed at opening a permanent hiking route to one-third of the mountain lying within Guyana's boundary at the source of the Waruma and Paikwa Rivers.

The release explained that Downes and Alim Yacoob have no plans to climb the mountain at this stage.

The duo left for Mahdia by Land Rover and will travel to Phillipai by air. They will then hike across the Savannah to the mountain, Corsbie explained during an interview Friday.

"The preliminary expedition is to study the area and to set up contacts with the villagers. This is being done so that when the May expedition starts, the team will know which is the best route into the area and where will be the best sites to set up camps etc.," Corsbie said.

Asked about preparations for the main event, he said sponsorship for the $5M venture has so far been very poor, but he surmised that this was due to the elections held last month.

"We have what we need at this stage and the expedition will be as scheduled. Persons and some businesses have been contributing, but so far, we have not gotten the response we expected from the business community," Corsbie said.

He added that the Trade, Tourism and Industry and Foreign Ministries have sent letters of encouragement and also given their support.

"We are still in discussion with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). We want this climb to be viewed as a national event. This is something that everyone should free proud to be a part of," he stressed.

A British team in 1971 was the first to scale the section of the mountain lying within Guyana's boundaries. Several Guyanese, including Guyana Defence Force Major General Michael Atherley and Major General (Rt'd) Joe Singh, were part of that expedition, but they did not climb the mountain.

Corsbie reiterated that with the mapping out of a permanent route, Guyanese and foreigners would be able to easily access the mountain.

He also stressed that this will be the first local expedition to climb Guyana's portion of the mountain.

"We are appealing to the entire community to support this venture. ...the team has gone in with less that the half the required cash and material. Now that the elections are behind us, we are sure that this patriotic, non-partisan adventure can find wider and deeper support," the statement added.

The historic venture along the forested region will end on May 30. Boats, cutters, tents and other climbing and hiking equipment will be used and the actual climb will start at Waruma River.