Gifted Going Global: Extreme Team Building with StolBeast

The forested mountains of the Stolby nature reserve rise 1350 ft above river level. There are interesting granite rock formations, formed by volcanic activity, within the park that are popular with climbers and tourists. The Ecolological Reserve, as our hosts like to describe it, has been updated recently, with charming signs, footpaths, a children's playground, informative cedar signs sponsored by Toyota, and even an orthodox chapel dedicated to who else, but St. Nicholas.

Seems tame enough, doesn't it? The cedar carved sign is so welcoming, with no hint of the terror awaiting us. But 1350 ft is farther up than one thinks. The 5 km walk up and 5 more down got the better of us all. We trudged through mud and snow drifts, tiptoed from root to root up an incline, and climbed the iced face of a rock. At the summit, it was a severe 1350 ft straight down. One slip and there would be no need to HIKE the 5 km down.

We learned the meaning of TRUST in our Russian hosts. We trusted them yes, to show us interesting sights, but today, it went beyond that. They served us a hot picnic lunch and tea halfway up, had water and handwipes for us, carried down our trash, made 4 foot deep footprints in the icy snowdrifts for us to follow step by step, literally pulled some of us up onto the rocks at times, and most importantly, stood between us and the precipice when we froze with fear at the top. Yes, I am clinging to that rock for all I'm worth, while some crazy souls are having tea behind me right on the ledge!

Vasili, Janna, Natalya, Natasha, Oksanna Ilona, Irina, and yes, our own "Stol-beast" (a 63 year old Physics instructor serving as our guide) in turns encouraged us and pushed us beyond where we thought we could go. The reward? At the top, a beautiful panoramic view of the entire Yenesei River valley including the city of Krasnoyarsk and surrounding slopes of tiaga. They knew the fear and discomfort of the extreme hike was worth it and they wanted to share the raw beauty of their homeland with us.

Later, more touristy sightseeing ensued, riding the chairlift at the charming FunPark ski resort and then hiking to another, more congenial lookout point at the summit. But I will never forget being pushed up an icy rock face to where I never thought I could go. And having someone to hang on to for dear life once I got there. Thank you, my friends.