Acopán-tepui
| Acopán-tepui | |
|---|---|
  Acopán-tepui Location within Venezuela | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,112 m (6,929 ft) |
| Coordinates | 5°10′41″N 62°00′05″W / 5.17806°N 62.00139°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Bolívar, Venezuela |
| Parent range | Chimantá Massif, Guiana Shield |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Precambrian |
| Tepui (sandstone table mountain) | |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 2002 (Italian–Venezuelan team) |
Acopán-tepui (also spelled Acopan-tepui or Tepuy Acopán) is a tepui, a flat-topped sandstone table mountain characteristic of the Guiana Shield. It rises to an elevation of 2,112 metres (6,929 ft) in Bolívar state, in the southeast of Venezuela.[1]
The mountain belongs to the Chimantá Massif, a cluster of tepuis in the western Guiana Shield, and lies within Canaima National Park, one of the largest protected areas in Venezuela. It was first climbed in 2002 by an Italian–Venezuelan team.[2]
Geography
Acopán-tepui is located in the Gran Sabana region of southeastern Venezuela, in the Gran Sabana Municipality of Bolívar state. It forms part of the Chimantá Massif, a complex of tepuis grouped around the Chimantá-tepui summit. The massif is bounded by deep ravines and tropical rainforest at its base, with vertical sandstone walls rising up to approximately 2,112 metres (6,929 ft) above sea level.[1]
Geology
The mountain is composed primarily of quartzitic sandstone of the Roraima Supergroup, with formations dating from the Precambrian period, at least 1.7 billion years old. These quartzitic sandstones are among the oldest exposed rocks in South America and were deposited prior to the breakup of the supercontinent of Pangaea. Long periods of erosion sculpted the original sandstone plateau into isolated remnants, producing the iconic tepui landscape.[3]
Flora and fauna
Like other tepuis of the Chimantá Massif, Acopán-tepui hosts a unique biota with a high degree of endemism. The summit and walls support distinctive plant communities adapted to the nutrient-poor, water-logged sandstones, including carnivorous plants, terrestrial bromeliads and orchids. Several species described from the Chimantá Massif are endemic to the region.[1][4]
History of exploration
Acopán-tepui was first climbed in February 2002 by an Italian–Venezuelan team that opened a new big-wall route on its vertical sandstone face. Since then, the mountain has attracted technical climbers from around the world owing to its sheer walls and remote setting. According to legends of the Pemon people who inhabit the surrounding savannah, the sky darkens and rain begins if a stranger approaches the tepui, a belief that has discouraged casual visits.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 Huber, Otto (1995). "Geographical and physical features". In Berry, Paul E.; Holst, Bruce K.; Yatskievych, Kay (eds.). Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana. Vol. 1: Introduction. St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden.
- 1 2 "Acopán Tepui climbs". Alpinist. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑ Briceño, H. O.; Schubert, C. (1990). "Geomorphology of the Gran Sabana, Guayana Shield, southeastern Venezuela". Geomorphology. 3 (2): 125–141. doi:10.1016/0169-555X(90)90040-W.
- ↑ Brewer-Carías, Charles (1988). Cerro de la Neblina: resultados de la expedición 1983–1987 (in Spanish). Caracas: FUDECI.