within the arctic circle is russia's noland most point. being in the mountains has been hit by now for lunch rescuers of the chair regional rescue services receive request first. they do not know how long it will take them to reach the scene a lot depends on distance the terrain and weather conditions they have vivid memories of what happened to a group of skiers from st petersburg a few years ago. is one of those who know. the full force of an avalanche feels like. as i approach the edge to get ready for the descent. i was knocked over with such force from my gloves and hat in the shuttle and everything became unfastened. i sensed i was tumbling down at top speed with an enormous mass of something pressing on me it was like being under a stamping press group cannot say how long all that lasted i was told the avalanche was on the move for only four or five seconds but to me it seemed like an eternity was enormous blocks of snow and ice reduce everything in the path to smithereens they sweep away trees and destroy buildings at one point i f