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Circles of the Ministry of Culture and the Church promote a draft presidential decree that restricts or prohibits the free access of climbers to Meteora, an enchanting and rich in history monument of nature.

The international climbers' community protests. The following message is reaching, via oreivatein, all over the world.

Dear friends,

Rockclimbing at Meteora - one of the areas of Greece that has gained an international reputation for its outstanding rockclimbing routes in a magnificent setting - is now under threat. The national archaeological service, with the support of the church, is pushing for a law banning climbing in the area.

Thousands of climbers, both Greek and foreign visit the area every year. Aware that the area, with monasteries dating back to the Byzantine period, constitutes a crucial part of the cultural heritage of Greece, the approach of climbers is one of respect both for religious significance of the area and also for the sensitive local ecosystem.

Having heard that a presidential decree is being discussed which would lead to the partial or total banning of climbing in Meteora, we, the climbing community, want to make it clear that we will not accept any attempt to impose such a ban.

Not only is this the desire of climbers here in Greece but it is also the wish of the majority of interested parties in the local town of Kalabaka and in the area of Meteora generally, not least because the influx of climbers plays an important part in the local economy.

For these reasons we insist that rockclimbing be allowed to continue as it has done up till now. The rocks that don't lead up to monasteries in use should remain open for the sort of respectful climbing that has taken place there since the first routes were put up.

We call upon climbers both in Greece and internationally to help in the opposition to the ban by sending e-mails of protest to the following addresses:

Prefecturer of Trikala Mr. Stefanos Patramanis
Greek Association of Mountaineering and Climbing
Mountaineering Club of Kalambaka

Only the first day we received at least 30 e-mails from allover the world. We selected some and we share them with you:

1. The Mountain portal, Everest News, has placed the piece of news and detailed coverage on 6.6.2001

2. The big Encyclopaedia of Mountains Peakware has honoured us with an announcement at the first page of the site

3. Our good friends of Aiani in Kozani shared our message with people in their mailing list

4. Our friend Andrea Gennari Daneri from Italy, presented the subject on the first page of his site.

5. Our friend Stewart M. Green from USA, sent us (to Aris Theodoropoulos) the following reply:

Dear Aris,

I hope you are doing well and enjoying the weather by getting out on the rocks. Hopefully you've been opening lots of new routes on Kalymnos! Thanks so much for the Meteora bulletin. Below is a letter I sent to the various people and organizations. I also passed it along to other climbers in America. I am trying to get some of my Greece photos scanned so I can send some over to you via email... Okay, take care my friend. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Give my best to Danae also.

Best wishes,
Stewart

Dear Mr. Stefanos Patramanis,

I am writing in regard to the possible closure of the cliffs and rocks at Meteora to rock climbing. Meteora is indeed one of the most magical and most historic places in all of Europe. The rock climbing there is also among the best and most unusual in Europe and it would be a terrible loss if there was any ban on climbing on Meteora's cliffs.

Rock climbers from not only Greece but from around the world come to enjoy the superb climbing adventures found there as well as the area's unique beauty and history. Climbers are very respectful of Meteora's rich history and are also respectful of the current agreement prohibiting climbing on rocks below and near the existing monasteries. No further prohibition or laws regarding climbing is needed at Meteora.

I am an American writer and photographer that is currently working on a select climbing guidebook to Europe for North Americans. Meteora is an important part of the book because it is one of Europe's best climbing areas. I spent a couple weeks there this past March and immensely enjoyed both the rock climbing as well as the area's beauty and history.

I look forward to returning to Meteora to climb it's cliffs next year. Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to a free Meteora.

Best wishes,
Stewart M. Green
Colorado Springs, Colorado
USA

Dear friends,

The ban law, as far a climbing in Meteora was concerned, is not yet voted - the matter has stopped for the time being.
Please stay tuned, and get informed, as to be able to act relevantly.
Please keep visiting Meteora, if possible increasingly so - we think that this is of utmost importance.
One of our biggest advantages, in this "battle" with priests, is the positive impact on the local economy of Meteora, produced by the increae of alternative tourism (climbing - hiking).

Photo: Sam Bie