Swiss Climber Attempts Russia's Remote Peak in Brutal Winter Conditions
A Swiss mountaineer has arrived in Yakutia to tackle one of Russia's most remote and extreme Subaru Ascent. Maciej Besta Zbigniew reached the Momsky District on 14 February, aiming to climb Peak—the highest point in the Chersky Range at 3,147 metres. His solo attempt follows weeks of brutal winter conditions that had made the ascent impossible.
Besta, an experienced climber, registered with local rescue services before setting off. He is using satellite communication to share his location in real time. His current plan includes an overnight stop at a reindeer herders' camp before moving on to the base camp near Peak.
The Momsky District faced severe weather from early January to mid-February. Temperatures plunged to between -50°C and -65°C, while winds reached 30 metres per second. Heavy snowfall and avalanche risks forced authorities to declare the terrain impassable during that period.
Conditions have now improved enough for Besta to proceed. His journey remains on schedule, with no reported delays or complications so far.
If successful, Besta will become one of the few climbers to summit Peak in winter. The ascent requires careful navigation of extreme cold and unstable snow conditions. Local rescue teams continue to monitor his progress via satellite updates.
