Bruno Roos had spent the entire day hiking with friends through Brazil’s lush, winding trails, heading toward the summit of Mestre Álvaro mountain.
The journey was long and demanding — but when they finally reached the top, they were rewarded with a breathtaking sight.
“All the effort was worth it when we saw the view above the clouds,” Roos told The Dodo.
As it turned out, though, nature had one more surprise in store.
Before dawn the next morning, Roos stirred in his tent, hoping to catch the first glimpse of sunrise breaking across the horizon.
Reaching for his phone, he realized it needed a charge — so he grabbed his flashlight to search for his charger in the dark.
That’s when he saw it.
As the flashlight beam hit the canvas of the tent, a large shadow came into focus — the distinct outline of a spider, just outside.
“I saw her silhouette,” Roos said. “She was big.”
Here’s that moment on video:
The visitor turned out to be a Brazilian wandering spider, one of the world’s largest — with legs stretching over 7 inches. Though many would panic at such a discovery, Roos remained calm.
“I wasn’t afraid,” he said. “On the contrary, I love being close to nature.”
To avoid accidentally stepping on or harming the spider, Roos gently coaxed her onto a stick and moved her to a nearby bush where she could safely continue her journey.
Roos saw the spider not as something to fear, but as a gift — a reminder that the mountain was home to countless creatures, many of whom had lived there undisturbed for decades.
“Being that size, she must’ve been quite old,” Roos said. “To grow that large in such a remote area means she lived peacefully, deep in the forest, far from human interference.”
For Roos, the moment was just as awe-inspiring as the sunrise and the mountain view. It was a rare, humbling encounter that made him feel even more connected to the natural world.
As an avid lover of wildlife, Roos believes in leaving nature untouched and respected.
“I always take great care when I’m out in nature,” he said. “And it always gives something beautiful back.”
On this trip, it gave him memories — and a story he’ll never forget.
