The Russian visa
Comments OffRecently Yakutia was visited by Germans’ Land Rover off-road vehicle expedition “Paris - Moscow - New York: Transcontinental 2009.” Everything went smoothly. Two vehicles entered Russia, expedition members spend a few days in Moscow, gave the press-conference and did much work with cars preparation, then a few weeks on the way to Yakutsk. Eventually they [...]
Homestay in Yakutsk
Comments OffThis is incredible. A Swiss backpacker asked me about homestay possibilities in Yakutsk. I started thinking. At my place no free space is available. Kids, you know. His question seemed to stay without a positive response. But I went another way
How do the people of Yakutsk survive in extreme cold?
Comments OffAccepted a lot of questions from Marie, of windy Chicago. Three dozens, maybe. All of them about Yakutsk and its dwellers’ way of life in the winter. I had two attempts to answer and, sorry, made Marie waiting for the reply a few days, because I was sick and busy later.
The best period to visit Yakutia and experience extreme cold?
Comments OffIt’s now, actually. If to be more accurate, the best period for such visits is from the midth of December till the end of January. It is the very time to feel -50°C and less even in Yakutsk. Check out the table and my recent photographs.
Life in Oymyakon. Resident described it.
Comments OffWe, I and other Yakutians, are often asked about Oymyakon. The last time we forwarded received questions to a local resident. His name is Nikolay N. Krivoshapkin, 50-year-old driver, who was born, grew up and live the whole life in Oymyakon. Nikolay tried to describe what life in the coldest place on Earth looks like. [...]
Railroad stations in Yakutia?
Comments OffA Swiss, who plans to travel across Yakutia and go back to Moscow by train, asked a few questions about availability of railroad stations in the region. My answer is following:
Is it possible to charter a helicopter from Tiksi Airport?
Comments OffA scientist planning expedition next summer to the Lena River delta, asked about possibilities to charter a helicopter from Tiksi and who he should be in contact with.
Photo Report: Another Day in Yakutsk, December 2008
Comments OffYeee, we are in the midst of intensely cold weather. December is prominent here for minus 40 degrees Celsius (-40F). The first day with registered -40C was December 5, 2008. Praise God, there were no strong winds, otherwise we couldn’t stand it.
Video: When it is below - 40C. Yakutsk, Dec. 2008
Comments OffReal winter arrived in Yakutsk. Fog, cold, slow driving became a part of our daily life. Watch the 30-sec video shot on Dec. 7, 2008. That’s the view on the intersection from my window.
Download the Kolyma Highway travel map
Comments OffIt happened. The travel map for the Kolyma Highway is available online now. Designed for adventurers who are not afraid of driving the Kolyma Highway, well known as the Road of Bones.
It is presented in PDF on 7 pages (the A4 format.)
Available maps for:
(1) Republic of Sakha (with Kolyma Highway),
(2) Yakutsk,
(3) Nizhnyj Bestyakh - Churapcha,
(4) [...]
