Polar Ring 2011

Two next days were spent for repairing consoles of intermediate reducers of both cross-country vehicles. Bended square profiles were leveled by means of jack, strengthening elements and an additional emphasis were welded . Everything is again ready for an expedition. However it became necessary to analyse carefully current situation from the point of view of the expedition`s main task – successful passing of the whole route up to the coast of Canada.

The group`s meeting was rather intense. The situation appeared to be extremely ambiguous. On the one hand - almost three-year preparation, successful decision of the majority of organizational, financial and technical questions, taking of the obligations, at last (or first of all) - aspirations of guys, who had donated much for the sake of this improbable travel. On the other hand - a technical condition of cars and, what isn`t however the most important, extremely adverse ice conditions round the Archipelago. The basic problem is half shafts. It is very difficult to predict their further behavior even after carrying out the repairings and modernizations: during torments decision is being born(Russian proverb). Should we come to the main route? Should we have a technical exit and accept the final decision after it? Should we turn a route on the "Big Land" at once? Opinions divided. But there is no time for long debates and reflections. One day later works on ice camp "Borneo" will start and Our cargoes and fuel will be transported on the Pole, which we, according to plan, should take away in the middle of our way to Canada. In such conditions it is necessary to grope truly this illusive side between reasonable risk or adventure and pure fatalism. As a result, planned route of expedition from Russia through the North Pole to Canada appears to be already behind this side: Well, it is necessary to undertake the new plan - a leading-out of cars to "Big Land", combined with all-round technical tests of technics in real conditions.

On 18th of March, on Friday, said goodbye to frontier guards and hospitable outpost, we set out. The structure of our command decreased up to five persons: Vladimir Chukov, Alexander Borisevich, Dmitry Kutalo, Oleg Kazharsky, Michael Glan. As planned transpolar transition is transferred on more late time, Sergey Fenev made a dicision to come back home.

Weather didn't favor to the route beginning. However, if to consider that the nature, even Arctic, doesn`t have bad weather, than serious snowstorm doesn`t seem to be a hindrance any more.

Refueling with solar oil tanks of cars and empty butts on trailers passed really in real bellicose conditions - snow charges heated world in “milk”, and white groats instantly got into any hole or a crack, being that a pocket or a jellied mouth of a fuel tank.

So, at first our way lies on island Golomjanyj, that is approximately 12 Kilometers from our haven on the Average. The way is extremely simple: at first some kilometers along a runway, then, further, to the edge of an Island. After it is necessary to get over on a plait on Golomjanyj and to pass pair Kilometers to polar station on the most western cape. And it is only with a good visibility. But in "milk", with tens meters of prospect, a way becomes much more difficult. The speed of our lorry convoys in such conditions - nearby 6-7 Km/hour. Snow hammers in a windscreen, and relief details disappear. Full Impression that you float in clouds. Here so, floating, the first car nearly swept from an abrupt snow-covered slope. Trailers unhooked and pulled out with the second cross-country vehicle, the car with light baggage got out on a plain place. Speed had to become a bit lower. half an hour later - a new misfortune. The poor-snowed winter and strong winds had bared sharp stones on a way, through which the cross-country vehicle passed it`s right and < lost> two tires-covers at once. It was necessary to put on use all spare wheels from trailers.

By 10 o'clock (local time) in the evening we got out to polar station. The chief of the station, Igor Lutchenko, was found in the kitchen behind meat cutting, and Tolja Omelchenko was still conjuring somewhere in the workshop. We, which day, promised to reach our colleagues, but preparation held us on the Average. Polar explorers didn`t already wait for us today. Igor placed us on a lodging for the night in "a transit room". In The best for the Russian Arctic regions times, this room was used as Hostel , in case when the hotel on the Average was fully hammered by the people. And such tsituation was normal still in the nineties of the last Century. On our memory two more, concerning to be arranged well, one-stored houses of hotel for flight structure nearby the airdrome, in which noisy corridors the group of skiers of "Arctic regions" had to spend the night time, due to absence of places on cots.

Life of polar explorers of Golomjannogo is difficult now. Fixation of operative indicators every three hours, their processing and transfer to Dickson. Besides all questions of survival are also on shoulders of these guys. It is necessary to cook food, to serve coppers and a diesel engine, to be engaged in supply and repair all rather big economy. The equipment, as well as almost everywhere in Arctic regions is 70-80th years of the previous century, and even more senior. But everything , due to Igor's and Anatoly `s efforts, contains in a good condition and works normally. Also here work two young meteorologists, apparently after school work. But it is still necessary to master all working knowledge and to learn to live on this end of the earth.

The 19th of March was devoted to tyrerepairing works and elimination of the small malfunctions, which had appeared during the first kilometers of a way. Two spare wheels were restored and one more tire-cover, which failed tests of stone desert.

In the afternoon the young white bear came to cross-country vehicles. Proceeded on distance of about hundred meters from cars, he disappeared in low hummocks of Kara sea.

Next morning, on the 20th of March. we have left hospitable Golomjannogo, heatly said goodbye to Igor and Anatoly. Now our course - on the passage of Red Army to Laptev sea. We go on smooth as a table road to island Krupsky. At the approach to the coast on the second cross-country vehicle the back left half shaft breaks. What`s a pity! It appears, that not only the central half shafts don't hold loading, but also back shafts. The extremely unpleasant moment. We have only two spare half shafts, and one should be established instead of the burst. In half an hour we begin movement along the coast of island Krupsky to the east. And again a stop - the right back wheel of the same car has helplessly hung. We get from the Zip(car) last half shaft, but do not put it. After short meeting we develop the following plan of action - one car with light baggage will reach to Island Average and make repair and strengthening of all remained "Original" half shafts by welding in each of them a breakage approaching Diameter.