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Cable Car in the Clouds<\/h1>\n
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By\u200b Luisa Aviles<\/p>\n
Grand Prairie, TX, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
When I was 15, I made the most beautiful trip into the Sierra Nevada mountains of Venezuela<\/strong>. To get to the summit overlooking the town of M\u00e9rida, my family and I took a cable car. It is named Mukumbar\u00ed<\/i>, which comes from Indigenous words meaning “the place where the sun sleeps.” It holds the world record for the highest cable car with an altitude of 4,765 meters (m). As a 12.5 kilometer ride, it ranks second in the world for length.<\/p>\n If you go on this journey, you\u2019ll travel in one of eight cabins, each with room for 60 passengers. During the hour-long trip from the base to the summit, you\u2019ll pass through five different waystations.<\/p>\n The Journey Begins<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The entrance to the teleferico<\/i>\u00a0(“cable car”) is at the Barinitas station. Everything here is very modern with shops, a cafeteria and other amenities. It is located at an elevation of 1,577 m.<\/p>\n The next station, La Monta\u00f1a (“the Mountain”), is located at 2,422 m. It gets its name from the strange mountain across the valley that is shaped like an enormous human profile. The locals call it e<\/em>l Gigante Dormido <\/i>(“the Sleeping Giant”). From this height, the view of the entire city of M\u00e9rida is just breathtaking.<\/p>\n The next stations are La Aguada (3,452 m), Loma Redonda (4,045 m), and the final station is the spectacular Pico Espejo, located at 4,765 m. This last section is amazing because you can see all the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, as well as two lagoons nestled among them.<\/p>\n Mountain Flowers<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n By this point, the ecosystem has changed entirely due to the elevation you\u2019ve reached. Trees can no longer survive. Vegetation vanishes to almost nothing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Summit Scenery<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n As you finish your ascent into the clouds, two statues will greet you at the final station. One carved out of white marble is called the Virgen de las nieves <\/i>(“Virgin of the Snow”) because, you guessed it, there\u2019s often snow on the ground at this altitude. The other statue is of Francisco de Miranda, a native Venezuelan who fought for independence of the Spanish American colonies over two hundred years ago.<\/p>\n On a clear day, from Pico Espejo you can see in the distance Pico Bol\u00edvar, the highest peak in Venezuela, located at 4,978 m. Even though it looks close, to get there you would need special climbing equipment and several hours. You can also see Pico Bonpland at 4,863 m, Pico Humboldt at 4,916 m, and Pico La Concha at 4,895 m.<\/p>\n This is an unforgettable trip that you should take at some point in your life. You will always remember its astonishing beauty.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Nuevo_teleferico_merida_mukumbari_febrero_2017_8.jpg” alt=”inflating the balloon” title_text=”Nuevo_teleferico_merida_mukumbari_febrero_2017_8″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/venezuelacablecar2.jpg” alt=”hot air balloon in the sky” title_text=”venezuelacablecar2″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Slideshow” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Are you a teacher who\u2019s interested in telling this story to your students? Here is a slideshow\u00a0you can use to get started!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Since the collapse of the oil market, Venezuela has fallen on hard economic times. Its government has been criticized for spending money rebuilding the Mukumbar\u00ed cable car when the country\u2019s poor are unable to find food. Officials argue that the increase in tourism will benefit the entire country\u2019s financial status. What do you think?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/venezuela-frailejones.jpg\")
But a rare plant known as the frailej\u00f3n<\/i> has evolved to withstand its chilly, rocky surroundings. This unusual species looks like someone stuck a yellow daisy on top of a spindly cactus. It has light green, fuzzy leaves that feel like wool. Each single plant can have as many as 40 flowers. On our trip, we were able to count about 200 frailejones, all blooming!<\/p>\n\n
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