The once tiny climbing community in Lebanon is rapidly growing and
attracting international attention. LT met two climbing leaders to
learn more about this adrenaline-filled sport.
Climbing in Lebanon
The Lebanese Climbing Association (LCA) and Rock Climbing Lebanon
Association (RCL) are right on the frontier of climbing in Lebanon,
challenging the sport and pushing climbing in Lebanon further with every
summit. They are both run by passionate climbers, who develop climbing
sites and work to maintain them. Chloé Comati, president of LCA, says
“[climbing] is self-challenging, a meditation, and contemplation of your
own body and your breath.” For George Emil, co-founder of RCL, it is
the only activity where he “feels that time stops.”
International Recognition
The
top-notch climbing spots in Lebanon and its stunning natural landscapes
have made the country a haven for local and international rock
climbers. It’s not just the quality of Lebanon’s limestone mountains,
but the quantity of climbing spots, that has attracted climbers. There
are dozens of climbing spots in Lebanon, and each has climbs suitable
for beginners to experts. “Lebanon has rocks of great quality for
climbing,” says George Emil, adding that what is now needed is
development and sustainable management to keep rock climbing going
strong.
How To Start Climbing
Beginners should
start with a professional rock climbing instructor or go with a group.
George Emil notes that beginners can familiarize themselves with rock
climbing in an indoor environment first. Once they feel comfortable with
the equipment, the technicalities, the safety measures and other
information, they can then “challenge themselves on the rock.”
Climbing Responsibly
Climbers is well known as an environmentally-friendly outdoor sport.
Climbers stay at “local guesthouses, eating local and using the services
of the local community,” says Chloé Comati. Nonetheless, the impact of
the climbing is important to consider. Sustainable management of the
sites and what surrounds them still needs to be fostered in Lebanon. Be
informed, respect and protect the sites and their vicinities, leave them
clean and respect the safety measures.
For climbing trips and information visit:
Lebanese Climbing Association,
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