Karl and Dimitri finally arrived in Uelen!
After a 10 hour ride in an all-terrain vehicle Karl and Dimitri finally arrived in Uelen on 12th April. They over-nighted in the police station before (at long last) setting off on the next leg. The going at that stage was quite good, with the ice nice and solid. Heading north-west along the northern coast of the Chukotskiy Peninsula they passed through the villages of Inchoun and Enurmino…as well as spending 36 hours tent bound because of storms… before arriving at the village of Neshkan on 24th April, some 193 kms / 119 miles from Uelen. K and D found hauling the 240lb sleds over some of the hills taxing, but feel sure they’ll settle back into their stride before too long. They stayed in Neshkan until 27th April to help heal up some blisters that Dimitri had picked up. They are now heading inland, westwards, towards Amguema, approx 287 kms / 177 miles. After initially having their anti-bear flares seized, they were able to buy some small flares from a local shop and supplemented this with a bag full of fireworks! Any close contact with a bear could now prove very entertaining, especially at night. Having had to leave their satellite phones in the hands of the authorities, they were kindly lent a sat-phone by a governmental department. Unfortunately this only has one battery and consequently can only be used for emergency purposes. Hopefully, by the time that they arrive back in Anadyr the problems with their own sat-phones may have been resolved. They anticipate being out of contact for the next three weeks or so.
On the way to Uelen
On 6th April, Karl and Dimitri flew from Anadyr north to Lavrentiya. The intention had been to leave for Uelen on 9th April in a convoy of all-terrain (vezde hod) vehicles. However, an e-mail was received from Dimitri on Tuesday 10th April, stating that there had been unusually strong storms in the area and everything was closed down. The convoy would leave when the storms had passed. We haven’t heard anything further from either K or D and it is expected that they have made their way to Uelen and have set off walking.
Prior to leaving Anadyr they had been lent a sat phone as their own personal sat phones (and emergency beacons) were still in the hands of the authorities. They have their GPS’s though and most everything else they require.
Equipment seized in Anadyr
Upon arrival in Anadyr, 17th March 2007, Karl and Dimitri had their GPS’s, satphones and emergency beacons seized by the authorities. They have since had their GPS’s returned, however there is a possibility that the makes of the other items have not previously been ‘officially’ imported into Russia. So far attempts to find any government department that can aid in the return of these items has proved fruitless. As part of the conditions for walking in this area are that K and D must report their location to the authorities every two days, they cannot set off without the sat phones. The simple plan will be to fly, when possible, to Lavrentia and from there make their way, somehow, up to Uelen where the walk can begin. Unfortunately, the weather is getting warmer and the snow and ice K and D were relying on is melting.
The people involved with the Goliath Expedition in the UK would like to thank Dimitri for the enormous effort he’s making to secure the release of the seized items, without which neither Goliath or his own ‘Nexus Expedition’ can progress.
Back on the road again…
At last we are able to report that Karl is back in Russia and preparing to
begin the second half of his walk. Dimitri Kieffer, his companion from the
Bering Straits crossing, flew to Russia with him and they will be walking
the first leg, to Yakutsk, together. The initial plan had been to start the
walk in early January, taking advantage of the winter ice to cross the
wetlands and rivers. However, delays in obtaining the special permits
required for that region mean they are setting off later than anticipated
and have therefore had to alter the route accordingly. They will make their
way back to Uelen in order that Karl can continue the walk from the point it
left off. The Expedition would like to thank the Governor’s Office for the
assistance they have given in resolving the problems with the permits.
Karl back on the ground by mid to late February
The last update stated that Karl anticipated returning to Russia around the start of January 2007. Unfortunately, and almost inevitably, there have been problems in obtaining the special permits required for the Chukotka region of Siberia. However, things do now seem to be moving on that front, although it will still be mid to late February at the earliest before Karl can get back onto the ground. It was decided that Karl will walk the next leg with Dimitri Kieffer, his companion on the Bering Straits crossing. Dimitri is 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. Starting later in the year may necessitate a change of route and although a number of routes have been planned it is not clear which one will be used at this point. Once they have a date for the return it will be posted here, so keep an eye on this space.
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.
Back on the trail
6 October 2006
At long last we have something for the ‘latest update. Our apologies for the slow turnover of Expedition news, however the last update basically covered it all. Karl is now back in Fairbanks and continues to busily work away at obtaining the passes and permits required for his next leg across 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. Over the past couple of days the BBC have been out with Karl and have completed the filming they started at the time of the Bering Strait crossing. The Expedition will be shown on ‘Inside Out’ on Monday, 9th October 2006. It will take the full 30 minutes of the programme, but can only be seen by those in the ‘BBC North’ region or those with Sky who can tune to that programme.
Things have finally settled down.
9th June 2006
After sorting out all that he could in Alaska Karl has flown down to Colombia to spend the summer with Catty. While there he has a good deal of organising to do, planning various routes for the winter, renewing visas and obtaining the special permits required for the Chukotka region. There’s also equipment that needs replacing. Dimitri returned home to Seattle but will return to Alaska in late June to take part in a kayak race. K & D did manage to finally meet up with world runner Rosie Swales (photo on the ‘latest photos’). If you get a chance, take a look at her website :– http://www.rosiearoundtheworld.co.uk
Back to Alaska
26th May 2006
Karl and Dimitri have at last made it back to Alaska after experiencing some problems trying recover their equipment from Lavrentiya to Anadyr. There is also some equipment which was left behind in Wales that needs moving back to Fairbanks. Karl will then have to carry out a thorough kit check to assess just what is left and then, what will be needed for his trip through Siberia. Dimitri is also in Fairbanks but is to return to Seattle shortly. He’s planning to partake in the ‘Yukon River Quest’ kayak race in June and then possibly an expedition to Siberia in December. K &D are also planning a drive down the Alaska Highway in the next day or two to meet up with the indomitable Rosie Swales, who is running eastwards through Alaska at present.
Update
17th May 2006
Karl and Dimitri are still Anadyr attempting to have their equipment, which is still in Lavrentiya, flown down to join them. It’s just a question of paperwork at the moment and the fact that there aren’t many flights between the two towns. Once they have all the equipment they will then be free to fly back to Alaska. It’s believed that the earliest flight they can take will be on 23rd May, and of course this depends on the equipment situation. As stated in the previous update Karl will remain in Fairbanks to re-equip and prepare for what will be an arduous trip across Siberia next winter.
There are now three new photographs on the crew ‘Latest photographs’ section which were taken by Ingi Ingarson filming for the BBC. One was actually taken on the Bering Straits and gives you a good idea of the terrain.
