2004-09-08 - Great scenery
6/9 49 km, N63°20´44.1 E152°40´58.1
Partly cloudy, no rain, 2-4°C. Light wind from N.
7/9 41 km, N63°37´27.4 E153°09´40.0
Partly cloudy, no rain, 3-6°C. No wind.
8/9 43 km, N63°52´18.1 E153°38´07.1. Overcast, some light rain, 6-10°C.
Light wind from NE
Written by: Johan Ivarsson
Yesterday we woke up early to a cold (-1°C) morning, actually the first night we´ve had frost. During the breakfast we had the most beautiful view anyone can imagine, the mist slowly rising from the river uncovering the snow-covered high mountain peaks with the sun shining with it´s pale morning light. It was a magnificent sight.
The last days have been truly remarkable. The air has been crystal crisp and we´ve had a feeling that snow could start falling any moment. We´ve definitely entered the most spectacular aspect of the autumn with all its colors, as the leaves are changing from green to yellow and red.
The paddling these last three days have also changed in character.
Specifically due to the beauty of the colorful nature. That is something to enjoy when the paddling is starting to get boring and demanding, especially since I´m still recovering from the cold I had earlier.
The only obstacle at the present, is that hunger have returned. This time Mikael is suffering the most, but I also feel that the need for more food is growing. During the upcoming month though, there will be nothing but wilderness and no chance of getting more food, unless we succeed with the hunting or fishing. We carry basic food for exactly one month and unless we catch or kill something, we just can´t afford eating bigger rations. The reason why we don´t carry more food with us is simple, if we would we would sink!
I will explain what we eat during a typical day of paddling:(we average 40km;s a day, 5-6 hours of hard paddling)
For breakfast we eat a reasonable portion of porridge with raisins and sugar and a cup of tea.
For lunch, we eat two whole grain sandwiches each (schlep tjorni it is called here in Russia) with onion and cheese. On top of that we share one can of conserved meat or fish; also two cups of tea.
For dinner there is only a portion each of dried food mixed with some oil. To rehydrate the body after the days hard work we drink at least two cups of tea, sometimes more.
In addition to this, we consume two precious chocolate bars, Snickers, 100 grams, each. This is enough to give us energy to make it were we want.
But if we´re going to be able to keep, and hopefully add on, fat until the winter arrives, we will need more food!
And, if we encounter any time consuming obstacles and that we won´t make it to Zyryanka in time, we will have problems, not only with a river covered with ice, but also with a lack of food. Therefore, now, we definitely have to show our prowess as hunters and fishers. |
