Auyan Tepuy

The imposing Auyan Tepuy stands 2,600 metres tall and is the largest of the Gran Sabana's table top mountains at 700km². Its proper Pemon name, according to Fray Cesareo de Armellada, is actually Aiyan Tepuy meaning Moutain of Hell. According to the first explorers to the area, the local Arekuna Pemon were extremely fearful of the mountain and would paint themselves in red ink before approaching it. Auyan Tepuy has many waterfalls which embroider its flanks, the largest of which is Parekupa Meru, or Angel Falls (also confusingly called churun meru -- churun is thunder).

See also ANGEL FALLS article and CANAIMA