12 years, 36,000 miles, 4 continents, 25 countries, crossing a frozen sea, 6 deserts, 7 mountain ranges
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 [...]
We are getting there! The last few days have been very busy trying to tie down all these floating elements, get everything to where it needs to be at the right time and making sure I have the right cash in hand. We got lucky with the flights, the flight to Pevek was delayed due [...]
The expedition has been using multi entry year long business visas for the last couple of years in Russia, but at the same time crippled by the very restrictive special travel permits required in the Chukotka region. Now, as we are about to leave Chukotka, the Russian Government has recently changed its visa procedure [...]
Karl managed to get a flight from Chukotka (Anadyr) on the 13th December, having spent a month making his way back from the furthest point along his route west (Dvoynoye mining camp). Bad-weather and cancelled flights have meant a lot of sitting about waiting. He is now in Fairbanks, Alaska where he will renew his [...]
25th March 2006
Well, they’re still there and still at it! Because the ice was so broken they only managed three miles or so yesterday and not as far as they’d hoped, but at least it was in the right direction. They didn’t in fact it make it to the International Date Line, but were only [...]
6th March 2006
There was a delay last month when Karl and Dimitri had to wait at Teller School and then Brevig Mission School for Dimitris sled to be flown out from Nome. However, they eventually set off to cover the last 55 miles to Wales on the 17th February. Travelling initially around the coastal sea [...]
7 February 2006.
Early this morning things begin to calm down. I push out the tents walls to create some space to work in then gather my scattered clothes, shake off the snow as best I can and hang them above the gas stove. As soon as I fire the stove up anything just turns to [...]
6 February 2006.
Things do not get any better, again they get worse. Exposed on the edge of the mainland, I’m getting my arse wopped by this wind. It had been a bad night and this morning is just more of the same. I decide to just hunker down for the day and pray things will [...]
5 February 2006.
The storm continues all night and we take a pounding. This morning it finally eases off and we determine to make a move. Forcing ourselves out of our bags I peek outside and am shocked when I don’t recognise anything. The pressure ridges have gone!
” Dimitri, look outside, can you see the coast?”
” [...]
3 February 2006
A lot of pissing about means a late start again and when we do get going it’s at a pretty slow pace. The wind is up, giving us a hard time. The worst of Dimitris frost bitten fingers is starting to look pretty nasty. The day drags on. I still wear my light [...]