Angel Falls

Angel Falls Facts

• Firstly, Angel Falls is a magnificent waterfall in Venezuela, in South America. It also forms the highest uninterrupted waterfall on earth. It actually measures roughly 19 times higher than the Niagara Falls.
• Further, it boasts a height of 3,212 ft. (979 m)  and an incredible plunge of 2,648 ft (807 m). Angel Falls also drops over the edge of the Auyantepui mountain in the Canaima National Park.
• The height figure consists only partly of the main plunge. It also includes about 1,300 ft (400 m) of sloped cascades and rapids below the drop. But it also includes as a 98 ft (30 m) high plunge downstream of the talus rapids. 
• In addition, it now constitutes a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the Gran Sabana region of Bolivar State.

Related Articles

                               

Athirapally Falls                Shoshone Falls                    Rhine Falls

Angel Falls Discovery

Most notably, the breathtaking Angel Falls formed as part of the Gauja River.  This also flows into the Churun River, a tributary of the Carrao River. The waterfall has been known as the Angel Falls since the mid-twentieth century.

That’s because a United States aviator, Jimmie Angel, was the first person to fly over the falls. Consequently, per his request following his death, Angel’s ashes were scattered over the falls on July 2, 1960.

During a return flight on 9 October 1937, Angel tried to land his monoplane atop Auyan-tepui. However, the plane was damaged when the wheels sank into the marshy ground. Angel and his three companions, including his wife Marie, were forced to descend the tepui on foot.

Finally, it took them 11 days to make their way back to civilization via the gradually sloping backside. But, news of their adventure spread and the waterfall was subsequently named Angel Falls in his honor.

Angel Falls Scaling

The official height of the staggering Angel Falls was determined by a survey carried out by a later expedition. American journalist Ruth Robertson financed the trek, which occurred on 13 May 1949.

Also, the first known attempt to climb the face of the cliff was made in 1968 during the wet season. It failed because of slippery rock.

But, in 1969 a second attempt was made during the dry season. This attempt failed due to a lack of water and an overhang  400 ft (120 m) from the summit.

Finally, the first successful climb to the top of the cliff occurred on January 13, 1971. The intrepid climbers required nine and a half days to ascend and one and a half days to rappel down.

Features Sharing Its Region

                                               

 Cano Cristales                 Mount Roraima                  Salar de Uyuni

Check out our other articles on 7 Bizarre and Unusual Birds, Golden Tabby Tiger, Ol Doinyo Lengai, Jellyfish Tree, Golden Armadillo Lizard, Fangtooth, Diving Bell Spider