Equipping Pemon Adventure Guides in Canaima National Park with High-Performing Footwear and Headwear that Promote Culture, Commerce, and Safety
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Date
2024-06-14
Authors
Valeri, Sara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Globally, specialized gear is required for tour guides in any national park to successfully guide visitors to adventurous new places. This is even more important for the native guides in Canaima National Park, which is one of the most challenging in terms of changing climates and environments. As important carriers of culture and knowledge of this land, the Pemon guides play the most important role of guiding and creating harmony between the visitor and nature.
The role of being the native tour guide goes beyond just a monetary endeavor. It expands to finding a way for their culture and identity to exist in the present day. It also ensures their place in this ecosystem as guardians of this sacred park. However, most Pemon guides wear inadequate gear when navigating these terrains. This affects how they can execute their job and complete each task when walking, hiking, wading, and canoeing on their journey to Angel Falls. The jungle crossings can be the most challenging; as avid climber Gary Flint supports in his description of his journey to Angel Falls; the jungle path can be a full-body workout. They passed over terrains filled with overgrown tree roots, narrow log bridges that go over gullies, and some water-filled pits.
Moreover, as the inclination of the assent increases, the whole body must be used, making this the most challenging path to transverse (Flint, Notes from the Lost World: Venezuela - secret compass 2023). Furthermore, it is problematic that the Pemon guides mainly prioritize comfort in their gear, given their current product choices on the market. By choosing convenience over function, they fail to have shoes that can enhance their overall performance in their journey through the jungle. They currently choose to wear running shoes for their cushioning and support. However, these do not provide adequate traction, stability, or adaptability for Canaima's ever-changing terrains and climates. A balanced and specialized offering must be designed to combine the best of their met and unmet needs. Moreover, they carry a dry bag with them sponsored by the lodges they work for; in this bag, they usually carry first aid kits, change of clothes, towels, and additional food. But it becomes hard to juggle everything together when they have to be drenched in water all day. Nevertheless, the products currently used can be enhanced to provide protection and enable them to be always comfortable and clear of any distractions that can drastically change the course of the expedition. This especially applies when navigating the water rapids and having to walk in the river to help the canoe, as well as crossing roots and waterfalls, as this can compromise the safety of each of the tourists and the overall success of their journey. Overall, the Pemon tour guides need fast-drying and weatherproof equipment that will not sacrifice comfort over function, adapting to the many challenges they can quickly face in Canaima National Park's varied and dynamic environments. Additionally, their gear is needed to help them succeed in providing the safest and most memorable experience to the visitor, the success of which goes hand in hand with their identity and the preservation of their culture.
Description
114 pages
Keywords
Venezuela, Canaima National Park, Guyana Highlands, adventure guides, footwear, headwear