Orenburg Bids Farewell to Hiking and Rafting Organizer Alexander Zhiltsov
Well-known hiking and rafting organizer Alexander Zhiltsov has died in Orenburg.
Alexander Zhiltsov, a well-known organizer of hiking trips and rafting in the Orenburg region and a pioneer of industrial mountaineering in the regional center, was laid to rest in Orenburg on January 23. He was 53.
The man was unable to recover from severe burns: as reported by 56.RU, Alexander was the victim of a powerful explosion in a house at the corner of Postnikov and Chicherin streets. It happened on January 13: windows were shattered and two window frames literally fell out.
Zhiltsov suffered burns to 51% of his body: friends raised money to help him, but the Orenburg resident«s body could not withstand it.
This was one of his final social media posts.
On Alexander«s social media page, his numerous friends and acquaintances cannot believe his death and are expressing condolences.
— Sasha Zhiltsov was an entire era… So many memories of joint events, hikes, rafting trips, and tourist gatherings. Sasha, you will remain in our hearts!
— Dear friend! I«m sorry I couldn»t say goodbye to you and that we haven«t seen each other in a long time, and we»ll meet again, I hope, not for a long while… I will never forget the Kargalinskaya Thermal Power Plant, where you introduced me to industrial mountaineering… I will not forget Sumgan and the other Kutuk caves, which I would definitely not have visited without you. I will remember how we practiced rope techniques on the balconies of the Garankina high-rise… And my first jumar [a climbing device — Ed.] that I got from you. But the memory of you will live forever as a kind word in my memory…
The editorial staff of 56.RU expresses condolences to the family and friends of Alexander Zhiltsov.
Note that this is not the first loss in 2026. Earlier in Orenburg, passed away a three-term member of the Public Chamber Sergei Konovalov, died the renowned artist Yevgeny Yerokhin, healthcare system veteran Viktor Yakovlev passed away, as well as the director of the Buguruslan Agricultural College Nikolai Gaistruk, and a WWII veteran, Honorary Citizen of Orsk Natalya Portnenkova.
