Russian climb helps to open eyes to corruption
September 15, 2010
By Paige Collins
One fee to get out of the airport. Another to get through the city in a crazy van ride. Multiple fees to get up the mountain. A final one to leave the country.
Brian Dickinson, of Snoqualmie, completed the third of his planned seven summits at Mount Elbrus in Russia in July. He said he left the country amazed at the corruption and differences in the way law enforcement works.
Brian Dickinson, center, Jessica Heyting, right, and their Russian guide Oleg Banar proudly stand at the top of Mount Elbrus, the highest point in Europe. Contributed
“It’s not something we will forget, but I’m not in a hurry to go back,” he said.
Dickinson took the 10-day trip with his wife JoAnna and friends David and Jessica Heyting, of Snoqualmie Ridge. He, Jessica Heyting and their Russian counterpart Oleg Banar reached the 18,510-foot summit.
“It was a great experience to be up there and to realize you are on the highest point in Europe,” Jessica Heyting said.
However, she described the feeling as bittersweet, as her husband, David Heyting, battled altitude sickness and poor weather conditions and didn’t make it to the top.
The seven summits project involves climbing the highest seven peaks on the seven continents. So far, Dickinson has climbed Denali in Alaska, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa and now Mount Elbrus.
Dickinson said he sees each of his summits as an opportunity to help others, and in turn brings toys and supplies to orphanages in each country he visits. For this trip, the group brought more than 1,000 toys and gifts to an orphanage in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, in the summer months, the children are taken to the countryside, so Dickinson and friends did not get to meet the children. When they get back, the children will find many new presents and hopefully know that someone out there cares, he said.
“You just never know what will inspire a child,” Dickinson said.
Jessica Heyting said she also found the Russian culture to be shocking and different from what she had experienced before. Faced with law enforcement wanting to be paid off at every possible opportunity, the group spent all of their money to get through unexpected checkpoints.
“You just never know what they’re going to do,” she said.
With a trip full of roadblocks and moments of chaos complete, the group is happy to be back with their children. Dickinson is already planning his next adventure, however, with Mount Everest in the works for April.
Between now and then, he runs a group in conjunction with David Heyting and Church on the Ridge in Snoqualmie, called Extreme Adventures. The group takes on one extreme event per month with the hope of increasing confidence and leadership in youth and individuals.
Paige Collins: 392-6434 or isspress@isspress.com. Comment at www.snovalleystar.com.
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