#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. The traditional ascent to mount Sokol took place last Saturday. The event was timed to coincide with International Tourism Day.
The rain and wind interfered in the ascent, but those who decided to conquer Sokol did not regret it.
This year, the ascent was made by two groups of beginners and experienced tourists from two organizations: the public organization Arctic Confederation and the station of children’s, youth tourism and excursions. With a difference of half an hour, two large groups – 85 and more than 200 people, having split into teams and stood in bundles, each of which had an average of ten people, rushed to the mountain.
For greater safety, the groups took firecrackers and flares with them to scare away bears that could accidentally occur in the vicinity of the camp. Fortunately, on the ascent day, there were no signs of clubfoot there.
“130 people registered to climb Sokol, but in fact 85 Norilsk residents from six years old with different levels of training and physical abilities took part. We were lucky: autumn gave us a window between the rains and gusty wind, and the ascent was relatively comfortable. At 10:30, after the mandatory safety briefing, six groups of ten people set out for the mountain. Each group tightened with a control rope was led and closed by experienced tourists. The ascent was not difficult. Only one person dropped out of the race, who went on the ascent in unsuitable shoes”, said Ilya Buhanchenko, one of the Arctic Confederation public organization’s leaders.
For the ascent participants, members of the Arctic Confederation public organization, the Norilsk military garrison and the Russian Geographical Society organized transportation to the camp in off-road vehicles.
“About 70 percent of the group climbed Sokol for the first time – this is a large part of our team, and, of course, the newcomers experienced the full range of sensations. At an altitude of 701 meters, the summit was covered in fog, which did not allow us to fully appreciate the beauty of the opening views. It was also difficult for the newcomers because of the fear of heights and slippery areas as it had snowed before. At the top of Sokol, each participant in the ascent received a commemorative certificate and a chocolate bar”, Ilya Buhanchenko added.
A group of schoolchildren from 14 years old from the station of children’s, youth tourism and excursions consisted of 20 teams of ten people each. That noisy company had to walk seven kilometers from the ski resort to the camp at the foot of Sokol and the same distance back after descending the mountain. Teachers and educators of additional education conducted safety briefings in the teams, and at 11 o’clock everyone set off.
“A test for the strong in spirit. Not everyone can cope with fatigue and fears and overcome this route. And yet, most of the schoolchildren reached the top, where they received a climber’s certificate, a badge and sweets to strengthen their strength and spirit”, said Irina Zaharevich, a specialist in the additional education department.
Earlier, we wrote that as part of the International Tourism Day celebration, Norilsk residents will be able to attend free excursions.
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Text: Maria Sanina, Photo: Arseniy Arlyukov
