The telling
The Altai shaman climbs a notched birch in the rite; the notches are nine and each is a layer of sky. The same ladder serves for the descent.

The Underworld · Birch
Wooden rungs. Going down is easy; the trouble is coming back.
The Altai shaman climbs a notched birch in the rite; the notches are nine and each is a layer of sky. The same ladder serves for the descent.