The next 1,600 mile leg
It has been decided that Karl will walk the next 1,600 mile leg, down from Uelen to Magadan, with Dimitri Kieffer, his companion on the Bering Straits crossing. Dimitri was planning to walk that route anyway and then cycle across Russia. Walking together they will be able to share the substantial costs for this leg. It is anticipated that they will return to Russia around the start of January 2007.Karl continues to busily work away at obtaining the passes and permits required for the Chukotka region of Siberia. He not only needs documentation for himself but also for items of his equipment. One of his major tasks is to work out a way of shipping a substantial amount of food and fuel to Russia, which has then to be distributed and securely stored in five ‘way points’ along his route.
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The cost of collecting, shipping and placing fodd/fuel - organised from outside a country MUST be very much higher than organising the same from within the country?!
How is Karl balancing his ideals of ‘no massive spending from a beneficiary/large sponsor’ with the need to make this, now, international campaign run smoothly and safely and with every chance of complete success?
Walking through the Americas, though no mean feat!, was largely ‘living off the land’. Siberia is a different ballgame and WILL require accepting all the money / support he can muster. Having accepted this premise he (and his Dad) must surely secure AND SPEND high scale funding.
He MUST succeed - or there is little point in starting. This will be like walking on MARS. A very big risk with many unknowns.
I REALLY hope that old age, women (alright, one in particular) and sitting on his arse hasn’t made him SOFT! (Only joking)
Your fan base includes me - Just get your butt back here to Hull
Just finished the book, wow, what a trip and what a life insperation to us all, will be hooked to web site for the next few years good luck
Hi! They have decided which way to take through Chukotka, haven’t they? When will you tell?
I have some recent MREs and other rations I’d be happy to donate, and pay shipping. Tell me where to send them.
Heck, I would have donated the shotgun had I known. I have some spares.
It will be interesting to see whether Karl will keep flying to Columbia every other month from Russia… If we support the exhibition, that’s what we support, isn’t it??
FD… I have a reasonably detailed map of the next leg and hopefully we can get it onto the website within the next week .
Mike W… Thanks for your offer of the MREs and also your willingness to pay for the transport. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s that easy and one of the major headaches at the moment is getting hold of the correct permits and passes to shift food from the US to Russia .
Reader… There are no plans to return to Colombia from Russia. Hopefully, if Karl reaches Yakusk in the autumn of next year he will then have to return to Alaska to renew his Russian visa, pick up the beast and more equipment. The case has already been explained as to why Karl went to Colombia this summer. Obviously he wanted to see Catty but it was also cheaper for him to stay there than in Alaska. Besides he had to leave the US to renew that visa. As it stand, the money we got for the book advance paid for the crossing and most everything else. Unfortunately this is going to be an expensive leg, but we still have the sponsorship from Mail2Web.
Merry Christmas Keith and send my season greetings onto the wandering one!
We–Karl’s fans and supporters–haven’t forgotten about the trek. I, for one, am very excited for the resumption of the journey in January but am concerned about the current political climate in Russia–I really hope it doesn’t interfere with Karl’s (and Dimitri’s) expedition. Best of luck guys! And thanks, Keith, for the updates. Happy Holidays!
Greetings to Karl & Dimitri - oh, and Keith (that ‘helper’ in the warm background office)
First pace forward into Russia is a little like a space walk - it took a hell of a lot of work just to get there!
Sponsorship is still apparently sparce Keith? The Monthly PayPal subscription is an EXCELLENT idea. I realised decades ago that winning the football pools was only possible by small donations from masses of people - I trust it’s working for Karl and Goliath
More media / web coverage should be possible by fanning out to friends of friends who can contribute to WebSite building (I mean BIGGER / BETTER / linked sites ) ?
People will contribute keystrokes and brain power more willingly than dollars.
Goliath has got to be SENSATIONALISED (as a Brit I hate this U.S. trait) but it wins prizes. If the X-Factor can grab the imagination of the nation with a few squeeky voices what does Karl warrant!
Have you approached Army CAPE, Brit Tourist board?
Does Karl remember his days in the ACF? - his very first days in uniform!
Happy New Year Karl
Have been following your trek from here in Leeds, the book was amazing couldn’t put it down. I can’t compare my own adventures which are basically the North York Moors & Lake District! but a keen walker non the less.
Good luck on the next leg.
Mike
The suspense is Killing
Where are Karl & Dimitri now? Current reports of Deep snow in Alaska bodes badly for the Russian side.
Any chance of publishing the Chukotka Route Map Keith?
Perhaps NORAD can be engaged to track his real-time progress - just like Father Christmas on Christmas Eve
(There’s a bunch of wide-eyed youngsters already pitching camp on the Cliffs of Dover - preparing to wave to a ragged figure.)
Hi…any news? When will they be setting off again? I have really missed logging on to find out the latest on the adventure…whnever it is they are setting off again…best of luck fellas…god be with you. Xxx
Hi Karl,
Thought I should say that we are totally behind you (from our living room 10000km’s away that is). I know some of the hardships you are going through (having cycled unsupported from London to Sydney).
You truly are an inspiration.
Take care,
Nic
http://www.nutsonbents.com - London to Sydney by bicycle 2005/6
Who can blame Karl for wanting to go to Colombia to see his chica? As it is, taking 12 years out of your life to live an epic most people can’t even imagine let alone begin to approach, I think entitles one to such normal things as relationships. By the way, those Colombianas are great! I’m engaged to be married to a wonderful girl from Medellin. Vaya con Dios, Karl.
Hi guys! What’s going on now?
Reader, it seems you need many
explanations for a simple thing
And I only can say:
One day you will feel love… a real love,
Then everything you get for keeping
this love will be a blessing.
And like Keith said, there are no more plans to return to Colombia.
That incredible journey, congratulations Karl