Climbing in Siberia
Rock climbers Natasha Sebire, Gemma Woldendorp and Chris Fitzgerald were the first to master some of north-eastern Russia’s most remote rock faces.
AUSTRALIAN CLIMBERS Natasha Sebire, Gemma Woldendorp and Chris Fitzgerald reached new heights in mid-2015 when they clocked up a series of first ascents in the remote valleys of far north-eastern Russia. During their five-week expedition, the Society-sponsored trio explored a string of little-known valleys near Bilibino, in Russia’s Chukotka Autonomous Region. Situated north of the Arctic Circle, the landscape features a vast, treeless plain punctuated by striking 500m-high granite ridges and rock towers, many of which have never been climbed.
“It is so rare these days to be able to make first ascents in an area with such good climbing and excellent rock, where there are still entire valleys, walls and peaks that have yet to be explored,” says Gemma. Although the region has been open to tourists for the past 20 years, its remoteness and challenging visitor permit system make it a difficult place to visit.
During their expedition, the trio experienced 24-hour daylight, which enabled them to spend long days on the rocks. In total, they climbed four routes on a previously unclimbed wall known as Finger Crack Cirque, and made a first ascent to the summit of 160m-high Weasel Tower. In nearby valleys, they discovered a series of other unclimbed big walls; however, early snowfall hampered their attempts to climb these. “Looking up at a huge wall and choosing the most striking lines, and then climbing them from the ground to the top is rewarding,” says Gemma. “But for us, it was the discovery of the beauty in the area, the plants and animals, the change of the seasons, and the dramatic landscape, that was really inspiring.”