Autana
- Location:
- Cerro Autana, Amazon Basin, Venezuela
- Co-ordinates:
- 4⁰51’28.36”N 67⁰26’56.82”W
- Team:
- Leo Houlding, Sean Leary, Jason Pickles, Alastair Lee
- Date:
- June 2012
The action beings with a covert journey via military check-points and secret ports through Amazonas State.
The team of clandestine climbers (disguised as tourists) travel down the Orinoco River to the remote village of Ceguera. Here they partake in a terrifying hallucinogenic “Yopo” ceremony with the local Shaman in order to gain access to the sacred mountain. From here, sweltering humidity, porter chaos and an assortment of jungle nasties are just a part of this spectacular journey of self-discovery and big wall hunting. From their hammock base camp the initial climbing involved vertical jungle, but as they ascended the wall the rock quality improved.
The explorers eventually reached the magnificent Autana Caves where they established a luxurious wall camp before attacking the incredibly overhanging wall above. After nine days of hard climbing, they finally reached the elusive summit.
An award winning film about the expedition, ‘Autana – First Ascent in the Lost World’, made by Alastair Lee, tells the tale of the epic adventure.
To buy the film visit www.posingproductions.com
