Hi! My name is Bolot Bochkarev. I am a journalist, fixer & guide. Based in Yakutsk. Ask me a question about the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Siberia / Russia, and get the answer.
Joseph Stalin Monument in Yakutsk, Siberia, Russia. Photo: Bolot Bochkarev.
I was also surprised when I learned out that Joseph Stalin Monument would be installed and presented to the public on May 8th, 2013, before Victory Day Celebration in Yakutsk, Russia.
So, who installed the monument to the most controversial historic figure of the past century, whose cruelty and lack of love for humanity were considered to be equal to Hitler’s? And why? Read more…
Yesterday I had a great beer time with Englishmen, who appeared right from Twitter (@yakutia). They were Edward Vallance (@Yamal_Peninsula) and Cristian Barnett (@arctic_cris). Learn more about Edward and Cristian
A big announcement!
Together with the Nord Stream travel company, I am arranging Stalin’s Road of Bones trip on the route Yakutsk – Magadan, Russia’s Siberia, in Summer 2013.
7 days on Stalin’s Road of Bones (Kolyma Hwy). 2 nights in Ust Nera. Extra time in Yakutsk and Magadan.
You’ll learn more about history of the infamous Kolyma Road of Bones constructed by Stalin’s Gulag inmates. At the same time, you’ll discover the richness of the Sakha people’s culture and see the beauty of two Russian regions, Republic of Sakha-Yakutia and Magadan Oblast.
The idea remains simple. We take a van and drive all the way length of 2000 km.
Join us!
It’s always great to participate in a big project, though its preparation takes ages. One of the example is Tom Hardy’s last reality show Driven to Extremes.
What is the current temperature in Yakutsk, Russia? -48C. *Click the photo to see it in big size.
When the winter started in my region called the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), I started receiving this question very often, especially through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. Yes, Yakutia is on Instagram as well :)
So, I thought why not give a photo reply to the question, What is the current temperature in Yakutsk, Russia? See it in the above picture of yesterday’s cold winter weather in Yakutsk.
Little kids (1st – 5th classes) are allowed to not attend school, when the temperature is -45C or less below. They have a sort of holidays and enjoy the warmth sitting at home.
Oh, I love winter road trips. Just give me a direction and I’ll go there.
So, on January 3rd, 2013, with my friends and three workers of the French Embassy in Moscow, I arranged the one-day road trip to the Lena Pillars National Park (also known as Stone Forest located on the Lena River south off Yakutsk.
As far as you might know, USESCO included Lena Pillars National Park in the World’s Heritage Site List in 2012. On the Internet, they are also known as “stone trees” or “stone pillars”.
Our group consisted of 11 travellers, including 7 friends, 3 French, and me.
Oh, I am now an expert on how to plan and arrange road trips in any direction in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the biggest region in Russia’s Siberia. See the right sidebar to find out our long-distance journeys I organize this winter.
So, hereby I would like to share tips on planning a winter road trip in Yakutia, Russia’s Siberia.
I am often asked, what type of fun travelers can have with the cold weather, while being in Russia’s Siberian city of Yakutsk during a short visit.
I always offer them to try bicycling across the ice road over the Lena River in the Yakutsk area in the deep, deep, deep cold winter. One day trip! -40C or -50C! In the world’s coldest city of Yakutsk!
I think it’s more than the world-class experience! No one believed me!
Gosh! Just look at the following photographs of the ice road bicycling winter trip undertaken on the Day of the End of the World from Yakutsk on 21st December 2012 by a group of three friends, Ilya Arkhipov, Anatoly Kuzmin, Andrey Popov.
Crazy! Crazy? Oh, not really. It’s a regular fun that local bicyclists – Ilya, Anatoly, Andrey, and others – love to do in the cold weather annually. If you have a wish to repeat it, just join them or let me know.
Yakutsk, the Coldest City in the World. Capital of Yakutia in Siberia, Russia. Winter photo by Bolot Bochkarev.
Oymyakon, the coldest inhabited place in the world. A village in Yakutia, Siberia, Russia. Oymyakon winter photo by Bolot Bochkarev.
Verkhoyansk, the coldest inhabited town in the world. A town is located in the north-east Yakutia, Siberia, Russia.
The way to make winter overland adventure travel on the part Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Verkhoyansk in Yakutia, North Siberia, Russia. Three coldest Siberian places in one triangle and in one exciting winter trip.
In summer, I announced on Twitter (@yakutia) that I was going to gather groups for winter road travels from Yakutsk to any remote destinations within Yakutia as well as on the way to Magadan. I listed Oymyakon, Verkhoyansk and Srednekolymsk (via Ust Nera, Sasyr and Zyryanka).
Immediately, I started receiving tour inquiries. Oymyakon and Magadan appeared to be as the most desired winter travel destinations. There were some in regards to Verkhoyansk and Sasyr (administrative center of Momsky region). So, I paid much attention to Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Magadan. The World’s Coldest Road Trip in Winter 2012-2013.
Indeed, this Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Magadan trip is gonna be really fascinating in upcoming February and March. And you know what? I should also pay much attention to the Siberian Triangle of the Coldest Places, i.e. Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Verkhoyansk!
As you noted, right now in Russia’s Siberian city of Yakutsk we have temperatures much below minus 30 degrees Centigrade and… you might already know that I am arranging Yakutsk – Oymyakon – Magadan. The World’s Coldest Road Trip in Winter 2012-2013.
While preparing for winter road trips across Yakutia considered to be the coldest Siberian region, I receive much questions about what type of warm clothes to bring along from home countries and what to buy in Yakutsk, Russia.
“Anyone living in cold areas will tell that the best way to dress is to wear layers, you must dress yourself like an onion. The more thin layers of air you trap between your body and the outside air the warmer you will get. Natural fur works excellently at doing that: trapping air layers close to the skin. Synthetic fabrics are very good too,” tip from a friend of mine.
In such cases, I usually recommend:
1. To bring along such clothes as wool thermo underwears, warm sweaters, scarves, mittens, and the Antarctic versions of pants & parkas from such brands as Canada Goose or The North Face.
2. More vulnarable body parts are head, foot and fingers. They are the first to freeze. So, in Yakutsk, I recommend travelers, who are coming to the Sakha (Yakutia) Republic to experience the world’s coldest road trips, to purchase warm fur boots, fur hats and fur mittens.
By the way, previously I wrote in details what we, Yakutian residents, wear ourselves in winter.
See pictures/photographs of warm clothes you might wish to buy in Yakutsk, Siberia/Russia…
