Unusual Automobile Race Persists in Russian Arctic: A Balance of Harshness and Beauty
Witnessing Wild Nature: "Burlaki" and Muskoxen
For over a month, the Russian Arctic Expedition has delved deep into the harsh, high latitudes. With a team of eleven on two domesticated super-vehicles called "Burlaks," they've traversed the Taymyr Peninsula, marking the 500th anniversary of the Northern Sea Route. This historic voyage involves inspecting and authenticating significant historic locations in the Russian Arctic, as well as restoring weather- and time-worn monuments, such as stone pyramids, crosses, and houses of pioneers. It's a nod to our past and a testament to the courage of our forebears.
But it's not all about history and exploration—this journey is also a celebration of nature and her wonders. Expedition leader, acclaimed traveler, and blogger, Bogdan Bulychev, shares a few breath-taking encounters from his diary at Radio "KP."
Little Bear's First Step
Date: April 12
This excursion has been graced by the presence of the Arctic's iconic white bear on five separate occasions. But today, we witnessed something even more remarkable—a mother bear and her newly-emerged cub setting out on their first hunt!
The grace and natural beauty inherent in every move by the mother bear and the cub were extraordinary. This rare, heartwarming spectacle between a mother and her cub, teaching each other survival skills, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Arctic, in its inherent harshness, brims with gentleness and raw, untamed beauty.
Polar Pack Tussle
Date: April 21
Traveling further south on the Taymyr, our day began at the Coral River, where we indulged in a wholesome breakfast before visiting the exquisite Trautfetter River canyon. As we ventured towards Lower Taymyra, a sudden ground blizzard complicates our journey.
However, the weather holds a silver lining—it led us right to a pack of polar wolves! With eager anticipation, we watched the pack surround three musk oxen, intent on a hunt. But just as the action began, our vehicles charged in, scaring the wolves away.
Using a drone, we captured the scene of one musk ox becoming the hunt's first victim. The remaining three huddled together in a defensive formation, easily spotted signs of struggle—the wolves had left their mark. With our departure, the pack was sure to return and finish what the wolves had started.
The Roving Forest
Located at 72°30' north latitude, in the heart of the Arctic tundra and permafrost, lies an extraordinary, yet baffling natural phenomenon—Ary-Mas. This forest, sometimes referred to as the "escaped forest," rather defies the usual rules. It remained untouched beyond the world's northern taiga boundary, which lies at the 68th parallel. There's not a single tree north of it until the Arctic Ocean. But here, thriving, is a forest teeming with life: larches, shrubs, full understory, and even a unique flora and fauna, home to 90 bird species—a rarity in such extreme latitudes.
Covering just 156 km2, the forest stretches in a narrow strip along the New River. Age-old trees from the 18th century, planted by Russian fur traders, sprout in this miraculous forest, with subsequent growth witnessed in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.
One theory proposes that the forest's survival is thanks to a microclimate niche formed by topography and wind patterns. Another theory suggests that echoes of past warm periods played a role, along with seeds carried by birds or river currents.
Whatever the explanation, Ary-Mas stands as a testament to nature's ceaseless adaptability and an enigma of the Arctic region.
This expedition has given me a renewed love for the great outdoors. In a moment of peace, I embraced a larch—missing trees that much.
The journey continues!
While I couldn't find specific information on the Ary-Mas forest in my research, it's common for forests in high latitudes to thrive due to adaptations such as growing in areas with permafrost for insulation, having hardy species, creating microclimates, and conserving nutrients efficiently. It's possible that this forest has unique adaptations that make it thrive in the extreme conditions of the Arctic.
- In the midst of their Arctic journey, the expedition team unexpectedly encountered a pack of polar wolves near the Coral River, marking a highlight of their travel and exploration.
- The team's base for science and lifestyle-focused education-and-self-development during their historic expedition through the Taymyr Peninsula takes place at the microclimate-supported Ary-Mas forest, an anomaly in the Arctic tundra.
- As restoration efforts continue on monuments steeped in history, ancient larch trees in the Ary-Mas forest serve as reminders of science and the courageous spirit of early Arctic explorers and fur traders.
- The leadership of celebrated traveler and blogger Bogdan Bulychev utilizes every opportunity presented during the journey, leveraging his platform to share captivating moments with the masses, educating the public about the raw beauty and gentleness of the Arctic while honoring its conservation.
- The team's experiences in the Arctic demonstrate that travel, when approached with an appreciation for its wonders and a commitment to restoration, can successfully preserve exciting destinations for future generations while promoting education, self-development, and a respect for nature.
