Three dutch drivers who are planning to get to Verkhoyansk from Amsterdam with a 4WD car in winter, asked me a LOT of questions. The questions are:
1. Could you tell us about road conditions to Yakutsk and from Verkhoyansk ? I mean maybe the road to Yakutsk is not a dirt road. But I guess from Yakutsk you will drive on frozen rivers etc.
2. Which tires would you advise?
3. Do you need double windows in the front of the car?
4. Since we do not have a car at the moment we would like to ask you which type of car you propose (Land Cruiser 80 / 100 / 105, Nissan Petrol, Mitsubitshi Pajero etc).
5. What type of fuel do you advise, diesel or gas. Especially since temperature drops for under zero, we are interested in knowlegde about fuel and how to start the car after a cold night. Maybe you can tell us more?
6. Is it possible to sell the car in Yakutsk ? We fly back to Amsterdam from Yakutsk via Moskow.
7. Can you buy good clothes against the cold in Yakutsk?
My reply was:
February is considered to be the hardest period for driving to Verkhoyansk in terms of weather. Apart from extreme cold, there might be snowstorms in mountain passes and frazil on winter roads (frozen rivers).
The way to Verkhoyansk goes through the village of Topolinoe. We have 700-km ordinary road in good condition (for winter period only) from Yakutsk to Topolinoe, and the 750-km winter road goes from Topolinoe to Verkhoynsk. Winter road means the route going on frozen rivers. Usually, the winter road to Verkhoyansk is good enough for driving at that period. But frequent snowstorms and occurred frazil make the way hard to go. For security reasons, drivers prefer to wait a few days and even the whole week until snowstorm passed or frazil disappear. So it is necessary to reserve additional 1-1,5 week.
Land Cruiser 80 and Nissan Patrol are recommended. However, the best option is Land Cruiser 80 that proved to be the most reliable, maneuverable, cross-country able, and frost-resisting. It is obligatory for the vehicle to have active vacation, narrow wheels for avoiding get-stuck-in-snow and – I am not sure of correct further term, this is literal translation from Russian – depended suspension bracket (zavisimaya podveska / зависимая подвеска, i.e. mostovoi / мостовой).
For keeping warm, it is important to have double windows in front and around, to install metal protection shield under the bottom of engine area and tarpaulin covered the rest bottom of the car. It is obligatory to keep the engine running all the time when the car is outside. The engine might be switched off only, when the vehicle is inside the warm, heated garage. If the engine stopped, the accumulator will be frozen in a moment. In such cases the accumulator must be warmed over bonfire or by a torch, and the metal protection shield under the engine needs to be heated up as well. All protection things might be installed in Yakutsk.
Diesel is the best option. It is easy to find on the way, easier than gasoline. Latter, however, has good frost-resisting ability.
Tires must be tubed and with tenons/pins. Locals prefer to use Maxxis. Wheels must be narrow, as said above.
Another tip is not to be afraid of being broken on the way, truck drivers will give you help at any time, but you need to have vodka and spirit for saying thanks to helpers Vodka is the best currency.
Warm clothes you may buy in Yakutsk, but it is very expensive. The same things you may get at your places, I think.
Yes, you can sell your vehicles in Yakutsk. However, if you want to get rid of them quick, you need to sell for reasonable price. Land Cruiser 80 will go easily for 1,000,000 rubles (approx. 28000 EUR), the lowest price, if the car is used, but in good condition. Yes, it’s cheap.
Similar Posts:
- How do you prepare your car for the winter in Yakutia?
- How to get from Yakutsk to Lensk in winter?
- Long-distance taxi rates within Yakutia. As of Oct. 20, 2009.
- How to dress in Yakutia in the middle of winter?
- An interview about the life in Oymyakon, the coldest village on the Earth. Part I.
