Bizarre Auto Race in Russian Arctic: Harsh and Compassionate Climate persists
Riding Through the Tundra: Burlaki and Ovyvbyks - A Wild Arctic Adventure
For nearly a month, the Russian Arctic Expedition has been navigating the frigid high latitudes. Embarking on two hardy "Burlak" vehicles, these intrepid explorers have traversed almost the entire Taymyr Peninsula. Their auto-trek commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Northern Sea Route and serves as a historical pillar, exploring and mapping significant sites in the Russian Arctic's rich past.
The team delves deep into history, repairing weather-beaten monuments like gurii, crosses, and winter homes of pioneers. By doing so, they breathe new life into the past, etching the memories of heroic times on stone and metal. As markers of these historical spots, new commemorative plaques serve as a testament to the adventure.
But this journey isn't just about delving into the past – it's about experiencing the pure, untamed wilderness of the Arctic. Bogdan Bulychov, the expedition's fearless leader and adventurer, recently shared a few tales from their diary on Radio "KP."
The Newborn Hunt
On April 12, we caught sight of a mother polar bear and her cub learning to hunt. A rare and touching scene, witnesses usually only glimpse in distant stories.
The grace and beauty evident in their every move was something truly magical, a stark reminder of the Arctic's raw, tender beauty amidst its harshness.
Polar Wolves on the Prowl
In a game of nature's predators and prey, the polar wolves held us captivated on April 21. Their strategies akin to a well-orchestrated dance, these fierce predators surrounded a herd of musk oxen before launching a coordinated attack – an attempt that was thwarted by our intrusion.
A bloodcurdling display of nature's ruthless cycle unfolded before our eyes. The wolves' relentless ambush ensued, and we spectated like unwelcome guests as the pack executed their deadly plan.
The Escape Artist Forest
Ary-Mas, the northernmost forest on the planet, lies hidden in Russia's frigid tundra at 72°30' north latitude. Amazingly, it continues to baffle scientists.
This sparsely populated, 156 km2 forest, located beyond the world's taiga boundary, is home to unique flora and fauna, despite the unforgiving Arctic environment. Puzzling over its existence, scientists postulate that a microclimate niche, warm past periods, or seeds transported by birds might be responsible for the forest's remarkable resilience.
Whether it's marveling at the animation of the polar bear family, witnessing the wolves' relentless hunt, or exploring the mystery of Ary-Mas – these experiences remind us why the Arctic remains an unyielding magnet for exploration and understanding.
Burying my arms around a humble larch in Ary-Mas, I felt a sense of relief – a quenching of my thirst for the beauty of nature.
EXPEDITION UPDATES:
Tune in next time for greetings from the Pole of Cold – it's a balmy -45°C there in the spring!
- The expedition is navigating through the Arctic's frigid high latitudes, traveling on Burlaki vehicles to experience an adventure-travel expedition commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Northern Sea Route.
- The explorers delve into history, repairing weather-beaten monuments, and installing new commemorative plaques at significant sites in the Russian Arctic's rich past.
- The team encounters a mother polar bear and her cub on April 12, witnessing a rare and touching scene that reaffirms the Arctic's raw, tender beauty.
- On April 21, the explorers witness a display of nature's ruthless cycle as they stumble upon a polar wolves' coordinated hunt on a herd of musk oxen.
- Ary-Mas, the northernmost forest on the planet, remains a mystery to scientists, offering insights into the Arctic's unique microclimate and resilience of its flora and fauna.
