Boris Shaskolsky Traveler and trekking organizer Date of Birth: 01.01.1907

1. Early Life and Education
2. Engineering and Mountaineering Career
3. Academic and Research Pursuits
4. Weekend Hiking Leader
5. Exploration of Deserts
6. Later Expeditions and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Boris Vladimirovich Shaskolsky was born in 1907 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was the eldest of five brothers in an engineering family. After graduating from the Moscow Higher Technical School named after Bauman, he embarked on a journey that would shape his life as a traveler, mountaineer, and educator.

Engineering and Mountaineering Career

From 1928 to 1930, Shaskolsky participated in the installation and commissioning of equipment at the Kharkiv Tractor Plant. During the 1930s, he actively participated in various expeditions, including trekking, water sports, and mountain climbing. Notably, he successfully scaled the eastern summit of Mount Elbrus in 1932.

Academic and Research Pursuits

Shaskolsky worked as a tractor driver in Kyrgyzstan and conducted research at various factories in Tula and Moscow. From 1939 to 1941, he headed the Department of Metal-Cutting Machines at the Tula Mechanical Institute. Later, from 1946 to 1950, he became involved in mountaineering and successfully completed numerous ascents and crossings.

Concurrently, he pursued his academic career at the Moscow Aviation Technological Institute (MATI), where he became an associate professor, department head, and candidate of technical sciences. He authored several inventions during his 15 years at MATI.

Weekend Hiking Leader

In 1957, Shaskolsky became the leader of weekend hiking expeditions for the Moscow City Tourist Club. For many years, he led these expeditions every weekend, holiday, and vacation. He introduced training sports routes, which provided extensive preparation for remote and challenging treks near their home base.

Exploration of Deserts

A significant chapter in Shaskolsky's hiking life was his organization and leadership of hiking routes through deserts. He led a Category IV expedition to Mangyshlak and Khorezm in March 1970 and to Kyzyl-Kum in March-April 1971.

Later Expeditions and Legacy

In his later years, Shaskolsky worked as an instructor on planned routes at the "Terskol" and "Azau" tourist centers in the Prielbrusye region. He also led independent skiing and mountaineering expeditions in the Kola Peninsula and the Central Caucasus.

In 1973, he spearheaded a skiing expedition to the Kola Peninsula, pioneering a new route in its northwestern part. In 1977, he participated in the "Elbrussiada" and successfully ascended the eastern summit of Mount Elbrus once again, 45 years after his initial ascent.

Boris Vladimirovich Shaskolsky passed away tragically in August 1977 during the descent from Mount Elbrus. His legacy as an avid hiker, mountaineer, and educator continues to inspire adventurers today.