| Kate to RSCN 22nd March 2002 |
| Dear Yehya Thank you for your reply and the zoning map, both of which I have already put on the web site. Thank you also for the information about ASEZA, and the contact, which I have also added to the site. I am very glad to have the map, as it gives a more concrete base to discussion. Unfortunately, there are a couple of factual errors on the map which need to be cleared up. Barrah canyon (number 6) is marked in completely the wrong place. Also Um Tawagi (number 10) is marked in the wrong place - too far in. You will probably not be surprised that the zoning map raises a lot of questions. These are my initial reactions from looking at the map and discussing it with a couple of people - I am sure there will be more to be discussed when it has been studied by all those who will see it on the web site. Firstly, what are the proposed rules for the areas of "restricted" and "controlled" access ? A lot of climbing or trekking areas, and Beduin camps, are in areas shown as "controlled" or "restricted" (eg Burdah). Also there are climbs, treks, and Beduin camps to the south (outside the boundary of the Nature Reserve) which are accessed through areas shown as "restricted". Will climbers be allowed to drive to their climbs, trekkers to the start of their walks, and Bedu to their traditional camps ? Secondly, as regards climbing, you say in your mail "Climbing is allowed in all existing areas of climbing" - which is good - but appears from the map to relate only to those climbs recorded in the guidebook. This is already out of date, as new climbing routes are being developed all the time. There is now climbing around Um Tawagi and Seifan, and on mountains in Wadi Um Aishreen and the in the area of Abu Khsheibah - not shown as climbing areas on the map. Also, what about new climbing routes in other areas ? Thirdly, concerning camping. What are the "permanent camps" planned to be ? (As these sound like something which could have a high environmental impact.) Who will run them ? Will there be water ? How will sanitation and waste disposal be dealt with ? You say in your mail "Camping regulations doesnąt stop people camping in the protected area but allocate sites for people to set up their tents". Does this mean that climbers and trekkers will have to stay at the sites marked on the map ? What if they want to camp alone, not with other people? What if their climbing and trekking routes do not start or finish at the sites marked on the map ? Can trekkers camp where they are at the end of each day's walk ? Can climbers bivouac at the start or finish of a route ? And what about Barrah canyon, the most popular place outside Rum village for climbers to camp and climb ? (There are no camping sites marked in Barrah canyon on the map.) Those are the main points about the zoning map. The other point is in response to your mail, when you said "Hiring of guides is allowed out of the rotataion system in on condition that the guide prove by fax that he is pre booked before 48 hours, otjer wise the vistsor will go through the rotataion system,..." I understand that the rota system is designed to be fair to all. But you must appreciate that not all the guides are climbers. Some only do jeep tours, and do not necessarily even know where to find the climbing routes. Not all of them can take climbers out, or safely guide people on a serious scramble such as Burdah rock bridge. The idea of a fax 48 hours in advance is not practical. Not all the guides even have fax ! Certainly once visitors have arrived in Rum they do not have access to fax. But most importantly, it is not normal to make specific plans this far in advance. People should be able to book a personal climbing guide the day before, or even the same day - see the letter from the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). Thank you again for providing the zoning map and other information. Is there a draft plan which could be posted on the web site ? Yours sincerely Kate Ness |
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