An amazing expedition from Yakutia to the Taymyr Peninsula on passenger cars! The journey that has never been taken by anyone. 33 days and 5000 km to go. Risky and dangerous, in extremely severe north conditions, it could be only done by real men.
The expedition starts in Neryungri (the lowest in a chain red point) and heads for Norilsk.
The cars arrived to the start point by train and the crew – by airplane.
As we already mentioned, no one has ever done this on passenger cars. The only vehicles used in those north conditions are snowmobiles and Urals.
The crew is ready.
And the cars are prepared for the harsh conditions of the north.
An asphalt highway from Yakutsk to Mirny (“Peaceful”). An average speed is 100 km/h.
The road is sometimes straight, sometimes winding. The great taiga is all around.
Though it doesn’t look like Yakutia yet. At first glance, it resembles more the European North of Russia – the Arkhangelsk Region, or the Komi Republic.
Yakut horses can be often seen in these places. This semi-wild animal is as much unpretentious as the Kalashnikov rifle.
They can graze on their own during the whole year and even able to earn their living in 50-degree frost.
Because of the permafrost there are no any springs and wells here, so the locals have to saw the “drinking water” out of small rivers. The ice is clean and the water is good.
It’s impossible to get to Mirny in any other season except winter because there is no bridge across the river between the two cities.
Coming closer to Mirny, the relief becomes more uneven. And you can barely see any dwellings on your way.
The Mir kimberlite pipe. And the town of Mirny in the background, for the scale so to speak.
500 km of a perfect road to Udachny (“Lucky”).
Wonderful landscapes around.
Some larches are bent down by the weight of the snow.
The Udachny pipe. The scale of the work done by human hands is difficult to show in the photo or even video.
Its depth is comparable with the height of the Ostankino tower. By the way, can you see BelAZ haul trucks there?
Your height is the same as the wheel of this truck.
Udachny is the last point of the journey where the road is paved all year-round. Only winter roads and virgin soil are ahead.
This one is just a meandering in the woods path. It is not quite smooth, but you can easily drive at a speed of 50 km/h.
Besides, it is constantly monitored and cleaned if necessary.
Surrounding landscapes are a feast to eyes. The snowy taiga, perfect weather…
Almost no traffic.
As it darkens, it becomes cold. The temperature is about -43… -45 º C. Once the road goes a little lower, the temperature drops to -50 º C.
Looking for a place to spend the night, it was decided to climb as high as possible so that it wasn’t so cold.
The morning invigorates, -50 º C.
An impressive sunrise.
The fog is above the river, -54 º C.
This is the last place before Khatanga, where you can fill your car.
It’s noticeable that the exhaust pipe of a tank truck looks upwards. This is done on all heavy machinery in Yakutia, from buses to tractors.
Otherwise it would be almost impossible to see anything on the road in such a mixture of fog and exhausts.
Soon the winter road brings to the river. It’s easier to move here, as the relief is much smoother.
This thing cleans the road from the snow.
The Anabar – one of the biggest rivers of northern Siberia.
High banks, a broad road. This is where lies the power of the North.
3000 km are passed and the 9th day of the expedition is over.
Saskylakh is a small town located on the high river banks.
The great view from the hill.
