The capital of Krasnoyarsk Region, Krasnoyarsk is famous for the unique nature monument of Krasnoyarskiye Stolby (Rock Pillars). These Stolby are numerous giant granite rocks formations up to 100 meters high, many of very extraordinary shapes. Almost each of them has the name. Stolby covers an area of 470 km² (181 mile²) and this huge territory is a national reserve. Stolby is also a major rock climbing location, very popular between the Russian extreme sportsmen. The local climbers intentionally do not use any belaying equipment and call their extreme sport "stolbizm", which is known around the world as solo climbing.

Location

The nature reserve of Krasnoyarskiye Stolby, founded in 1925 because of the initiative of the city-folk of Krasnoyarsk, is situated in 3-4 kilometers from Krasnoyarsk. The frontiers of the reserve’s territory are the right affluents of the Yenisey River: Bazaikha River on the north-east, the rivers of Mana and Bolshaya Slizneva on the south and south-west. Its frontier on the west is Krasnoyarsk suburb.

The rock pillars are divided into two groups, properly “Stolby”, accessible for the tourists’ and “Dikiye Stolby” (the wild rock pillars), which are situated deep in depth of the reserve, and the access to them is limited. The central group of the rock pillars (Tsentralnye Stolby) is situated in 7 kilometers from the frontier of the reserve with the outside. The famous rocks like Ded (Old Man), Perya (Feders), Lviniye Vorota (The lion’s gates) and many others. Usually, there are several ways to reach the top of the rock. The most effect ways or manners also have the names, as the rocks, e.g. “Dymokhod” (Chimney).

 Services and prices 200 thousands people visit the reserve every year, they are professional rock climbers, hikers and Krasnoyarsk inhabitants, spending weekends there. The tourists are suggested the following services and should be ready to the following payments:

1. Driving conditions to Narym cordon suppose payments for the passage of the vehicles.
The bus – 1500 rubles;
The minibus – 1400 rubles;
The car – 1200 rubles.
The passage to the Narym cordon on the weekends and holidays is opened from 10.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m. The payments above double.

2. The payments for the driving through the protective zone and parking on the Laletino cordon are 70 rubles for cars and minibuses and 120 for buses.

3. Excursions
Hiking excursion for a group of 10-15 persons with one guide costs 300 rubles for an hour. If there are more than 10 persons, they should pay extra 60 rubles from a person. The flight above the territory of reserve on the customer’s aircraft or helicopter costs 15000 rubles for 1 hour.

4. Professional photography and filming
Professional photography and filming on-the -ground costs 6000 rubles pro hour and air-photography and filming – 15000 rubles.

5. Accommodation
Camping at the Narym cordon – 100 rubles pro person for a night. The cottage costs 200 rubles pro person for a night (not more than 10 persons). You should send a request for the accommodation not later than in 20 days before the visit.

All the information, provided here in the last section, is not a phantom of my imagination, it was provided on the web-site of the reserve.

Yulia Buzykina

Sources:
    www.stolby.ru

    wikipedia