First Deputy Governor Comments on New Stolby Visitation Rules

Indignation over new visitation rules at the Krasnoyarsk Stolby national park continues to mount, with the first deputy governor addressing the controversy and assuring that practices will remain unchanged.

Mar 3, 2026

Sergei Ponomarenko, the first deputy governor, asserts that visitation practices at Stolby will remain unchanged.
Source:
Sergei Ponomarenko / Telegram

Sergei Ponomarenko, first deputy governor of Krasnoyarsk Krai, has spoken out about the new rules for visiting the Krasnoyarsk Stolby national park. He shared his opinion on his Telegram channel.

“I suggest everyone calm down: as we have walked and climbed the rocks on the beloved ‘Stolby’ — so we will continue to do. I think that in the near future, the management of the national park will gather strength and properly comment on the current situation. Have a good weekend and see you on ‘Stolby’,” wrote the head of the governor«s administration.

The day before, on January 29, it became known that the visitation regime at the Krasnoyarsk Stolby national park is changing radically. Walking will only be allowed on officially permitted routes — those that have been certified by the Ministry of Natural Resources. And there are only a few of them in the national park. Free climbing on the rocks is now also prohibited, even on those that do not require prior preparation.

Experienced Stolby climber and NGS24.RU correspondent Alexei Taiganavt explained why the new rules for visiting such natural places are not applicable to Krasnoyarsk Stolby. His opinion can be read here.