From: "Aris Theodoropoulos" <kalymnos_2001@hotmail.com>
To: "Aris Theodoropoulos" <aritheo@otenet.gr>
Subject: Special Oreivatein bulletin on Meteora Rocks Date: Wed, 30 May 2001 22:07:44 +0300

Special Oreivatein bulletin on Meteora Rocks =================================================================================== 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:

1. Prefecturer of Trikala Mr. Stefanos Patramanis - anent@triknet.gr 2. Greek Association of Mountaineering and Climbing: Press@climbing.org.gr 3. Mountaineering Club of Kalambaka: snic@in.gr

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IF YOU THINK THAT YOU'VE BEEN INCLUDED IN OUR LIST IN ERROR, LET US KNOW! And we'll remove you at once! (We hate spam ourselves :-)

Best Regards from sunny Greece, Aris

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From: <snic@in.gr>
To: <Brutscher.Harbich@t-online.de>
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 18:29:24 +0200

Mr Brutscher, Mr Theodoropoulos,

the issue of banning rock climbing in Meteora is not closed yet, but it is frozen. Until now we do not have problems with the monasteries about our ativities (rock climbing, trekking) in the area. As a local climber and member of the Alpine Club i will inform you if any problems come up.

Best regards Stefanos Nikologiannis.

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From: "Aris Theodoropoulos" <aritheo@otenet.gr>
To: "Harbich-Brutscher" <Brutscher.Harbich@t-online.de>
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 18:56:17 +0200

Dear Joerg, As Stefanos said, "the issue of banning rock climbing in Meteora is not closed yet, but it is frozen". We, the climbing community must be alerted about this. My opinion is that we have be alerted & visit Meteora, as much as possible, cause our big advantage in that war, is the economical effect in the local community. The monks are one of the high economical factors in the area of Meteora. However for the moment the tourism outfight them. The present Greek government decided (unofficially) to keep the present status in Meteora.

My best regards and please keep in touch, Aris. .....................................

Aris Theodoropoulos mountain guide, 21 Korai & Epidavrou str. Halandri, Polydroso 15233 Athens Greece Tel. +30 1 6826195 Mob. +30 944 505279 E-mail aritheo@otenet.gr

URL"Rock Climbing in Greece" http://www.oreivatein.com/climb/eng.htm " ROCK CLIMBING IN KALYMNOS" http://www.kalymnos-isl.gr/climb