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A Trip To the Pomyanennyi (Kolchimskiy) Stone
The Pomyanennyi (Kolchimskiy) Stone is one of the spurs of
the ancient Polyudov mountain-ridge, which stretches from the
North-East to the South-West for almost 10 kilometres and consists
of a number of rocky alps of quaint contour. It looks like a gradually
increasing conglomerate of white and red, fine- and coarse-grained
quartz sandstone. The peculiarity of the Pomyanennyi Stone heights
is the multitude of rare for Perm Region areas of mountain tundra
with a luxuriant carpet of berry bushes. The height of the Pomyanennyi
Stone is 780 metres above sea level. The square is about 1100
hectares. 'One of the legends says that the power of the stone
helps change the life for the better.'
When we were going to raft on the Vishera in 2001 on the way to
Vaya we saw the Pomyanennyi Stone for the first time. At that
moment we decided to get together and climb it when chance permitted.
So this long-awaited time came.
It was summer of 2006 and it was unbearable to stay in the stuffy
and gas-polluted city. The only thing desired was to dip into
wild world. Unfortunately the Ural weather did not want to please
us. It had been raining for a week before the trip and each time
when we entered the meteorological service sites in the hope of
seeing the auspicious weather forecast, all was in vain. Everybody
thought out an excuse not to go nevertheless soon it was time
to make a decision in the manner of Shakespeare (to go or not
to go). Secretly for each other, crossing the fingers we resolved
to go.
The preparation did not take a long time. As usual the team was
light on their feet. As there were twenty guys wishing to go on
the trip it was not a team but a real tourist group. Having appointed
the assembly place we made up our minds to leave earlier, the
rest promised to catch up with us in the evening.
Day 1 (towards the uncertainty)
Since we are inoffensive people the weather that morning was really
beautiful: hot and sunny. We were in high spirits. We had a lot
of adventures and 300 km ahead. Thus we, true adventure-seekers
started off!
In Solikamsk we stopped for a short rest and called our companions
to make sure that everything went in accordance with the plan.
The other fanciers of dense Ural forests were also ready to drive
out to join us.
Going on asphalt-surfaced roads we reached Krasnovishersk then
we took a turn to Vaya along a ground road (gruntovka).
After the milestone showed 35km we halted to see the grand view
of the Pomyanennyi Stone. As there still was vehicular communication
we called our colleagues who said that they were on the way already.
Though we were on motor cars we had no fear for even if we got
stuck our friends would come to our help, thus we rode out to
the Pomyanennyi Stone. In a couple of muddy pools we were there
on a good place for a camp with a stream nearby. While waiting
for the rest we decided to set up camp and make a fire without
haste.
There was no communication and we did not know if our friends
would find us or not. We took GPS-coordinates of our camp and
reached the main road (2.5km away from us) to send an SMS with
the data about our location.
After coming back we got relaxed and sat waiting. It was getting
dark and late. We prepared for the meet. In a burst of joy we
ran a couple of times onto the road trying to perform a demonstration,
brandished the flags and sang proletarian songs. Again sat down
by the fire. Again waited. In such a way night came and when it
was already pitch-dark there were so long-expected flashes of
headlights. There came the roar of the engines and then followed
everything that would remind the words 'there is power in our
unity' - a warm meeting, sincere talks, songs next to the fire
etc.
Day 2 (heroic)
In the morning as we got up we took GPS to attach it to the computer,
downloaded our coordinates and in a moment saw the place of our
camp on the digital map somewhere in the forest. As we did not
have the data about the mountain peak we approximately reckoned
the way from our camp towards it and finally we got a distance
of 6-8 km. It made us less optimistic on no account. It meant
that we could start the trip, all the more we had off-road vehicles.
We came to the foot of the hill on them. There was no common road
up the mountain, thus we left the machinery and went on the path
along the stream.
To our surprise in front of us there was a group of tourists.
Later we found out that we were far from being alone in that 'god-forsaken'
place. There were about 10 groups who visited the Pomyanennyi
Stone besides us that day. With talks and kidding we got to the
first rocks, climbed them and then on the ridge along a path for
1.5-2 km we reached the alp.
The panorama is merely magnificent there. On the one side there
is the Stone Polyud, on the other (the right side) there is the
Ridge Kvarkush and behind it in the haze there is the Ural Ridge;
in front of us, maybe about 50 km away it is raining and all around
there is the 'endless sea of taiga', a light wind, mountain tundra
and lifeless 'rocky giants', guarding the peace of that unforgettable
land.
When we enjoyed that most picturesque mountain landscape to our
hearts' content we departed with a pleasant sensation that we
fulfilled our mission. Descending turned out to be much easier
and faster. As we came back to our camp we shared the opinions
about all we had just seen recalling the details of the trip far
into the night and the most steadfast guys far into the morning.
Day 3 (lyrical, farewell)
After a cool night (do not forget we were in the North) the sun
rose and Sunday morning came. Though the day was fine and sunny
it was a little sad to part with that beauty.
Departure is given to us so that later we could feel happiness
when meeting again.
By the way we met a passing by driver and he said that at a certain
distance there was the Gold Stone with a lake on it in the reach
of a motor car drive. It meant that there was a lot of the unexplored
to come. And maybe we would go that ground road (gruntovka) not
once in search of the unusual and beautiful mystery hidden here
and so generously uncovered by this amazing land!.
Ivan SUSANINOFF. 8-10.08.2006
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