Beyond the Summit

Have you ever wondered if there are any hidden places left to explore in the world? We have discovered ancient cities, studied natural wonders and explored the deepest parts of the ocean. But there is so much more to uncover and, until recently, the top of Mount Lico was one of these unexplored plac...

Have you ever wondered if there are any hidden places left to explore in the world? We have discovered ancient cities, studied natural wonders and explored the deepest parts of the ocean. But there is so much more to uncover and, until recently, the top of Mount Lico was one of these unexplored places! **Getting ready** In 2012, Dr Julian Bayliss, a British ecologist and conservation scientist, was using satellite images to look for hidden landforms and vegetation when he discovered an undisturbed rainforest within a cratered mountain. This mountain was Mount Lico, a massive granite rock formation in Northern Mozambique, Africa. After the initial discovery, it took Dr Bayliss six years to research the area, fund the expedition and assemble the team of scientists, including biologists, botanists, researchers and expert climbers. Then in 2018 they set out on their mission into the unknown. The journey was not easy, as the ancient rock's sheer sides made the climb difficult for the entire team. The sides rose up to 700 metres above the surrounding land; that's about the same height as the pyramids of Giza stacked onto one another five times! **Reaching new heights** Once the explorers reached the summit of Mount Lico, they discovered a rainforest believed to be untouched by humans. The explorers delved deeper and uncovered new species of plants and animals not found anywhere else on Earth. A new species of butterfly was confirmed first, followed by a freshwater crab, various small reptiles and an unknown amphibian species, among others. The marine biologist Vanessa Muranga from Mozambique found a new fish species swimming in the pools and streams on the mountain, which would lead to an even bigger discovery! **Following clues** It was thought that no-one had ever been on Mount Lico, but when the explorers followed a stream of water through the rainforest, they discovered partly buried ancient pots. Although the top of Mount Lico was so isolated from the rest of the world, it seemed humans had visited or perhaps even lived there before. How long ago, though, was unknown. The team asked local communities about this, and studied history books. Still, there was no record of anyone ever having set foot on top of the mountain before. How anybody got up there or even lived there remains a mystery! **A world unveiled** The discovery of the hidden rainforest on Mount Lico captured the attention of scientists and nature enthusiasts worldwide. By studying this untouched environment, they gained insights into how ecosystems function without humans living there, which can contribute to our understanding of biodiversity conservation. It also shows that our planet still holds secret mysteries and hidden treasures in the most unexpected places. So keep your eyes wide open and follow your curiosity. Who knows what undiscovered mysteries you might reveal!