A Brief Update
Good People,
Just a brief update on the expeditions standing.
I am currently in Fairbanks Alaska taking stock of the situation, getting reconnected with every one and events over the last month or so on this side of the expedition. After regrettable delays with the Russian visa yet again this winter, some had questioned whether it was worth the expense of a return to Russia for the short window of opportunity this spring. I say absolutely! Any given opportunity should be taken. Progress is progress and is the priority.
One of the expeditions top priorities right now is resolving or improving our ability to progress in Russia. This is largely a visa issue right now. Inquires by my father in the UK have lead us to a contact with the Russian authorities who have explained their regret for the current situation but cannot help any more regards the visa situation. However, there is talk of the possibility of obtaining Russian residency as a way to circumnavigate the visa issue. This now becomes our priority. the unfortunate poor relations between the UK and Russia at this moment where also commented on, and clearly don’t help our situation.
So I like to think of these delays as nothing more than that, just delays. The expedition is posed like a coiled spring right now. As soon as the solutions to these challenges are found, we lead forward on the home run. The worst case scenario, meaning we are unable to secure residency, simply means we are forced to demonstrate patience persistence and fortitude. In the mean time we turn problems into solutions and adapt to our circumstances. We are going home people, don’t doubt it, don’t question it and don’t lose faith. Securing residency means we are granted first three and then five years in country, in a two phase process. Clearly resolving the current problem.
I am posed to strike for the Kolyma Highway or ‘Road of Bones’ connecting me with the net work of roads and paths that take me home, removing the environmental constraints.
On this side of the pond. I would like to welcome ‘5.11 Tactical’ onboard who have offered to sponsor the expedition and we are working on those details at this time.
My good friend Ramey Wood, who has been committed to the expedition for three years and has helped in countless ways, and im sure many of you know personally, is taking a break from the expedition to put more time into personal developments. We thank him for his outstanding commitment to the expedition and hope to see him back soon. To that end, I will be taking over those commitments and dealings of the expedition from Ramey. So I will be contacting you all soon to touch base and I hope we can ease into this with the minimum pain. Again, if anyone has any concerns or questions give me a call on the above phone number.
I will keep you all abreast as the details develop.
Best Regards
Karl Bushby
11 Comments so far
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dear Karl.
Tough year,British Goverment have not made it easy
Hope you keep going,sort the problems out,and i hope to welcome you back in Hull in the future.
As a traveler on a lesser scale,envious on ocassions
and pride as a fellow East Yorks. man
Steve. Brid
shoud probably read.
British and Russian Goverments have……
I commented in your may post.
I hope you are able to get this resolved soon.
If not, what are the chances of heading south? China? Visa regulations are bad their too, but they did just change, meaning not likely in the future. And with Beijing they might be looking for a good shot of PR.
I have never read your comments on Changing routes? Lots of work, but you have been through work already to get where you are now.
Would just be interested to hear what your thoughts are on that?
Also, what’s daily life like for you in Alaska, that would also be interesting to hear about. Working? Writing, living etc
All the best
Hints of the military adage ‘adapt and overcome’ in your last. You are an inspiration to the explorative quest of mankind…well done. I reckon there’d be a riot if they didn’t let you walk through the channel tunnel when you get there.
What about being hired by some Russian company as a “traveling salesman” and getting a worker’s permit?
As I am currently held up on my own journey I have written an article about Karl’s quest on my blog
http://www.outcast.travellerspoint.com
I hope it will help draw at least a travellers blog community to see your great journey.
All the best
Best of Luck Karl… I hope you can make it through Russia one of these days ( talk about a pain in the ass!!!!)
I check the web site on a regular basis to get an up date of where you are and what frustrations are being experienced. You and your team are jsu such a brilliant bunch. Nothing can be said to express my admiration for you all. Looking forward to your next book
Cheers and safe travels be with you
Will
If the russia visa/citizen routes don’t work would dipping south when possible out of russia make for more practical progress although it will add distance to your journey after progress of previous years you must be itching to crack on
Two months since the last update, How goes things Keith?
Is yours and particularly Karl’s patience standing up to the strains?
Any news on permits etc…?
How’s it going? Visited your site again, since a year or so, to see how you are doing. The site looks updated. Last entry 2 months back. I hope things are working out for you. Never say die.