Mt. NamuliThe Lost Mountain is a story of adventure, discovery, and ultimately survival in one of the world’s least-explored and most-threatened habitats. Elite rock climbers Majka Burhardt and Sarah Garlick join forces with an international team of scientists and conservationists to explore the 2,000-foot cliff face of Mt. Namuli, a granite monolith towering over the ancient valleys of northern Mozambique. Here, plants and animals have evolved in such isolation that individual mountains have become refuge to their own unique species of life, many of which have yet to be discovered or described by science.

During October–November 2012, Burhardt and Garlick will enable a pioneering biological study of the cliffside habitat on Mt. Namuli, Mozambique’s second highest mountain and a critical target for conservation in southeast Africa.

Ignited by a penchant for the unknown and a passion for adventure that contributes solutions to modern problems, Burhardt and Garlick journey into unexplored terrain, weaving skills forged on the  peaks of the world, conscience born of its cultures, and trust earned in friendship. The Lost Mountain is a film about their quest and the story of what happens when experts from fields as disparate as mountain climbing, biology, anthropology, and conservation merge together in a shared pursuit of a more integrated world.

YOUR INVOLVEMENT

The Lost Mountain is currently seeking funding for the full expedition and documentary production in October 2012. Join an already successful project and help create a global dialog about the Lost Mountain today. Contact Majka Burhardt at 970-290-7822 or at mb@majkaburhardt.com.

SCIENCENamuli Frog

  • First-ever herpetological and entomological study of granite face; additional studies of grasslands and rainforest.
  • Identification of new species and range-extensions for known species including King Dwarf Gecko — observed on cliff but yet to be recorded/described.
  • Build new knowledge of Mt. Namuli that will have impact on global biodiversity, conservation, and our understanding of evolutionary processes.
  • Led by Werner Conradie (South Africa) Mark Moffett (Dr. Bugs) Jonathan Mawdsley (Heinz Center) and Dan Portik (Berkeley).

ADVENTUREClimbing

  • Opening of new climbing routes on Namuli’s cliff walls to gain first-ever access to cliffside habitat.
  • Preliminary expedition to Mt. Mulanje, neighboring Malawi’s highest mountain and a critical example of success in inselberg science and conservation.
  • Exploration of the linkages between two of southeast Africa’s largest inselbergs.
  • Success supported by experience and knowledge gained during the team’s 16-day reconnaissance expedition in November 2011.

CONSERVATIONhiking

  • Respond to Mt. Namuli’s designation as a Level 1 Priority Key Biodiversity Area by the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund.
  • Facilitate new rural development and biodiversity conservation efforts with local stakeholders and scientists.
  • Determine a viable and actionable integrated conservation plan for local communities and development NGOs.
  • Led by Fred Boltz, Senior Vice President for Global Initiatives at Conservation International.