ENGLISH VERSION

HELP US TO SAVE Rock Climbing in France, Pyrenees-Orientales(66):

On Friday, July 13, climbers from the departments of the Pyrenees Orientales and Aude

met to form the “Collective for the Protection of Rock Climbing in the Pyrenees

Orientales” (COSES66).

The goals of the Collective are: to publicize the risk of permanent closure of all of the

routes in the “Route de la Grimpe”, by removal of the first two bolts and the anchors; and

to find solutions to preserve the “Route de la Grimpe”.

Though the reasons that led the authorities to make the decision to destroy the routes of

the “Route de la Grimpe” are known, the Collective intends to alert the local elected

officials that the climbing areas of the Fenouillèdes and Corbières are well known among

French and European climbers, thanks to the work of several generations of climbers.

The “Route de la Grimpe” groups more than 1000 routes in the valleys of the Agly and in

the Corbières. Some 182 routes were newly created in recent years, to complement the

existing routes in the area. More that 80% of the routes of the “Route de la Grimpe”

existed prior to the designation of the “Route de la Grimpe.” Climbers have climbed

these routes for more than 30 years, with no incidents of note. In the national ranking of

French climbing sites, the safety record is high.

Referenced in numerous climbing magazines and guidebooks and tourist brochures, the

project of the “Route de la Grimpe” attracted a new group of outdoor enthusiasts from all

over Europe and the United States and Canada. The Route de la Grimpe energized and

supplemented the local tourism, in an area far from the sea and far from the mountains.

The Collective hopes to find solutions that will guarantee the safety of climbers and lead

to the reopening of our climbing areas, while also contributing to the local economy.

Help The Collective and sign the petition for protection of rock climbing, and diffuse it

all over you: (on google, you search : “petition route de la grimpe”) or directly on the

web-link:

http://www.petitionenligne.fr/petition/contre-la-fermeture-et-la-neutralisation-des-sites-descalade-

de-la-route-de-la-grimpe/2747

collectifescaladepo@gmail.com

“Collective for the Protection of Rock Climbing in the Pyrenees Orientales”

(COSES66)

There is a blog where you have more current informations :

http://coses66.overblog.com/