Climbing Mount Gazprom

As if Gazprom – for better or for worse – weren’t already enough of a national Russian treasure, Ria Novosti reports this week on what must be the most bizarre business move of the century.

Lawmakers of Russia’s southern Siberian Republic of Altai have resolved to name one of the mountains on its territory after the energy giant Gazprom, the republic’s official web site said on Thursday.  The initiative to name the 3,412-meter-high mountain after the Russian energy giant was put forward by the region’s head, Alexander Berdnikov.

“The request will be sent to Russia’s main geodesy and cartography department,” the website said.  Mountain climbers are expected to ascend the mountain, the highest in the Kurai range, to install Gazprom symbols this summer.