#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. But before the railway construction, the route from Dudinka to Norilsk was only on foot or by sleigh. In the summer, a mixed pedestrian and water route worked: goods and people were sent by water – by barges along the river from Dudinka to the transshipment base on lake Boganidskoye, and from there they were delivered to Norilsk by tractors, horses and deer. The memories of the first Norilsk residents who walked that path in 1935 have been preserved. Mechanical engineer Blaznina drew this path like this.
“We left Dudinka by boat along the Dudinka river and six hours later we arrived at lake Boganidskoye, where the waterway ended; The lake is approximately 45–50 kilometers from Dudinka. The next step was on foot.
Having grabbed provisions for three days, we set out on a hike in the morning. The conductor walked ahead, we followed him stretched out in a long chain. It was damp underfoot, the water was squelching… We walked slowly, as we had to go around many lakes, ford many rivers, some of which were stormy. There was no road or path. Desert tundra stretched all around, and here and there along the lakes shores grew low alder bushes and rare, lonely, squat larches. We often took rests, lying down on bushes, since it was impossible to lie or sit on the ground. After a day of travel, our guide disappeared. We were left to our own devices and only knew the main direction in which we went further. Soon the mountains appeared on the right. Their peaks were covered with snow…
After four days of travel we came close to the mountains. Our group split up: some went around the mountains (through the valley of the Ambarnaya river), and some went straight through the mountains. Those who went through the mountains won. At first there was a difficult climb, but when we walked across a plateau covered with dense snow, the mosquitoes and dampness underfoot immediately disappeared. It became very easy to walk, despite the fatigue.
Another day of travel, and before us a view of a large valley opened up, in which the spots of countless lakes sparkled and a forest could be seen. Paths began to come across – those were paths to boreholes scattered throughout the mountains.
We began our descent into the valley. On the ledge of a steeply descending gorge, we saw two log houses and large long tables standing right on the street. The mount Schmidt’s slopes were all covered in the lower part with dense forest, the lawns were full of thousands of flowers, and the stream flowed quickly with its clear waters. Further below there was a narrow-gauge railway line that gently curved and went down. A little higher on the hill stood a two-story combine’s office and several other log houses. The masts of a radio station were visible nearby. Norilsk impressed us as an oasis in the desert”.
In the History Spot photo project’s previous publication, we told that energy workers made the first Norilsk fountain with their own hands.
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Text: Svetlana Ferapontova, Photo: Nornickel Polar Branch archive
