This study serves as a record of humanity's effort to establish its presence in more "extreme environments," such as the rocky cliffs of Meteora. It is highly likely that Meteora is the birthplace of climbing, with the earliest evidence dating back to pre-Christian times, long before those acknowledged in historiography today as its "fathers."

This activity is witnessed on historical, archaeological, and folkloric levels. Through the material remains and historical references that have been preserved, an attempt is made to examine the climbing practice in Meteora over time and its various manifestations as an integral part of the lives of the local inhabitants. One of these is the establishment of the Meteora monasteries, which played a significant role in the later history of the area and beyond.

Beyond this, light is shed on aspects of the history and archaeology of the place, with the identification of toponyms and locations, such as the acropolis of ancient Aiginion. Both aspects are minimally researched and known, as the inhabited monasteries have proportionally received the majority of the attention from scientific research.

When one observes the rugged terrain of Meteora, it is likely to feel awe. Even more so, when learning that the peaks and cliffs of the rocks have been ascended by people millennia ago, with climbing being the means of achievement. A means that seems to have been mastered by many relatively local inhabitants as an indirect adaptation to the environment in which they operate.

(From the presentation on the back cover of the book)