Cape to Cape Expedition

Nowhere in Particular -  Russia

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3rd M   

31st March 2008

We have had an eventful day. Set off at 6.30am after being woken up by drunks. Its a shame but there is a big drink problem in these remote towns where population is falling as a result of men dying through too much drink. In Enurmino the school only has 180 children out of a total population of 800 people.

We did about 20km when we had to cross a valley which had 4ft snow in the bottom. The Land Rover got dragged onto its side and we were stuck. The tank is also finding it hard work and sometimes is only driving on one track. After digging ourselves out we continued on until the clutch on the tank went. While they were fixing that I went for a walk and saw some Polar bear prints so made a hasty retreat back to the vehicles. When we set off again we saw it not far away. We did another 35km in total making the day's total 55 - not bad to say how rough it was. It has been decided that as Oleg doesn't actually know the way that he would unhitch us this evening and return to Enurmino for more diesel and a guide.

So we are sat in the middle of no-where and they have our co-ordinates in Nikolai's GPS. For the first time since leaving Moscow the temperature is +1°C but the sun is going down and already it has dropped to -14°C.

Land Rover on its side.

Our place for the night!

Enurmino