Found out that there is constant interest in the Kolyma road known much as the Road of Bones. Is it safe or not? When is the best time to travel through? And so on, and so on. Okey. Let me give some idea. Further I may expand, if readers wish.
The Kolyma road starts from Khandyga (before the Verkhoyansk Range) to Magadan. The mountain road mostly is safe. However, there are three parts with dangerous narrow ways over cliffs. We call them Zheltyj Prizhim, Chernyj Prizhim, and Zayachja Petlya. It is highly recommended, especially in winter to slow speed and go through one by one.
After mountain area the road splits into two ways. Check out the map.
New one goes through Ust Nera. Here in spring-autumn drivers/travellers need to cross the Indigirka river by ferry. In the time of high water river crossing seems to be almost impossible mission. That happens usually in spring flooding period and early summer. Authorities, by the way, are eager to construct a bridge over the river at that place.
The old way goes through the Pole of Cold, that is Oymyakon and Tomtor. In warm period the road looks more as real terrains. Damaged, with a lot of pot-holes.
After Kadykchan, as local drivers say, everything looks cool, without any hard part.
The Kolyma road may afford skilled drivers to run a car at the speed of 100 km/h, but not in mountains.
Avoid spending nights outdoor. Wild bears can come across.
UPDATE: A lot has been written about the road condition since this post. Please, check other posts with the up-to-date information.
Similar Posts:
- 2009 August Road Report: the condition of the Kolyma Highway (the Road of Bones) in Oymyakonsky Ulus
- Is it dangerous to travel to Oymyakon, the Pole of Cold in winter?
- How to drive Kolyma Highway (the Road of Bones) in winter?
- What settlements to pass on the way to Magadan through Oymyakon?
- What is the condition of the Road of Bones in June? Watch the video of June 2011.
