Angel Falls (Kerepakupai merú)

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    Explore, June 20th 2008.
    During my recent holiday on the Island Of Margarita, I was lucky enough to go on a two day visit to to Venezuelan mainland, without doubt, the highlight of the holiday was a flyby of the Angel Falls in a 12 seater aircraft.

    Angel Falls (indigenous name: Kerepakupai merú) is the world's highest free-falling waterfall at 979 m (3,212 ft), with a clear drop of 807 m (2,468 ft). It is located in the Canaima National Park, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State, Venezuela. The height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground, the water is buffeted by the strong winds and turned into mist.

    The base of the falls feeds into the Kerep river (alternately known as the Rio Gauya) which flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River. In the indigenous Pemon language Angel Falls is called Kerepakupai merú meaning "waterfall of the deepest place".

    The falls were sighted in 1912 by the Venezuelan explorer Ernesto Sanchez La Cruz, but he did not publicize his discovery. They were not known to the outside world until the American aviator James "Jimmie" Angel flew over them on 16 November 1933 on a flight while he was searching for a valuable ore bed.

    Returning on 9 October 1937, Angel tried to land his Flamingo monoplane "El Rio Caroni" atop Auyan-tepui but the plane was damaged when the wheels sunk into the marshy ground and he and his three companions, including his wife Marie, were forced to descend the tepui on foot. It took them 11 days to make their way back to civilization but news of their adventure spread and the waterfall was named "Angel Falls" in his honour.

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    1. SALLYANNE0852 60 months ago | reply

      Hi this struck me speechless Ian. its so breathtaking.

    2. The_Jorr 60 months ago | reply

      Great shot!!

      Melanie 1

    3. LeszekZadlo 60 months ago | reply

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 100 + Viewed Best of Geology (Add 1, Award 1), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    4. jham107 60 months ago | reply

      Here's one place I haven't been..........yet!!!
      Thanks for your kind comments :~)
      BTW Yours are interesting too!

    5. elconejorojo 59 months ago | reply

      Increíble!

      Saludos.

    6. Sandy Su 58 months ago | reply


      Excellent Capture ! ! !
      PLEASE POST THIS PHOTO :

      NATURES ELEGANT SHOTS (Invitation Only)

      Post 1 Comments 3 / Agrega 1 Comenta 3
      TAG your photo " NaturesElegantShots "
      www.flickr.com/groups/natureselegantshots/

    7. Th_Aviator 57 months ago | reply


      *This is a great shot seen in group of * From_the_window_seat !*

    8. cabuso 56 months ago | reply

      this is one of those places where i'd really love to go.
      impressive view.

      THIS IS AN OFFICIAL AWARD
      from 100 + Viewed Best of Geology (rockforms, caves, deserts etc.) (Add 1, Award 1)
      www.flickr.com/groups/bestofgeology/

    9. Razor Ren 53 months ago | reply

      Nice pic!

      The Angel Falls looks a beautiful place to visit.

    10. fstop56L (Marie) [deleted] 51 months ago | reply

      Fabulous shot!!

    11. *Ginge* 47 months ago | reply

      Wow. It's so pretty! I wanna go there!

    12. Juan Carlos Chairez 42 months ago | reply

      This is a Sublime capture!
      & A Invitation
      You are invited to add your picture to www.flickr.com/groups/sublimegroup/
      We hope to find you there soon!

    13. thapa.laxman 32 months ago | reply

      stunning, I wish someday I can see this view myself.

    14. ketty17 31 months ago | reply

      Stunningly beautiful picture! Angel falls is one of the most extreme place, which worth seeing, Been there with my friends we were mesmerized with its beauty! it was like dreaming, It is always be in my Top 10 sights list.

    15. elias.and.theresa.carlson 30 months ago | reply

      I want to go to this place really bad.

    16. widow in paradise 29 months ago | reply

      Holy shit. I've wanted to go here since I saw some show on it, probably that planet earth thing. I learned about fish. Its on my must-go list.

    17. AncientForests 17 months ago | reply

      Thanks for sharing!

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