2004-08-18 - Time thriller
16 Aug, 04
Forced, but needed, restday at N 62°02´35.4 E 150°12´09.4, cloudy, windy and the odd rainshower.
We caught three fish during the night. Just what we needed!
Well, regarding the subject of time pressure...What we know now is that the ice starts appearing on the Kolyma during the first week of October. We have to reach the settlement of Zyryanka before this time. This is where we not long ago have arranged to have all our wintergear sent. It is 850 km;s from where we are now to Zyryanka. We have a maximum of seven weeks to do it, which means we have to do an average of 130 km;s a week. It is not impossible. Even now, though we are far from fully fit, we average 25-30 km;s a day. Ok, conditions have been very good, but we paddle no more than 5-6 hours per day. However, it does mean we have to paddle 5 days a week, we cannot become ill, run into trouble with accidents or bad weather. On top of this, we do carry a weight, us not included, around 250 kg;s!
It won´t be easy and we won´t get a lot of time to relax. Basically due the facts that we´ve chosen to constantly make fire to avoid having to carry petrol, we´ve also chosen to fish and hunt, to avoid more weight and to get fresh prime food. No doubt, it will be a struggle and a thriller whether we will make it or not! If not, we´re in serious trouble! |
