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Colombia is a country known mostly because of negative press. Few people realize it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world (2nd after Brazil) and has mountains up to 5770 meters. In fact, Pico Colon in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest summit in the country and one of the most sacred to the Kogi indigenous group is considered by some to be the highest mountain on earth. Yes, the highest one! The base of the mountain is in the Caribbean ocean and it rises through the surface of the water and up to its summit climbing the 5770 meters in around 30 linear Kms from the coast.

Marcelo "Chelo" and Fernando "Fercho" are part of the Colombian climbing team which has found that climbing has an important resemblance to working towards peace. This has a special meaning when Colombia in it self is working towards that goal, Peace. Colombia has 86 ethnic groups and 23 linguistic groups which makes it one of the culturally most diverse countries in the world. The only way true peace can be reached in Colombia is if "people of different languages, races and religions join in a climb (process) for peace", of which Ararat represents.

Much more Fernando Gonzales Rubio and Marcelo Arbelaez as they join up with the team on the way to the mountain.

Also much more on Fernando Gonzales Rubio and Marcelo Arbelaez on the http://www.opepa.org/ web site.

To support this vision of peace, please make a donation, via SHIVA charity. You can make a credit card donation by clicking HERE.

For more information on the Peace climb see here.

<<< Dispatches/Updates >>>

For a full list of updates on the 2001 Ararat Peace Climb see here.

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