With all the dark news coming out of the Middle East right now, we
thought it was time for a rather more uplifting and inspiring story
that shows climbing and the outdoors can bring people together.
In late October, a group of five British climbers, nominated by
the BMC and including Anne Arran travelled to Iran as part of an
initiative to develop contacts between the Islamic Republic of Iran
and the UK. The BMC reps took part in a week-long mountaineering
programme where they coached groups of Iranian competition climbers
and presented slide shows.
Perhaps most amazing was the participation of Iranian women
climbers in the programme, albeit under unusual conditions - all
femal climbing took place behind locked doors or alone on superb
boulders and crags north of Tehran. Not only that, dress codes meant
that the local women were climbing hard routes kitted out in
full-length macks and headscarves. See the picture below.
Despite the conflict in Afghanistan, the BMC team say that the
atmosphere was friendly and hospitality superb. Good to see climbing
working positively to improve the understanding between different
cultures.
