Thanks for the information Alex. Definitively gives some insight about the state of politics in Russia.
One would hope that they would spare Elbrus region to stimulate more tourism, but as you mentioned a few human lives do not mean much...
Looking at your short but good text made me think about my country and the problem that you guys have too: Mass midia.
The problem everyone saw about the "favelas" in Rio de Janeiro, the police invading it all...that was pure acting, theather for stupid people to see.
The police knows where the drug dealers are, where they sell the drugs, bu tnever do anything about it because they make loads of money from it. That was a shitty tv show.
I know because i have a cousin who happens to be a cop and he tells me all kind of bad things he see inside the corupt organism.
Sad, too sad...My condolences to the russian people about that tragedy, i fell we share very similar problems my friend...
Best wishes
Paulo
Thank you Paulo! You are absolutely right as Mass Media used to cover the crimes of authorities is one of the most serious international problems of today, and in some countries when it becomes too visible it is a sign of the loss of all the democracy. Such things are happening now in Russia. I am sorry for such a subject but if we don't speak who will do it for us..
Thank you for the comment. Our world is coming to the total mess, its clear.. As in the times of the Great Flood some humanity is left in the mountains where the life of one depends on the others.. It is the most sad thing that cruel global tendencies invade into that clear and beautiful world..
NancyBentley - Mar 4, 2011 10:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Summitted Elbrus on 2/25
I, along with a climbing friend from India, entered the Elbrus region on Feb. 21, 2011 via taxi. Along the route from Nalchik there was a military roadblock and many police. We were pulled over once. The taxi driver explained that terrorists had recently killed Russian tourists from Moscow. We stayed in Terskal that night, talked to several people and no one mentioned the terrorist attacks unless I missed it in the conversation - entirely possible.
The next day, 2/22 we proceeded to the mountain. We rode the chairlift gondolas from Azau. The next gondolas were down. I assumed a cable had broken. I did not know this was due to terrorist activity until this week after I returned to US and looked online for news. Snow cats were transporting people up the mountain since the gondolas were not operational. There was a lot of skiing activity, many people having fun. The atmosphere seemed normal - ski tourists having a good time on their vacations. So not all tourists were turned away. We were not turned away. (Thank goodness!!) We stayed at Diesel Hut 4 nights. The day we summitted, 2/25, there were probably around 20 people climbing. We left the area on 2/26, returning to Nalchik. I must admit I was quite clueless at to the situation. At no time did I feel fear, did not witness or sense concern from others. People were having a good time and enjoying their vacations. Upon our return to our hotel in Nalchik, we were interviewed and filmed by journalists. Now I understand why - foreign tourists returning from the area of terrorist activity.
Thank you for your comment, Nancy! Let me follow your thoughts. If nothing happend to you, all the mess is about nothing? But if it happens to somebody, that could happen to you... And in some places the possibility is higher. I am really sorry that Elbrus now is among that places.
Liba Kopeckova - Feb 27, 2011 1:40 pm - Voted 10/10
wow...Thanks for the information Alex. Definitively gives some insight about the state of politics in Russia.
One would hope that they would spare Elbrus region to stimulate more tourism, but as you mentioned a few human lives do not mean much...
alexclimb - Mar 5, 2011 11:09 am - Hasn't voted
Re: wow...Thank you for your comment, Liba! One would hope that some day people will come to Caucasus to relax, not to be treated as potential victims..
PAROFES - Feb 28, 2011 10:28 am - Voted 10/10
Alex...Looking at your short but good text made me think about my country and the problem that you guys have too: Mass midia.
The problem everyone saw about the "favelas" in Rio de Janeiro, the police invading it all...that was pure acting, theather for stupid people to see.
The police knows where the drug dealers are, where they sell the drugs, bu tnever do anything about it because they make loads of money from it. That was a shitty tv show.
I know because i have a cousin who happens to be a cop and he tells me all kind of bad things he see inside the corupt organism.
Sad, too sad...My condolences to the russian people about that tragedy, i fell we share very similar problems my friend...
Best wishes
Paulo
alexclimb - Mar 5, 2011 11:17 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Alex...Thank you Paulo! You are absolutely right as Mass Media used to cover the crimes of authorities is one of the most serious international problems of today, and in some countries when it becomes too visible it is a sign of the loss of all the democracy. Such things are happening now in Russia. I am sorry for such a subject but if we don't speak who will do it for us..
EricChu - Mar 1, 2011 7:55 pm - Voted 10/10
I got the lesson.A lesson to be learned in already too many places on planet Earth - Holy mother of God, where and what is our world, what is humanity coming to????
alexclimb - Mar 5, 2011 11:23 am - Hasn't voted
Re: I got the lesson.Thank you for the comment. Our world is coming to the total mess, its clear.. As in the times of the Great Flood some humanity is left in the mountains where the life of one depends on the others.. It is the most sad thing that cruel global tendencies invade into that clear and beautiful world..
NancyBentley - Mar 4, 2011 10:47 pm - Hasn't voted
Summitted Elbrus on 2/25I, along with a climbing friend from India, entered the Elbrus region on Feb. 21, 2011 via taxi. Along the route from Nalchik there was a military roadblock and many police. We were pulled over once. The taxi driver explained that terrorists had recently killed Russian tourists from Moscow. We stayed in Terskal that night, talked to several people and no one mentioned the terrorist attacks unless I missed it in the conversation - entirely possible.
The next day, 2/22 we proceeded to the mountain. We rode the chairlift gondolas from Azau. The next gondolas were down. I assumed a cable had broken. I did not know this was due to terrorist activity until this week after I returned to US and looked online for news. Snow cats were transporting people up the mountain since the gondolas were not operational. There was a lot of skiing activity, many people having fun. The atmosphere seemed normal - ski tourists having a good time on their vacations. So not all tourists were turned away. We were not turned away. (Thank goodness!!) We stayed at Diesel Hut 4 nights. The day we summitted, 2/25, there were probably around 20 people climbing. We left the area on 2/26, returning to Nalchik. I must admit I was quite clueless at to the situation. At no time did I feel fear, did not witness or sense concern from others. People were having a good time and enjoying their vacations. Upon our return to our hotel in Nalchik, we were interviewed and filmed by journalists. Now I understand why - foreign tourists returning from the area of terrorist activity.
alexclimb - Mar 5, 2011 11:37 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Summitted Elbrus on 2/25Thank you for your comment, Nancy! Let me follow your thoughts. If nothing happend to you, all the mess is about nothing? But if it happens to somebody, that could happen to you... And in some places the possibility is higher. I am really sorry that Elbrus now is among that places.