Navigating Ambitions and Adversities

This chapter focuses on Semyon Zolotaryov, an expedition instructor with a complex background, as he seeks to merge his professional goals with personal hiking ambitions. It introduces key characters, including Alexander Kolovatov, and explores their intertwined narratives against the backdrop of Soviet history and nuclear developments. Through the recounting of a challenging hiking expedition, the chapter emphasizes the logistical hurdles and personal challenges faced by the group, while also highlighting moments of camaraderie and resilience amidst tension with authorities.