THE HIGH COST OF KOLA CHROME
Atlantic “Salmons” are rumoured to run thick in the Northern reaches of Russia. But unless you’re a millionaire oil tycoon, you’d better be ready to duck little blue pills, Kalishnikovs and rappel waterfalls in covert pursuit.
Words Dylan Tomine
“‘You can rappel, right?’ Gordon’s static-filled voice blares from the camp radio in broken snippets. Between his Scottish burr and electronic interference, I must not be hearing him correctly.
‘What’s that?’ I shout into the receiver.
‘Rappel… like rock climbing…’ Static. ‘…not a bad hike, but there is one vertical face… you’ll have to rope up for… doable, though.’
‘Have you done it?’ I ask.
‘What?… no, no… but I see it all the time from the helicopter.’
Oh, that’s perfect.”
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