Hi! My name is Bolot. I am a journalist. Based in Yakutsk. Ask me a question about the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Siberia / Russia, and get the answer.
The Lena River in November. Near Yakutsk, Yakutia, Russia. Photo by Alexander Li, Yakutsk Vecherny Newspaper, Vecherka.Ykt.ru
Often asked, if it is possible to drive roads (ice roads) and crossing rivers in Yakutia in a particular month. Yes, such questions arrive mostly from independent vehicle drivers.
So decided to give description of the conditions of roads, ice roads and river crossings month by month.
MI 8, Polar Airlines helicopter, in Yakutia, Siberia, Russia. Click the image to enlarge.
Since April 15, 2011, ice roads across the Lena River near Yakutsk are closed officially. Today the temperature is +7C at daytime. Snow and ice river cover are melting fast. Some drivers, especially villagers and truckers, run risks and cross the melting river, but that’s not good. More chances to sink.
Due to high demand and the absence of the bridge over the Lena, Polar Airlines (www.polarair.ru) starts MI 8 helicopter flights between Yakutsk (Magadan Airport) and Mannyahtaah (Megino-Kangalassky region on the opposite bank) from April 21, 2011.
A ferry on the Lena River near Yakutsk on Nov. 15th, 2010. Photo by Alexander Li, Yakutsk Vecherny Newspaper, Vecherka.Ykt.ru
Is it possible to cross the Lena River near the Siberian city of Yakutsk in November? This is a really good question. The answer is Yes and No. Everything depends on weather, precisely, on the condition of the ice cover on the Lena River.
November is the period of transition and so-called freezing-over. It’s time for the Lena River to get frozen, acquire ice cover thick enough for the use of ice river roads.
Keep in mind, there are no bridges over the Siberian river of Lena at all. The river might be crossed by ferry (in navigation period) or ice roads (in winter).
A few weeks ago I received a question from an UK backpacker, who is coming to Yakutia in January 2010. He asked “Is there an ice road to the Lena Pillars? Is it possible to make it there in January?”
Btw, a request was sent via the Facebook group “Ask-Yakutia-Today,” everyone is welcome to join us.
Frankly saying, the Lena Pillars (located a few hundreds kilometres south off Yakutsk) is visited in winter less than in summer. The main reason is the ice road that was asked about. Read more…
As far as you know, there is no bridge over the Lena River at all. Therefore, to cross the river, locals are forced to use ferryboats from June till October and ice roads in winter, officially from the midst of December till early April.
Late April – May and late October – November are considered to be dangerous periods for crossing the river. Nevertheless, some people take the risk and as result we can periodically read news about accidents, precisely about sunken cars and trucks.
It is a must for local drivers to know ice roads requirements, and travelers are recommended to keep them in mind as well. So… Read more…
This question was asked by a Russian TV crew, that plans to make a journey across Yakutia in the midst of April. A TV producer is pretty much anxious and thinking over what type of transport to rent – a car or helicopter. Well, it’s about time. According to last Friday’s news, there is the ice roads close schedule approved by State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate and the Russian Emercom. Read more…
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